NFPA 1900, a new standard, applies to any fire apparatus purchased beginning in January 2024. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has introduced a new, broader standard that encompasses the content previously contained in separate standards for automotive, wildland fire, aircraft rescue and firefighting vehicles, and automotive ambulances.
The new standard is a soft-covered book containing 375 pages and incorporating 34 chapters and 10 indexes.
NFPA 1900 Standard
Most fire departments will not buy an apparatus that is not NFPA-compliant.
Additional changes to the NFPA 1900 standard reflect the trend toward newer technologies such as electric fire vehicles and LED lighting. The previous standard specified the use of equipment such as an alternator or a muffler that is not required with an electric apparatus.
New standard specifies such equipment is only required in the case of an internal combustion engine
The new standard specifies such equipment is only required in the case of an internal combustion engine (but not for an electric vehicle). On the other hand, unique electric vehicle safety requirements are added. The chapters are written in a way to distinguish between electric propulsion and internal combustion engine propulsion.
Specific seating requirements
The ability of LED lighting to provide greater intensity is addressed by guidelines allowing for a warning light “night mode” that avoids a distracting contrast between very bright flashing lights in a dark environment. In the daytime, the brighter lights increase visibility, exceeding the minimum requirements previously set by NFPA.
More specific seating requirements make a distinction between seats that are intended to be occupied on every response, which is larger, and those provided only for occasional use. The intent of the requirement is to maximize the comfort of personnel who will be riding in the cab most of the time. Clean cab features are not required in the new standard, but guidance is provided in the annex for those wishing to adopt clean cab procedures.
NFPA 1910 aerial test
Chevron striping on the end of the device can vary in color as long as it is retroreflective and opposite
The new standard requires a rear-view camera on all apparatus. Chevron striping on the rear of the apparatus can vary in color as long as it is retroreflective and contrasting. Operator manuals must be available as a hard copy on the apparatus, as an electronic display, or as a QR code to a website download. The operator manual must include all the information the Underwriters Laboratory (UL) would need to perform the annual and five-year NFPA 1910 aerial test.
The other hundreds of features listed in the standard range from better weather resistance of door seals to better vehicle control during emergency braking to a harder finish and better UV protection of paint.
Current issue of NFPA 1900
NFPA is titled “Standard for Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Vehicles, Automotive Fire Apparatus, Wildland Fire Apparatus, and Automotive Ambulance.” It replaces previous standards NFPA 414 (covering airport firefighting vehicles), NFPA 1901 (covering automotive fire apparatus), NFPA 1906 (for wildland fire apparatus), and NFPA 1917 (for automotive ambulances). While NFPA 1901 and 1906 officially disappeared in January 2024, there are some references to the previous standards included in the current issue of NFPA 1900.
There are some references to the previous standards included in the current issue of NFPA 1900
The standard seeks to limit its requirements to cover the design, performance, acceptance, and testing of apparatus, not focusing on what equipment is carried on the apparatus. Therefore, NFPA 1900 no longer requires a specific hose, ladder, or miscellaneous equipment to be included; rather that information has been moved to the annex as recommendations rather than requirements.
Development of any NFPA standard
NFPA standards are formulated by technical committees and task groups that consider each change. Anyone can comment on or make suggestions and recommendations for the development of any NFPA standard, and revisions take place over the course of multi-year cycles.
A second main standard covering fire apparatus is NFPA 1910 “Standard for the Inspection, Maintenance, Refurbishment, Testing and Retirement of In-Service Emergency Vehicles and Marine Firefighting Vessels.”