July 2007

Apparatus Ideas

by Bob Barraclough

NFPA Seeks Comments On Proposed Changes

In order to keep the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards current, the association requires each committee to review and update standards at least every five years.

The apparatus standards, NFPA 1901, are due for updating in 2008 as the current edition was revised in 2003. For the past couple of years, the 1901 committee has been working on updating the standard, and the recommendations are out for a public review, called Report on Proposal (ROP).

This means that anyone may submit a comment on the proposed changes by Aug. 31, 2007, as long as it follows the proper format. The proposed changes and the format for submissions may

be found on the NFPA web page: http://www.nfpa.org/aboutthecodes/AboutTheCodes.asp?DocNum=1901.

Under the “Revision Cycle Information” is a hot link titled “Download the Report on Proposals.” Further down on the page is a hot link titled “NFPA 1901 A2008 ROP Draft.” When you download the ROP, the first 8 pages are boilerplate information but also contain a comment form.

The 1901 committee will meet at the Double Tree Hotel Denver on Oct. 11-13 to discuss and vote on the proposals received. If you have any items that really “push your hot button,” you should submit a comment and plan to attend the meetings in Denver.

Towed Trailers

In this issue of Fire Apparatus and Emergency Equipment Magazine, Robert Tutterow, Safety Task Force Chairman of 1901, is also writing about some of the proposed changes. My comments will cover some of the other items that may be changing. Please notice that my comments will not include or discuss all the information contained in the ROP. You need to download the entire document to ensure you have all the pertinent information.

Now on with some of the changes being contemplated in the revised standards.

For the first time ever, the proposed standards will cover trailers towed by a tow vehicle under emergency conditions. It will be Chapter 27 of the 2008 edition. The trailers have been divided into three categories: Type I is a trailer that is permanently connected to the tow vehicle tractor-drawn aerials (TDAs) as an example. Type II are trailers that are driven to the scene and may or may not be detached from the tow vehicle, such as command or hazmat trailers. Type III trailers are those used as transporters only, such as trailers to bring bulldozers to the incident. Items such as braking, conspicuity, striping, wheel chocks and connections are specified for each type of trailer.

Not Meeting The Standard

In section 4.12.4, there is a new requirement for a visual indicator or monitoring system that will indicate tire pressure. Also, in Chapter 4 there are new maximum speed limits for various apparatus, 4.14.2.

Here is one that will be an interesting part of a new truck delivery. In proposed paragraph 4.4.1.2, the apparatus manufacturer must submit a list specifically describing each point where the delivered apparatus does not meet the requirements of this standard.

What has been happening is that rigs leave the factories without striping and other equipment that are required to be installed before the apparatus is placed in service. And somehow, some of that required equipment never does get installed. Imagine that. In fact, take a look at new truck deliveries and see how many do not have striping on the front of the rig. This looks like a good way to identify who is responsible for items not meeting the standard.

Automatic External defibrillators (AEDs) are popping up everywhere and it was proposed that all pumpers have one. This suggestion was accepted in principal and the requirement for the AED was placed in the recommended equipment list in the annex, which means it’s recommended, but not required.

For those who use air tools with air supplied from the braking system, the proposed standard will require a new protection valve that will prevent firefighters from drawing the system below 80 psi. Actually, it is felt by many, that air tools should be supplied with air from a source other than the braking system.

In 13.11.1, a cab warning light must be installed to indicate when a door is open, jack is down, light tower not stowed or any other item that could do damage is left open or down. This should be wired through the parking brake switch so the warning device is not activated when the brake is set.

After much discussion, and a serious look at what firefighters may be wearing when riding to a scene, the seat belt length requirement and measurements have been revised (14.1.3.3). One more excuse for not buckling up has been eliminated. The seat belts can be red or orange in the new standard.

In 14.1.8.4, the issue of helmets not being worn in the response mode is covered. We know helmets can interfere with an air pack in an air pack seat. The committee has said not to wear them while responding.

Not to repeat, but to reinforce what Robert Tutterow has said about rear red/yellow chevron striping, it will be a tremendous accomplishment if the fire service can have a distinctive look when drivers are approaching our vehicles from the rear.

At some point, probably when I’m long gone, civilians will come to recognize the distinctive color and pattern as a fire apparatus and hopefully slow down when approaching. By the way, you should consider striping the baskets of aerial platforms. It makes them much more visible – both while responding and at the scene.

Hose Bed Minimum Length

Another that I’m not sure about is that the established 5-foot minimum length of a main hose bed will be eliminated (15.10.6). Hopefully, builders will understand a reasonably long bed hose bed is needed just to separate the couplings. I suspect elimination of the minimum length is an accommodation to keep hose beds lower while using a “L-shaped” booster tank.

Some miscellaneous changes include a right side remote mirror will be required (14.3.4) as they are on every new car produced, and 16.12.2.1.5.1 was revised to accommodate new style gauges that provide greater areas of the gauge face for reading vacuum. This is especially valuable in drafting situations.

In the aerial section (20.17.6.5) revised wording is proposed to accommodate those aerial devices that can operate safely on a short-jacked side by using an automatic limiting system. This means that an aerial may meet the standard, even when it is short-jacked, if it is equipped with an automatic system to prevent tipping.

Annex ‘D’ Revision

Annex “D” was slightly revised to eliminate the reference to the 1991 edition and to basically say all units that are 15 years old and still in reasonably good shape, shall be refurbished in accordance with NFPA 1912 (Refurbishment Standard) and be placed in reserve. Units that are worn out or reach 25 years of age, whichever comes first, shall be retired from service.

There are many other standard revisions and I hope those affected by these changes will take the time to download and understand the proposals. If there is something you think you can improve, by all means, let us know by filling out the form in the ROP package. If you think we have lost it, let us know too.

Remember a couple of things. All members of the committee are volunteers. Yes, that’s right, we get no pay and serve in the hopes that better trucks will be going to the fire service. The committee makeup is one-third fire service (including the chairman), one-third manufacturers and one-third independent experts.

Almost all of the members are currently or have been at one time been actively involved in the fire service. It is a committee that is truly involved in improving an aspect of the fire service.

Editor’s Note: Bob Barraclough is editorial director of Fire Apparatus and has been involved with the fire service for more than 40 years as a firefighter and industry consultant. He is a member of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1901 Fire Apparatus Standards Committee, an organizer of the annual Apparatus Specification Symposium of the Fire Department Safety Officers Association and a long-time member of the Fire Apparatus Manufacturers’ Association.