Emergency Equipment on CMV — 49 CFR 393.95

Federal law requires CMVs to carry specific emergency equipment. Roadside inspectors check this; missing equipment is an OOS-eligible violation.

Required equipment list

1. Warning devices (49 CFR 393.95(a))

Carry ONE of these options:

Option A: Three (3) liquid-burning emergency reflective devices — typically called "reflective triangles." Standard kit comes with 3 in a black case.

Option B: Three (3) liquid-burning flares (incandescent) PLUS three reflective triangles. (Old-school; rarely used now.)

Option C: Six (6) fusees (handheld flares) PLUS three reflective triangles.

Most carriers use Option A — just the 3 reflective triangles. They're inexpensive ($15-25/set) and meet all requirements.

2. Fire extinguisher (49 CFR 393.95(b))

For most CMVs: One (1) UL-rated B:C, 5 lb minimum, with mounting bracket. Aggregate rating ≥ 10 B:C across vehicles (most fleets just use 5 lb units which exceed the rating).

For hazmat-carrying CMVs: One (1) UL-rated B:C, 10 lb minimum. Aggregate rating ≥ 20 B:C across vehicles.

Extinguisher must be:

• Charged (gauge in green)
• Mounted on a bracket (no loose extinguishers)
• Accessible to driver from driver's seat
• Inspected periodically (mark inspection tag)

3. Spare fuses (49 CFR 393.95(c))

Required if the vehicle has fused electrical systems. Carry at least ONE spare for each type and size of fuse on the vehicle.

For vehicles with circuit breakers (most modern trucks): not required.

4. Wheel chocks (recommended, not required by 393.95)

Not federally required, but most fleets carry 2 wheel chocks for parking on grades. Some states (and most safety programs) require them for cargo operations.

Equipment exemptions

Bus / Passenger CMVs (49 CFR 393.95(e))

Buses + motorcoaches additionally must carry:

• First aid kit (passenger-specific contents)
• Reflective triangles (same as freight)
• Fire extinguisher (same min as freight)
• Body fluid clean-up kit (since 2010 amendment)

Some states require additional emergency kits for school buses (e.g., axe, blanket).

Hazmat CMVs

Higher fire extinguisher rating (see above). Also:

• Emergency response information (shipping papers always accessible)
• Driver hazmat training records carried or available

Driveaway-towaway operations

Vehicles being delivered (the vehicle IS the cargo) have different rules — emergency equipment requirements may apply to the towing vehicle only.

Where to store equipment

Inside the cab:

• Spare fuses
• Fire extinguisher (within driver's reach)
• First aid kit (passenger vehicles)
• Body fluid kit (passenger)

Inside the cab or behind the seat:

• Reflective triangles (must be accessible without leaving the vehicle)

Underbody compartment OK for:

• Wheel chocks (if not needed at roadside)

Setting up triangles after a breakdown (49 CFR 392.22)

When a CMV is stopped on the shoulder or in a lane, the driver must place reflective triangles within 10 minutes of stopping (DOT enforces a "reasonable time" standard; some districts cite at 5 minutes):

• Triangle 1: 10 feet from the side of the vehicle in the direction of approaching traffic
• Triangle 2: 100 feet behind the vehicle in the direction of approaching traffic
• Triangle 3: 100 feet in front of the vehicle if traffic approaches from both directions

For divided highways:

• All three triangles set on the side of the road behind the vehicle, 10 / 100 / 200 feet apart

For hills or curves:

• Adjust the placement so following drivers see the triangles at least 100 feet before reaching the vehicle

Common emergency equipment mistakes

1. Fire extinguisher gauge in red (discharged or partially discharged). OOS-eligible.
2. Extinguisher mounted with zip ties or duct tape instead of UL-rated bracket. OOS.
3. Reflective triangles in trunk where driver can't grab them quickly. Violation.
4. Triangles cracked, faded, or non-reflective. OOS if not visible.
5. Spare fuses missing or wrong type. Violation.
6. Hazmat-rated 10 lb extinguisher missing on hazmat vehicle. OOS, possibly hazmat permit suspension.
7. First aid kit missing on passenger CMV. Violation.

Pre-trip verification

A driver's pre-trip inspection should explicitly include:

• 3 reflective triangles present + accessible
• Fire extinguisher charged (gauge green) + mounted
• Spare fuses (if applicable)
• First aid kit (passenger CMVs)
• Body fluid kit (passenger CMVs)

The driver should mark these on the DVIR or pre-trip checklist.

Annual / periodic verification

The fleet maintenance program should include:

• Annual fire extinguisher inspection (mark the tag)
• Periodic triangle inspection (cracked or faded units replaced)
• Stock spare extinguishers + triangles for replacement

Where this fits in X3

X3's vehicles.html per-vehicle file tracks emergency equipment inventory (date last verified, fire extinguisher inspection date). DVIR forms in the X3 app prompt drivers to verify equipment at pre-trip.

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