Arizona Administrative Code › Title 9 - HEALTH SERVICES › Chapter 25 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SERVICES - EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES › Article 10 - GROUND AMBULANCE VEHICLE REGISTRATION › Section R9-25-1005 - Minimum Standards for Ground Ambulance Vehicles (Authorized by A.R.S. Sections 36-2202(A)(5), 36-2232(C)(5))

Current through Register Vol. 30, No. 28, July 12, 2024
A. An applicant for
				a certificate of registration or a certificate holder shall ensure that a
				ground ambulance vehicle is marked on the sides of the ground ambulance vehicle
				with the legal business or corporate name of the applicant or certificate
				holder, with letters not less than six inches in height.
B. An applicant for a certificate of
				registration or a certificate holder shall ensure a ground ambulance vehicle is
				equipped with the following:
1. An engine
				intake air cleaner that meets the ground ambulance vehicle manufacturer's
				engine specifications;
2. A brake
				system that meets the requirements in A.R.S. §
										28-952;
3. A cooling system in the engine compartment
				that maintains the engine temperature operating range required to prevent
				damage to the ground ambulance vehicle engine;
4. A battery:
a. With no leaks, corrosion, or other visible
				defects; and
b. As measured by a
				voltage meter, capable of generating:
i. 12.6
				volts at rest, and
ii. 13.2 to 14.2
				volts on high idle with all electrical equipment turned on;
5. A wiring system in
				the engine compartment designed to prevent the wire from being cut by or
				tangled in the engine or hood;
6.
				Hoses, belts, and wiring with no visible defects;
7. An electrical system capable of
				maintaining a positive amperage charge while the ground ambulance vehicle is
				stationary and operating at high idle with headlights, running lights, patient
				compartment lights, environmental systems, and all warning devices turned
				on;
8. An exhaust pipe, muffler,
				and tailpipe that meet the requirements in A.R.S. §
										28-955 under the ground ambulance
				vehicle and securely attached to the chassis;
9. A frame capable of supporting the:
a. Gross vehicle weight of the ground
				ambulance vehicle; and
b. The
				anticipated weight of ambulance attendants, supplies and equipment, and
				patients;
10. A horn that
				meets the requirements in A.R.S. §
										28-954(A);
11. A siren that meets the requirements in
				A.R.S. §
										28-954(E);
12. A front bumper that is positioned at the
				forward-most part of the ground ambulance vehicle extending to the ground
				ambulance vehicle's outer edges;
13. A fuel cap of a type specified by the
				manufacturer for each fuel tank;
14. A steering system to include:
a. For a hydraulic power steering system:
i. Power-steering belts free from frays,
				cracks, or slippage;
ii. Power-steering
				system that is free from leaks; and
iii. Fluid in the
				power-steering system that fills the reservoir between the full level and the
				add level indicator on the dipstick;
b. For an electrical or other type of
				steering system that does not contain the components of a hydraulic power
				steering system, components that:
i. Provide
				the same functions as a hydraulic power steering system, and
ii. Meet manufacturer's specifications;
				and
c. Bracing extending
				from the center of the steering wheel to the steering wheel ring that is not
				cracked;
15. Front and
				rear shock absorbers that are free from leaks;
16. Tires on each axle that:
a. Are properly inflated;
b. Are of equal size, equal ply ratings, and
				equal type;
c. Are free of bumps,
				knots, or bulges;
d. Have no
				exposed ply or belting; and
e. Have
				tread groove depth equal to or more than 4/32 inch;
17. An air cooling system capable of
				achieving and maintaining a 20° F difference between the air intake and the
				cool air outlet;
18. Air cooling
				and heater hoses secured in all areas of the ground ambulance vehicle and
				chassis to prevent wear due to vibration;
19. Body free of damage or rust that
				interferes with the physical operation of the ground ambulance vehicle or
				creates a hole in the driver's compartment or the patient
				compartment;
20. Windshield
				defrosting and defogging equipment;
21. Emergency warning lights that provide
				360° conspicuity;
22. At least
				one 5-lb. ABC dry, chemical, multi-purpose fire extinguisher in a quick release
				bracket, either disposable with an indicator of a full charge or with a current
				inspection tag;
23. A heating
				system capable of achieving and maintaining a temperature of not less than
				68° F in the patient compartment within 30 minutes;
24. Sides of the ground ambulance vehicle
				insulated and sealed to prevent dust, dirt, water, carbon monoxide, and gas
				fumes from entering the interior of the patient compartment and to reduce
				noise;
25. Interior patient
				compartment wall and floor coverings that are:
a. In good repair and capable of being
				disinfected, and
b. Maintained in a
				sanitary manner;
26.
				Padding over exit areas from the patient compartment and over sharp edges in
				the patient compartment;
27.
				Secured interior equipment and other objects;
28. When present, hangers or supports for
				equipment mounted not to protrude more than 2 inches when not being
				used;
29. Functional lamps and
				signals, including:
a. Bright and dim
				headlamps,
b. Brake
				lamps,
c. Parking lamps,
d. Backup lamps,
e. Tail lamps,
f. Turn signal lamps,
g. Side marker lamps,
h. Hazard lamps,
i. Patient loading door lamps and side spot
				lamps,
j. Spot lamp in the driver's
				compartment and within reach of the ambulance attendant, and
k. Patient compartment interior
				lamps;
30. Side-mounted
				rear vision mirrors and wide vision mirror mounted on, or attached to, the
				side-mounted rear vision mirrors or other optical devices allowing monitoring
				of the area surrounding the ground ambulance vehicle;
31. A patient loading door that permits the
				safe loading and unloading of a patient occupying a stretcher in a supine
				position;
32. At least two means of
				egress from the patient compartment to the outside through a door;
33. Functional open door securing devices on
				a patient loading door;
34. Patient
				compartment upholstery free of cuts or tears and capable of being
				disinfected;
35. A three-point
				occupant restraint system installed for each seat in the driver's compartment;
36. A
				restraint system installed for each seat in the patient compartment:
a. For a ground ambulance vehicle
				manufactured before January 1, 2025, that consists of at least a seat belt;
				and
b. For a ground ambulance
				vehicle manufactured on or after January 1, 2025, with at least three-points of
				contact with the occupant of a seat;
37. A wheeled, multi-level stretcher that is:
a. Suitable for supporting a patient at each
				level;
b. At least 69 inches long
				and 20 inches wide;
c. Rated for
				use with a patient weighing either:
i. Up to
				350 pounds, or
ii. For a ground
				ambulance vehicle capable of transporting a patient weighing over 350 pounds,
				up to the rated capability of the ground ambulance vehicle;
d. Adjustable to allow a patient
				to recline and to elevate the patient's head and upper torso to an angle at
				least 70° from the horizontal plane;
e. Equipped with a mattress that has a
				protective cover that is free of cracks, cuts, or tears and capable of being
				disinfected;
f. Equipped with a
				five-point restraint system to secure a patient during transport; and
g. Equipped to secure the stretcher to the
				interior of the vehicle during transport using the fastener required under
				subsection (B)(38);
38. A
				crash stable side or center mounting fastener of the quick release type to
				secure a stretcher to a ground ambulance vehicle;
39. Windshield and windows free of
				obstruction;
40. A windshield free
				from unrepaired starred cracks and line cracks that extend more than 1 inch
				from the bottom or sides of the windshield or that extend more than 2 inches
				from the top of the windshield;
41.
				A windshield-washer system that applies enough cleaning solution to clear the
				windshield;
42. Operable windshield
				wipers with a minimum of two speeds;
43. Functional hood latch for the engine
				compartment;
44. Fuel system with
				fuel tanks and lines that meets manufacturer's specifications;
45. Suspension system that meets the ground
				ambulance vehicle manufacturer's specifications;
46. Instrument panel that meets the ground
				ambulance vehicle manufacturer's specifications; and
47. Wheels that meet and are mounted
				according to manufacturer's specifications.