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Gave It All On
9-11-2001
Current
Threat Level
Assistance to Firefighter Grant Program (AFGP)
Wildland
Equipment
NFPA 1906
Chapter 5 Chassis and Vehicle Components
Chapter 5 5.1* Carrying Capacity.
The GAWR and GVWR of the chassis shall be adequate to carry the weight of the fire apparatus when loaded to its estimated in-service weight as defined in 5.1.2.
5.1.1 The manufacturer shall establish the estimated in-service weight during the design of the fire apparatus.
5.1.2 The estimated in-service weight shall include the following:
(1) The chassis, body, and tank(s)
(2) Full fuel, lubricant, and other chassis or component fluid tanks or reservoirs
(3) Full water and other agent tanks
(4)* 200 lb (90 kg) in each seating position
(5) 70 lb (32 kg) for each seating position for personal gear unless the purchaser specifies that personal gear is not carried on the apparatus
(6) Fixed equipment such as pumps, aerial devices, generators, reels, and air systems as installed
(7) Ground ladders, suction hose, designed hose load in their hose beds and on their reels
(8) An allowance for miscellaneous equipment that is the greatest of the values shown in Table 5.1.2, a purchaser-provided list of equipment to be carried with weights, or a purchaser-specified miscellaneous equipment allowance
Table 5.1.2 Minimum Miscellaneous Equipment Allowance
Chassis GVWR Equipment Weight
lb lb
5,000–10,000 300
10,001–15,000 500
15,001–20,000 1,000
20,001–26,000 1,500
>26,000 >12,000 910
5.1.3
The manufacturer shall engineer and design the fire apparatus such that the completed apparatus, when loaded to its estimated in-service weight, with all movable weights distributed as close as is practical to their intended in-service configuration, does not exceed the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR).
5.1.4*
A final-stage manufacturer's certification of the GVWR, along with a certification of the GAWR, shall be supplied on a label affixed to the vehicle.
5.1.5
The fire apparatus manufacturer shall permanently affix a high-visibility plate in a location visible to the driver while seated.
5.1.5.1*
The plate shall show the height of the completed fire apparatus in feet and inches or meters, the length of the completed fire apparatus in feet and inches or meters, and the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) in pounds or kilograms.
5.1.5.2
Wording on the plate shall indicate that the information shown was current when the apparatus was manufactured and that, if the overall height changes while the vehicle is in service, the fire department must revise that dimension on the plate.
5.2 Engine and Engine System Design.
5.2.1 Chassis Engine.
5.2.1.1*
An engine governor or electronic fuel control system shall be installed that will limit the speed of the engine under all conditions of operation to that speed established by the engine manufacturer, which shall be the maximum governed speed.
5.2.1.2*
Automatic engine shutdown systems shall not be permitted unless they are an integral part of the standard engine management system that cannot be disabled.
5.2.1.3
The installation of the engine, transmission, and engine- and transmission-driven accessories (PTOs, etc.) shall meet the engine and transmission manufacturers' installation recommendations for the service intended.
5.2.1.4 Engine Speed Control Device.
5.2.1.4.1*
An engine speed control device shall be installed to allow an increase in the engine speed when the apparatus is parked.
5.2.1.4.2*
An interlock shall prevent the operation of this engine speed control device unless the parking brake is fully engaged and the transmission is in neutral or park, or unless the engine speed control device is used with chassis engine-driven components, in which case it shall be interlocked with the engagement of those components.
5.2.2 Cooling System.
5.2.2.1*
The engine's cooling system shall maintain a temperature in the engine at or below the engine manufacturer's maximum temperature rating under all conditions for which the apparatus is designed.
5.2.2.2 Drain Valves.
5.2.2.2.1
Readily accessible drain valves shall be installed at the lowest point of the cooling system and at such other points as are necessary to permit complete removal of the coolant from the system.
5.2.2.2.2
Drain valves shall be designed such that they will not open accidentally due to vibration or be opened by encountering brush or other objects.
5.2.2.3
The radiator shall be mounted to prevent the development of leaks caused by twisting or straining where the apparatus operates over uneven ground.
5.2.2.4 Radiator cores shall be compatible with commercial antifreeze solutions.
5.2.3 Lubrication System.
5.2.3.1* The engine shall be provided with an oil filter of the type approved by the engine manufacturer.
5.2.3.2 The engine oil fill-pipe shall be large enough and located so as to allow easy filling.
5.2.3.3
A permanent plate in the driving compartment shall specify the quantity and type of the following fluids used in the vehicle:
(1) Engine oil
(2) Engine coolant
(3) Chassis transmission fluid
(4) Pump transmission lubrication fluid
(5) Pump priming device fluid
(6) Drive axle(s) lubrication fluid
(7) Air-conditioning refrigerant
(8) Air-conditioning lubrication oil
(9) Power steering fluid
(10) Cab tilt mechanism fluid
(11) Transfer case fluid
(12) Equipment rack fluid
(13) CAFS air compressor system lubricant
(14) Front tire cold pressure
(15) Rear tire cold pressure
5.2.4 Fuel and Air Systems.
5.2.4.1 Diesel Engines.
5.2.4.1.1 Air Intake System.
5.2.4.1.1.1* An air filter shall be provided in the engine's air intake system.
5.2.4.1.1.2 Air inlet restriction shall not exceed the engine manufacturer's recommendations.
5.2.4.1.1.3*
The air inlet shall be equipped with a means of separating water and burning embers from the air intake system such that burning particulate matter larger than 0.039 in. (1.0 mm) in diameter cannot reach the air filter element.
5.2.4.1.1.4 An air restriction indicator shall be mounted in the driving compartment and visible to the driver.
5.2.4.1.2* The fuel supply lines and fuel filters shall meet the engine manufacturer's recommendations.
5.2.4.1.3 Electric Fuel Priming System.
5.2.4.1.3.1*
Where an electric fuel priming system is furnished, the valving and piping shall be arranged and marked with a label so that it can be operated only to reprime the fuel system.
5.2.4.1.3.2
When the system is not being intentionally operated, it shall be isolated from the fuel system and inoperable.
5.2.4.1.3.3 The priming system shall be marked with a label to indicate proper operation.
5.2.4.2 Gasoline Engines.
5.2.4.2.1 Air Intake System.
5.2.4.2.1.1* An air filter shall be provided in the engine's air intake system.
5.2.4.2.1.2 Air inlet restriction shall not exceed the engine manufacturer's recommendations.
5.2.4.2.1.3*
The air inlet shall be equipped with a means of separating water and burning embers from the air intake system such that burning particulate matter larger than 0.039 in. (1.0 mm) in diameter cannot reach the air filter element.
5.2.4.2.1.4 An air restriction indicator shall be mounted in the driving compartment and visible to the driver.
5.2.4.2.2 Fuel System.
5.2.4.2.2.1
Fuel lines and filters or strainers that meet the engine manufacturer's recommendations shall be provided.
5.2.4.2.2.2
The fuel line(s) shall be located or protected so as not to be subjected to excessive heating from any portion of an exhaust system.
5.2.4.2.2.3 The line(s) shall be protected from mechanical damage.
5.2.5* Exhaust System.
5.2.5.1
The exhaust piping and discharge outlet shall be located or shielded so as not to expose any portion of the apparatus or equipment to excessive heating.
5.2.5.2 Exhaust pipe discharge shall be directed away from the pump operator's position.
5.2.5.3 Silencing devices shall be provided.
5.2.5.4 Exhaust back pressure shall not exceed the limits specified by the engine manufacturer.
5.2.5.5
Where parts of the exhaust system are exposed so that they are likely to cause injury to operating personnel, protective guards shall be provided.
5.3 Vehicle Components.
5.3.1 Braking System.
5.3.1.1
The vehicle shall be equipped with an all-wheel antilock braking system if such a system is available from the chassis manufacturer.
5.3.1.2 All brakes shall be readily accessible for adjustment.
5.3.1.3 The service brakes and parking brakes shall be applied by independent means.
5.3.1.4 The service brake application valve, when applied, shall operate all the service brakes on the vehicle.
5.3.1.5* Where air-actuated braking systems are provided, they shall include the following:
(1) An automatic moisture ejector
(2) An air drier
(3) A pressure protection valve to prevent air-operated accessories from drawing air from the air brake system when the air system's pressure drops below 80 psi (552 kPa)
5.3.1.6* Parking Brakes.
5.3.1.6.1
Parking brakes shall control the rear wheels, or all wheels, and shall be of the positive, mechanically actuated type.
5.3.1.6.2
When the fire apparatus is loaded to its GVWR, the parking brake system shall hold the apparatus on at least a 20 percent grade.
5.3.1.6.3
A lockup device to retain applied pressure on hydraulically actuated service brake systems or the use of the “park” position on an automatic transmission shall not be substituted for a separate parking brake system.
5.3.1.7*
All apparatus with a GVWR of 36,000 lb (16,330 kg) or greater shall be equipped with an auxiliary braking system.
5.3.1.8*
Any time a secondary braking device such as transmission retarders and exhaust restriction devices are used, they shall have a switch to turn them off during adverse road conditions.
5.3.2 Suspension and Wheels.
5.3.2.1*
Each load-bearing tire and rim of the fire apparatus shall not carry a weight in excess of the recommended load for the operation of truck tires of the size used, as published in the Tire and Rim Association — Year Book, or as recommended by the tire manufacturer, when the apparatus is loaded to its GVWR.
5.3.2.2* The minimum ground clearance shall be as specified in Table 5.3.2.2.
Table 5.3.2.2 Under-Vehicle Clearance
Chassis GVWR Ground Clearance
lb in.
5,000–10,000 9
10,001–15,000 12
15,001–20,000 13
>20,000 >9,000 15
5.3.2.3*
An angle of approach and an angle of departure of at least 20 degrees shall be maintained at the front and the rear of the vehicle when it is loaded to its GVWR.
5.3.2.4 Clearance for tire chains shall be provided in accordance with SAE J683, Tire Chain Clearance — Trucks, Buses (except Suburban, Intercity, and Transit Buses), and Combinations of Vehicles.
5.3.2.5 Steering.
5.3.2.5.1
The steering mechanism shall be capable of turning the front wheels to an angle of at least 30 degrees to either the right or left for nondriving front axles, and at least 28 degrees for driving front axles.
5.3.2.5.2 Power steering or power-assisted steering shall be provided.
5.3.3 Power Train.
5.3.3.1* Transmission.
5.3.3.1.1
The transmission shall be rated for heavy duty service and shall be designed to match engine torque and speed to the load demand.
5.3.3.1.2
The transmission shall provide the driver with the selection of individual gears or ranges of gears necessary to meet the performance requirements of this standard.
5.3.3.2 If the pump is driven by the chassis engine, the power train shall meet 5.3.3.2.1 and
5.3.3.2.2.
5.3.3.2.1*
All components in the power train, from the engine to the pump, and from the engine to the driving axles, shall be capable of transmitting available torque necessary to power the pump, as installed in the apparatus, for the pump performance rating, without exceeding the component manufacturer's continuous duty torque/speed rating.
5.3.3.2.2 When pumping continuously at its rated pump capacity and pressure as specified in Section 9.1, lubricant temperatures in any power train component installed in the apparatus from the engine to the pump shall not exceed the component manufacturer's recommendation for maximum temperature.
5.3.3.3* The power train shall allow the vehicle to function and operate smoothly at 2 mph (3.2 km/hr).
5.3.4 Fuel Tanks.
5.3.4.1* A minimum of a single original equipment manufacturer fuel tank shall be permitted.
5.3.4.2 The tank fill opening shall be marked with a label indicating the type of fuel to be used.
5.3.4.3
The tank fill piping shall be placed so it is protected from mechanical damage during the normal use of the fire apparatus.
5.3.4.4
The tank and the fill piping shall be located or shielded so that they are not exposed to heat from an exhaust system or other source of ignition on the fire apparatus.
5.3.4.5 Gasoline-fueled chassis shall have fuel withdrawal fittings above the normal fuel level.
5.3.5 Towing Attachment Points.
5.3.5.1
Tow hook(s) or tow eye(s) shall be provided at the front and rear of the apparatus to allow recovery if the apparatus becomes stuck.
5.3.5.2
The tow hook(s) or tow eye(s) shall be attached directly to the frame structure and be arranged so there is clear and unobstructed access to the attachment point.
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