Background

Fire apparatus are important and expensive purchases for any fire department. Transportation and operational safety may be adversely affected without appropriate design, construction and purchasing standards.

Concerns/hazards

If appropriate design and construction techniques are not followed, there is a potential of injury to the firefighters operating the apparatus.

Some examples of potential hazards include:

  • refurbished fire apparatus may not meet appropriate safety standards
  • water tanks without baffles allow water movement which affects the handling of the tanker during braking or cornering
  • cabs that are not designed for the fire service may not have safety features such as proper seating for firefighters, a mechanical means of latching equipment or airbag or crash enhancements
  • repurposed apparatus frames may not be engineered to safely withstand imposed stresses

Actions for employers

Employers should:

  • reference an applicable standard when designing and building fire apparatus, such as:
    • CAN/ULC S515 Standard for Automobile Fire Fighting Apparatus
    • NFPA 1900 Standard for Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Vehicles, Automotive Fire Apparatus, Wildland Fire Apparatus, and Automotive Ambulances
  • consult with their joint health and safety committee or health and safety representative for the workplace when designing or purchasing fire apparatus

Importing apparatus into Canada

Read section 12 of the Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations for information about standards for vehicles imported into Canada. Failing to comply may put firefighters at risk in a collision.

Applicable regulations and acts

Read:

  • Occupational Health and Safety Act
    • clause 25(2)(h) for taking every precaution reasonable to protect workers
  • O. Reg. 714/94 Firefighters – Protective Equipment Regulation
    • subsection 7(2) for requirements about fire truck cab enclosure and seat numbers
    • subsection 7(3) for handle-hold requirements
    • subsection 7(4) for the storage of SCBA compressed air cylinders in the cab of a fire truck
    • section 7.1 for seat and seatbelt requirements in the cabs of trucks

Applicable standards

NFPA 1900 Standard for Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Vehicles, Automotive Fire Apparatus, Wildland Fire Apparatus, and Automotive Ambulances

Related

Read: