When should ARFF vehicles be considered for replacement?

• A. After 5 years of service
• B. When repair costs exceed 50% of new value
• C. When repair costs exceed 75% of new value
• D. Every 10 years

Answer: (C)

The proper consideration for replacing ARFF (Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting) vehicles is primarily based on the cost-effectiveness of their continued operation relative to their repair needs. When repair costs exceed 75% of the vehicle's new value, it indicates that maintaining the vehicle is becoming economically unfeasible. This threshold suggests that investing in repairs is no longer justified when the financial resources required are close to the cost of acquiring a new vehicle. At this point, it often makes more sense to allocate funds toward new equipment that can provide better reliability and safety for airport operations.

It's also important to note that factors like performance, regulatory compliance, and technological advancements can play a role in the decision to replace these vehicles. Simply relying on fixed time intervals or arbitrary percentages can lead to suboptimal decisions regarding the functional capacity and readiness of ARFF vehicles.