This information is intended as a guide to Irish PSV regulations in regard to fire extinguishing requirements for licensed public service vehicles and should not be confused with legal advice.
Small Public Service Vehicle (e.g. Taxis, Hackneys, Limousines):
An SPSV is a passenger vehicle with eight or less seats excluding the driver’s seat which is licensed as a public service vehicle.
Under new regulations (S.I. No. 249/2010) from The Commission for Taxi Regulation that came into effect on 8 June 2010, taxis must carry “a portable fire extinguisher in serviceable condition complying with EN3 and suitable for inflammability classes A, B and C, with a minimum capacity of 2 kilogrammes of dry powder or an equivalent capacity for any other suitable extinguishing agent”. This translates as a 2kg (or larger) ABC Dry Powder fire extinguisher.
A previous regulation (S.I. No. 569 of 2008) specified that the extinguisher must be carried in the luggage compartment. Usually the extinguisher is carried in a safety kit bag placed in the luggage compartment along with the other safety items that must also be carried (first-aid kit, reflective advance warning triangle, high visibility reflective safety vest, torch, etc).
The extinguisher must be inspected in accordance with I.S. 291:2002 at least once a year and a service label must be attached to the extinguisher indicating the date of last inspection. The extinguisher must be (a) fully charged, (b) the correct type and size, (c) in serviceable condition, and (d) inspected within the last year.
Large Public Service Vehicle (e.g. Coaches, Buses):
An LPSV is a passenger vehicle with nine or more seats excluding the driver’s seat which is licensed as a public service vehicle.
Large Public Service Vehicles must carry a portable fire extinguisher complying with EN3 and suitable for class A and B fires with at least 2kg or 2 litre capacity. This translates as either a 2kg (or larger) ABC Dry Powder fire extinguisher or a 2ltr (or larger) AFFF Foam fire extinguisher.
The extinguisher must be fitted in the cab area within easy reach of the driver.
The extinguisher must be inspected in accordance with I.S. 291:2002 at least once a year and a service label must be attached to the extinguisher indicating the date of last inspection. The extinguisher must be (a) fully charged, (b) the correct type and size, (c) in serviceable condition, and (d) inspected within the last year.