Hombre:
At present we are getting an artic ready to carry ADR packaged goods in europe, this will be on a 40 ton plated artic and I need to know what the latest fire extinguisher requirements are please.
The possible classes to be carried will be: 2, 3, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.1, 5.2, 6.1, 6.2, 8, 9.
I guess somewhere hidden in these forums are the answers I am looking for, but I would prefer up to date info please. So here are my questions:
1/ What is the minimum size and type to be carried in the cab?
2/ What is the minimum size and type to be carried on the trailer?
3/ Are there any requirements as to the standard/type of fire extinguisher box fitted to the trailer?
Thanks in advance.
Hi Hombre,
Sorry for the delay. 
I’m busy, but I’ve answered as soon as possible.
Here are the current fire-extinguisher requirements for ADR work:
Carriage in Limited Quantities. (Per individual package)
IF you’re carrying Limited Quantities (LQs) you don’t need any extinguishers.
IF you carry LQs with extinguishers on board, then that’s OK, since you’d have more than the minimum of nil. 
Carriage below threshold. (= total weight/literage of all packages on vehicle not exempted by LQs)
IF you’re carrying a load that’s NOT packaged in LQs, but less than the relevant ADR Transport Category threshold, then you’ll need:
1 X 2kg dry powder extinguisher suitable for fighting a fire in the engine or the cab of the vehicle.
Something like this:
or this 
In larger vehicles than those shown in the pics, the 2kg extinguisher can be mounted on the framework below the driver’s seat.
Carriage in excess of ADR threshold ( ie, when ADR applies in full)
You’ll need the 2kg extinguisher as above, PLUS one more extinguisher depending on the permitted G.V.W. of your vehicle as follows:
(The actual weight of goods that you’re carrying is irrelevant here )
Permitted G.V.W more than 7,500kgs ie ANY LGV needs ANOTHER 10kg extinguisher making a total of 12kgs
Once the vehicle is a proper LGV, it doesn’t matter whether it’s a rigid, wag and drag or an artic
On most vehicles, the larger of the extinguishers is carried outside the vehicle in some kind of protective covering,
something like this:
Other requirements, all of which must be complied with:
-
Extinguishers must be of an approved type ie. the Kite Mark or the CE mark.
-
Extinguishers must be periodically inspected and bear a label / sticker showing the next due date of inspection
-
Extinguishers must be fitted with a seal AND pin
Something like this:
-
Extinguishers must be protected from the effects of the weather.
-
Extinguishers must be easily accessible.
Lately, extinguishers are failing their inspection, if any of the paint is missing, since this leads to corrosion.
The old requirements (1 X 2kg + 1 X 6kg for all vehicles) means that there’s no end of 6kg extinguishers knocking about in yards up and down the country, so my advice is that you just need another extinguisher box mounting on the vehicle. Then you just put another of the old 6kg jobbies in there and away you go, provided it’s compliant, of course.
That’s much cheaper than going out and buying a fancy 10kg extinguisher.
If you take my suggestion, you’d then have 2 + 6 + 6 = 14. With the minimum requirement being 12kgs, there’s no problem in being 2 kg to the good.
Remember, 12kg is a minimum, not a maximum.
In the event that 1-3 above aren’t complied with, you’ll be done for not having an extinguisher, since that’s the ADR specification for extinguishers, but 4 & 5 above also apply equally. You’ll also receive a Prohibition Notice (PN,) which probably won’t be cleared until compliance is achieved. If you are on an international journey, you’ll be prohibited until you’re compliant, but you must also reckon on paying a fine. 
One final tip… please make sure that you have the current Instructions In Writing (IIW) on board.
