- Details
- Parent Category: News
- Category: 6 Blog
- Created on Wednesday, 07 September 2011 22:49
- Written by Brian Zwahr
In an effort to update and improve the standards for PASS (personal alert safety system) devices, used by firefighters to alert others of possible danger, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is developing new and updated ways to test more modern and technologically advanced PASS devices for future use.
The current standard was developed by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and currently allows for PASS devices that emit an audible tone when the user does not move for a short period of time. This allows anyone within hearing range to know that something might be wrong, such as the firefighter may be hurt or unconscious.
Since then, new technology has allowed for the development of PASS devices that will send a wireless signal when there is potential trouble. However, this technology must be put through standards testing before it can be accepted and allowed into the standard. That is why the NIST is developing standards tests for the devices that include such tests as range, signal strength, and interference of the wireless signal. Once the tests are developed, PASS devices can be checked for standards compliance and, in the future devices that are more useful and technologically advanced can be used in the field to hopefully keep more firemen safe.
Source: Emergency Management
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