First Aid & Fire Safety Requirements by Industry

Fire Extinguisher Requirements (49 CFR 393.95)

Every power unit must carry at least one properly charged fire extinguisher. The regulation specifies minimum UL ratings based on vehicle type and cargo. Vehicles hauling hazardous materials require higher-rated extinguishers.

• Minimum 5 B:C rating (or two 4 B:C extinguishers) for most CMVs
• Hazmat loads require 10 B:C minimum
• Must be securely mounted, readily accessible, and inspected annually
• Drivers must know location and how to operate the extinguisher
• Failed or missing extinguishers are an out-of-service violation

First Aid Kits

There is no single federal mandate requiring first aid kits on all CMVs, but ANSI Z308.1 kits are recommended by FMCSA and required by some states and many carrier safety programs. Passenger-carrying vehicles have stricter requirements under 49 CFR 393.76.

• ANSI Z308.1 Type I kit covers most CMV needs
• Some states (California, New York) mandate onboard first aid kits
• FMCSA CSA scoring: no direct first aid kit violation, but medical readiness supports safety record
• Carriers running OSHA-covered operations at loading docks also need facility kits per 1910.151

Aircraft Emergency Equipment (14 CFR 91.513)

Aircraft with 10 or more passenger seats must carry specific emergency equipment. The regulation covers fire extinguishers, crash axes or crowbars, and first aid kits scaled to passenger capacity.

• Minimum one hand fire extinguisher in pilot compartment
• Additional extinguishers in passenger compartment based on seating capacity
• Halon 1211 alternatives increasingly required (halon production phased out)
• First aid kit contents specified by FAA Advisory Circular
• Emergency equipment must be inspected at regular maintenance intervals

Charter & Air Taxi (14 CFR Part 135.177)

Part 135 operators (charter, air taxi, commuter) have enhanced first aid kit requirements beyond Part 91. Kit contents are more comprehensive and must be checked before each flight or at defined intervals.

• Enhanced first aid kit with additional medications and supplies
• Emergency medical kit required on aircraft with flight attendants
• AED recommended on larger charter aircraft (not universally mandated)
• Crew training on first aid kit contents and use is required

Hangars and Ground Facilities

Aircraft hangars and FBOs fall under NFPA 409 (Standard on Aircraft Hangars) for fire protection and OSHA 1910.151 for ground crew first aid. Jet fuel handling areas require Class B fire extinguishers and specific spill containment.

• NFPA 409 governs fire protection systems, extinguisher placement, and fire suppression in hangars
• OSHA 1910.151 applies to all ground crew and maintenance personnel
• Class B extinguishers for fuel handling areas (flammable liquids)
• Eye wash stations required where chemicals (hydraulic fluid, solvents) are used
• Aviation manufacturing facilities also fall under OSHA 1910.157 for portable fire extinguisher standards

Shipyard Employment (OSHA 1915.87)

OSHA 1915.87 sets first aid requirements for shipyard employment, including shipbuilding, ship repair, and ship breaking operations. The standard requires employers to ensure prompt first aid availability and addresses the unique hazards of working on and around vessels.

• First aid kits must be readily accessible in each work area
• Kit contents must be appropriate to the hazards present (welding burns, fall injuries, confined space rescue)
• At least one person with valid first aid training per work shift
• If no medical facility is within reasonable distance, a trained first aid provider must be on site

Vessel Requirements (USCG)

The U.S. Coast Guard requires first aid kits and fire extinguishing equipment on inspected and uninspected vessels. Requirements scale with vessel size, passenger capacity, and voyage type.

• Portable fire extinguishers required based on vessel length and type (46 CFR 132)
• Marine-rated extinguishers must meet UL marine listing requirements
• First aid kits scaled to crew size; passenger vessels need larger kits
• Cold water operations require hypothermia treatment supplies
• Immersion suits and water rescue equipment for offshore and near-coastal voyages

Special Maritime Considerations

• Hypothermia kits: thermal blankets, hot packs, dry clothing for cold water rescue
• Waterproof kit enclosures: marine environment demands sealed, corrosion-resistant containers
• Remote location planning: vessels far from shore need enhanced trauma supplies and a medical officer or designated first aid provider
• Drills: USCG requires documented emergency drills including first aid response

First Aid (OSHA 1910.151 + ANSI Z308.1)

Every manufacturing facility must have first aid supplies appropriate to the hazards present. When a hospital or clinic is not in near proximity, a person trained in first aid must be available at the worksite.

• ANSI Z308.1 Type I (16-unit) kit is the minimum for most facilities
• Type II, III, or IV kits for larger workforces or higher-hazard environments
• Eye wash and drench showers required where corrosive materials are used (1910.151(c))
• Kit inspection and restocking at regular intervals

Fire Extinguishers (OSHA 1910.157)

OSHA 1910.157 requires portable fire extinguishers in the workplace unless the employer has an established fire brigade or evacuation-only policy. The correct extinguisher class depends on the materials present.

• Class A: ordinary combustibles (wood, paper, textiles)
• Class B: flammable liquids (solvents, fuels, paints)
• Class C: energized electrical equipment
• Class D: combustible metals (magnesium, titanium, lithium)
• Maximum travel distance: 75 feet to Class A, 50 feet to Class B extinguishers

Sector-Specific Requirements

• Aerospace composites: burn kits and chemical exposure kits for epoxy resins and carbon fiber dust
• Automotive manufacturing: Class B extinguishers near paint booths; Class D where aluminum or magnesium is machined
• Metalworking and foundries: Class D extinguishers for combustible metal hazards (magnesium chips, titanium dust)
• Chemical processing: emergency showers, spill kits, and HazMat-specific first aid supplies
• Food manufacturing: Class K extinguishers near commercial cooking equipment

OSHA Applicability

OSHA applies to all federal contractors performing work in the United States. Contractor-operated facilities on military installations must meet the same OSHA 1910.151 first aid and 1910.157 fire extinguisher standards as any private-sector employer.

MIL-STD-882E System Safety

MIL-STD-882E establishes the DoD system safety process. It requires hazard analysis, risk assessment, and mitigation throughout the system lifecycle. First aid and fire safety equipment are part of the residual risk controls when engineering controls do not eliminate all hazards.

• Hazard severity and probability drive the level of first aid and fire protection required
• Safety critical items must be identified and tracked
• Emergency response plans are part of the system safety program
• Contractual requirement: prime contractors flow down safety requirements to subcontractors

Ordnance & Explosives Handling

Facilities handling ordnance, ammunition, or explosives face the most stringent safety requirements in the defense sector. Blast injury kits and specialized fire suppression equipment are standard.

• Blast injury kits: tourniquets, hemostatic agents, chest seals, and pressure bandages
• Class D extinguishers for facilities handling pyrotechnic metals
• Specialized suppression systems for magazines and storage areas
• ITAR facility access constraints: emergency equipment must be accessible without compromising controlled access zones
• Pre-positioned trauma kits at entry/exit points and in designated safe areas

FRA Emergency Preparedness (49 CFR Part 239)

49 CFR Part 239 requires railroads that operate passenger service to adopt and comply with emergency preparedness plans. These plans must address first aid equipment, fire safety, and crew emergency training.

• First aid kits required on passenger trains, scaled to seating capacity
• AEDs increasingly required on passenger rail (Amtrak, commuter rail)
• Emergency tools: pry bars, window-breaking devices, flashlights
• Crew must be trained on first aid kit location, contents, and basic use
• Emergency exits and evacuation procedures must account for mobility-impaired passengers

Locomotive Requirements

Locomotives must carry fire extinguishers and first aid kits as part of FRA safety standards. 49 CFR Part 219 addresses alcohol and drug testing for safety-sensitive positions, which intersects with emergency response capability.

• Portable fire extinguishers required in locomotive cab
• First aid kit accessible to crew in operating compartment
• Extinguisher type: ABC-rated for general locomotive hazards (diesel fuel, electrical, combustibles)
• Monthly inspection of fire extinguishers and first aid supplies

Transit Vehicle Fire Suppression

Urban transit vehicles (buses, light rail, subway cars) present unique fire risks from electrical systems, brake systems, and engine compartments. NFPA 130 (Standard for Fixed Guideway Transit and Passenger Rail Systems) governs fire protection.

• Automatic fire detection and suppression in engine compartments
• Portable extinguishers accessible to the operator
• Interior materials must meet fire performance standards for flame spread and smoke generation
• Emergency ventilation systems in underground transit stations