1095 AAS 04/04/01 S2577

1095 AAS 04/04/01 S2577.2

HB 1095 - S AMD 208

By Senators Kastama, Benton and Haugen

ADOPTED 04/04/01

On page 1, after line 18, insert the following:

"Sec. 2. RCW 46.44.091 and 1989 c 52 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) Except as otherwise provided in subsections (3) and (4) of this section, no special permit shall be issued for movement on any state highway or route of a state highway within the limits of any city or town where the gross weight, including load, exceeds the following limits:

(a) Twenty-two thousand pounds on a single axle or on dual axles with a wheelbase between the first and second axles of less than three feet six inches;

(b) Forty-three thousand pounds on dual axles having a wheelbase between the first and second axles of not less than three feet six inches but less than seven feet;

(c) On any group of axles or in the case of a vehicle employing two single axles with a wheel base between the first and last axle of not less than seven feet but less than ten feet, a weight in pounds determined by multiplying six thousand five hundred times the distance in feet between the center of the first axle and the center of the last axle of the group;

(d) On any group of axles with a wheel base between the first and last axle of not less than ten feet but less than thirty feet, a weight in pounds determined by multiplying two thousand two hundred times the sum of twenty and the distance in feet between the center of the first axle and the center of the last axle of the group;

(e) On any group of axles with a wheel base between the first and last axle of thirty feet or greater, a weight in pounds determined by multiplying one thousand six hundred times the sum of forty and the distance in feet between the center of the first axle and the center of the last axle of the group.

(2) The total weight of a vehicle or combination of vehicles allowable by special permit under subsection (1) of this section shall be governed by the lesser of the weights obtained by using the total number of axles as a group or any combination of axles as a group.

(3) The weight limitations pertaining to single axles may be exceeded to permit the movement of equipment operating upon single pneumatic tires having a rim width of twenty inches or more and a rim diameter of twenty-four inches or more or dual pneumatic tires having a rim width of sixteen inches or more and a rim diameter of twenty-four inches or more and specially designed vehicles manufactured and certified for special permits prior to July 1, 1975.

(4) Permits may be issued for weights in excess of the limitations contained in subsection (1) of this section on highways or sections of highways which have been designed and constructed for weights in excess of such limitations, or for any shipment duly certified as necessary by military officials, or by officials of public or private power facilities, or when in the opinion of the department of transportation the movement or action is a necessary movement or action: PROVIDED, That in the judgment of the department of transportation the structures and highway surfaces on the routes involved are capable of sustaining weights in excess of such limitations and it is not reasonable for economic or operational considerations to transport such excess weights by rail or water for any substantial distance of the total mileage applied for.

(5) ((Permits may be issued for the operation of fire trucks on the public highways if the maximum gross weight on any single axle does not exceed twenty-four thousand pounds and the gross weight on any tandem axle does not exceed forty-three thousand pounds.

~~(6)~~)) Application shall be made in writing on special forms provided by the department of transportation and shall be submitted at least thirty-six hours in advance of the proposed movement. An application for a special permit for a gross weight of any combination of vehicles exceeding two hundred thousand pounds shall be submitted in writing to the department of transportation at least thirty days in advance of the proposed movement.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. A new section is added to chapter 46.44 RCW to read as follows:

(1) As used in this section, "fire-fighting 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 fire-fighting apparatus for purposes of this section.

(2) Fire-fighting 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 fire-fighting apparatus shall comply with current information, available through the department, regarding the applicable load restrictions of state bridges within the designated fire service area, including any automatic or mutual aid agreement areas.

(4) Fire-fighting apparatus operating within a fire district 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.

(i) 8 feet, 6 inches wide;

(ii) 14 feet high;

(iii) 50 feet overall length;

(iv) 15 foot front overhang;

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

(5) The department may grant permits for fire fighting apparatus that exceed the weight limits in subsection (4) of this section only if they were put into operation in this state before July 1, 2001. The department shall issue the permit on an annual basis for the apparatus to operate within the designated fire service area, including mutual benefit agreement areas, subject to the applicable load restrictions of state bridges referred to in subsection (3) of this section and any other limitations stipulated on the permit. Before issuing a permit, the department will compare the apparatus to be permitted with the bridge load ratings for structures on state highways within the operating area. The permit will denote any structures where access by the apparatus is either based on special operating instructions or is denied."

Renumber the section following consecutively.

HB 1095 - S AMD 208

By Senators Kastama, Benton and Haugen

ADOPTED 04/04/01

In line 2 of the title, after "46.44.090" insert "and 46.44.091; adding a new section to chapter 46.44 RCW;"