DCFD Photos, old or new

[Roto-Ray]

[quote name='ShoreFire' timestamp='1296753985' post='423610']

Taylor, if NFPA dosent require the amber lights on the rear, who is it?

[/quote]



No one requires amber on the rear, actually. NFPA 1901 calls for a certain amount of lumens from each lighthead and/or zone on the vehicle. Amber is typically used because:

• Amber is brighter than red, therefore less amber lightheads will give you the same lumens as more red.
  
  
• Amber is conveys a "slow down" or "caution" message.
  
  

As for the departments that had to sign a waiver, likely this was because the rig was spec'd and built with amber (which met the NFPA lumens requirements), but when a red lighthead was substituted after the contract had been signed, it didn't produce enough light for that zone to meet the standard, so the waiver had to be signed before it could leave the factory.



There have been plenty of rigs delivered with no amber on the back since the new 2001 NFPA revision on optical warning devices took place, they simply had to meet the standard for the amount of light given off by each red (or blue) bulb or lighthead. On the other hand, Midway, VA took delivery of a tanker with ONLY amber on the back.