Ambulance Lighting

[911psl]

I am not sure if anyone has taken the time to read KKK 1822 (Ambulance Guidelines). Personally, I have. In the emergency lighting section, there are specific rules as the the colors and which lights should flash together. Unfortunately, not everyone follows these rules. I am not sure how they get the ambulance certified if it does not follow the guidelines. The standard is designed to get the attention of other drivers, and is distinguishable as an ambulance. A standard is a standard and should be followed. How do they get by this?


Here is the documentation: (See Section 3.8.2.1 on page 23)


http://www.fedsig.com/industry_solutions/fire_ems/pdf/GSA-KKK-A-1822-Nov2007.pdf


Good Example: (Fast Forward to around 0:45)

If anyone knows any NFPA standards like this for Fire Apparatus, that would be appreciated, but I am only privy to the KKK-1822 documentation. Anyone else have an opinion on this?

 

[usdemt]

Because not everyone has to follow KKK. I know we do not here in SD. I am not sure if its a state thing or a department thing or what. I havent read the new one, but I have never been impressed with their standards. I sometimes wonder how they come up with them because I have seen KKK compliant ambulances that I wouldnt want to transfer a patient in much less try and run code. There are way to many opinions out there on what is right and what is wrong, and IMO not enough studies.

 

[cory y]

if it was bought using Federal money then it must comply


and what you think is a "good" vs a "bad" example are completely your opinions.


if you hated non KKK patterns then you would hate the Medics used by the city i live in

 

[FreshDave04]

Holy Christmas lights, Batman!

 

[niagara16]

so basically they want a lot of lights on a vehicle so it can be seen?

 

[911psl]

and what you think is a "good" vs a "bad" example are completely your opinions.

I meant good and bad in terms of KKK standards.

 

[Doug]

I meant good and bad in terms of KKK standards.

So then, compliant and non-compliant with KKK specs. Good and bad are very subjective terms, but compliant and non-compliant (so long as you can back it up) are more objective.

 

[NPS Ranger]

if it was bought using Federal money then it must comply

That is the key. If you buy with private/department funds it only has to meet your state's vehicle code and your EMS certifying organization's specs. If you use Federal grant money or matching funds it must be KKK compliant.

 

[NJEMT]

My squad has 4 ambulances and only one is kkk compliant with its corner box lights. The other 3 ambos the lights alternate with each other on each side.

 

[NPS Ranger]

It's easy to change the flash to alternating, I've done it myself cause I thought the alternating pattern was more effective. The flashers have A, B and C terminals for primary and secondary patterns, just swap 2 of them (don't remember which 2) and you're set.

 

[SlickTop Solutions]

I am not sure if anyone has taken the time to read KKK 1822 (Ambulance Guidelines). Personally, I have. In the emergency lighting section, there are specific rules as the the colors and which lights should flash together. Unfortunately, not everyone follows these rules. I am not sure how they get the ambulance certified if it does not follow the guidelines. The standard is designed to get the attention of other drivers, and is distinguishable as an ambulance. A standard is a standard and should be followed. How do they get by this?

Here is the documentation: (See Section 3.8.2.1 on page 23)


http://www.fedsig.com/industry_solutions/fire_ems/pdf/GSA-KKK-A-1822-Nov2007.pdf


Good Example: (Fast Forward to around 0:45)

Ummm...The below is copied from KKK-A-1822F page 23, please note the last sentance on the bottom of the page (I put in in bold below)


3.8.2.1 EMERGENCY LIGHTING SYSTEM CONFIGURATION.


The ambulance standard emergency warning light system shall contain twelve fixed red lights, one fixed clear light and one fixed amber light.These lights shall function in a dual mode system as shown in Table 1 and meet the physical and photometric requirements. The upper body warning lights shall be mounted at the extreme upper corner areas of the ambulance body, below the horizontal roofline. The single clear light shall be centered between the two front facing, red, upper corner lights or in a dedicated housing mounted forward of the body on the cab roof. If due to limited body dimensions and physical size of the outboard forward facing lights, the lights may also be mounted in dedicated housings on the cab roof. Doors or other ancillary equipment shall not obstruct the standard warning lights. The amber light shall be symmetrically located between the two rear facing red lights. The red “grille” lights shall be located at least 30" above the ground and below the bottom edge of the windshield and be laterally separated by at least 18", measured from centerline to centerline of each lamp. The lateral facing intersection lights shall be mounted as close as possible to the front upper edge of each front fender and may be angled forward a maximum of 30°. All warning lights furnished shall be mounted to project their highest intensity


beams on the horizontal plane.


Alternate approved lighting systems are NFPA 1901 compliant or SAE J2498 compliant.


So according to the above, all of your examples above are KKK compliant.

 

[GPC]

I just have to say this. KKK would mean something much different in my area than what you guys are talking about!

 

[Jarred J.]

I just have to say this. KKK would mean something much different in my area than what you guys are talking about!

W0rd

 

[GPC]

W0rd

If you said kkk in some places it would get you shot.


Sorry about hijacking the thread.

 

[911psl]

No worries, I'm not too concerned. And thanks for clearing that up Slicktop. Question answered.

 

[zacmtz7]

Like the idea of the traffic advisor with the 900 series for when on scene. But just a alternating pattern on the boxes are the most effective IMO.

 

[stfd717]

Here is what the current NFPA 1901 has for lighting requirements. Obiously there will be differences based on the type of apparatus. However, based on what the standard says, your examples will meet what NFPA recommends therefore would also meet KKK spec's. I did not include the specifics for "Large" and "Small" apparatus...


13.8 Optical Warning Devices. Each apparatus shall have a


system of optical warning devices that meets or exceeds the


requirements of this section.





13.8.1* The optical warning system shall consist of an upper


and a lower warning level.





13.8.2 The requirements for each level shall be met by the


warning devices in that particular level without consideration


of the warning devices in the other level.





13.8.3 For the purposes of defining and measuring the required


optical performance, the upper and lower warning levels


shall be divided into four warning zones.





13.8.3.1 The four zones shall be determined by lines drawn


through the geometric center of the apparatus at 45 degrees


to a line drawn lengthwise through the geometric center of


the apparatus.





13.8.3.2 The four zones shall be designated A, B, C, and D in


a clockwise direction, with zone A to the front of the apparatus.


(See Figure 13.8.3.2.)





13.8.4 Each optical warning device shall be installed on the


apparatus and connected to the apparatus’s electrical system


in accordance with the requirements of this standard and the


requirements of the manufacturer of the device.





13.8.5 A master optical warning system switch that energizes


all the optical warning devices shall be provided.





13.8.6 The optical warning system on the fire apparatus shall


be capable of two separate signaling modes during emergency


operations.





13.8.6.1 One mode shall signal to drivers and pedestrians


that the apparatus is responding to an emergency and is calling


for the right-of-way.


Zone A front


Zone C rear


Zone D


Zone B





13.8.6.2 One mode shall signal that the apparatus is stopped


and is blocking the right-of-way.





13.8.6.3 The use of some or all of the same warning lights


shall be permitted for both modes provided the other requirements


of this chapter are met.





13.8.7 A switching system shall be provided that senses the


position of the parking brake or the park position of an automatic


transmission.





13.8.7.1 When the master optical warning system switch is


closed and the parking brake is released or the automatic


transmission is not in park, the warning devices signaling the


call for the right-of-way shall be energized.





13.8.7.2 When the master optical warning system switch is


closed and the parking brake is on or the automatic transmission


is in park, the warning devices signaling the blockage of


the right-of-way shall be energized.





13.8.7.3* The system shall be permitted to have a method of


modifying the two signaling modes.





13.8.8 The optical warning devices shall be constructed or


arranged so as to avoid the projection of light, either directly


or through mirrors, into any driving or crew compartment(s).





13.8.9 The front optical warning devices shall be placed so as


to maintain the maximum possible separation from the headlights.





13.8.10* The optical sources on each level shall be of sufficient


number and arranged so that failure of a single optical


source does not create a measurement point in any zone on


the same level as the failed optical source without a warning


signal at a distance of 100 ft (30 m) from the geometric center


of the apparatus.





13.8.11 Flash Rate.





13.8.11.1 The minimum flash rate of any optical source shall


be 75 flashes per minute, and the minimum number of flashes


at any measurement point shall be 150 flashes per minute.





13.8.11.1.1 Steadily burning, nonflashing optical sources


shall be permitted to be used.





13.8.11.1.2 The optical energy provided by nonflashing optical


sources shall not be included in the calculations of the


zone’s total optical power.





13.8.11.2 The flasher of any current-interrupted flashing device


shall otherwise meet the requirements of SAE J1690, Flashers.


(Cory's examples might qualify as overkill. )