Changes, Changes, Changes

An overview of the new NFPA 1901

By Bob Vaccaro

As I get older, I seem to get more and more set in my ways. I don’t always welcome change, especially if it affects the way I do things.

But some change is good, especially change that helps us operate more safely. The new NFPA 1901: Standard for Automotive Fire Apparatus is a good example. The changes apply for all fire apparatus contracted after September 2008 and delivered after January 2009.

As the changes make clear, the NFPA 1901 committee has made firefighter safety a key focus. The last document was published in 2003. But a lot has taken place in the industry in these 5 short years that warranted the changes. The numerous apparatus-related firefighter injuries and deaths that have occurred since the last version were surely what prompted the committee to make some drastic changes.

I am a firm believer in promoting firefighter safety, especially if it’s a simple dollar-and-cents change a manufacturer can make to prevent injury or death. Some of the changes to NFPA 1901 are going to involve new ways of thinking about and designing apparatus, and I know there will be a lot of complaining on certain aspects. But when firefighters realize these changes are for their own good and are only going to help them in the long run, I think they’ll accept the new standard.

I’ve listed the majority of the changes in NFPA 1901 below. Most of the fire service publications have been releasing them in drips and drabs, so I thought a comprehensive list might be useful.

NFPA 1901 2009 Changes
Vehicle Data Recorders. The recorders will provide daily, weekly and monthly reports to the user and will log the following items:

Vehicle speed (mph)
Acceleration (mph/sec)
Deceleration (mph/sec)
Engine speed (rpm)
Engine throttle position
ABS events
Seat occupied status
Seatbelt status
Master optical warning device switch position
Time
Date

Rollover stability requirements. Apparatus must remain stable to 26.5 degrees—verified by tilt table or calculated or measured center of gravity (CG); OR apparatus must be equipped with a stability control system.

Maximum top speed. Vehicles with a 1,250-gallon combined water tank capacity (or higher) and/or vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) more than 50,000 lbs. must not exceed 60 mph.

Cab rearview mirrors. All primary rearview mirrors used by the driver must be adjustable from the driver’s position.

Cab integrity testing. All cabs with a GVWR greater than 26,000 lbs. must meet either SAE J2420 regulations or ECE Regulation 29.

Seatbelt warning system. The seatbelt warning system must consist of both an audible and visual warning device indicating whether seats are occupied and whether seatbelts are buckled.

Seatbelt web length requirements. Type 2 pelvic and upper torso restraints must be a minimum of 110 inches; Type 1 lap belt for pelvic restraint must be a minimum of 60 inches.

Fire helmet restraints. Apparatus must be equipped with a location for storing helmets. If helmets are stored in the driving or crew compartment, they must be secured in compliance with 9G restraint requirements.

Seatbelt color requirements. Seatbelt webbing must be either bright red or bright orange.

Vehicle weight requirement changes. There must be a permanent label in driving compartment specifying the maximum tire speed rating. In addition, the estimated in-service weight will be calculated using 250 lbs. in each seating position.

Reflective striping. At least 50 percent of the rear of the apparatus must be equipped with retro-reflective striping 6 inches in width. The striping must be red and either yellow, fluorescent yellow or fluorescent yellow-green. Retro-reflective material (96 square inches) is required for any apparatus door designed to allow persons to enter or exit.

Access ladders. All access ladders must have at least 8 inches of clearance between the rung and body or obstruction.

Diesel particulate filter (DPF)/regeneration.

The regeneration process must be activated by one of two methods: automatically by the engine system or manually initiated by activation of a switch located in the driver’s area.
A switch must be provided at the driver’s area that will inhibit DPF regeneration until the switch is reset or engine reset.
The DPF icon must be visible to the driver when seated during activation.
The high exhaust system temperature icon must be visible to the driver when seated.
Exhaust temperature must not exceed 851 degrees F when measured at the exit of the exhaust pipe during normal DPF regeneration.

Horizontal and vertical height ratings. The rated horizontal reach of aerial apparatus may be less than the extended length of the aerial used to determine the rated vertical height. HORIZONTAL REACH MUST BE SAME AS REQUIRED TO OBTAIN VERTICAL HEIGHT. The minimum rated capacity shall remain constant throughout the entire operating envelope of the aerial device.

Envelope control technology. Commonly found on aerial apparatus in other countries, envelope control technology limits the aerial’s operation within a safe, system-controlled window. The result is aerial weight reductions with shorter horizontal reach and aerials packaged with smaller chassis.

Stabilizer position and aerial operation. Aerial devices can be operated over the side with the stabilizers not fully deployed if an indicator is present at the operator’s position indicating maximum extension in relation to angle of operation based on position of stabilizers.

Ground ladders. Step ladders and other types of multi-purpose ladders meeting ANSI A14.2 or ANSI A14.5 with duty ratings of Type 1A or Type 1AA shall be permitted as a substitution for folding ladders and/or carried in addition to minimum fire department ground ladders specified.

Additional loose equipment requirements. Apparatus must carry five fluorescent orange traffic cones; five illuminated warning devices, such as flares; one traffic vest for each seating position; and one automatic external defibrillator (AED).

Additional certification requirements:

Optical warning system certification
Siren manufacturer’s certification
Air system certification, when equipped
Foam system certification, when equipped
CAFS system certification, when equipped

Additional documentation requirements:

Load distribution plan
Drive axle ratios
Maximum governed road speed
Maximum tire speed ratings

Certification/statement of exceptions document. Manufacturers must provide a certification that the apparatus fully complies to the standard OR a statement of exceptions—a signed document by an authorized agent and the purchasing entity indicating mutual understanding and agreement between the parties. Apparatus not certified to the standard shall not be placed into service until modified to comply. The statement of exceptions document must include:

The separate specification of the section of the standard;
A description of the particular aspect of the apparatus that’s not compliant;
Description of further changes/modifications required; and
Identification of the entity responsible for making changes, or supplying and installing any missing equipment to achieve compliance.

Underwriters Laboratories (UL) certifications. Founded in 1894, UL certifies more than 21 billion UL products. UL-certified apparatus meet NFPA 1901 and 1911 qualification requirements and are certified to ISO 17020 and ASNT CP189. UL is an active member on NFPA 1901, NFPA 1932 and NFPA 1500 committees and employs 48 inspectors for the fire service and operates 26 vans to provide in-service inspection. UL certifies the following:

NFPA 1901 Aerial Certification
NFPA 1901 Pump Certification
NFPA 1901 Generator Certification
NFPA 1989 Breathing Air Certification
NFPA 1901 Design/Documentation/Manufacturing Certification
ULC S515 Standard Certification (Canadian Standard)
Total Vehicle Assessment Program (TVA)
DOT Inspection

Total Vehicle Assessment (TVA) Program. The TVA program involves inspection on more than 100 items on each vehicle for compliancy to standard, monthly audits on other random items on selected vehicles for compliancy, and a semi-annual audit of all documentation/designs/manufacturing for compliancy to standard. Each vehicle receives a placard upon completion of certification. A certificate of compliancy is also provided with loose equipment documentation. Only manufacturer that third-party certifies full vehicle to NFPA 1901 compliancy. Specification text reflects this requirement.

Timeline for implementation. All changes will be implemented by all vehicles that are contracted for, on or after Jan. 1, 2009.

If you think this is too much to digest at once, you’re probably right. Don’t worry, the manufacturers will have a handle on this when you decide to order a new vehicle—but you should have an idea of what’s involved and how it will affect your department and your purchase.

Bob Vaccaro has more than 30 years of fire-service experience. He is a former chief of the Deer Park (N.Y.) Fire Department. Vaccaro has also worked for the Insurance Services Office®, The New York Fire Patrol and several major commercial insurance companies as a senior loss-control consultant.