Amber Lenses - Firehouse Forums

martinj · 04-17-2002, 11:57 PM

My department recently added two strobe lights to the rear panels of one of our apparatus. One lense is red, the other is amber. Just curious if anyone knows whether it matters which side the amber lense goes on? I'm sure NFPA or OSHA has a standard on this (not sure which). If anyone knows which spec or if there is one at all, it wold be greatly appreciated.

BFD196 · 04-18-2002, 12:23 AM

I`m not sure about OSHA or NFPA laws, but here in CT all fire apparatus(as well as several other large vehicles) are required to have a flashing amber light in the rear, even when all the other lights are off. A couple months ago we took apart the back of our rescue, taking the lenses off, changing them to amber, then putting new fuses and stuff in so that they still flash after the master switch is turned off. It was a pain in the neck, but I think the added visibility is worth it, especially at night.

mtfd89 · 04-19-2002, 11:33 AM

Jonathan:

Laws in individual states aside (you will need to check on this for your state), NFPA 1901 is where this comes from. The lighting sections in NFPA 1901 set a standard for emergency lighting intensity around the vehicle. Some red only lighting schemes will not meet the intensity standard. Options are to use a different model of red light that will emit the intensity needed or change one or more lights to an amber which will emit increased intensity (even for the same model light) due due the color of the lens.

H. Thiele

08-31-2002, 02:16 AM

We have a 2 red, 2 amber flashing set-up on our rescue. Our one pumper has 2 flashing red strobes in the back and the other 2 have rotating red lights. ALL must have the rear flashing lights on at all times. Not sure about the SOP, but I believe side flashes must be on as well.

ADSNWFLD · 08-31-2002, 05:06 AM

Good move having some amber on the rear of the rig. OSHA hasn't directly address this yet and NFPA isn't a law making agency.
Amber is the best seen in every condition, and it often gets better results then red (while parked) the public associated amber with construction. If they see an amber arrow in their lane they move over. Unlike red or blue people know that amber means that the road or lane is closed.

Just my observation, from Illinois where the State animal is the construction horse and the state flower is that light on a barricade.

Sleuth · 09-09-2002, 03:38 PM

I used to be in Law Enforcement, and in California the CHP claimed drunks drove into parked patrol cars because of the (required) flashing amber "good guy" light. You might check with them before putting too much time or $$ into amber rear lights.

04-17-2002, 11:57 PM	#1
martinj Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Posts: 65	Amber Lenses My department recently added two strobe lights to the rear panels of one of our apparatus. One lense is red, the other is amber. Just curious if anyone knows whether it matters which side the amber lense goes on? I'm sure NFPA or OSHA has a standard on this (not sure which). If anyone knows which spec or if there is one at all, it wold be greatly appreciated. __________________ Jonathan Martin martinj@wpi.edu WPI Mechanical Engineering "Be safe, use smoke detectors...be safer, sleep with a firefighter..."

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04-18-2002, 12:23 AM	#2
BFD196 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Stamford CT Posts: 250	I`m not sure about OSHA or NFPA laws, but here in CT all fire apparatus(as well as several other large vehicles) are required to have a flashing amber light in the rear, even when all the other lights are off. A couple months ago we took apart the back of our rescue, taking the lenses off, changing them to amber, then putting new fuses and stuff in so that they still flash after the master switch is turned off. It was a pain in the neck, but I think the added visibility is worth it, especially at night.

04-19-2002, 11:33 AM	#3
mtfd89 MembersZone Subscriber Join Date: Oct 2000 Posts: 25	Jonathan: Laws in individual states aside (you will need to check on this for your state), NFPA 1901 is where this comes from. The lighting sections in NFPA 1901 set a standard for emergency lighting intensity around the vehicle. Some red only lighting schemes will not meet the intensity standard. Options are to use a different model of red light that will emit the intensity needed or change one or more lights to an amber which will emit increased intensity (even for the same model light) due due the color of the lens. H. Thiele

08-31-2002, 02:16 AM	#4
JeepFireNY Firehouse.com Guest Posts: n/a	We have a 2 red, 2 amber flashing set-up on our rescue. Our one pumper has 2 flashing red strobes in the back and the other 2 have rotating red lights. ALL must have the rear flashing lights on at all times. Not sure about the SOP, but I believe side flashes must be on as well.

08-31-2002, 05:06 AM	#5
ADSNWFLD MembersZone Subscriber Join Date: May 2000 Location: Wheaton IL Posts: 1,622	Good move having some amber on the rear of the rig. OSHA hasn't directly address this yet and NFPA isn't a law making agency. Amber is the best seen in every condition, and it often gets better results then red (while parked) the public associated amber with construction. If they see an amber arrow in their lane they move over. Unlike red or blue people know that amber means that the road or lane is closed. Just my observation, from Illinois where the State animal is the construction horse and the state flower is that light on a barricade.

09-09-2002, 03:38 PM	#6
Sleuth Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Arizona Posts: 512	I used to be in Law Enforcement, and in California the CHP claimed drunks drove into parked patrol cars because of the (required) flashing amber "good guy" light. You might check with them before putting too much time or $$ into amber rear lights.

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