NFPA Seeks Public Input on New Automotive Ambulance Standard
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standards Council has approved the request of the Technical Committee on Ambulances to enter a new document, NFPA 1917, Standard for Automotive Ambulance into the Annual 2012 revision cycle.
This standard establishes the minimum requirements for new automotive emergency medical services (EMS) ground vehicles used for out-of-hospital medical care and patient transport. The term new as applied in this standard is intended to refer to the original construction of an ambulance using all new materials and parts. The purpose of this document is to specify minimum requirements, performance parameters, and essential criteria for the design of ground ambulances.
The technical committee has addressed the following areas for design, construction and performances:
- Chassis
- Patient Compartment Area
- Low Voltage and Line Voltage Electrical
- Testing
The Ambulance Committee is seeking public input on this draft as well as the National Truck and Equipment Association (NTEA), Ambulance Manufacturer’s Division (AMD) Standards that are referenced in the draft. The Ambulance Committee will review the public input when considering the options as follows: keep the external AMD references as used in the draft; maintain the AMD references but add the committee’s amendments, or the technical committee develop testing criteria without using external reference within the NFPA 1917 ambulance standard.
Proposals must be received by Dec. 15, 2010.