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With PASS devices that meet the new NFPA standard not hitting the market until late-summer, are you still confident in using the existing alarms that are at the center of safety concerns? Let FireRescue1 know how you feel about this issue by e-mailing us at mailbag@firerescue1.com. Selected responses will be used in a future article. |
Firefighters are being urged to continue to use PASS devices – but to be aware that hostile conditions can affect their operation.
The National Fire Protection Association issued the advice as it unveiled a new standard on the systems.
It said it would monitor the performances of new devices once they are introduced in line with the latest standard, and urged emergency service organizations to report any issues that arise.
Earlier this week, it was reported that the Centers for Disease Control failed to listen to a safety expert’s warning on the reliability of the devices for five years.
The CDC finally called for higher standards for testing PASS alarms in April 2005 after finding instances where they failed to emit an alarm in fatal incidents.
New versions
As it issued the new standard on Friday, the NFPA stressed firefighters should continue operating with current devices before new versions come on to the market.
“In spite of the problems with PASS, NFPA believes that PASS remain an important tool for firefighters and other emergency responders,” said the organization on its Web site.
“NFPA recommends that, at least until PASS designed and certified to the new 2007 edition of NFPA 1982 become available, emergency responders continue to maintain and use existing PASS.”
It went on to add the devices must be only considered a last resort call for help for emergency responder personnel who are unable to otherwise notify others that they are in distress.
Firefighters should also be aware of the “possibility that hostile conditions may adversely affect the operation of PASS,” the NFPA added.
The new standard involves stricter water immersion and heat testing, tumble-vibration checks, and requirements that alarms are still audible when muffled, such as when firefighters collapse and the alarms are covered.