By Scott M. Bruner
FireRescue1 Product Editor
The next generation of PASS devices for firefighters are being tested by researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology. NIST is working with the National Fire Protection Association to study performance levels of the latest versions of the devices that provide two-way, wireless signals.
The new wireless devices are essentially the same as the regular PASS device; they still emit a high-decibel alarm when a firefighter is incapacitated. What’s different is they can also relay a wireless RF signal back to the incident commander at a base station, usually the fire truck outside the building.
“One of the main benefits is the ability to have a two-way signal from the inside to the outside of a structure,” Dr. Kate Remley, who is leading the NIST testing team, said. “The incident commander can not only locate where firefighters are, but can automatically track the receiving signals from all the firefighters in real-time. Incident commanders can quickly send a signal to all the firefighters simultaneously, such as a call to immediately evacuate a building.”
The wireless, battery-powered, PASS device’s two-way communication offers a number of advantages over the regular devices. If an incident commander becomes concerned about his fire team, he can signal a ‘roll call’, which alerts each firefighter that they need to check in. Firefighters simply press a button on the device to signal they’re safe.
In addition, the wireless PASS devices can also be used to piggyback a number of other electronic information over its RF signal.
“Sensor data can be loaded on top of the RF signal to transmit. That could include physiological monitoring data recording a firefighter’s vital signs,” said Dr. Remley.
NIST is testing a selection of the new devices, thanks to a grant from the Department of Homeland Security, to provide the NFPA with impartial, technical data. The NFPA set standards for the original devices in NFPA 1982, while standards for the wireless units are only in the first phase of development. NIST testing will likely include determining what environments the devices need to be capable of functioning in and how strong a signal they need to transmit to penetrate different building materials.
While audible-only PASS devices are offered by several manufacturers, the new devices are only currently offered by Grace Industries and Scott Health & Safety.