RCW 46.44.190 Firefighting Apparatus

• Library: Washington Statutes
• Edition: 2023
• Currency: Current through the 2023 1st Special Session
• Year: 2023
• Citation: RCW 46.44.190

(1) As used in this section, "firefighting apparatus" means a vehicle or combination of vehicles, owned by a regularly organized fire suppression agency, designed, maintained, and used exclusively for fire suppression and rescue or for fire prevention activities. These vehicles and associated loads or equipment are necessary to protect the public safety and are considered nondivisible loads. A vehicle or combination of vehicles that is not designed primarily for fire suppression including, but not limited to, a hazardous materials response vehicle, bus, mobile kitchen, mobile sanitation facility, and heavy equipment transport vehicle is not a firefighting apparatus for purposes of this section.

(2) Firefighting apparatus must comply with all applicable federal and state vehicle operating and safety criteria, including rules adopted by agencies within each jurisdiction.

(3) All owners and operators of firefighting apparatus shall comply with current information, provided by the department, regarding the applicable load restrictions of state and local bridges within the designated fire service area, including any automatic or mutual aid agreement areas.

(4) Firefighting apparatus operating within a fire district or municipal department boundary of the owner of the apparatus, including any automatic or mutual aid agreement areas, may operate without a permit if:

(a) The weight does not exceed:

(i) 600 pounds per inch width of tire;

(ii) 24,000 pounds on a single axle;

(iii) 43,000 pounds on a tandem axle set;

(iv) 67,000 pounds gross vehicle weight, subject to the gross weight limits of RCW 46.44.091(1) (c), (d), and (e);

(v) The tire manufacturer's tire load rating.

(b) There is no tridem axle set.

(c) The dimensions do not exceed:

(i) 8 feet, 6 inches wide;

(ii) 14 feet high;

(iii) 65 feet overall length;

(iv) 15 foot front overhang;

(v) Rear overhang not exceeding the length of the wheel base.

(5) Operators of firefighting apparatus that exceed the weight limits in subsection (4) of this section must apply for an overweight permit with the department. The maximum weight a firefighting apparatus may weigh is 50,000 pounds on the tandem axle set and 31,000 pounds on a single drive axle, and may not exceed 670 pounds per inch width of tire. The maximum weight limit must include the weight of a full water tank, if applicable, all equipment necessary for operation, and the normal number of personnel usually assigned to be on board, or four personnel, whichever is greater. At least four personnel must be physically present at the time the apparatus is weighed.