Tanker: Tanker Equipment
5 questions in the bank cover this topic. Everything below is drawn from the sources those questions cite.
Sources: 49 CFR 393.95
What you need to know
393.95(g) says 'whether loaded or empty'.
An empty flammable tank still holds vapour, and vapour is what ignites, so the empty tank is arguably the more dangerous one. Carry triangles instead. An empty flammable tank still holds vapour, and vapour is what ignites.
Fusees or any other signal produced by a flame shall not be carried on any commercial motor vehicle transporting Division 1.1, 1.2, 1.3 (explosives) hazardous materials; any cargo tank motor vehicle used for the transportation of Division 2.1 (flammable gas) or Class 3 (flammable liquid) hazardous materials whether loaded or empty
49 CFR 393.95
393.95(a) requires all three.
The visual charge indicator matters most on a pre-trip: an extinguisher can look perfect and be empty, and you will not discover that during a fire.
The fire extinguisher must be designed, constructed, and maintained to permit visual determination of whether it is fully charged
The fire extinguisher(s) must be filled and located so that it is readily accessible for use
The extinguisher(s) must be securely mounted to prevent sliding, rolling, or vertical movement relative to the motor vehicle
49 CFR 393.95
A placarded load doubles the requirement from the ordinary 5 B:C to 10 B:C.
B:C covers flammable liquids and electrical fires, which is what you are carrying and what you are driving. None of the figures offered is the one the rule gives.
A power unit that is used to transport hazardous materials in a quantity that requires placarding (See § 177.823 of this title) must be equipped with a fire extinguisher having an Underwriters' Laboratories rating of 10 B:C or more.
49 CFR 393.95
Three, and they must be bidirectional so traffic from either direction sees them.
The alternative is at least 6 fusees, but those are banned on your flammable tanker.
Three bidirectional emergency reflective triangles that conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 125
49 CFR 393.95
393.95(a)(1)(ii) allows either a single 5 B:C or two 4 B:C units.
Placarded loads are the ones that need 10 B:C. Placarded loads need 10 B:C instead.
Two fire extinguishers, each of which has an Underwriters' Laboratories rating of 4 B:C or more.
49 CFR 393.95
Check yourself
- May you carry fusees after unloading a flammable liquid cargo tank?
- What must be true of the fire extinguisher on your vehicle?
- Your tanker is placarded. What minimum fire extinguisher rating must you carry?
- How many reflective triangles does the regulation call for when stopped on the shoulder?
- Your tank is not placarded. What satisfies the extinguisher requirement?
Answers are in the practice test for this topic.