Excerpts from FireRescue1.com:
NFPA 1901: Standard for Automotive Fire Apparatus… here are some of the most impactful updates that have recently been introduced.
Chapter 4: General Requirements
One of the key additions is the requirement for vehicle data recorders, which help monitor and improve driving and riding safety. Additionally, fire apparatus must now have a calculated center of gravity that does not exceed 80% of the vehicle’s height, as determined by tilt-table testing, or they must be equipped with a stability system (4.11 and 4.13). The contractor is also required to provide detailed documentation for the entire apparatus and each major component—this list includes 20 items in total, ensuring both firefighters and mechanics have access to all necessary technical and operational details (4.20.2.3).The Fire Apparatus Manufacturers’ Association (FAMA) has recently released its “Fire Apparatus Safety Guide.†This guide outlines essential safety procedures for operating fire apparatus and is listed as item 20 in the document. It covers the hazards identified by FAMA’s safety signs, which were added to both NFPA 1901 and 1906. This resource helps operators better understand the risks highlighted by these warning signs.
A new exception statement requires manufacturers to provide a certification that the apparatus meets estimated in-service weight and stability requirements. They must also link the maximum stop speed to the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR), extinguishing agent tank capacity, or tire manufacturer ratings. If this certificate isn’t available, the manufacturer must clearly state what is non-compliant and who is responsible for addressing it (4.21).
Chapter 12: Chassis and Vehicle Components
New rules now apply to diesel particulate filters installed on fire apparatus, including performance and operation standards (12.2.6.7).Chapter 14: Driving and Crew Areas
Seat belts must now meet minimum length requirements, and instructions on proper measurement have been included. A warning device is required to alert when an occupant in a designated seating position is not wearing a seat belt. Seat belts can now be orange, in addition to red (14.1.3). For vehicles with a GVWR over 26,000 pounds (11,800 kg), crew cabs must offer crash protection. Helmets are no longer allowed during vehicle movement due to their negative impact on restraint systems, and proper helmet storage is now required (14.1.7.4).Chapter 15: Body, Compartments, and Equipment Mounting
Retro-reflective striping on the rear of the vehicle must now follow a specific chevron pattern, sloping downward at a 45-degree angle from the vehicle’s centerline (15.9.3.2).Chapter 16: Fire Pumps and Associated Equipment
Industrial supply pumps rated above 3,000 gpm (12,000 L/min) are now included in Chapter 16 along with standard fire pumps. The revised chapter outlines differences in requirements based on pump capacity. A new requirement mandates gauge and flow meter accuracy testing during pump certification (16.14.3.2).Chapter 20: Foam-Proportioning Systems
Foam systems must now undergo type testing for accuracy and be certified by the manufacturer. After installation, they must be tested and certified by the final installer (20.11).Chapter 22: Line Voltage Electrical Systems
This chapter has been reorganized with added clarity. Key changes include bonding the protective ground from a shoreline inlet to the vehicle frame, switching the neutral conductor through the transfer switch if multiple power sources are used, setting a minimum wire size for cords on 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 introduced for personnel handling air systems. A high-temperature alarm is now required in the compressor compartment, along with labels warning against obstructing airflow. Additional changes include: compressors must have an air-quality monitoring system; electric motor-driven compressors need a shoreline connection; and high-pressure air hoses and couplings must have a pressure rating equal to or greater than the expected maximum pressure, with a 4-to-1 safety factor. Testing for breathing air fill stations now requires system-specific testing, and a new section addresses utility air systems.Chapter 26: Trailers
A new chapter has been added, covering trailers used for transporting equipment or other vehicles during emergency responses. Updates throughout the document address the needs of the tow vehicle.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. The requirements provide guidance for both manufacturers and purchasers of these advanced systems.
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