1526                               Laws of Maryland                         Ch. 534

shall conform with the requirements of section 12-407 applicable
thereto.

§ 12-409. Vehicles transporting hazardous materials.

(a)    The Commissioner shall adopt such regulations as may be
necessary for the safe transportation of hazardous materials. Such
regulations shall duplicate or be consistent with current Hazardous
Materials Regulations of the United States Department of Trans-
portation.

(b)    Any person operating a vehicle transporting any hazardous
materials as a cargo or part of a cargo upon a highway, shall at all
times comply with regulations of the Commissioner adopted pur-
suant to the provisions of this section.

(c)    Said vehicle shall be marked or placarded at such places
and in such manner as have been prescribed by regulations adopted
pursuant to this section.

(d)    Every said vehicle shall be equipped with fire extinguishers
of a type, size and number approved by the Commissioner, filled
and ready for immediate use, and placed at a convenient point on
the vehicle so used.

§ 12-410. Air-conditioning equipment.

(a)    The term "air-conditioning equipment" as used or referred
to in this section means mechanical vapor compression refrigeration
equipment which is used to cool the driver's or passenger compart-
ment of any motor vehicle.

(b)    The equipment shall be manufactured, installed, and main-
tained with due regard for the safety of the occupants of the vehicle
and the public and shall not contain any refrigerant which is toxic to
persons or flammable.

(c)    The commissioner may adopt and enforce safety require-
ments, regulations, and specifications consistent with the require-
ments of this section applicable to the equipment.

(d)    No person shall have for sale, offer for sale, sell, or equip
any motor vehicle with this equipment unless it complies with the
requirements of this section.

(e)    No person shall operate on any highway any motor vehicle
equipped with any air-conditioning equipment unless the equipment
complies with the requirements of this section.

§ 12-411. Metal frame required for rear of trailers and semitrailers.

Every trailer or semitrailer of a gross weight of 3,000 pounds or
more when operated upon a highway shall be equipped with a perma-
nent metal frame attached to the underside of the rear of the trailer.
The frame shall not be any wider than the width of the trailer, and
shall be not more than SO inches above the highway when moving
and shall be constructed of heavy gauge steel. The maximum trans-
verse distance from the widest part of the vehicle at the rear to the
frame shall not exceed 18 inches. The frame shall be constructed so
as not to interfere with lights or other warning devices. Any trailer
or semi-trailer so constructed and maintained thai the body, chassis
or other parts thereof afford the protection required by this section
shall be deemed to be in compliance with this section. The provisions