Motorola NFPA 1802 User Manual

NFPA 1802 EXECUTIVE
SUMMARY GUIDE

UNDERSTANDING THE NFPA 1802 STANDARD ON TWO-WAY, PORTABLE
RF VOICE COMMUNICATION DEVICES FOR USE BY EMERGENCY
PERSONNEL IN THE HAZARD ZONE

NFPA 1802 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

GUIDE

NFPA 1802 OVERVIEW

Released by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) in January 2021, The NFPA 1802 standard
is a new standard that identifies the operating parameters and minimum requirements for portable
two-way RF voice communications devices (RF devices) such as radios, as well as remote speaker
microphones (RSMs) for use by emergency service personnel in the hazard zone during emergency
incident operations. The operating parameters and requirements identified in the standard pertain to
the design, performance, testing and certification of RF devices as the primary voice communications
link without compromising compatibility with field emergency services communications networks.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• RF Devices and RSMs used in

the market today do not pass
100% of the specifications
needed to be certified for
NFPA 1802 compliance.

WHAT DEVICES DOES THE NFPA 1802 STANDARD APPLY TO?

The NFPA 1802 standard applies to RF communication devices (ie. two-way radios) and remote
speaker mics (RSMs) used in the hazard zone

WHO DOES THE NFPA 1802 STANDARD APPLY TO?

The NFPA 1802 standard applies to Emergency Services Personnel (ie firefighters) using RF devices
and RSMs in the hazard zone, or the area where members might be exposed to hazard or hazardous
atmosphere; or a particular substance, device, event, circumstance, or condition that presents a danger.

ARE NFPA 1802-CERTIFIED RF DEVICES & RSMS A REQUIREMENT?

At this time, use of certified equipment may depend on the individual requirements/preferences
determined by your department or state or local mandates. There is no national mandate at this time
requiring all departments to use certified RF devices and RSMs.

BACKGROUND:

The fire service has long recognized the durability and ruggedness of radio products and accessories
used in the market today. However, with the changing needs of users operating in the hazard zone, the
market has identified an opportunity to define a minimum standard for a portable RF device designed
for the rigors and utmost extremes of interior firefighting, hazmat, and wildland operations. Similar
standards have been in existence for SCBA (Self Contained Breathing Apparatus) equipment, TICs
(Thermal Imaging Cameras), and PASS (Personal Alert Safety System) devices.

WHO CREATED THE STANDARD?

This standard was developed by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Electronic Safety
Equipment committee consisting of users (firefighters), manufacturers (including Motorola Solutions),
certifying agencies and researchers.

• A certified RF device must

display the compliance label
indicating certification, which
is only applied during the
manufacturing process.

• Manufacturers must submit

their RF device or RSM to
be tested and certified NFPA
1802 compliant by a 3rd party
certification organization
accredited in accordance with
ISO/IEC 17065.

• An RF device and/or RSM

must be certified in all
applicable specifications
(hardware and software) of
the standard to be claimed
NFPA 1802 compliant.
Manufacturers cannot claim
compliance to portions of the
standard.

WHAT’S REQUIRED

DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR CERTIFIED RF DEVICES

Design specifications have been outlined around hardware performance in areas such as extreme
heat, immersion, drop/impact, battery life, and remote speaker mic connections. Specifications are
also outlined for RF device software to include features such as data logging and safety alerts when in
the hazard zone. A full list of test requirements can be found below in Table 1.

NFPA 1802 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

GUIDE

• Existing RF devices and

RSMs in the field cannot
be upgraded in whole, or in
part, to be certified NFPA
1802-compliant.