GENERAL STANDARDS
§ 113.1. Definitions.
(a) The terms defined in the act have the same meanings when used in this chapter as are ascribed in them in the act.
(b) The following words and terms, when used in this chapter, have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
Accessory equipment—Firefighting, ambulance and rescue equipment necessary to carry out the ordinary functions of supporting firefighting, medical, life support, hazardous materials response and rescue activities. Equipment shall comply with approved standards of the OSFC, the National Fire Protection Association, Underwriters Laboratories, Factory Mutual Laboratories, National Bureau of Standards or other Nationally recognized inspection or rating agency and shall include: ladders; hoses; self-contained breathing apparatus; generators; floodlights and cords; smoke ejectors; compressors; hydrant-thawing devices; hydrant wrenches; door openers; portable pump and hand suction hose; couplings; adaptors; connecting hose valves; gates and ropes; spanner wrenches; nozzles; fire extinguishers; axes; crow bars; ladder and cellar pipe; pike poles; hose clamps and bridges; wheel chocks; floor runners; circular metal saws; foam applicators or applicator equipment; portable resuscitators; first aid kits; power shears; life or safety belts; rescue tools; stretchers and blankets; ropes; deluge guns; winches; helmets; coats; boots; trousers; lanterns; ladder straps; wrenches; salvage covers; hand saws; power saws; pigtail ground adaptors; cable with locking connectors; playpipes; sprinkler stoppers or wedges; backpack-type pumps; bolts; portable suction apparatus; hand-operated bag masks; oropharyngeal airways; mouth-to-mouth airways—child and infant sizes; portable oxygen equipment; mouth gags; tongue blades; sterile intravenous agents; universal dressings; sterile gauze pads; self-adhering bandages; burn sheets; lower extremity traction splints; padded boards; inflatable splints; spine boards; triangular bandages; safety pins; shears; obstetrical kits; sterile gloves; umbilical cord clamps or tapes; dressings; towels; plastic bags; poison kits; blood pressure manometers; cuffs; stethoscopes; and other equipment for rescue, communications and hazardous materials activities as determined by the OSFC.
Act—The Volunteer Fire Company, Ambulance Service and Rescue Squad Assistance Act (72 P. S. § § 3943.1—3943.19).
Apparatus equipment—Aerial apparatus; pumpers; tankers; utility or special service vehicles; ambulances; rescue vehicles and other large equipment used for fighting fires and hazardous materials emergencies. This equipment is more specifically categorized as follows:
(i) Aerial apparatus—A truck equipped with a metal elevating platform device consisting of two or more booms or sections with a passenger-carrying platform assembly, or a truck equipped with a permanently mounted, power-operated aerial ladder. It shall comply with basic performance and construction standards, acceptance tests and service tests as set forth in NFPA Standard No. 1904-91 or its successor.
(ii) Pumper—A pumper with a permanently mounted fire pump with a rated discharge capacity of 750 gallons per minute or greater at 150 pounds per square inch net pumping pressure. It shall comply with basic performance and construction standards, and acceptance and service tests, as set forth in NFPA Standard No. 1901-91 or its successor.
(iii) Tanker—A mobile water supply fire apparatus as specified in NFPA Standard No. 1903-91 or its successor with a water capacity of 1,000 gallons or more. The minimum flow rate specified for tank to pump connection is 500 gallons per minute to a fire pump or the capacity of a booster pump where provided. The truck shall include a pump and have a limited hose body capacity.
(iv) Utility or special service vehicle—A vehicle carrying accessory equipment including ladders; oxygen equipment; communications equipment; generators and adaptors; floodlights; smoke ejectors, and other equipment necessary to perform the ordinary functions of supporting firefighting, rescue, emergency medical and hazardous materials activities. It shall comply with basic performance and construction standards and acceptance tests as set forth in the applicable NFPA Standard.
(v) Ambulance—A vehicle which is specifically designed, constructed or modified and equipped, and is used or intended to be used, and is maintained or operated, for the purpose of providing emergency medical care to, and transportation of, patients. The term includes advanced or basic life support vehicles that may or may not transport patients. An ambulance shall comply with current National standards and any standards developed under the authority of the Emergency Medical Services Act (35 P. S. § § 6921—6938).
(vi) Rescue vehicle—A vehicle, whether a motor vehicle or a watercraft, intended to be used exclusively for rescue services, not primarily to transport patients or have affixed stationary fire suppression equipment. It shall comply with basic performance and construction standards and acceptance tests as set forth in NFPA Standard No. 1901-91 or its successor.
(A) Heavy duty rescue vehicle—A vehicle utilizing a chassis with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of 14,700 pounds or more which is used exclusively for rescue services. It shall comply with basic performance and construction standards and acceptance tests as set forth in NFPA Standard No. 1901-91 or its successor, if applicable.
(B) Light duty rescue vehicle—A vehicle utilizing a chassis with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of less than 14,700 pounds which is used exclusively for rescue services. It shall comply with basic performance and construction standards and acceptance tests as set forth in NFPA Standard No. 1901-91 or its successor, if applicable.
(C) Watercraft rescue vehicle—A vehicle or device used on the water or ice and intended to be used exclusively for rescue purposes. The term includes boats, motorboats, iceboats, all-terrain or amphibious vehicles capable of being operated on the water. The term does not include seaplanes.
Communications equipment—Equipment or a system, or both, necessary for the transmission and reception of signals by voice required to support the operations of the volunteer company. Transmissions and communications equipment shall be licensed or authorized by the Federal Communications Commission, ‘‘Public Safety Radio Service,’’ 47 CFR Part 90 (relating to private land mobile radio services), meet the standards of the OSFC, as set forth in any directives or guidelines, and meet the applicable requirements of the Public Safety Emergency Telephone Act (35 P. S. § § 7011—7021).
Facility—A structure or portion thereof intended for the purpose of storage or protection of firefighting apparatus, ambulances and rescue vehicles and related equipment and gear. The term does not include meeting halls, social rooms, lounges, cloakrooms, bunkrooms, bathrooms, kitchens or any other facilities not directly related to firefighting or the furnishing of ambulance or rescue services.
Lending institution—A savings bank, bank and trust company, savings and loan association, credit union, financial leasing corporation, independently chartered relief association, local unit of government (city, borough, township, county) or a private individual, if a signed lending agreement is in effect with the private individual which states the amount, term, interest rate and the specific project for which the money is being loaned.
NFPA—The National Fire Protection Association.
New apparatus equipment—The term includes apparatus equipment that is titled using a manufacturer’s certificate of origin and where all essential parts as defined in 75 Pa.C.S. § 102 (relating to definitions) are new.
OSFC—The Office of the State Fire Commissioner.
Protective equipment—Clothing or equipment used by volunteer firefighters, volunteer ambulance service personnel or volunteer rescue service personnel which affords protection from injury to the wearer or user, including fire coats, boots, helmets, turnout pants, gloves, eyeshields, chemical protection suites and self-contained respiratory protection units.
UL—Underwriters Laboratories.
Used apparatus equipment—Apparatus equipment that has been previously titled in this Commonwealth or another state. The term also includes a vehicle which consists of taking a new or used truck chassis of any kind and then fabricating or constructing used essential parts as defined by 75 Pa.C.S. § 102 onto the chassis to create the apparatus equipment.
Volunteer Companies Loan Fund—The fund established under section 5 of the act (72 P. S. § 3943.5).
Volunteer company—A volunteer fire company, volunteer ambulance service or volunteer rescue service as defined by the act.
Source The provisions of this § 113.1 adopted December 23, 1982, effective December 25, 1982, 12 Pa.B. 4333; amended December 18, 1992, effective December 19, 1992, 22 Pa.B. 6019. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (153416) to (153418).
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