This edition of NFPA 1670, Standard on Operations and Training for Technical Search and Rescue Incidents, was prepared by the Technical Committee on Technical Rescue and acted on by NFPA at its November Association Technical Meeting held November 15–19, 2003, in Reno, NV. It was issued by the Standards Council on January 16, 2004, with an effective date of February 5, 2004, and supersedes all previous editions.

This edition of NFPA 1670 was approved as an American National Standard on January 16, 2004.

Origin and Development of NFPA 1670

The responsibility for NFPA 1470, Standard on Search and Rescue Training for Structural Collapse Incidents, 1994 edition, was transferred to the Technical Committee on Technical Rescue, which prepared a proposed new NFPA 1670, Standard on Operations and Training for Technical Rescue Incidents. That document incorporated the scope of NFPA 1470, expanding it to include identifying and establishing levels of functional capability for safety and effectively conducting operations at technical rescue incidents.

This second edition of NFPA 1670 represents a complete revision and incorporates the reorganization of the chapters to comply with the new NFPA Manual of Style. The title of the document has been changed to “Standard on Operations and Training for Technical Search and Rescue Incidents” as a result of a petition by the Technical Committee to the Standards Council to include “search” as part of the scope of the Committee. The search element has also been added to each of the disciplines within the document.

The committee wishes to acknowledge the valuable contributions of George Howard to the origin and development of this document. Mr. Howard was working as a police officer for the New York and New Jersey Port Authority when he perished in the line of duty on September 11, 2001, at the World Trade Center at the age of 44. He was a 16-year veteran of the department and a founding member of its elite emergency services division and was awarded the New York Police Department's Medal of Valor for rescuing children trapped in the World Trade Center during the 1993 bombing. Mr. Howard was a charter member of the NFPA Technical Rescue Technical Committee, on which he represented the Nassau County (NY) Fire Academy. His enlightened influence and hard work shall always be a part of this document.

Technical Committee on Technical Rescue

Leslie D. English, Chair
Wackenhut Services, Inc., AL [U]

Donald C. Cooper, Secretary
Cuyahoga Falls Fire Department, OH [U]
Rep. National Rescue Consultants

Robert N. Aguiluz, The Roco Corporation, LA [M]

Barbara A. Beers, Seattle Fire Department, WA [E]

Joseph C. Burris, North Carolina Department of Insurance, NC [E]

H. K. “Skip” Carr, H. K. Carr & Associates Inc., NJ [SE]
Rep. International Society of Fire Service Instructors

James R. Engram, Colorado Springs Fire Department, CO [U]

Steve Fleming, Poudre Fire Authority, CO [U]

James A. Frank, CMC Rescue, Inc., CA [M]

Tim Gallagher, Bryan, TX [SE]

Carl Goodson, Action Training Systems, Inc., WA [M]
Rep. International Fire Service Training Association

Ihor M. Holowczynsky, Rescue Tech, Inc., Canada [SE]

Steve Hudson, Pigeon Mountain Industries, Inc., GA [M]

Billy M. Lee, Jr., Champion International Paper Company, FL [U]

Robert J. Masonis, Sr., California Office of Emergency Services, CA [E]

Christopher J. Naum, L.A. Emergency Management & Training, NY [SE]

John P. O'Connell, Collapse Rescue Systems Inc., NY [SE]

Robert E. Rhea, Fairfax County Fire and Rescue, VA [U]

Louis Robinson, South Charleston Fire Department, WV [U]

Brian Rousseau, State of New York, NY [E]

Chase N. Sargent, Virginia Beach Fire Department, VA [E]

Robert P. Thornton, City of Mobile Fire Department, AL [U]
Rep. University of South Alabama (CERT)

William J. Troup, U.S. Fire Administration, MD [SE]

William H. Weems, Safe State Program, AL [SE]

Ernest R. (Richey) Wright, Wright Rescue Solutions, Inc., FL [SE]

Alternates

Francis J. Brennan, Seattle Fire Department, WA [E]
(Alt. to B. A. Beers)

Michael G. Brown, Virginia Beach Fire Department, VA [U]
(Alt. to C. N. Sargent)

Joseph M. Clark, Houston Fire Department, TX [SE]
(Alt. to T. Gallagher)

Fred J. Jackson, Cuyahoga Falls Fire Department, OH [U]
(Alt. to D. C. Cooper)

Jay McCallum, Chicago Fire Department, IL [U]
(Alt. to R. P. Thornton)

Loui (Clem) McCurley, Pigeon Mountain Industries, Inc., CO [M]
(Alt. to S. Hudson)

Frank E. Florence, NFPA Staff Liaison

This list represents the membership at the time the Committee was balloted on the final text of this edition. Since that time, changes in the membership may have occurred. A key to classifications is found at the back of the document.

NOTE: Membership on a committee shall not in and of itself constitute an endorsement of the Association or any document developed by the committee on which the member serves.

Committee Scope: This Committee shall have primary responsibility for documents on technical search and rescue techniques, operations, and procedures to develop efficient, proper, and safe utilization of personnel and equipment.

NFPA 1670
Standard on
Operations and Training for Technical Search and Rescue Incidents
2004 Edition

IMPORTANT NOTE: This NFPA document is made available for use subject to important notices and legal disclaimers. These notices and disclaimers appear in all publications containing this document and may be found under the heading “Important Notices and Disclaimers Concerning NFPA Documents.” They can also be obtained on request from NFPA or viewed at www.nfpa.org/disclaimers.

NOTICE: An asterisk (*) following the number or letter designating a paragraph indicates that explanatory material on the paragraph can be found in Annex A.

A reference in brackets [ ] following a section or paragraph indicates material that has been extracted from another NFPA document. As an aid to the user, Annex K lists the complete title and edition of the source documents for both mandatory and nonmandatory extracts. Editorial changes to extracted material consist of revising references to an appropriate division in this document or the inclusion of the document number with the division number when the reference is to the original document. Requests for interpretations or revisions of extracted text shall be sent to the technical committee responsible for the source document.

Information on referenced publications can be found in Chapter 2 and Annex K.

Chapter 1 Administration

1.1 Scope.

1.1.1* This standard shall identify and establish levels of functional capability for conducting operations at technical search and rescue incidents while minimizing threats to rescuers.

1.1.2* The requirements of this standard shall apply to organizations that provide response to technical search and rescue incidents including those not regulated by governmental mandates.

1.2* Purpose.

1.2.1 The purpose of this standard shall be to assist the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) in assessing a technical search and rescue hazard within the response area, to identify the level of operational capability, and to establish operational criteria.

1.2.2 The functional capabilities of this standard shall be permitted to be achieved in a variety of ways.

1.3 Equivalency.

Nothing in this standard shall be intended to prevent the use of systems, methods, or devices of equivalent or superior quality, strength, fire resistance, effectiveness, durability, and safety in place of those prescribed by this standard, provided technical documentation is submitted to the authority having jurisdiction to demonstrate equivalency and the system, method, or device is approved for the intended purpose.

Chapter 2 Referenced Publications

2.1 General.

The documents or portions thereof listed in this chapter are referenced within this standard and shall be considered part of the requirements of this document.

2.2 NFPA Publications.

National Fire Protection Association, 1 Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02169-7471.

NFPA 472, Standard for Professional Competence of Responders to Hazardous Materials Incidents, 2002 edition.

NFPA 1500, Standard on Fire Department Occupational Safety and Health Program, 2002 edition.

NFPA 1521, Standard for Fire Department Safety Officer, 2002 edition.

NFPA 1561, Standard on Emergency Services Incident Management System, 2002 edition.

2.3 Other Publications.

2.3.1 ANSI Publication.

American National Standards Institute, Inc., 25 West 43rd Street, 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036.

ANSI/GCA G7.1, Commodity Specification for Air.

2.3.2 U.S. Government Publication.

U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402.

U.S. Department of Transportation, First Responder Guidelines.

Chapter 3 Definitions

3.1 General.

The definitions contained in this chapter shall apply to the terms used in this standard. Where terms are not included, common usage of the terms shall apply.

3.2 NFPA Official Definitions.

3.2.1* Approved. Acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction.

3.2.2* Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ). An organization, office, or individual responsible for enforcing the requirements of a code or standard, or for approving equipment, materials, an installation, or a procedure.

3.2.3 Shall. Indicates a mandatory requirement.

3.2.4 Should. Indicates a recommendation or that which is advised but not required.

3.2.5 Standard. A document, the main text of which contains only mandatory provisions using the word “shall” to indicate requirements and which is in a form generally suitable for mandatory reference by another standard or code or for adoption into law. Nonmandatory provisions shall be located in an appendix or annex, footnote, or fine-print note and are not to be considered a part of the requirements of a standard.

3.3 General Definitions.

3.3.1 Acceptable Entry Conditions. Conditions that must exist in a space to allow entry and to ensure that employees can safely enter into and work within the space.

3.3.2 Alternate Air Source. A secondary air supply source system that involves an alternate second-stage regulator provided by either a separate dedicated second-stage or a multipurpose second-stage regulator coupled with a buoyancy compensator inflator valve.

3.3.3 Anchor Point. A single, structural component used either alone or in combination with other components to create an anchor system capable of sustaining the actual and potential load on the rope rescue system.

3.3.4 Anchor System. One or more anchor points rigged in such a way as to provide a structurally significant connection point for rope rescue system components.

3.3.5 Ascending (Line). A means of safely traveling up a fixed line with the use of one or more ascent devices.

3.3.6 Ascent Device. An auxiliary equipment system component; a friction or mechanical device utilized to allow ascending a fixed line. [1983:1.3]

3.3.7 Assessment Phase (Size-Up). The process of assessing the conditions, the scene, and the subject's condition and ability to assist in his or her own rescue.

3.3.8 Auxiliary Equipment. System components that are load-bearing accessories designed to be utilized with life safety rope and harness including, but not limited to, ascending devices, carabiners, descent control devices, rope grab devices, and snap-links. [1983:1.3]

3.3.9* Avalanche. A mass of snow — sometimes containing ice, water, and debris — that slides down a mountainside.

3.3.10* Belay. The method by which a potential fall distance is controlled to minimize damage to equipment and/or injury to a live load.

3.3.11 Bell-Bottom Pier Hole. A type of shaft or footing excavation, the bottom of which is made larger than the cross section above to form a bell shape.

3.3.12 Benching or Benching System. A method of protecting employees from cave-ins by excavating the side of an excavation to form one or a series of horizontal levels or steps, usually with vertical or near-vertical surfaces between levels.

3.3.13 Bend. A knot that joins two ropes or webbing pieces together.

3.3.14 Body Recovery. An operation involving the retrieval of the remains of a deceased victim, but in no case a living person.

3.3.15 Cave-In. The separation of a mass of soil or rock material from the side of an excavation or trench, or the loss of soil from under a trench shield or support system, and its sudden movement into the excavation, either by falling or sliding, in sufficient quantity so that it could entrap, bury, or otherwise injure and immobilize a person.

3.3.16 Collapse Zone. See 3.3.102, Rescue Area.

3.3.17 Compass. A device that uses the earth's magnetic field to indicate relative direction.

3.3.18 Competent Person. One who is capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards in the surroundings or working conditions that are unsanitary, hazardous, or dangerous to employees, and who has authorization to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them. [1006:3.3]

3.3.19* Confined Space. A space that is large enough and so configured that a person can enter and perform assigned work, that has limited or restricted means for entry or exit (e.g., tanks, vessels, silos, storage bins, hoppers, vaults, and pits), and that is not designed for continuous human occupancy.

3.3.20 Confined Space Rescue Service. The confined space rescue team designated by the AHJ to rescue victims from within confined spaces, including operational and technical levels of industrial, municipal, and private sector organizations.

3.3.21 Confined Space Rescue Team. A combination of individuals trained, equipped, and available to respond to confined space emergencies.

3.3.22 Cribbing. Short lengths of timber/composite materials, usually 101.60 mm 101.60 mm (4 in. 4 in.) and 457.20 mm 609.60 mm (18 in. 24 in.) long that are used in various configurations to stabilize loads in place or while load is moving.

3.3.23 Critical Angle. An angle of 120 degrees or less created between two rope rescue system components wide enough so as to create excessive force on the anchor points to which they are attached.

3.3.24 Descending (Line). A means of safely traveling down a fixed line using a descent control device.

3.3.25 Descent Control Device. An auxiliary equipment system component; a friction or mechanical device utilized with rope to control descent. [1983:1.3]

3.3.26 Disentanglement. The cutting of a vehicle and/or machinery away from trapped or injured victims.

3.3.27 Dive. An exposure to increased pressure whether underwater or in a hyperbaric chamber.

3.3.28 Dive Operation. A situation requiring divers to complete an assigned task.

3.3.29 Dive Team. An organization of public safety divers and members in training.

3.3.30 Diver. An individual using breathing apparatus that supplies compressed breathing gas at the ambient pressure.

3.3.31 Edge Protection. A means of protecting software components within a rope rescue system from the potentially harmful effects of exposed sharp or abrasive edges.

3.3.32 Emergency Incident. Any situation to which the emergency services organization responds to deliver emergency services, including rescue, fire suppression, emergency medical care, special operations, law enforcement, and other forms of hazard control and mitigation. [1561:3.3]

3.3.33 Emergency Medical Service (EMS). The organization(s) responsible for the care and transport of sick and injured persons to an appropriate emergency care facility. Referred to as Emergency Services in U.S. federal confined space regulations.

3.3.34 Engulfment. The surrounding and effective capture of a person by a fluid (e.g., liquid, finely divided particulate) substance that can be aspirated to cause death by filling or plugging the respiratory system or that can exert enough force on the body to cause death by strangulation, constriction, or crushing.

3.3.35 Entry. The action by which a person passes into a confined space. Entry includes ensuing work or rescue activities in that environment and is considered to have occurred as soon as any part of the entrant's body breaks the plane of an opening into the space, trench, or excavation.

3.3.36* Entry Permit. A written or printed document, established by an employer, for nonrescue entry into confined spaces.

3.3.37 Entry Team. The group of individuals, with established communications and leadership, assigned to perform work or rescue activities beyond the opening of, and within, the space, trench, or excavation.

3.3.38* Environment. A collection of characteristics such as weather, altitude, and terrain contained in an area that are unique to a location.

3.3.39 Excavation. Any man-made cut, cavity, trench, or depression in an earth surface, formed by the removal of earth.

3.3.40 Extrication. The removal of trapped victims from a vehicle or machinery.

3.3.41 Face(s). The vertical or inclined earth surface formed as a result of excavation work.

3.3.42 Failure. The breakage, displacement, or permanent deformation of a structural member or connection so as to reduce its structural integrity and its supportive capabilities.

3.3.43* Federal Response Plan. A U.S. government plan for the basic mechanisms and structures by which the federal government will mobilize resources and conduct activities to augment state and local disaster and emergency response efforts.

3.3.44* FEMA Task Force Search and Rescue Marking System. Distinct markings made with international orange spray paint near a collapsed structure's most accessible point of entry.

3.3.45* FEMA Task Force Structure/Hazard Evaluation Marking System. Distinct markings made with international orange spray paint, after performing a building hazard identification, near a collapsed structure's most accessible point of entry.

3.3.46* FEMA Task Force Structure Marking System, Structure Identification within a Geographic Area. Distinct markings made with international orange spray paint to label buildings with their street number so that personnel can differentiate one building from another.

3.3.47 Fixed Line (Fixed Line System). A rope rescue system consisting of a nonmoving rope attached to an anchor system.

3.3.48 Force Multiplier. Any load, object, environmental factor, or system configuration that increases the load on the anchor system(s).

3.3.49 Full Face Mask. A diving mask that covers the diver's entire face, includes a regulator for breathing, has separate inhalation and exhalation chambers, provides for defogging, free flow if the seal is broken, and provides for a communication module.

3.3.50* General Area. An area surrounding the incident site (e.g., collapsed structure or trench) whose size is proportional to the size and nature of the incident. Within the general area, access by people, heavy machinery, and vehicles is limited and strictly controlled.

3.3.51 Grade Pole. A wood or fiberglass pole, either cut to a certain length or provided with markings, used by workers when setting pipes on grade.

3.3.52 Hardware. Rigid mechanical auxiliary equipment that can include, but is not limited to, anchor plates, carabiners, and mechanical ascent and descent control devices.

3.3.53 Harness. See 3.3.69, Life Safety Harness.

3.3.54 Hazard Identification. The process of identifying situations or conditions that have the potential to cause injury to people, damage to property, or damage to the environment.

3.3.55 Hazardous Atmospheres. Any atmosphere that can expose personnel to the risk of death, incapacitation, injury, acute illness, or impairment of ability to self-rescue. [1006:3.3]

3.3.56 Heavy Object. An item of such size and weight that it cannot be moved without the use of power tools (e.g., hydraulic lifting devices) or complex mechanical advantage systems.

3.3.57 High Angle. Refers to an environment in which the load is predominantly supported by the rope rescue system.

3.3.58 Hitch. A knot that attaches to or wraps around an object so that when the object is removed, the knot will fall apart.

3.3.59 Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health (IDLH). Any condition that would pose an immediate or delayed threat to life, cause irreversible adverse health effects, or interfere with an individual's ability to escape unaided from a hazardous environment.

3.3.60 Imminent Hazard. An act or condition that is judged to present a danger to persons or property and is so immediate and severe that it requires immediate corrective or preventive action.

3.3.61 Incident Command System (ICS). The combination of facilities, equipment, personnel, procedures, and communications operating within a common organizational structure that has responsibility for the management of assigned resources to effectively accomplish stated objectives pertaining to an incident or training exercise.

3.3.62 Incident Commander. The person who is responsible for all decisions relating to the management of the incident and is in charge of the incident site. [472:3.3]

3.3.63 Incident Management System (IMS). A system that defines the roles and responsibilities to be assumed by personnel and the operating procedures to be used in the management and direction of emergency operations; the system is also referred to as an incident command system (ICS). [1021:3.3]

3.3.64 Incident Response Plan. Written procedures, including standard operating guidelines, for managing an emergency response and operation.

3.3.65* Incident Scene. The location where activities related to a specific incident are conducted.

3.3.66* Isolation System (or Isolation Devices). An arrangement of devices, applied with specific techniques, that collectively serve to isolate a victim of a trench or excavation emergency from the surrounding product (e.g., soil, gravel, or sand).

3.3.67* Knot. A fastening made by tying together lengths of rope or webbing in a prescribed way.

3.3.68 Laser Target. A square or rectangular plastic device used in conjunction with a laser instrument to set the line and grade of pipe.

3.3.69 Life Safety Harness. A system component that is an arrangement of materials secured about the body and used to support a person during rescue.

3.3.70 Life Safety Rope. A compact but flexible, torsionally balanced, continuous structure of fibers produced from strands that are twisted, plaited, or braided together and that serve primarily to support a load or transmit a force from the point of origin to the point of application.

3.3.71 Litter. A transfer device designed to support and protect a victim during movement.

3.3.72 Litter Attendant. A person who both accompanies and physically manages the litter.

3.3.73* Load. That which is being lowered or raised by rope in a high-angle system.

3.3.74* Lockout. A method for keeping equipment from being set in motion and endangering workers.

3.3.75 Low Angle. Refers to an environment in which the load is predominantly supported by itself and not the rope rescue system (e.g., flat land or mild sloping surface).

3.3.76* Lowering System. A rope rescue system used to lower a load under control.

3.3.77 Machinery. The moving parts of a particular machine.

3.3.78 Maximum Working Load. Weight supported by the life safety rope and system components that must not be exceeded.

3.3.79* Mechanical Advantage (M/A). A force created through mechanical means including, but not limited to, a system of levers, gearing, or ropes and pulleys usually creating an output force greater than the input force and expressed in terms of a ratio of output force to input force.

3.3.80* National Search and Rescue Plan. A document that identifies responsibilities of U.S. federal agencies and serves as the basis for the National Search and Rescue Manual, which discusses search and rescue organizations, resources, methods, and techniques utilized by the federal government.

3.3.81 One-Call Utility Location Service. A service from which contractors, emergency service personnel, and others can obtain information on the location of underground utilities in any area.

3.3.82 Oxygen-Deficient Atmosphere. Air atmospheres containing less than 19.5 percent oxygen by volume at one standard atmosphere pressure.

3.3.83 Oxygen-Enriched Atmosphere. Air atmospheres containing more than 23.5 percent oxygen by volume at one standard atmosphere pressure.

3.3.84 Packaging (Patient Packaging). The process of securing a subject in a transfer device, with regard to existing and potential injuries/illness, so as to avoid further harm during movement.

3.3.85 Panel. See 3.3.147, Traditional Sheeting and Shoring.

3.3.86 Panel Team. The group of individuals, with established communications and leadership, assigned to construct (if necessary), move, place, and manage panels (traditional sheeting panels) both inside and outside the space, trench, or excavation.

3.3.87* Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). The equipment provided to shield or isolate personnel from infectious, chemical, physical, and thermal hazards.

3.3.88 Personnel. Any individual participating within the incident scene.

3.3.89 Pier Hole. See 3.3.11, Bell-Bottom Pier Hole.

3.3.90 Pre-Entry Briefing. Information passed to all personnel prior to entry into a confined space or trench/excavation environment.

3.3.91 Primary Access. The existing opening of doors and/or windows that provide a pathway to the trapped and/or injured victim(s).

3.3.92* Protective System. A method of protecting employees from cave-ins, from material that could fall or roll from an excavation face or into an excavation, or from the collapse of adjacent structures.

3.3.93 Public Safety Diver. An individual who performs public safety diving.

3.3.94 Public Safety Diving. Underwater diving, related to team operations and training, performed by any member, group, or agency of a community or government-recognized public safety diving or water rescue team.

3.3.95 Pulley. A device with a free-turning, grooved metal wheel (sheave) used to reduce rope friction. Side plates are available for a carabiner to be attached.

3.3.96* Raising System. A rope rescue system used to raise a load under control.

3.3.97 “Reach, Throw, Row, Go.” The four sequential steps in water rescue with progressively more risk to the rescuer. Specifically, a “go” rescue involves physically entering the medium (e.g., in the water or on the ice).

3.3.98 Recovery. Activi