FINAL BILL REPORT

HB 1222

C 16 L 15

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Modifying certain firefighting apparatus length and weight limits.

Sponsors: Representatives McBride, Griffey, Clibborn, Orcutt, Van De Wege, Fey, Takko, Young, Sawyer and Bergquist.

House Committee on Transportation

Senate Committee on Transportation

Background:

"Firefighting apparatus" means a vehicle or combination of vehicles designed for fire suppression and rescue or for fire prevention activities. A firefighting apparatus must comply with all federal and state operating and safety criteria.

A firefighting apparatus under 24,000 pounds on a single axle or 43,000 pounds on a tandem axle may operate without a Department of Transportation (DOT) permit. If a firefighting apparatus exceeds those weight limits an annual permit may be issued if the apparatus was in operation prior to June 13, 2002. These larger apparatus are exempt from permit requirements, but the operators of the exempt firefighting apparatus must obtain an annual permit from the DOT.

The maximum weight of an apparatus is 50,000 pounds on a tandem axle and may not exceed 600 pounds per inch width of a tire. The weight limit must include the weight of: a full water tank, the equipment for operation, and the maximum number of personnel allowed on board the fire truck.

A firefighting apparatus must obtain an annual permit to operate if:

• the weight exceeds 600 pounds per inch width of a tire;

• there are 24,000 pounds or more on a single axle;

• there are 43,000 pounds or more on a tandem axle set;

• there are 67,000 pounds or more gross vehicle weight depending on axle spacing;

• the weight limit per inch width of a tire is over the manufacturer's tire load rating;

• there is a tridem axle set;

• the apparatus is wider than 8 feet and 6 inches;

• the apparatus is higher than 14 feet;

• the apparatus is longer than 50 feet over all;

• the apparatus has more than a 15-foot front overhang;

• the apparatus exceeds the length of the wheel base; or

• the apparatus weight is 50,000 pounds on the tandem axle set with a full water tank, equipment, and the normal number of personnel assigned to be on board, or it exceeds 600 pounds per inch width of a tire.

When applying for a permit, a current weight slip from a certified scale must be attached to the permit application form. Upon receiving an application for a permit, the DOT must transmit it to the local jurisdictions in which the firefighting apparatus will be operating, so that the local jurisdictions can make a determination on the need for local travel and route restrictions within the operating area. The DOT must issue a permit within 20 days of receiving a permit application and must issue the permit on an annual basis for the apparatus to operate on the state highway system along with any restrictions or limitations. A firefighting apparatus without the proper overweight permits is prohibited from being operated on city, county, or state roadways until a permit has been obtained.

The Washington State Patrol (WSP) is authorized to conduct random spot checks of firefighting apparatus to ensure compliance with overweight permit regulations. If a firefighting apparatus is found to be not in compliance, the WSP must issue a violation notice to the fire department, prohibiting the operation of the firefighting apparatus upon the roadways.

It is a traffic infraction to operate a firefighting apparatus on the roadways after a violation notice has been issued. For a first offense, the penalty is $50; for a second offense, the penalty is less than $75; and for a third or subsequent offense, the penalty is no less than $100. No individual liability will be attached to an employee or volunteer of the penalized fire department.

Summary:

The overall length of a fire apparatus length is increased from 50 feet to 65 feet before requiring a fire district or municipal department to obtain a permit to operate it, a weight limit is imposed on single drive axles of 31,000 pounds, and the weight limit per inch width of a tire is increased from 600 pounds to 670 pounds.

Votes on Final Passage: