Excerpts from FireRescue1.com:
The latest update to NFPA 1901, the standard for automotive fire apparatus, brings several key changes aimed at improving safety, performance, and operational efficiency. These updates reflect a growing emphasis on driver and occupant protection, as well as better documentation and system reliability.
Under Chapter 4, General Requirements, new mandates have been introduced. For instance, vehicle data recorders are now required to capture driving data that can help promote safer practices. Additionally, vehicles must either meet a calculated center of gravity limit of 80% of their height or be equipped with a stability system. This is a critical step in reducing the risk of rollovers during emergency operations.
The contractor is also required to provide detailed documentation for the entire apparatus, including each major operating system or component. This list includes 20 essential items, ensuring that both firefighters and mechanics have the necessary technical information for safe use and maintenance.
A recent publication by the Fire Apparatus Manufacturers’ Association (FAMA), titled "Fire Apparatus Safety Guide," has been included as item 20. This guide outlines safety procedures crucial for proper operation and helps operators understand the risks highlighted by FAMA’s safety signs, which were recently added to both NFPA 1901 and 1906.
A new exception statement now requires manufacturers to certify that the apparatus meets estimated in-service weight and stability requirements. This certification must also link maximum stop speed to the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) and extinguishing agent tank capacity or tire manufacturer ratings. If this certificate isn’t provided, a detailed non-compliance statement must be issued, identifying the responsible party.
In Chapter 12, new rules apply to diesel particulate filters installed on fire apparatus. These requirements focus on the operation and performance of these systems, which play a vital role in reducing emissions and maintaining engine efficiency.
Chapter 14 covers driving and crew areas, where new seat belt length requirements and measurement instructions have been added. A warning device is now mandatory to alert when an occupant is not wearing a seatbelt. Seat belts can now be orange in addition to red, offering more visibility and flexibility.
Crew cabs with a GVWR over 26,000 pounds must ensure occupant protection during crashes. The revised standard also advises against wearing helmets while the vehicle is in motion, as they can interfere with restraint systems. Proper helmet storage is now required during travel.
Chapter 15 introduces stricter requirements for retro-reflective striping, especially on the rear of the vehicle. The striping must now be in a chevron pattern sloping downward at a 45-degree angle from the centerline, improving visibility and safety for other road users.
In Chapter 16, fire pumps rated over 3,000 gpm are now grouped under the same chapter as those rated at 3,000 gpm or less. The revised chapter details specific requirements based on pump capacity, enhancing consistency and clarity. A new requirement ensures that gauges and flow meters are tested for accuracy during pump certification.
Chapter 20 now mandates that foam-proportioning systems 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.
Chapter 22, on line voltage electrical systems, has been reorganized for better 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 present, and setting minimum wire sizes for permanently mounted reels. Fixed scene lighting devices must now be tested and listed.
Chapter 24 adds requirements for training personnel on air systems. Compressor compartments must have high-temperature alarms and labels warning against obstructing airflow. Additional changes include air-quality monitoring systems, shoreline connections for electric motor-driven compressors, and pressure-rated hoses and couplings with a 4-to-1 safety factor.
Testing and certification of breathing air fill stations now require specificity to the particular system in use, along with a new section for utility air system testing.
A new Chapter 26 addresses trailers used for transporting equipment or vehicles under emergency conditions. Changes throughout the document ensure compatibility with tow vehicles.
Finally, Chapter 28 introduces ultra-high pressure (UHP) pumps, which are becoming more common on fire apparatus. These pumps operate at 1,100 psi or higher, and the new chapter provides guidance for manufacturers and purchasers to ensure safe and effective use.
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