Apparatus Ideas
By C. Bob Barraclough

NFPA 1901 Standard  On Apparatus Is Revised
For the last four years, the NFPA 1901 apparatus committee has been deliberating and drafting changes to the 2003 Standard. The 2008 version will be available from NFPA in August. To give the fire service and the manufacturers time to study the upgrades, the new standard will apply to all orders placed after Jan. 1, 2009.

Because of the many changes that are incorporated into the 2008 version, it is not possible to cover all of them in this column so let’s look at some of the important highlights.

Other than some changes in definitions in Chapter 3, Chapter 4 gets right into the heart of the upgrades starting with paragraph 4.4.1.2, which says the contractor must supply a detailed description of each aspect of the delivered apparatus that is not fully compliant with the requirements of the standard.

As an example, many departments wanted to have the units striped and equipped locally. As a result, a number of trucks were leaving factories not striped or equipped in accordance with the standard. Under the 2008 standard, chiefs will have a list that tells them what needs to be done in order to bring their new apparatus into compliance before they are placed into service.

Paragraph 4.11.1 requires all vehicles to be equipped with a vehicle data recorder (VDR). This will provide up to 100 engine hours of a minute-by-minute summary of the following information: speed; acceleration/deceleration; engine RPM; throttle position; ABS events; seat occupied status; master optical switch position; and a time/date stamp. Software to download this information on to a Mac or a PC must be provided with any new apparatus.

This can be a good driver training tool if used properly. One word of caution. If your department has an accident with an apparatus equipped with a VDR, you might want to have a trusted third party download the information to keep it from being tampered with by some well-meaning (read involved) individuals.

The new NPFA standard requires apparatus manufacturers to address rollover prevention. One way is to test apparatus on tilt tables.

Central tire inflation is one way to meet the new NFPA requirement for a tire pressure monitoring system.           (Fire Apparatus Photo by Bob Barraclough)

In an attempt to reduce the number of apparatus rollovers, section 4.13.1 was inserted to require one of the following for each type of apparatus: passing a tilt table test to 26.5 degrees; the calculated or measured center of gravity shall not be any higher than 80 percent of the rear axle track width; a stability control system.

This is primarily intended to have apparatus manufacturers and purchasers pay closer attention to lowering the center of gravity of tankers and heavier aerial devices.

Tire pressure plays an important role in the proper performance and drivability of all apparatus. Paragraph 4.13.4 will require a tire pressure or indicating system on all new apparatus. Not only is tire pressure important to monitor, but so is the tire rating at various speeds. Watch your city garages or tire suppliers when they replace original tires to ensure the original speed or weight ratings are maintained.

Some folks will get all worked up when they learn that the maximum speed of all apparatus over 26,000 pounds will be limited under the new standard. If you have a rig that weighs under 50,000 pounds, the maximum speed will be limited to 68 mph. Apparatus over 50,000 pounds or with over 1,250 gallons of agents (water and foam), the maximum speed must be limited to 60 mph. In either case, tire capabilities must meet the speed requirements.

A small, but important revision to the ground ladder requirements is the change in description of attic ladders to folding ladders. Included in this change is that step ladders meeting American National Standards Institute (ANSI) A 142 may be substituted for folding ladders. Keep in mind that step ladders, even some of the most popular brands, may not meet the ANSI Standards.

Another minor change eliminated the word “soft” as it relates to suction hose. As of the 2008 edition, departments either have suction hose (old style hard) or supply hose. Sure hope this satisfies those purists who have had trouble living with the soft suction definition over the last 100 years. Next thing you know someone will want to prohibit the chrome bell. We may have to draw the line at that one.

As those on the committee looked at the improvements that could or should be made to 1901, a high approval was given to including an AED (automatic external defibrillator) on all new apparatus. I’m hoping all departments will go back and include an AED on all rigs. Heart attacks are the number one killer of firefighters, and you should have this vital piece of equipment on every apparatus in case one of your members has a problem.

And here’s some hot news. Seat belts have to be longer (to fit the 95 percentile male with bunker gear), and they can now be orange as well as red. And you non-believers say we don’t make progress.
Helmets have always presented a safety problem in air pack seats as the rear brim may interfere with the top of the air bottle. The 2008 revision states that helmets are for firefighting – they are not crash helmets. As a result, they should not be worn in the rigs. (14.1.8.4) So, that means they must be secured any time the vehicle is moving. Europeans have used a net system on the back wall, but other means may be specified depending on what your department may desire.

With first responders getting struck almost on a daily basis, highway traffic safety for the troops is a high priority. High visibility traffic vests for each seated position and a minimum of five traffic cones are required in the new standard. This is another place where you should go back and put both these items on all apparatus. Take a look at Robert Tutterow’s “Keeping it Safe” column on conspicuity in this issue.

Here are a few more upgrades in the standard: remote-controlled mirrors; rear 6-inch red and yellow striping; new 50/50 intake gauges are acceptable; discharge outlets with flowmeters must have pressure gauges; water tanks must have a means to flush; aerials must be at least 50 feet long to be included in the aerial category; aerials may have a horizontal reach that is less than the vertical height measurement; aerials may operate in short-jacked position; where an aerial device has a knuckle, it must be painted with retro-reflective paint or reflective material; foam systems are not required, but highly recommended (at least by many folks including me); trailers are now covered; Annex B has been updated; Annex C was eliminated with a referral to go to the Web site of the Fire Apparatus Manufacturers Association (www.FAMA.org) for weights and measurements of equipment.

Out Of Service At 25
And, lastly, Annex D now mirrors NFPA 1911 where all apparatus, at a minimum, should be refurbished at 15 years, assuming the unit still has some life left in it, and taken out of service at 25 years.

As a review, any material in the main chapters is a requirement and those in the annexes are recommendations and explanatory material.

I know this is a lot to assimilate at one time, hence the reason for highlighting only some of the more significant changes. To ensure you have the whole standard, call the NFPA (after July) at 800-344-3555 to get your copy of the 2008 edition of NFPA 1901.

In the meantime, the “Report on Proposals” and the “Report on Comments,” which cover the changes made by the committee, are currently available on the NFPA website www.nfpa.org.

Editor’s Note: Bob Barraclough is a 40-year veteran of the fire service and fire manufacturing industry. He is chief columnist for Fire Apparatus & Emergency Equipment magazine and a 20-year member of the NFPA 1901 Fire Apparatus Standards Committee. A principal organizer of the annual FDSOA Apparatus Specification Symposium, he is also a past president of the Fire Apparatus Manufacturers’ Association. Barraclough serves as a consultant to Rosenbauer America and Akron Brass and is called upon as an expert witness in litigation involving fire industry products. His career includes executive positions at E-ONE, Hale Fire Pumps, National Foam, Span Instruments and Class 1.