On every bus, except buses engaged in driveaway-towaway operations, school buses and buses operating wholly within a municipality, there shall be:

A. at least one fire extinguisher with physical characteristics and fire extinguishing ability equivalent to or better than fire extinguishers which qualify under Classification B of the standards of the Underwriters' Laboratories, Incorporated. The extinguisher shall utilize an extinguishing agent which does not need protection from freezing and shall be properly filled and securely mounted in a bracket. The minimum size shall be one and one-half quart carbon tetrachloride type, four-pound carbon dioxide type, four-pound dry chemical type or extinguishing capacity equivalent to any of these types. Two extinguishers may be carried to obtain the capacity required. This requirement does not apply to any bus having a seating capacity of eight or less persons;

B. one hand axe, except for buses having a seating capacity of eight or less persons; and

C. one first-aid kit complying with the following requirements:

(1) the kit shall be of a heavy-duty ten-unit type or larger, or have contents at least equivalent in quality and number to its contents;

(2) the case and the cover shall be substantially constructed of sheet steel, wood, fiber or other durable material. If made of sheet steel, the case and cover shall be of metal at least number twenty-four U.S. gauge, nominal;

(3) the case and cover shall be constructed, including corners, covers and closure means, so that it is reasonably dust and weather proof when the cover is closed, or the kit shall be mounted in a protected location within the passenger compartment of the bus so as to be reasonably dust and weather proof;

(4) if made of sheet metal or other metals, the case shall be designed and constructed so that the cover can be easily opened to an angle of ninety degrees to one hundred degrees of arc with the case, and a substantial stop shall be provided at the angle of full opening without interfering with the smooth operation of the cover;

(5) if made of metal, the cover shall be attached to the case by at least two substantial hinges or by a continuous piano-type hinge. If nonmetallic, the cover shall be attached by either a sliding or a hinged joint; if hinged, it shall be as prescribed for metallic construction;

(6) the dimensions of the case shall permit the contents to be easily extracted and yet maintain the contents in a relatively fixed position; and

(7) the kit shall contain at least the contents specified, in not less than the quantities shown, in either of the two following types of kits:

UNIT-TYPE KIT

4-inch bandage compress

1 package

2-inch bandage compress

1 package

1-inch bandage compress

1 package

40-inch triangular bandage with 2 safety pins

1 package

burn ointment

1 package

iodine applicator, or applicator of other antiseptic solutions of at least equivalent antibacterial properties

1 package

wire splint

1 package

tourniquet

1 package

COMMERCIAL-TYPE KIT

3-inch by 2-inch sterile gauze pads

packages of 12

4-inch by 10 yards roller gauze bandage (must be replaced by unopened package after being opened)

1 package

3/4-inch adhesive compress

packages of 24

1-inch triangular bandage with 2 safety pins

1 package

burn ointment

1-ounce tube

iodine applicator or applicator of other antiseptic solution of at least equivalent antibacterial properties

1 package

wire splint

1 package

tourniquet

1 package

scissors

1.

History: 1953 Comp., § 64-3-850, enacted by Laws 1978, ch. 35, § 156.

Cross references. — For the definition of "bus", see 66-1-4.2 NMSA 1978.

For the definition of "school bus", see 66-1-4.16 NMSA 1978.