To: Steele, Lauren[steele.lauren@epa.gov]

From: John McDonald - QMDAA

Sent: Mon 12/23/2013 12:50:41 PM

Importance: Normal

Sensitivity: None

Subject: todays call

Categories: EZ Record - Shared

Emergency vehicle discussion.docx

Some info attached for our discussion

In the case of an ambulance, the state EMS director decides which vehicles can be 

used as an ambulance in their respective state

For fire apparatus, the Authority Having Jurisdiction (local government) makes the 

determination

-- 

John

GSA-QMDAA

jmcdonald@gsa.gov

Strong and bitter words indicate a weak cause.
Emergency vehicle means a vehicle that is an ambulance or a fire truck.

Fire truck means a vehicle designed to be used under emergency conditions to 

transport personnel and equipment and to support the suppression of fires and 

mitigation of other hazardous situations.

Ambulance means a vehicle used for emergency medical care that provides all of the 

following:

(1) A driver’s compartment.

(2) A patient compartment to accommodate an emergency medical services provider 

and one patient located on the primary cot so positioned that the primary patient can 

be given intensive life-support during transit.

(3) Equipment and supplies for emergency care at the scene as well as during 

transport.

(4) Safety, comfort, and avoidance of aggravation of the patient’s injury or illness.

(5) Two-way radio communication.

(6) Audible and visual traffic warning devices.

Emergency equipment means either of the following types of equipment:

(1) Specialized vehicles used to perform aircraft rescue and fire-fighting functions at 

airports, with particular emphasis on saving lives and reducing injuries coincident with 

aircraft fires following impact or aircraft ground fires.

(2) Wildland fire apparatus, which includes any apparatus equipped with a slip-on firefighting module, designed primarily to support wildland fire suppression operations.

Fire Fighting Apparatus 

Includes:

a. NFPA 1901 compliant Command, Pumper, Initial Attack, Mobile Water Supply, Aerial,

Quint, Special Service, and Mobile Foam Apparatus.

b. NFPA 414 & FAA Circular 150/5220-10 compliant Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting

Vehicles

c. NFPA 1906 compliant Wildland Fire Apparatus

d. NFPA 1901 & 1912 compliant Custom Fire Fighting Chassis and Fire Fighting Vehicle

Glider Kits

1906

1.2 Purpose. The purpose of this standard shall be to establish

the minimum requirements for new automotive wildland

fire apparatus that will be safe and reliable when properly

maintained and used within design parameters.

1.3 Application.

1.3.1* This standard shall apply to new fire apparatus that

meet the following criteria:

(1) Rated at minimum 9000 gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR)

(2) Designed specifically for supporting wildland fire suppression

Operations
1901

1.3.1* This standard shall apply to new fire apparatus that meet the following criteria:

(1) That have 10,000 lb (4500 kg) or greater gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) or 

are trailers intended to be towed by fire apparatus under emergency response 

conditions

(2) That are designed for use under emergency conditions to transport personnel and 

equipment and to support the suppression of fires and mitigation of other 

hazardous situations

1917

1.1* Scope. This standard shall define the minimum requirements for the design, 

performance, and testing of new automotive ambulances used for out-of-hospital 

medical care and patient transport.

1.2 Purpose. The purpose of this standard shall be to establish the minimum 

requirements for new automotive ambulances that are safe and reliable when properly 

maintained and used within their design parameters.

414

1.1.1* This standard specifies the minimum design, performance,

and acceptance criteria for aircraft rescue and firefighting

(ARFF) vehicles intended to transport personnel and

equipment to the scene of an aircraft emergency for the purpose

of rescuing occupants and conducting rescue and firefighting

operations.

K

1.1.1 DEFINITION OF AMBULANCE.

The ambulance is defined as a vehicle used for emergency medical care that provides:

• A driver’s compartment.

• A patient compartment to accommodate an emergency medical services provider (EMSP) and

one patient located on the primary cot so positioned that the primary patient can be given

intensive life-support during transit.

• Equipment and supplies for emergency care at the scene as well as during transport.

• Safety, comfort, and avoidance of aggravation of the patient’s injury or illness.

• Two-way radio communication.

• Audible and Visual Traffic warning devices.

CFR

Title 49: Transportation 

PART 571—FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARDS

Subpart A—General

§571.3 Definitions.
(a) Statutory definitions. All terms defined in section 102 of the Act are used in their statutory 

meaning.

(b) Other definitions. As used in this chapter—

Act means the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966 (80 Stat. 718).

Approved, unless used with reference to another person, means approved by the Secretary.

Boat trailer means a trailer designed with cradle-type mountings to transport a boat and 

configured to permit launching of the boat from the rear of the trailer.

Bus means a motor vehicle with motive power, except a trailer, designed for carrying more than 

10 persons.

Curb weight means the weight of a motor vehicle with standard equipment; maximum capacity of 

engine fuel, oil, and coolant; and, if so equipped, air conditioning and additional weight optional 

engine.

Designated seating capacity means the number of designated seating positions provided.

Designated seating position means:

(1) For vehicles manufactured prior to September 1, 2011, any plan view location capable of 

accommodating a person at least as large as a 5th percentile adult female, if the overall seat 

configuration and design and vehicle design is such that the position is likely to be used as a seating 

position while the vehicle is in motion, except for auxiliary seating accommodations such as temporary 

or folding jump seats. Any bench or split-bench seat in a passenger car, truck or multipurpose 

passenger vehicle with a GVWR less than 4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds), having greater than 127 

centimeters (50 inches) of hip room (measured in accordance with Society of Automotive Engineers 

(SAE) Recommended Practice J1100a, revised September 1975, “Motor Vehicle Dimensions”

(incorporated by reference, see §571.5), shall have not less than three designated seating positions, 

unless the seat design or vehicle design is such that the center position cannot be used for seating. 

For the sole purpose of determining the classification of any vehicle sold or introduced into interstate 

commerce for purposes that include carrying students to and from school or related events, any 

location in such vehicle intended for securement of an occupied wheelchair during vehicle operation 

shall be regarded as four designated seating positions.

(2) For vehicles manufactured on and after September 1, 2011, designated seating position

means a seat location that has a seating surface width, as described in §571.10(c) of this part, of at 

least 330 mm (13 inches). The number of designated seating positions at a seat location is 

determined according to the procedure set forth in §571.10(b) of this part. However, for trucks and 

multipurpose passenger vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating greater than 10,000 lbs, police 

vehicles as defined in S7 of FMVSS No. 208, firefighting vehicles, ambulances, and motor homes, a 

seating location that is labeled in accordance with S4.4 of FMVSS No. 207 will not be considered a 

designated seating position. For the sole purpose of determining the classification of any vehicle sold 

or introduced into interstate commerce for purposes that include carrying students to and from school 

or related events, any location in such a vehicle intended for securement of an occupied wheelchair 

during vehicle operation is regarded as four designated seating positions.

Driver means the occupant of a motor vehicle seated immediately behind the steering control 

system.

Emergency brake means a mechanism designed to stop a motor vehicle after a failure of the 

service brake system.

5th percentile adult female means a person possessing the dimensions and weight of the 5th 

percentile adult female specified for the total age group in “Weight, Height, and Selected Body 

Dimensions of Adults: United States—1960-1962,” first published as Public Health Service 

Publication No. 1000 Series 11-No. 8, June 1965 and republished as DHEW Publication No. (HRA) 
76-1074 (incorporated by reference, see §571.5).

Firefighting vehicle means a vehicle designed exclusively for the purpose ofJMcD fighting fires.

Fixed collision barrier means a flat, vertical, unyielding surface with the following characteristics:

(1) The surface is sufficiently large that when struck by a tested vehicle, no portion of the vehicle 

projects or passes beyond the surface.

(2) The approach is a horizontal surface that is large enough for the vehicle to attain a stable 

attitude during its approach to the barrier, and that does not restrict vehicle motion during impact.

(3) When struck by a vehicle, the surface and its supporting structure absorb no significant 

portion of the vehicle's kinetic energy, so that a performance requirement described in terms of 

impact with a fixed collision barrier must be met no matter how small an amount of energy is absorbed 

by the barrier.

Forward control means a configuration in which more than half of the engine length is rearward 

of the foremost point of the windshield base and the steering wheel hub is in the forward quarter of 

the vehicle length.

Full trailer means a trailer, except a pole trailer, that is equipped with two or more axles that 

support the entire weight of the trailer.

Gross axle weight rating or GAWR means the value specified by the vehicle manufacturer as the 

load-carrying capacity of a single axle system, as measured at the tire-ground interfaces.

Gross combination weight rating or GCWR means the value specified by the manufacturer as 

the loaded weight of a combination vehicle.

Gross vehicle weight rating or GVWR means the value specified by the manufacturer as the 

loaded weight of a single vehicle.

H-Point means the pivot center of the torso and thigh on the three-dimensional device used in 

defining and measuring vehicle seating accommodation, as defined in Society of Automotive 

Engineers (SAE) Recommended Practice J1100, revised February 2001, “Motor Vehicle Dimensions”

(incorporated by reference, see §571.5).

Head impact area means all nonglazed surfaces of the interior of a vehicle that are statically 

contactable by a 6.5-inch diameter spherical head form of a measuring device having a pivot point to 

“top-of-head” dimension infinitely adjustable from 29 to 33 inches in accordance with the following 

procedure, or its graphic equivalent:

(a) At each designated seating position, place the pivot point of the measuring device—

(1) For seats that are adjustable fore and aft, at—

(i) The seating reference point; and

(ii) A point 5 inches horizontally forward of the seating reference point and vertically above the 

seating reference point an amount equal to the rise which results from a 5-inch forward adjustment of 

the seat or 0.75 inch; and

(2) For seats that are not adjustable fore and aft, at the seating reference point.

(b) With the pivot point to “top-of-head” dimension at each value allowed by the device and the 

interior dimensions of the vehicle, determine all contact points above the lower windshield glass line 

and forward of the seating reference point.

(c) With the head form at each contact point, and with the device in a vertical position if no 

contact points exists for a particular adjusted length, pivot the measuring device forward and 

downward through all arcs in vertical planes to 90° each side of the vertical longitudinal plane 

through the seating reference point, until the head form contacts an interior surface or until it is 

tangent to a horizontal plane 1 inch above the seating reference point, whichever occurs first.
Interior compartment door means any door in the interior of the vehicle installed by the 

manufacturer as a cover for storage space normally used for personal effects.

Longitudinal or longitudinally means parallel to the longitudinal centerline of the vehicle.

Low-speed vehicle (LSV) means a motor vehicle,

(1) That is 4-wheeled,

(2) Whose speed attainable in 1.6 km (1 mile) is more than 32 kilometers per hour (20 miles per 

hour) and not more than 40 kilometers per hour (25 miles per hour) on a paved level surface, and

(3) Whose GVWR is less than 1,361 kilograms (3,000 pounds).

Motorcycle means a motor vehicle with motive power having a seat or saddle for the use of the 

rider and designed to travel on not more than three wheels in contact with the ground.

Motor-driven cycle means a motorcycle with a motor that produces 5-brake horsepower or less.

Motor home means a multipurpose passenger vehicle with motive power that is designed to 

provide temporary residential accommodations, as evidenced by the presence of at least four of the 

following facilities: Cooking; refrigeration or ice box; self-contained toilet; heating and/or air 

conditioning; a potable water supply system including a faucet and a sink; and a separate 110-125 

volt electrical power supply and/or propane.

Multifunction school activity bus (MFSAB) means a school bus whose purposes do not include 

transporting students to and from home or school bus stops.

Multipurpose passenger vehicle meansJMcD a motor vehicle with motive power, except a lowspeed vehicle or trailer, designed to carry 10 persons or less which is constructed either on a truck 

chassis or with special features for occasional off-road operation.

Open-body type vehicle means a vehicle having no occupant compartment top or an occupant 

compartment top that can be installed or removed by the user at his convenience.

Outboard designated seating position means a designated seating position where a 

longitudinal vertical plane tangent to the outboard side of the seat cushion is less than 12 inches 

from the innermost point on the inside surface of the vehicle at a height between the design H-point 

and the shoulder reference point (as shown in fig. 1 of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 

210) and longitudinally between the front and rear edges of the seat cushion.

Overall vehicle width means the nominal design dimension of the widest part of the vehicle, 

exclusive of signal lamps, marker lamps, outside rearview mirrors, flexible fender extensions, and mud 

flaps, determined with doors and windows closed and the wheels in the straight-ahead position.

Parking brake means a mechanism designed to prevent the movement of a stationary motor 

vehicle.

Passenger car means a motor vehicle with motive power, except a low-speed vehicle, 

multipurpose passenger vehicle, motorcycle, or trailer, designed for carrying 10 persons or less.

Pelvic impact area means that area of the door or body side panel adjacent to any outboard 

designated seating position which is bounded by horizontal planes 7 inches above and 4 inches 

below the seating reference point and vertical transverse planes 8 inches forward and 2 inches 

rearward of the seating reference point.

Pole trailer means a motor vehicle without motive power designed to be drawn by another motor 

vehicle and attached to the towing vehicle by means of a reach or pole, or by being boomed or 

otherwise secured to the towing vehicle, for transporting long or irregularly shaped loads such as 

poles, pipes, or structural members capable generally of sustaining themselves as beams between 

the supporting connections.

Recreation vehicle trailer means a trailer, except a trailer designed primarily to transport cargo, 
designed to be drawn by a vehicle with motive power by means of a bumper, frame or fifth wheel 

hitch and designed to provide temporary residential accommodations, as evidenced by the presence 

of at least four of the following facilities: cooking; refrigeration or ice box; self-contained toilet; heating 

and/or air conditioning; a potable water supply system including a faucet and a sink; and a separate 

110-125 volt electrical power supply and/or propane. “Recreation vehicle trailer” includes trailers used 

for personal purposes, commonly known as “sport utility RVs” or “toy haulers,” which usually have 

spacious rather than incidental living quarters and provide a cargo area for smaller items for personal 

use such as motorcycles, mountain bikes, all terrain vehicles (ATVs), snowmobiles, canoes or other 

types of recreational gear.

School bus means a bus that is sold, or introduced in interstate commerce, for purposes that 

include carrying students to and from school or related events, but does not include a bus designed 

and sold for operation as a common carrier in urban transportation.

Seating reference point (SgRP) means the unique design H-point, as defined in Society of 

Automotive Engineers (SAE) Recommended Practice J1100, revised June 1984, “Motor Vehicle 

Dimensions” (incorporated by reference, see §571.5), which:

(1) Establishes the rearmost normal design driving or riding position of each designated seating 

position, which includes consideration of all modes of adjustment, horizontal, vertical, and tilt, in a 

vehicle;

(2) Has X, Y, and Z coordinates, as defined in Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) 

Recommended Practice J1100, revised June 1984, “Motor Vehicle Dimensions” (incorporated by 

reference, see §571.5), established relative to the designed vehicle structure;

(3) Simulates the position of the pivot center of the human torso and thigh; and

(4) Is the reference point employed to position the two-dimensional drafting template with the 

95th percentile leg described in Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) Standard J826, revised May 

1987, “Devices for Use in Defining and Measuring Vehicle Seating Accommodation” (incorporated by 

reference, see §571.5), or, if the drafting template with the 95th percentile leg cannot be positioned 

in the seating position, is located with the seat in its most rearward adjustment position.

Semitrailer means a trailer, except a pole trailer, so constructed that a substantial part of its 

weight rests upon or is carried by another motor vehicle.

Service brake means the primary mechanism designed to stop a motor vehicle.

Speed attainable in 1 mile means the speed attainable by accelerating at maximum rate from a 

standing start for 1 mile, on a level surface.

Speed attainable in 2 miles means the speed attainable by accelerating at maximum rate from a 

standing start for 2 miles, on a level surface.

Torso line means the line connecting the “H” point and the shoulder reference point as defined 

in Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) Standard J787b, revised September 1966, “Motor Vehicle 

Seat Belt Anchorage” (incorporated by reference, see §571.5).

Trailer means a motor vehicle with or without motive power, designed for carrying persons or 

property and for being drawn by another motor vehicle.

Trailer converter dolly means a trailer chassis equipped with one or more axles, a lower half of a 

fifth wheel and a drawbar.

Truck means a motor vehicle with motive power, except a trailer, designed primarily for the 

transportation of property or special purpose equipment.

Truck tractor means a truck designed primarily for drawing other motor vehicles and not so 

constructed as to carry a load other than a part of the weight of the vehicle and the load so drawn.

Unloaded vehicle weight means the weight of a vehicle with maximum capacity of all fluids 

necessary for operation of the vehicle, but without cargo, occupants, or accessories that are 
ordinarily removed from the vehicle when they are not in use.

95th percentile adult male means a person possessing the dimensions and weight of the 95th 

percentile adult male specified “Weight, Height, and Selected Body Dimensions of Adults: United 

States—1960-1962,” first published as Public Health Service Publication No. 1000 Series 11-No. 8, 

June 1965 and republished as DHEW Publication No. (HRA) 76-1074 (incorporated by reference, see 

§571.5).

Vehicle fuel tank capacity means the tank's unusable capacity (i.e., the volume of fuel left at the 

bottom of the tank when the vehicle's fuel pump can no longer draw fuel from the tank) plus its 

usable capacity (i.e., the volume of fuel that can be pumped into the tank through the filler pipe with 

the vehicle on a level surface and with the unusable capacity already in the tank). The term does not 

include the vapor volume of the tank (i.e., the space above the fuel tank filler neck) nor the volume of 

the fuel tank filler neck.