In Belgium, every vehicle is required to have an easily accessible fire extinguisher on board. Together with Greece, Poland and Turkey, Belgium is the only country in Europe that has this obligation.
The extinguisher must be provided with a BENOR V-approval sticker, which also indicates the maximum validity of 5 years. The presence and validity of the extinguisher is usually checked during the vehicle inspection.
The size of the fire extinguisher that you need depends on the maximum permissible mass. The classification is as follows:
- Less than 3.5 tons (all passenger cars and small vans): Powder fire extinguisher 1kg (ABC) with BENOR V label
- Between 3.5 tons and 7.5 tons: Powder fire extinguisher 2kg (ABC) with BENOR V label
- More than 7.5 tons: Powder fire extinguisher 3kg (ABC) with BENOR V label
In addition, European regulations also require trucks to install a separate 6kg (ABC) powder extinguisher with BENOR V label on the outside of their cabin. Among other things, this is also used to extinguish the trailer load.
In addition to a fire extinguisher, cars in Belgium must also be equipped with a warning triangle, first aid kit and reflective safety vest.