Changes to NFPA Standards 1981 and 1982

March 18, 2013

New editions of NFPA 1981 and 1982, standards that set requirements for SCBA and PASS systems used in the fire service, will be coming out this summer. Some of the changes will impact training and operating procedures within a fire department. Scott Safety has developed resources to help departments navigate these changes.

Changes made in the 2013 edition of NFPA 1981 and 1982 include:

  • A change to the low air alarm set points from 25% today to 33% in the new standard
  • A universal PASS sound, regardless of the manufacturer of the SCBA
  • New high temperature and radiant heat tests for the facepiece
  • Enhanced mechanical and electronic communications, due to increased test requirements


Scott Safety has developed an educational microsite to help departments understand the 2013 edition of these standards at www.scott2013firefighter.com. In addition, they have released a whitepaper and presentation regarding the changes.

Click here to learn more about NFPA standards and the standards-setting process, or visit the NFPA web site at www.nfpa.org.