NEWS IN BRIEF
NFPA passes new fire apparatus standards
The National Fire Protection Association recently adopted four new fire apparatus standards: NFPA 1901, Standard for Pumper Fire Apparatus; NFPA 1902, Standard for Initial Attack Fire Apparatus; NFPA 1903, Standard for Mobile Water Supply Fire Apparatus; and NFPA 1904, Standard for Aerial Ladder and Elevating Platform Fire Apparatus. They replace the 1985 edition of NFPA 1901, Standard for Automotive Fire Apparatus, which covers all apparatus as a single document.
The new NFPA 1901 has requirements for fire apparatus that provide sustained pumping operations during structural firefighting and support associated fire department operations. The apparatus must have a 750-gpm fire pump, a 500-gallon water tank, and a complement of hose and equipment to support sustained structural firefighting operations.
NFPA 1902 contains requirements for initial attack fire apparatus. This apparatus must have an attack pump of at least 25.0 gpm but not more than 700 gpm. a water tank of at least 200 gallons, and a limited amount of hose and equipment to support an initial attack on structural, vehicular, or vegetation fires.
NFPA 1903 sets requirements for mobile water supply fire apparatus— which transport water from a water source to the fireground for application by other apparatus or pumping capability. The standard requires a minimum of a 1,000-gallon tank with quick-dump and quick-fill capability and minor equipment to support its operation.
NFPA 1904 contains the requirements for apparatus that provide elevated firefighting and rescue capability from an aerial ladder or elevating platform. Aerial ladders must support 250 lbs. (the weight of one fully outfitted firefighter) on the tip of the ladder. Elevating platforms must support 750 lbs. Specific requirements are outlined for the aerial ladder, the platform, the supporting structure, the stabilization of the apparatus, the hydraulic system for control and movement of the aerial device, and the water systems on the aerial device.
The standards now require total enclosure for all personnel riding on the apparatus but leave it to the fire department to specify the number of personnel who will be riding on the apparatus. The standards provide many more performance measures for the various chassis components as well as include additional requirements for emergency warning lights and warning devices, general vehicle lighting of work areas, and a general improvement of the safety requirements for the vehicle.
The requirements for pumps on apparatus—including intake relief systems, slow-closing valves on larger inlets and outlets, specific requirements for interlocks to prevent accidental apparatus movement during pumping operations, and specific requirements for gauges—have been updated to improve user safety.
The new standards will be effective February 8, 1991 and will be available from the NFPA Customer Service Department (1-800-344-3555) beginning later this month.
Marking buildings with truss roofs
The Roselle (NJ) Fire Department has developed a method of identifying buildings with truss roofs: a small metal sign (pictured). Mounted near the entrance of such buildings, it can be easily seen by approaching firefighters to warn of truss roof construction and aid in size-up.
The department conducted a study of its response area and found many factories, service stations, and churches with truss roofs. In the industrial buildings each new occupant made interior changes as well as changes to the method of storing stock and materials. Thus arriving firefighters would not know the structural makeup of the building.
Hip Pac recall
Survivair is recalling a limited number of Flip Pacs due to a supplier’s potentially faulty high-pressure seat. Hip Pac Conshelf® regulators purchased or overhauled since July 1988 must undergo a mandatory inspection.
The Hip Pac is approved as a fiveminute escape device. Failure of the high-pressure seat in the Hip Pac regulator may cause the Hip Pac to provide less service time than five minutes, which may result in personal injury or death.
For more information about inspection and repair of Hip Pacs, contact your local distributor or nearest Survivair Warranty Center, or call Survivair at (800) 821-7236 or (714) 545-0410 in California.
Other departments are using similar marking systems, and legislation is currently before the New Jersey State Assemby that would mandate the marking system statewide. Sponsored by Assemblyman William Pat Schuber (R-Bergen), A-1120 would require structures with truss roofs to be marked with identifying signs. The building owner would be responsible for placing the sign to the left of the main entrance. It would be a flourescent-colored isosceles triangle 12 inches high and six inches wide. The emblems would not be required for oneand two-family detached homes and individual structures in a planned real estate development (where the emblem would be placed at the main entrance). The bill contains a “home rule” option, which allows the government of each municipality to determine whether to require emblems on homes with truss construction.
The legislation was sparked by a 1988 fire in Hackensack, New Jersey in which five firefighters died in a truss-roof collapse of a car dealership. The Assembly Consumer Affairs Committee unanimously approved the legislation and it is now before the Assembly for a vote.
Sprinkler Iegislation passes in RI
The Rhode Island General Assembly passed two legislative acts relating to sprinklered occupancies during its 1990 term.
House Bill 8553, which went into effect in June, requires healthcare facilities, rooming houses, boarding houses, community residences, and apartment houses with six or more living units between fire walls to be completely protected by an approved system of automatic sprinklers installed and maintained in accordance with NFPA Standard 13, 1989 Edition. Sprinklers will be required in all new construction or additions made to these structures and any buildings converted to these structures.
House Bill 8554 established a ninemember commission to study the installation of automatic sprinklers in residential occupancies. The commission will report on its findings this month.
Canine SAR group formed
Representatives of the country’s canine search and rescue (SAR) teams met recently to form an umbrella organization —the National Confederation of Search Dogs. Chaired by Dr. Janet Brennan, a Soquel, Californiabased veterinarian and a search dog handler since 1976, the confederation emphasizes training and the sharing of ideas.
One of the group’s key concerns is lack of a national policy for deployment of this valuable resource. Teams respond on two levels: locally for wilderness and area search, and nationally for disaster and rubble search. They need to be deployed in a timely and efficient manner wherever they’re needed.
Plans for the future include elevating performance standards and establishing guidelines for testing, according to Brennan. The group will meet again early this year.
