Vehicle interior

7-9 PSV fire protection

Reasons for rejection

Mandatory and permitted equipment
Fire extinguishers

1. A PSV that has more than 12 seating positions is not equipped with a fire extinguisher.

2. The fire extinguishers in a PSV with more than 12 seating positions are not appropriate for:

a) the size of the vehicle, or

b) the materials used in the construction of the vehicle, or

c) the type of fuel used, eg a trolley bus has a fire extinguisher filled with water.

3. A passenger compartment (Note 1) that has more than 12 seating positions does not have at least one fire extinguisher.

4. A fire extinguisher does not have clear and simple operating instructions, in English or with pictorial symbols, attached to it.

5.  A PSV required to have a fire extinguisher does not have a fire extinguisher located near the driver:

a) that is also clearly visible to passengers, or

b) where there is clearly visible signage that indicates its location to passengers.

6. If a fire extinguisher is located within a closed container, the container does not:

a) have a cover that is readily removable or breakable by a passenger, or

b) clearly display instructions that explain how to access the fire extinguisher in an emergency, or

c) enable a driver to confirm that the fire extinguisher is present by:

i. being sufficiently transparent to enable a clear view of the fire extinguisher, or

ii. being equipped with an audible or visual alarm system that alerts the driver if the extinguisher is not in place when the vehicle’s engine is running.

Condition and performance
Fire extinguishers

7. A fire extinguisher:

a) does not have a date of inspection recorded on or near the fire extinguisher, or

b) is past its specified re-inspection period (usually printed on the extinguisher), or

c) is not within six months of the last recorded inspection, where no re-inspection period is specified, or

d) is showing ‘low’ on its charge indicator, or

e) is not sealed, that is it may have been discharged and needs recharging or replacement.

Note 1

Compartment, for the purposes of fire extinguishers, means

a) the separated driver's compartment

b) the upper and lower passenger compartments of a double-decked vehicle

c) the front and rear sections of the passenger compartment of an articulated bus

d) the passenger compartment of a single-decked non-articulated bus.

Summary of legislation

Applicable legislation
Mandatory equipment
Fire extinguishers

1. A PSV that has more than 12 seating positions must be equipped with fire extinguishers that are appropriate for:

a) the size of the vehicle, and

b) the materials used in the construction of the vehicle, and

c) the type of fuel used.

2. Every passenger compartment (Note 1) must have at least one fire extinguisher if that passenger compartment has more than 12 seating positions.

3. Clear and simple operating instructions, in English or with pictorial symbols, must be attached to each fire extinguisher.

4. One of the fire extinguishers must be located near the driver, clearly visible to the passengers and must:

a) be clearly visible to the passengers, or

b) have clearly visible signage that indictaes its location to passengers.

5. If a fire extinguisher is located within a closed container, the container must:

a) have a cover that is readily removable or breakable by a passenger, and

b) clearly display instructions that explain how to access the fire extinguisher in an emergency, and

c) enable a driver to confirm that the fire extinguisher is present by:

i. being sufficiently transparent to enable a clear view of the fire extinguisher, or

ii. being equipped with an audible or visual alarm system that alerts the driver if the extinguisher is not in place when the vehicle’s engine is running.

Condition and performance
Fire extinguishers

6. A fire extinguisher must be:

a) inspected regularly as is appropriate for the particular make and model of fire extinguisher, and the date of the inspection must be recorded on or near the fire extinguisher, and

b) sealed so it is clearly apparent if it has been discharged and needs recharging or replacement.

Page amended 1 October 2012 (see amendment details).

Back to top