California Code of Regulations
Title 21 - Public Works
Division 2 - Department of Transportation
Chapter 7 - Transportation Permits
Section 1411.7 - Fire Trucks
Current through Register 2024 Notice Reg. No. 38, September 20, 2024
(a) Any fire truck may exceed the maximum allowable weights of the Department's Transportation Permit Program, but shall not exceed the following axle weight limits:
| Axle Configuration | Max. allowable weight | ||
| Single steering axle (front and rear) | 24,000 pounds | ||
| Single drive axle | 31,000 pounds | ||
| Tandem axles | 48,000 pounds | ||
| Tandem rear drive steer axles | 48,000 pounds | ||
| Tridem axles | 54,000 pounds | ||
(b) A fire truck designed to carry a minimum capacity of 1,200 gallons and exceed axle weights authorized in California Vehicle Code Section 35551 or Section 35551.5 shall be permanently marked on the manufacturer's GVW rating plate with the gallonage the fire truck is designed to carry.
(c) Tandem axles shall have a minimum axle spacing of 4 feet and tridem axles shall have a minimum axle spacing of 9 feet as measured from the centerline of the first axle to the centerline of the last axle in the axle group. Tandem axle spacing shall not exceed 8 feet and tridem axles shall not exceed 10 feet as measured from the centerline of the first axle to the centerline of the last axle in the axle group.
Except for front and rear steer axles, all axles within the same loading group shall have a common suspension system that naturally divides weight between all axles in the suspension group equally and equitably, both statically and dynamically under all loading conditions without any influence from an outside source.
(d) All fire truck axles shall have a minimum of 4 tires per axle, except for front and rear steer axles. Four-tired axles may be equipped with super single tires with a minimum of 18 inches (445 mm) of cross section and 19.5 inches of bead diameter. When super singles are used on a single axle application, the maximum weight on that axle shall be limited to 24,000 pounds. The tires must have a rated capacity marked on the sidewall of the tire as required by the U.S. Department of Transportation, Standard FMVSS 119. The sum of the rated capacities of the tires on the axle shall equal or exceed the axle weight.
(e) Fire truck axle weights shall not exceed the axle manufacturer's rated axle capacity when the axles are equipped with axle components of a corresponding rating.
(f) Fire trucks may exceed width limitations provided in Division 15 of the California Vehicle Code but cannot exceed 120 inches. All fire trucks shall comply with the length, height, and overhang limitations of Division 15 of the Vehicle Code except that single-unit fire apparatus may have a maximum length of 52 feet provided that they travel on roads that can safely accommodate them, and fire trucks defined in sections 1411.1(d), (e) and (f) may have a maximum front overhang of 8 feet from the front bumper provided that the driver's vision to the left and right is not impaired by the projecting or supporting structure. A fire truck with two parts coupled together at an articulation point is defined in this regulation as a "combination of vehicles," regardless of whether the parts detach, and therefore must comply with the length limits for a combination of vehicles in Vehicle Code Section 35401(a).
(g) Fire trucks meeting the requirements of this regulation may operate on State and local roadways without a transportation permit. Fire trucks that exceed the weight requirements of this regulation for tandem or tridem axles may receive transportation permits from the Department to operate on State routes and from local governments to operate on local roads. The permit shall not allow any increase in single axle weights. The permit shall limit tandem and tridem weights to no more than 15 percent over the weights allowed in these regulations. The permit shall allow bridge access only on bridges with a capacity rating that is adequate for the additional axle weights.
(h) Nothing in this Section shall preempt the requirements of Vehicle Code Section 35002(d) and Section 35002(e).
(i) Fire trucks exempted from provisions in Division 15 of the Vehicle Code shall comply with California Vehicle Code Section 24011.
(j) Fire trucks may not travel on a bridge where the weight of the fire truck exceeds the posted maximum bridge weight.
(k) All fire trucks shall comply with the Vehicle Code Chapter 3, Brakes, commencing with Section 26301. In addition, fire trucks purchased on or after January 1, 1994, that exceed the axle weight limits of 22,500 pounds on a single axle or 34,000 pounds on a tandem axle assembly, or where the gross vehicle weight exceeds statutory weight limits shall be equipped with a brake system designed to enhance vehicle control and stability during adverse weather conditions and emergency stops. Each type of fire truck purchased on or after January 1, 1994, that exceeds the axle weight limits of 22,500 pounds on a single axle or 34,000 pounds on a tandem axle assembly, or where the gross vehicle weight exceeds statutory weight limits, prior to sales in California, shall be tested for compliance with the following Performance Tests:
A vehicle with a brake system that is designed to enhance vehicle control and stability shall be tested for the following "Dry Road, Straight Line Stops" and "Slippery Road, Curved Stops" under the control of the General Test Conditions:
The following test conditions are applicable to both the "Dry Road, Straight Line Stops" and the "Slippery Road, Curved Stop" test:
* Level 12-foot width lane;
* Vehicle shall be centered in the lane at the initiation of braking;
* Test driver shall be allowed to steer as necessary during braking;
* Brake shall be fully applied as rapidly as possible;
* Initial brake temperature shall not exceed 250 degrees F (in lining) at the hottest brake, as measured by brake thermocouple installed in accordance with SAE J843;
* The transmission shall be in the neutral position or the clutch depressed;
* Test vehicle shall be tested both empty as delivered to the Fire District without the miscellaneous equipment installed by the Fire District, and loaded to the maximum gross vehicle weight rating. Vehicles equipped with tanks for liquid fire retardants shall be tested with tanks 2/3 filled with liquid.
* Surface Friction - Peak Friction Coefficient (PFC) as determined with an ASTM E 1134 tire on ASTM traction trailer using ASTM E 1337 procedure. Average value of 10 runs spaced evenly over the test surface.
* Brake Burnish - Burnish brakes as per FMVSS 121 burnish procedure prior to testing (i.e., 500 snubs from 40 to 20 mph at 10 fpsps on a 1.0 mile interval;
* The brakes shall be adjusted within the manufacturer's recommended tolerances;
* The tires shall be inflated to the manufacturer's recommended pressure for the load of the tire.
The fire truck shall enter the test lane described in the General Test Conditions with the surface friction and initial speed shown below. Thereafter, the brakes shall be applied as required in the General Test Conditions:
* Surface friction level-PFC=0.9 (Most dry asphalt and concrete surfaces are at this level);
* 60 mph initial speed;
* 3 repeat runs.
The fire truck shall enter the test lane described in the General Test Conditions at the surface friction, radius, and initial speed shown below. Thereafter, the brakes shall be applied as required in the General Test Conditions:
* Surface friction level-PFC=0.5 (wet, sealed asphalt in good condition is usually at or below this level);
* 500 ft. curve radius (lane centerline);
* Initial speed to be the lower of 30 mph (48 km/h) or 75 percent of the maximum drive through speed. Drive through speed is the highest speed that the vehicle can be driven through 200 feet (60.8 meter) of the 500 foot radius curve without leaving the lane. The vehicle is to be centered in the lane at the initiation of the drive through test;
* 3 repeat runs.
In the event of an electrical failure in the system installed to enhance the vehicle stability and control, the performance of the basic foundation brakes shall be unaffected. The vehicle shall be equipped so that when the left front, right front, left rear, or right rear brake assembly of the enhanced system fails to function as designed, the operator can tell without the need to connect external test equipment. Upon failure of the system, an amber light(s) shall illuminate on the instrument panel of the vehicle. The system installed to enhance the stability and control shall continue to operate without malfunction when electrical current to the stop light circuit fails.
The final stage manufacturers shall test each type of fire truck and show compliance with (k)(1)(B) and (k)(1)(C) when tested under the General Test Conditions of (k)(1)(A) above. Each type of fire truck shall be capable of making a full emergency stop in both the Straight Line Stop and the Curved Stop without any portion of the fire truck leaving the test lane. The test report shall be written in simple terms, and shall include Performance Test results in (k)(1)(B) and (k)(1)(C). The final stage manufacturers shall make the test report available upon written request from State, city, or county officials.
(l) Manufacturer's Certification.
Each fire truck equipped with a system to enhance stability and control shall be certified by the final stage manufacturer that the additional brake enhancing system is installed and functional.
1. New section filed 8-23-93; operative 9-22-93 (Register 93, No. 35).
2. Amendment filed 6-2-2010; operative 7-2-2010 (Register 2010, No. 23).
Note: Authority cited: Sections 35002 and 35795, Vehicle Code. Reference: Sections 35002 and 35780, Vehicle Code.
