AN
ACT Relating to weight limits on fire-fighting apparatus; amending RCW
46.44.190; and prescribing penalties.
BE IT
ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
Sec.
1. RCW
46.44.190 and 2001 c 262 s 3 are each amended 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)) 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)
Fire-fighting 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)
50 feet overall length;
(iv)
15 foot front overhang;
(v)
Rear overhang not exceeding the length of the wheel base.
(5)
Operators of fire-fighting apparatus that exceed the weight limits in subsection
(4) of this section must apply for an overweight permit with 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 maximum weight a fire-fighting
apparatus may weigh is 50,000 pounds on the tandem axle set, and may not exceed
600 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.
(6)
When applying for a permit, a current weight slip from a certified scale must
be attached to the department's application form. Upon receiving an
application, the department shall transmit it to the local jurisdictions in
which the fire-fighting 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 department shall issue a
permit within twenty days of receiving a permit application and 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)) on the state highway system, with reference made to
applicable load restrictions ((of state bridges referred to in subsection
(3) of this section)) and any other limitations stipulated on the permit,
including limitations placed by local jurisdictions. ((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.))
(7)
Fire-fighting apparatus in operation in this state before the effective date of
this act, and privately owned industrial fire-fighting apparatus used for
purposes of providing emergency response and mutual aid are each exempt from
subsections (4) and (5) of this section. However, operators of the exempt
fire-fighting apparatus must still obtain an annual permit under subsection (6)
of this section.
(8)
Fire-fighting apparatus without the proper overweight permits are prohibited
from being operated on city, county, or state roadways until the apparatus is
within legal weight limits and a current permit has been issued by the
department. When the permit is issued, the fire district must notify the
Washington state patrol that the apparatus is in compliance with overweight
permit regulations.
(9)
The Washington state patrol may conduct random spot checks of fire-fighting
apparatus to ensure compliance with overweight permit regulations. If a
fire-fighting apparatus is found to be not in compliance with overweight permit
regulations, the state patrol shall issue a violation notice to the fire
department stating this fact and prohibiting operation of the apparatus on
city, county, and state roadways.
(10)
It is a traffic infraction to continue to operate a fire-fighting apparatus on
the roadways after a violation notice has been issued. The following penalties
apply:
(a)
For a first offense, the penalty will be no less than fifty dollars but no more
than fifty dollars;
(b)
For a second offense, the penalty will be no less than seventy-five dollars;
(c)
For a third or subsequent offense, the penalty will be no less than one hundred
dollars.
(11)
No individual liability attaches to an employee or volunteer of the penalized
fire department.
