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SECTION IV
OPERATION
SAFETY MESSAGE TO OPERATORS OF
FEDERAL SIGNAL ELECTRONIC SIRENS
AND LIGHT/SOUND SYSTEMS
WARNING
The lives of people depend on your safe operation of
Federal products. It is important to read and follow
all instructions shipped with the products. In addi-
tion, listed below are some other important safety
instructions and precautions you should follow:
Qualifications
•
To properly use an electronic siren and
speaker(s): you must have a good understanding
of general vehicle operation, a high proficiency in
the use of safety warning equipment, and
thorough knowledge of state and federal UNI-
FORM TRAFFIC CODES.
Sound Hazards
•
Your hearing and the hearing of others, in or close
to your emergency vehicle, could be damaged by
loud sounds. This can occur from short exposures
to very loud sounds, or from longer exposures to
moderately loud sounds. For hearing conservation
guidance, refer to federal, state, or local recom-
mendations. OSHA Standard 1910.95 offers
guidance on “Permissible Noise Exposure.”
•
All effective sirens and horns produce loud sounds
(120 dB) that may cause permanent hearing loss.
Always minimize your exposure to siren sound,
roll up your windows and wear hearing protec-
tion. Do not sound the siren indoors or in
enclosed areas where you and others will be
exposed to the sound. Only use the siren for
emergency response situations.
Sound Limitations
•
Before using the vehicle, check to see if the siren
speakers are concealed from view. If the siren
speaker is not in clear view on the front of the
vehicle, use extra caution when operating the
vehicle. A concealed siren speaker installation is
less effective at warning others.
•
Maximum sound output will be severely reduced
if any objects are in front of the speaker. If your
installation has obstructions in front of the
speaker, drive even more cautiously.
•
Frequently inspect the speaker to ensure that it is
clear of any obstruction, such as mud or snow,
which will reduce maximum sound output.
Signaling Limitations
•
Be aware that the use of your visual and audible
signaling devices does not give you the right to
force your way through traffic. Your emergency
lights, siren, and actions are REQUESTING the
right-of-way.
•
Although your warning system is operating
properly, it may not alert everyone. People may
not hear, see, or heed your warning signal. You
must recognize this fact and continue driving
cautiously.
•
Situations may occur which obstruct your
warning signal when natural or man-made objects
are between your vehicle and others. This can also
occur when you raise your hood or trunk lid. If
these situations occur, be especially careful.
Driving Limitations
•
At the start of your shift, you should ensure that
the light/sound system is securely attached to the
vehicle and operating properly.
•
If the unique combination of emergency vehicle
equipment installed in your vehicle has resulted
in the siren controls being installed in a position
that does not allow you to operate them by touch
only, OPERATE CONTROLS ONLY WHILE
YOUR VEHICLE IS STOPPED.
•
If driving conditions require your full attention,
you should avoid operating the siren controls
while the vehicle is in motion.
Continuing Education
•
File these instructions in a safe place and refer to
them periodically. Give a copy of these instruc-
tions to new recruits and trainees.
Failure to follow these safety precautions may result in
property damage, serious injury, or death to you, to passen-
gers, or to others.
IMPORTANT
Since many SS2000-LMS features are programmable,
operation is described for the “standard” program.
Refer to the supplied Operation and Configuration
Instructions for additional discussion of the “stan-
dard” program. It is the operator’s responsibility to
understand how his particular unit is configured
(programmed) to operate.
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
The SS2000-LMS control head is designed to assist the
operator’s selection of functions. Each control head switch is
recessed and aids guiding the operator’s finger to the switch’s
center for activation. When a switch is pressed, “tactile
feedback” provides function selection indication as
follows: a
click is felt, a beep is heard, and the selected function’s key
illuminates brightly.
Specific operating instructions are provided in the
supplied Operation and Configuration Instructions.
