Vehicles carrying dangerous goods must carry fire extinguishers.  The size and type are specified by ADR annex 8 para 1.4.1 onwards.  Some temporary derogations and exemptions have been allowed, so that UK firms may carry older-spec extinguishers for the time being.

A cab extinguisher, of at least 2 KG dry powder, must be carried.

For transport units with a maximum permissible mass of more than 7.5 tonnes a minimum total capacity of 12 kg dry powder must be carried.  At least one shall extinguisher must have a minimum capacity of 6 kg.  Currently, derogations allow a 2KG cab extinguisher and 6KG load extinguisher.  When this derogation is lifted, it is most likely transport companies will equip with a 3KG cab extinguisher and 9KG load extinguisher as the cheapes option, as both these capacities are readily available.

For transport units with a maximum permissible mass of more than 3.5 tonnes up to and including 7.5 tonnes, one or more portable fire extinguishers  with a minimum total capacity of 8 kg dry powder of which at least one shall have a minimum capacity of 6 kg;

(iii) for transport units with a maximum permissible mass of up to and including 3.5 tonnes, one or more portable fire extinguishers  with a minimum total capacity of 4 kg dry powder .

The total capacity referred to includes the load extinguisher(s) and the cab extinguisher.

Transport units carrying dangerous goods in packages under the packaged goods thresholds require only portable fire extinguisher with a minimum capacity of 2 kg dry powder.

All extinguishers must be EN / BS - marked and sealed to indicate full capacity.  They must be regularly inspected.  They must be installed on the transport units in a way that they are easily accessible to the vehicle crew. The installation shall be carried out in such a way that the fire extinguishers shall be protected against effects of the weather so that their operational safety is not affected. The crew must know how to operate the extinguishers.

(ADR 8.1.5 and Reg. 24, CDG etc. Regs 2004)

ADDITIONAL SAFETY EQUIPMENT

Every transport unit carrying dangerous goods shall be equipped with:

(a) The following general purpose safety equipment:

- For each vehicle, at least one chock of a size suited to the weight of the vehicle and to the diameter of the wheels;

- Two self-standing warning signs (e.g. reflective cones or triangles or flashing amber lights which are independent from the electrical equipment of the vehicle);

- A suitable warning vest or warning clothing (e.g. as described in European Standard EN 471) for each member of the vehicle crew;

- A pocket lamp (see also 8.3.4) for each member of the vehicle crew;

(b) A respiratory protective device in conformity with additional requirement S7 (see Chapter 8.5) if this additional requirement applies according to the indication in Column (19) of Table A of Chapter 3.2;

(c) The personal protection and the equipment necessary to take the additional and/or special actions referred to in the instructions in writing set out in 5.4.3.

Persons whose duties concern the carriage of dangerous goods by road shall have received training in the requirements governing the carriage of such goods appropriate to their responsibilities and duties. This requirement applies to individuals such as personnel who are employed by the road vehicle operator or the consignor, personnel who load or unload dangerous goods, personnel in freight forwarding or shipping agencies and drivers not referred to in 8.2.1.

Drivers of goods vehicles carrying dangerous goods in tankers or tank containers or packaged goods that come within transport categories 0 to 4 on vehicles that don't come within the criteria for an ADR certificate are still required to be trained. The operator/owner is required to give some form of training with regard to the driver's duties, nature and hazard of the substance carried and action to be taken in an emergency. A record must be kept of the training.

Drivers of foreign goods vehicle carrying dangerous goods within the U.K. should possess an ADR certificate issued in their own country containing similar information to the British version. 

Mandatory written information is normally in the form of a "TREMCARD" but a telex, letter or note will do, BUT it must be sufficient enough to identify the substance, the hazard involved and the emergency action to be taken.

This information must be in the cab at all times whilst the vehicle is carrying the product until it has been cleaned, purged or is risk free. Information relating to other products is destroyed or removed from the cab or held securely in a closed container in the cab clearly marked to show that it does not relate to the current load. N.B. with a multi-load there should be a TremCard etc. for each product. The operator must provide a secure place for the TremCard, e.g. clipboard and a receptacle for unused cards, so that in the event of an accident only the correct TremCard is visible.