Excerpts from FireRescue1.com:
NFPA 1901: Standard for Automotive Fire Apparatus – some of the most significant updates have been introduced in recent revisions. These changes are designed to enhance safety, improve operational efficiency, and ensure better compliance with modern firefighting standards.
Chapter 4: General Requirements
A major addition is the requirement for vehicle data recorders that can capture driving and riding data to support safer practices. Additionally, all fire apparatus must now have a calculated center of gravity not exceeding 80% of the vehicle’s height, either through tilt-table testing or by incorporating a stability system (4.11 and 4.13). This helps reduce the risk of rollovers during high-speed operations.
The contractor must also provide detailed documentation for the entire apparatus and its major systems, including 20 essential items that ensure both firefighters and mechanics have access to critical technical and operational information (4.20.2.3).
The Fire Apparatus Manufacturers’ Association (FAMA) recently released its “Fire Apparatus Safety Guide,†which outlines key safety procedures for operating fire apparatus. This guide is listed as item 20 in the document and covers hazards identified by FAMA safety signs, helping operators understand the risks associated with various parts of the vehicle.
A new certification requirement has been added, mandating that manufacturers confirm the apparatus meets estimated in-service weight and stability standards. This includes linking maximum stop speed to the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) and extinguishing agent tank capacity or tire manufacturer ratings. If certification isn't possible, a detailed non-compliance statement must be provided, identifying the responsible party (4.21).
Chapter 12: Chassis and Vehicle Components
New rules apply to diesel particulate filters (DPFs) installed on fire apparatus, ensuring they operate efficiently and meet emissions standards (12.2.6.7).
Chapter 14: Driving and Crew Areas
Seat belts must now meet minimum length requirements, and instructions for proper measurement have been included. A warning device is required to alert when an occupant in a designated seat is not wearing a seat belt. Seat belts can now be orange, in addition to red (14.1.3).
Crew cabs with a GVWR over 26,000 pounds (11,800 kg) must provide occupant protection during crashes. Helmets are no longer recommended while the vehicle is in motion due to interference with restraint systems, and proper helmet storage is now mandatory (14.1.7.4).
Chapter 15: Body, Compartments, and Equipment Mounting
Retro-reflective striping on the rear of vehicles is now required in a chevron pattern sloping downward at a 45-degree angle from the vehicle's centerline (15.9.3.2), improving visibility during emergency operations.
Chapter 16: Fire Pumps and Associated Equipment
Industrial supply pumps rated over 3,000 gpm (12,000 L/min) are now included in Chapter 16 alongside standard fire pumps. The revised chapter outlines specific requirements based on pump capacity. A new testing requirement ensures gauge and flow meter accuracy during pump certification (16.14.3.2).
Chapter 20: Foam-Proportioning Systems
All foam systems must now be type-tested for accuracy and certified by the manufacturer. After installation, the final installer must also test and certify the system for proper operation (20.11).
Chapter 22: Line Voltage Electrical Systems
This chapter has been reorganized for clarity. Key updates include bonding the protective ground from shoreline inlets to the vehicle frame, switching the neutral conductor through the transfer switch when multiple power sources are used, setting a minimum wire size for permanently mounted reels, and requiring fixed scene lighting devices to be tested and listed (22.7).
Chapter 24: Air Systems
New training requirements have been added for personnel working with air systems. A high-temperature alarm is now required in compressor compartments, along with labels warning against obstructing airflow. Additional changes include:
- Compressors must have an air-quality monitoring system.
- If the compressor is electrically driven, a shoreline connection is required.
- High-pressure air hoses and couplings must be rated for at least four times the expected pressure.
Testing and certification of breathing air fill stations now require system-specific testing, and a new section addresses utility air system testing.
Chapter 26: Trailers
A new chapter has been added for trailers used in emergency response scenarios. Specific requirements address trailer construction and compatibility with tow vehicles.
Chapter 28: Ultra-High Pressure Pumps and Associated Equipment
This new chapter reflects the growing use of ultra-high pressure (UHP) fire pumps, which operate at 1,100 psi (7,600 kPa) or higher. It provides guidance for manufacturers and buyers on the design, testing, and maintenance of these high-performance systems.
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