Dr Madhav Madhusudan Singh
MBBS, MHA
(AIIMS) , MBA (Finance), Ph.D. ( Hosp Mx)
Introduction
Ambulance sirens are an essential component of emergency
vehicles that are used to alert motorists and pedestrians to their presence,
enabling them to make way and arrive at their destination quickly and safely.
There are different types of ambulance siren voices that are used in various
countries worldwide, and these siren sounds are often governed by the National
ambulance code.
In India, the use of ambulance sirens is governed by the Constructional
and Functional Requirements for Road Ambulances (National Ambulance Code) 2013.
The sirens on all ambulances shall be mounted on the front side of the vehicle.
The sirens should be in accordance with IS 1884.
Road
Ambulances (National Ambulance Code) 2013.
The code provides guidelines for the use of sirens for
emergency vehicles, including ambulances. The code specifies that the sirens
used in ambulances should be audible from a distance of at least 100 meters.
According to the NAC, the use of ambulance sirens is subject
to the following rules and codes:
- Use of sirens only in
emergency situations: The NAC mandates that ambulance sirens
should only be used in emergency situations, and not for routine
transportation or non-emergency situations. The code also specifies that
the use of sirens should be restricted to the duration of the emergency
and should be switched off once the ambulance has arrived at its
destination.
- Sound Levels and Pitch: The
code also specifies the maximum permissible sound levels and pitch for
ambulance sirens. The maximum sound level allowed for ambulance sirens is
120 decibels, and the pitch of the siren should be between 500 Hz and 1000
Hz.
- Specific types of sirens: As
mentioned earlier, the NAC specifies three types of sirens that can be
used in ambulances – the wail siren, the yelp siren, and the hi-lo siren.
These sirens are designed to alert motorists and pedestrians to the
presence of the ambulance and to indicate the urgency of the situation.
- Display of signage and
emergency lights: In addition to the use of sirens, the NAC
also mandates that ambulance vehicles should display appropriate signage
and emergency lights. The emergency lights should be visible from a
distance of at least 500 meters and should be used in conjunction with the
sirens to alert other road users to the presence of the ambulance.
- Traffic and Road Safety
Regulations: In addition to the NAC, ambulance sirens in India
are also governed by various traffic and road safety regulations,
including the Motor Vehicles Act and the Indian Road Congress Guidelines.
These regulations specify the rules for emergency vehicles, including the
right of way, speed limits, and safe driving practices.
Punishment
for those who obstruct ambulances
The 2019 amendment of the Motor Vehicles Act, of 1988
brought in the provision for punishment for obstructing emergency vehicles, so
under section 194E, causing obstruction to an ambulance is punishable with imprisonment
for six months and a fine up to 10 thousand rupees.
Ambulance
Siren Voices in India
In India, the National Ambulance
Code (NAC) provides guidelines for the use of different types of sirens for
emergency vehicles, including ambulances. In Type A, B, C and D Road
Ambulances, all siren loudspeakers have to be mounted on the front of the vehicle.
Hidden installation is allowed. The main sound direction must be in driving
direction. Permitted are wail and yelp signals that
cycle between 10-18 respectively 150-250 per minute at a sound pressure level
of 110 dB(A) to 120 dB(A). The sirens
should be tested in accordance with IS 1884 (though not covered in the
standard). The frequency range must be at least one octave and should be
between 500Hz and 2.000Hz. An additional electronic air horn can be used.
Further there should be a public address system that can be worked at all times
ergonomically from the driver’s seat. The siren switch can only be used if the
warning lights are on.
Product Description
Current: ≤ 16A
Power: 100W / 200W
Resistance: 8Ω
Temperature: -40º C~55º C
Humidity: ≤ 95%
Tones: HORN, SIREN, WAIL,
MANUAL, YELP, HI-LO, AWB
carton size: 70.5*27*24CM
Net Weight: 22 KGS
Gross weight: 24 KGS
QTY/CTN: 10 pcs/carton
Fig 1: Different mode of Ambulance siren Voices
According to the NAC, there
are three types of ambulance siren voices that are commonly used:
- Wail Siren: The
wail siren is a high-pitched, rising and falling sound that is often
described as a 'woo-woo' sound. The rationale behind using the wail siren
in ambulances is that it alerts motorists and pedestrians to the presence
of the emergency vehicle and indicates that it is approaching. The wail
siren is also used to signal that the ambulance is about to pass through
an intersection or a busy area where people may not be able to see the
ambulance.
- Yelp Siren: The
Yelp siren is a short, sharp sound that is often described as a 'yelp' or
a 'bark'. The rationale behind using the Yelp siren in ambulances is that
it is a more urgent sound than the wail siren and is used to indicate that
the ambulance is in an emergency situation and needs to get to its
destination quickly. The Yelp siren is also used to signal that the
ambulance is approaching a situation that requires immediate attention,
such as a crash or a medical emergency.
- Hi-Lo Siren: The
Hi-Lo siren is a two-tone sound that is often described as a 'whoop-whoop'
sound. The rationale behind using the Hi-Lo siren in ambulances is that it
is a very distinctive sound that is easy to hear and recognize. The Hi-Lo
siren is often used when the ambulance is responding to a call and needs
to get to the scene quickly.
Ambulance
Siren Voices in Other Countries:
In other countries, the use of ambulance sirens is also
regulated by national codes and guidelines. However, the types of sirens used
and the rationale behind their use may vary depending on the country and the
local regulations.
- United States: In
the United States, the use of ambulance sirens is governed by state and
local laws, but most emergency vehicles use two types of sirens: the wail
siren and the yelp siren. The wail siren is used to alert motorists and
pedestrians to the presence of the ambulance, while the yelp siren is used
to indicate that the ambulance is in an emergency situation and needs to
get to its destination quickly.
- United Kingdom: In
the United Kingdom, the use of ambulance sirens is governed by the Road
Traffic Act of 1988. The Act requires that emergency vehicles use a
two-tone siren that consists of a high-pitched sound followed by a
lower-pitched sound. The rationale behind this siren is that it is a
distinctive sound that is easily recognizable and can be heard from a
distance.
- Australia: In
Australia, the use of ambulance sirens is governed by the Australian
Design Rules. The rules require that emergency vehicles use a combination
of two sirens: the wail siren and the yelp siren. The wail siren is used
to alert motorists and pedestrians to the presence of the ambulance, while
the yelp siren is used to indicate that the ambulance is in an emergency.
*Ontario Provincial Land Ambulance
and Emergency Vehicle Standard V5.0 Section 20.19 requires siren output of 123
dB in wail mode and 122 dB in yelp mode. The vehicle shall be placed in an open
area without any large reflecting surfaces within 15 meters of the vehicle and
measurements shall be taken at 3 meters (10 feet) in front of and along vehicle
centerline axis. The test shall be conducted with a stabilized engine speed of
2,000 rpm, with a temperature above 32F degrees and wind velocity not exceeding
11 mph. A sound level meter that meets the OHSA requirements of a type 2 meter
operating on the A-weighting network with a slow meter response shall be used.
Reference
- Ministry
of Road Transport and Highways (Department of Road Transport and
Highways), Constructive and functional requirements of road
ambulances, National Injury and Surveillance Trauma Registry and Capacity
Building Centre, http://www.nisc.gov.in/PDF/AIS_125.pdf (29
January 2020, 8:30 PM). ↑
Dr Madhav Madhusudan Singh MBBS, MHA , MBA , Ph.D
Follow on
https://twitter.com/madhavsingh1972
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-madhav-madhusudan-singh-07139a26/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this text are solely the
personal opinions of the author and do not represent the views of any
organization or entity with which the author may be affiliated.
Blog Theme by Day :
Monday : Nursing
administration
Tuesday : Hospital Quality
& Patient safety
Wednesday : Medicolegal
issues
Thursday : Hospital
Finance / Marketing
Friday : Human Resource
management
Saturday : Hospital
Operation / IT
Sunday : CEO’s Dairy
No comments:
Post a Comment