United States Department of Transportation (DOT) is a federal cabinet department of the U.S. government concerned with transportation and is governed by the United States Secretary of Transportation. It was established by the United States Congress in 1966 and began operations on April 1, 1967.
The United States Department of Transportation (DOT) has as its mission statement to:
“Serve the United States by ensuring a fast, safe, efficient, accessible and convenient
transportation system that meets our vital national interests and enhances the quality of life of the
American people, today and into the future.”
This mission statement declares that the safety and quality of life of all who travel on America’s roads, rural or urban, are entitled to a system that protects them from hazards related to what is being transported on those roadways. It also declares that the productivity and competitiveness of American workers and businesses that move their goods on American roadways are of vital importance the country.
The US Department of Transportation (DOT) has specific requirements for the transportation of fire extinguishers in commercial vehicles, including those used in the transportation of hazardous materials. These requirements are outlined in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR) and cover issues such as the type of fire extinguisher that must be used, the placement of fire extinguishers in the vehicle, and the training of the vehicle’s operators on the use of fire extinguishers. The DOT also requires that fire extinguishers be in good working condition and that they be inspected and maintained regularly, including the use of tamper seals to ensure they have not been used or tampered with. The DOT’s regulations are designed to help prevent fires and ensure the safe transport of hazardous materials on commercial vehicles.
With the goal of keeping the U.S. transportation system safe, efficient, and secure for the American public, the Department of Transportation has the responsibility to issue, update, maintain, and enforce the rules and regulations for transportation safety. The United States Department of Transportation Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulates what items and products can be transported on American roadways, but also how they are transported, specifically related to the safety of everyone on the road.
Included under FMCSA’s General Requirements, Packaging, and Exceptions rules and regulations is the requirement that any vehicle that transports hazardous materials requiring DOT labeling must have an approved and operational fire extinguisher. This is an important rule that is designed to protect the driver should a fire occur. Part 393.95: Emergency Equipment on all Power Units requires every truck (but not a tow truck), truck tractor, and bus be equipped with a fire extinguisher.
In addition, motor vehicle drivers must also know how a fire extinguisher works, what the labeled UL ratings mean, and know how to properly use the fire extinguisher to protect themselves.
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Part 173.309 states that the fire extinguisher must:
To help with compliance, there are penalties in place for violations to the rules and regulations as previously listed. DOT penalties can include: