Safety Manager Tip: CMV Emergency Equipment

FMCSA Regulation (393.95) requires all commercial motor vehicles (except driveaway-towaway operations) to have the following emergency equipment:

• Fire extinguishers.
• Spare fuses.
• Warning devices for stopped vehicles.

Fire Extinguishers

• Power units with hazardous materials loads requiring placarding must have a fire extinguisher that has an Underwriters Laboratories rating of 10 B:C or more.
• Power units not used to transport hazardous materials must have a fire extinguisher rating of 5 B:C or more or two extinguishers of 4 B:C or more.
• Extinguishers must be labeled with their ratings and must have visual indicators to show that the unit is fully charged.
• Fire extinguishers must be located so that they are readily accessible for use and securely mounted to prevent sliding, rolling or vertical movement.

Spare Fuses

• Power units for which fuses are needed to operate any required parts and accessories must have at least one spare fuse for each type and size of fuse needed for those parts and accessories.

Warning Devices for Stopped Vehicles

• Three bidirectional emergency reflective triangles are required or at least six fuses or three liquid-burning flares (restrictions apply based upon specific types of hazardous materials loads that may be hauled).

Emergency Triangle Placement

Two-Lane Roadways

• One triangle 100 feet in front of the vehicle, centered in the lane the vehicle occupies.
• One triangle 10 feet behind the vehicle, on the traffic side of the vehicle.
• One triangle 100 feet behind the vehicle, centered in the lane the vehicle occupies.

Divided Highways and One-Way Roads

• One triangle 10 feet behind the vehicle, on the traffic side of the vehicle.
• One triangle 100 feet behind the vehicle, centered in the lane the vehicle occupies.
• One triangle 200 feet behind the vehicle, centered in the lane the vehicle occupies.

Remember: Compliance with this FMCSA Regulation is the responsibility of the CMV operator. Make it a habit to include the inspection of your required emergency equipment a part of your daily pre-trip and post-trip inspections.