In recent times, the phenomenon of passenger buses catching fire continuously has raised numerous questions regarding ensuring safety when using this mode of transportation, particularly in terms of fire prevention and explosion protection for passenger buses.
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The Ministry of Public Security has issued Circular No. 57/2015/TT-BCA on equipping fire prevention and fighting equipment for road motor vehicles. The road motor vehicles include: Cars with 04 seats or more, trailers, or semi-trailers carrying passengers pulled by cars or tractors; road motor vehicles transporting flammable and explosive materials listed under regulations must be equipped with fire prevention and fighting equipment.
Passenger vehicles must be equipped with fire extinguishers, bolt cutters, hammers, crowbars, specialized flashlights, fire gloves, and toxic gas masks… to ensure maximum safety for drivers and passengers. In addition to equipping safety devices, the vehicle’s regulations should include instructions and introductions for passengers regarding the location of safety devices on the vehicle and how to use fire extinguishers and emergency hammers for handling emergencies.
Fire prevention and fighting equipment should be arranged in easily visible and accessible locations for use during a fire but should not obstruct the driver’s operation or visibility or compromise the safety of passengers.
According to Article 41 of Decree 167/2013/ND-CP stipulating penalties for administrative violations in the fields of security, order, social safety; prevention and control of social evils; fire prevention and fighting; domestic violence prevention and control: Failure to equip fire-fighting equipment on road motor vehicles as regulated will be fined VND 300,000 to VND 500,000. Failure to equip fire-fighting equipment on road motor vehicles used to transport hazardous and flammable materials as regulated will be fined VND 3,000,000 to VND 5,000,000.
The Fire Police and Traffic Police can coordinate to inspect the equipment of fire prevention facilities on cars under the approval of competent authorities. The Traffic Police can independently inspect, handle or guide the mitigation of violations regarding the regulation of equipping fire prevention and fighting equipment for cars as stipulated.
