NFPA standard for PASS alarms -- Upgraded went into effect on September 1st.
NFPA at the PASS
Yesterday we had a brief discussion about NFPA Technical Committees and then later on there was, coincidentally, an article that mentioned a LODD that was aggravated by a faulty or poorly-designed PASS alarm.
It has been brought to my attention that the NFPA standard for PASS alarms has just been upgraded substantially and went into effect on September 1st. Any alarms sold after that date cannot be labeled as “NFPA Compliant” unless they meet this new standard. The relevant document is NFPA 1982 - Standard on Personal Alert Safety Systems, 2007 edition, and is maintained by the Electronic Safety Equipment Committee.
In a nutshell, this revised standard includes four demanding tests on the devices that are really quite stringent:
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A water immersion requirement where the device is exposed to 350º for 15 minutes and then immersed in water for 15 minutes. After six cycles it must still function properly and be completely dry inside.
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New high-temperature requirement calls for it to be subjected to 500º heat for five minutes without any melting or destruction and maintain all functions including the 95 dBA alarm sound level.
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It is tumbled in a rotating drum for three hours and then tested to see if it remained fully functional.
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A new “muffling” test where a subject wearing full gear lays in five prescribed positions and the alarm signal must still be emitted at the required 95 dBA sound level.
It should be noted that the three leading SCBA manufacturers, Scott, MSA and Survivair have all indicated that they will be producing PASS alarms that meet these new standards.
You can look at this new standard HERE. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on “View the 2007 edition of this document.” You’ll still have another couple of clicks to go through after that, but it’s easier than coming up with the $33 to buy one.
