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:
1. Chassis
2. Patient Compartment Area
3. Low Voltage and Line Voltage Electrical
4. 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 the Secretary, Standards Council, at NFPA, by 5:00 PM EDST on Wednesday, December 15, 2010.
Please contact the Standards Administration Department or the Staff Liaison for this document, Larry Stewart, if you have any questions on the document.
About the NFPA Standards Council
The NFPA Standards Council, a 13 member body appointed by the board of directors of NFPA, is charged with overseeing the NFPA codes and standards making process. Generally, the duties of the Council include supervising activities related to NFPA codes and standards development, acting as administer of rules and regulations, and serving as an appeals body.
About the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
NFPA is a worldwide leader in providing fire, electrical, building, and life safety to the public since 1896. The mission of the international nonprofit organization is to reduce the worldwide burden of fire and other hazards on the quality of life by providing and advocating consensus codes and standards, research, training, and education.