Highway code

• international category N 2 vehicles with a gross vehicle weight not exceeding 7.5 tonnes;
• tractors for semi-trailers in international categories N 2 and N 3.

Vehicles intended for registration in France in the following categories must be fitted with at least one ABC powder extinguisher with a capacity of at least 6 kilograms, located outside the vehicle in a place easily accessible to the driver:

• vehicles in international categories N 2 and N 3 with a gross vehicle weight exceeding 7.5 tonnes, excluding tractors for semi-trailers;
• semi-trailers in international categories O 3 and O 4 with a gross vehicle weight exceeding 7.5 tonnes. The extinguisher may also be placed on the towing vehicle, outside, in a place easily accessible to the driver, and without prejudice, where applicable, to any extinguisher provided for in Article 1. Uncoupled semi-trailers may not be fitted with a fire extinguisher.

The fire extinguishers specified in articles 1 and 2 must comply with the provisions of the decree of October 24 1984, as amended, concerning the mandatory application of standards or equivalent specifications in force in a member state of the European Union or a state party to the agreement establishing the European Economic Area. They and their supports must be designed to withstand the conditions of transport in vehicles, and their performance must be at least as follows:

TYPE OF EXTINGUISHER

TYPES OF HEATINGS OFF at least (1)

Outdoor fire extinguisher (6 kg minimum)

21 A and 113 B
Cabin extinguisher (at least 2 kg)

8 A and 34 B
(1) These hearths are given with reference to standard NF EN 3 referred to in the aforementioned modified order of October 24, 1984.

In the case of extinguishers complying with standard NF S 61 900, typical extinguished fireplaces must be at least :

• for outdoor extinguishers (6 kg minimum): 21 A and 144 B ;
• for cabin extinguisher (2 kg minimum): 13 A and 55 B.

In the case of extinguishers complying with other equivalent specifications in force in a Member State of the European Union or a State party to the Agreement establishing the European Economic Area, the fireboxes shown in this table should be replaced by the equivalent standard fireboxes provided for in the said specifications.

Vehicles intended to form part of hazardous materials transport units complying with the provisions of marginal 10240, referred to in the aforementioned Order of December 5, 1996 on the transport of hazardous goods by road, known as the "ADR Order", are deemed to comply with the provisions of the present Order.

Article 5
The provisions of Article 1 apply from January 1, 1996 to all new and in-service vehicles covered by this article, whatever their date of first registration.

The provisions of article 2 apply to all vehicles referred to in this article put into circulation for the first time from January 1, 1996.

In addition, vehicles in international categories N 2 and N 3 with a gross vehicle weight exceeding 7.5 tonnes, other than tractors for semi-trailers, put into circulation for the first time before December 31, 1995, must be fitted, from January 1, 1996, with either the fire extinguisher specified in Article 1, or the fire extinguisher specified in Article 2.

Arrêté du 2 juillet 1982 relatif aux transports en commun de personnes. 

Article 17
Fire extinguishers (location).

One or more locations must be provided for the fire extinguisher(s) described in article 64 of this order. The location(s) must be visible or indicated to passengers; at least one must be located near the driver.

Article 38
The provisions of the preceding articles of this decree relating to protection against fire and other hazards, special rules for equipment and interior fittings, and transport capacity apply to each rigid section of the vehicle, subject to the fourth paragraph of article 19 of this decree. The provisions of article 17 concerning the location of fire extinguishers and of article 37 concerning the retarder apply to the complete vehicle.

APPENDIX 1 - II - FIRE EXTINGUISHER
The fire extinguisher to be placed near the driver, in application of the provisions of article 17 of the present order, must comply with the provisions of the modified order of October 24, 1984 concerning the compulsory application of standards or equivalent specifications in force in a Member State of the European Union or a State party to the agreement establishing the European Economic Area. It and its support must be designed to withstand the conditions of transport in vehicles, and its capacities and performances must be at least as follows: see Appendix 1, Chapter II.