The Carriage of Explosives by Road Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1997

Regulation 25

SCHEDULE 8 Precautions against Fire and Explosion

1.  Subject to paragraph 2, the operator of a vehicle, which is being used for the carriage of explosives, shall ensure that it is equipped with at least—

(a) one portable fire extinguisher with a minimum capacity of 2 kilograms of dry powder or other suitable extinguishant with an equivalent test-fire rating of at least 5A and 34B, as defined in British Standard BSEN 3-1: 1996, suitable for fighting a fire in the engine or cab of the vehicle and such that, if it is used to fight a fire involving the load, it does not aggravate the fire and, if possible, controls it; and

(b) one portable fire extinguisher with a minimum capacity of 6 kilograms of dry powder or other suitable extinguishant with equivalent test-fire rating of at least 21A and 183B, as defined in British Standard BSEN 3-1: 1996, suitable for fighting a tyre or brake fire or a fire involving the load and such that, if it is used to fight a fire in the engine or cab of the vehicle, it does not aggravate the fire.

2.—(1) The fire extinguisher referred to in paragraph 1(a) need not be suitable for fighting a fire in the engine, if the vehicle is equipped with a fixed fire extinguisher suitable for fighting a fire in the engine, which either works automatically or is easily brought into action.

(2) Where the vehicle is a motor vehicle with a permissible maximum weight of less than 3.5 tonnes, the fire extinguisher referred to in paragraph 1(b) may be replaced by a fire extinguisher with a minimum capacity of 2 kilograms of dry powder or other suitable extinguishant with an equivalent test-fire rating of at least 5A and 34B as defined in British Standard BSEN 3-1: 1996.

3.  Where a vehicle, which is being used for the carriage of explosives, comprises a trailer and the laden trailer is uncoupled and left on the road at a distance from the motor vehicle—

(a) paragraph 1(a) shall not apply;

(b) the operator, driver and any attendant of the said motor vehicle shall ensure that the trailer is equipped with at least one fire extinguisher which conforms to the provisions of paragraph 1(b).

4.  The operator shall ensure that the extinguishants contained in the fire extinguishers referred to in this Schedule are such that they are not liable to release toxic gases—

(a) into the driver’s cab; or

(b) when under the influence of the heat of a fire.

5.  The operator shall ensure that any portable fire extinguisher provided in accordance with this Schedule—

(a) bears a mark of compliance with a standard recognised by a competent authority for that type of extinguisher;

(b) is fitted with a seal verifying that it has not been used; and

(c) where manufactured after 31st December 1996, bears an inscription indicating the date when it should next be inspected.

6.  The operator of the vehicle referred to in paragraph 5 shall ensure, prior to carriage, that the date inscribed on any portable fire extinguisher in accordance with sub-paragraph (c) of that paragraph has not passed.

7.  The driver shall ensure that the fire extinguishers referred to in this Schedule are stored in such a way as to be suitably protected and easily accessible.