EN 1789:2020/prA1
(Amendment)Medical vehicles and their equipment - Road ambulances
Medical vehicles and their equipment - Road ambulances
This European Standard specifies requirements for the design, testing, performance and equipping of road ambulances used for the transport, monitoring, treatment and care of patients. It contains requirements for the patient’s compartment in terms of the working environment, ergonomic design and the safety of the crew and patients.This European Standard does not cover the training of the staff which is the responsibility of the authority/authorities in the country where the ambulance is to be registered.
This European Standard is applicable to road ambulances capable of transporting at least one person on a stretcher and excludes the transportation of hospital beds.
This standard also specifies requirements for ambulances intended to carry transport incubator systems.
The European Standard covers the specific requirements of each type of road ambulance which are
designated according to the patient condition e.g. patient transport road ambulance types A1, A2, B and C.
This European Standard gives general requirements for medical devices carried in road ambulances and used therein and outside hospitals and clinics in situations where the ambient conditions can differ from normal indoor conditions.
Rettungsdienstfahrzeuge und deren Ausrüstung - Krankenkraftwagen
Véhicules de transport sanitaire et leurs équipements - Ambulances routières
Medicinska vozila in pripadajoča oprema - Cestna reševalna vozila - Dopolnilo A1
General Information
Relations
Overview
EN 1789:2020/prA1 - Medical vehicles and their equipment - Road ambulances is a European standard from CEN that defines requirements for the design, testing, performance and equipping of road ambulances. It applies to ambulances capable of transporting at least one person on a stretcher (types A1, A2, B and C) and covers patient compartments, ergonomic design, crew and patient safety, and general requirements for medical devices used in ambulance and pre‑hospital environments. The amendment A1 adds provisions to address alternative energy vehicles (notably electric ambulances) and updates several normative references.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope of application
- Road ambulances for stretcher transport; excludes hospital beds and staff training (training is the responsibility of national authorities).
- Requirements for ambulances intended to carry transport incubator systems.
- Patient compartment
- Working environment and ergonomic layout to support patient monitoring, treatment and care.
- Safety features for crew and patients during transport.
- Equipment and medical devices
- General requirements for medical devices carried and used inside and outside clinical settings where ambient conditions differ from indoor conditions.
- Design, testing and performance
- Mechanical, electrical and environmental performance checks for ambulance layouts and equipment mounting.
- Updated electrical clause references to reflect ambulance electrical systems and medical electrical equipment (including EN/IEC medical electrical standards).
- Amendment A1 (notable additions)
- New normative Annex E covering electrically propelled vehicles - guidance to verify electric-chassis ambulances can meet EN 1789 requirements.
- Clarifications: “alternator” interpreted as “recharging system”; terms like “idling” and “engine running” replaced with “put vehicle in running condition” for electric vehicles.
- Warnings about electric vehicle limitations (range, charging time) and the temporary nature of these provisions while alternative-energy vehicle technology evolves.
- Updated normative references
- Several referenced standards were updated (examples include EN 16165, EN ISO 20417, EN 60601‑1‑12 and the prEN 1865 series for patient handling).
Applications and who uses this standard
- Ambulance manufacturers and vehicle bodybuilders designing or certifying road ambulances.
- Emergency Medical Services (EMS) authorities and procurement teams specifying ambulance requirements.
- Medical equipment suppliers and integrators who install supplies, gas systems and electrical medical devices in ambulances.
- Test laboratories and conformity assessors validating design, safety and performance.
- Regulators and standardization bodies aligning national vehicle approval and EMS guidance with European practice.
Practical value
- Ensures consistent safety, ergonomics and equipment performance across ambulance fleets.
- Facilitates procurement specifications and conformity assessment for both combustion and electric-chassis ambulances.
- Helps reduce operational risk by defining mounting, electrical, gas and environmental requirements for in‑vehicle medical devices.
Related standards
- EN 16165 (slip resistance), EN ISO 20417 (medical device information), EN 60601‑1‑12 (medical electrical equipment for EMS), and the prEN 1865 series (patient handling equipment). These referenced standards are updated in amendment A1.
Frequently Asked Questions
EN 1789:2020/prA1 is a draft published by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN). Its full title is "Medical vehicles and their equipment - Road ambulances". This standard covers: This European Standard specifies requirements for the design, testing, performance and equipping of road ambulances used for the transport, monitoring, treatment and care of patients. It contains requirements for the patient’s compartment in terms of the working environment, ergonomic design and the safety of the crew and patients.This European Standard does not cover the training of the staff which is the responsibility of the authority/authorities in the country where the ambulance is to be registered. This European Standard is applicable to road ambulances capable of transporting at least one person on a stretcher and excludes the transportation of hospital beds. This standard also specifies requirements for ambulances intended to carry transport incubator systems. The European Standard covers the specific requirements of each type of road ambulance which are designated according to the patient condition e.g. patient transport road ambulance types A1, A2, B and C. This European Standard gives general requirements for medical devices carried in road ambulances and used therein and outside hospitals and clinics in situations where the ambient conditions can differ from normal indoor conditions.
This European Standard specifies requirements for the design, testing, performance and equipping of road ambulances used for the transport, monitoring, treatment and care of patients. It contains requirements for the patient’s compartment in terms of the working environment, ergonomic design and the safety of the crew and patients.This European Standard does not cover the training of the staff which is the responsibility of the authority/authorities in the country where the ambulance is to be registered. This European Standard is applicable to road ambulances capable of transporting at least one person on a stretcher and excludes the transportation of hospital beds. This standard also specifies requirements for ambulances intended to carry transport incubator systems. The European Standard covers the specific requirements of each type of road ambulance which are designated according to the patient condition e.g. patient transport road ambulance types A1, A2, B and C. This European Standard gives general requirements for medical devices carried in road ambulances and used therein and outside hospitals and clinics in situations where the ambient conditions can differ from normal indoor conditions.
EN 1789:2020/prA1 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 11.160 - First aid; 43.160 - Special purpose vehicles. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
EN 1789:2020/prA1 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to EN 1789:2020+A1:2023, EN 1789:2020. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.
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Standards Content (Sample)
SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-marec-2023
Medicinska vozila in pripadajoča oprema - Cestna reševalna vozila - Dopolnilo A1
Medical vehicles and their equipment - Road ambulances
Rettungsdienstfahrzeuge und deren Ausrüstung - Krankenkraftwagen
Véhicules de transport sanitaire et leurs équipements - Ambulances routières
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 1789:2020/prA1
ICS:
11.160 Prva pomoč First aid
43.160 Vozila za posebne namene Special purpose vehicles
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.
DRAFT
EUROPEAN STANDARD
EN 1789:2020
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
prA1
January 2023
ICS 11.160; 43.160
English Version
Medical vehicles and their equipment - Road ambulances
Véhicules de transport sanitaire et leurs équipements - Rettungsdienstfahrzeuge und deren Ausrüstung -
Ambulances routières Krankenkraftwagen
This draft amendment is submitted to CEN members for enquiry. It has been drawn up by the Technical Committee CEN/TC 239.
This draft amendment A1, if approved, will modify the European Standard EN 1789:2020. If this draft becomes an amendment,
CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for inclusion of
this amendment into the relevant national standard without any alteration.
This draft amendment was established by CEN in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other
language made by translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC
Management Centre has the same status as the official versions.
CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway,
Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and
United Kingdom.
Recipients of this draft are invited to submit, with their comments, notification of any relevant patent rights of which they are
aware and to provide supporting documentation.
Warning : This document is not a European Standard. It is distributed for review and comments. It is subject to change without
notice and shall not be referred to as a European Standard.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION
EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG
CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2023 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN 1789:2020/prA1:2023 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.
Contents Page
European foreword . 3
1 Modification to Introduction . 4
2 Modification to Clause 2, Normative references, and related clauses . 4
3 Modifications to 4.2, Electrical requirements . 6
4 Modification to the annexes . 6
Annex E (normative) Electric propelled vehicles . 7
European foreword
This document (EN 1789:2020/prA1:2023) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 239
“Rescue systems”, the secretariat of which is held by DIN.
This document is currently submitted to the CEN Enquiry.
Compared to EN 1789:2020 the following main technical changes were made:
a) addition to introduction to explain purpose of Amendment A1;
b) normative references up-dated;
c) new normative Annex E added to cover alternative energies.
1 Modification to Introduction
Delete the following since this paragraph only applied to the Version published in 2020:
CEN/TC 239 has agreed to a transition period of a maximum of 18 months in order to accommodate the
different organisational structures that are necessary for the transport of patients are responsible for
providing sufficient time for the technical implementation. At the date of publication of EN 1789, the
presumption of conformity of the superseded standard has not yet been established in the Official Journal
of the European Union. Users of the standard are invited to check the date in the Official Journal of the
European Union against the transition period established by CEN/TC 239.
Add the following as last paragraph:
The energy sources for motor vehicles are in turmoil due to environmental fight against global climate
warming. Alternative energies are becoming more regular in motor vehicles and electric vehicles are
already common by most vehicle manufacturers.
In all standardization criteria, combustion engine characteristics have guided the requirements.
Therefore, the most obvious ambulance standard requirements (EN 1789) need adjustments introduced
by an Amendment to allow verification of electric engine ambulances as compliant to this document.
2 Modification to Clause 2, Normative references, and related clauses
Update the following references in Clause 2 and their related clauses:
“CEN/TS 16165:2016, Determination of slip resistance of pedestrian surfaces - Methods of evaluation”
by
“EN 16165:2021, Determination of slip resistance of pedestrian surfaces - Methods of evaluation”
“DIN 51130:2014, Testing of floor coverings - Determination of the anti-slip property - Workrooms and
fields of activities with slip danger - Walking method - Ramp test”
by
“EN 16165:2021, Determination of slip resistance of pedestrian surfaces - Methods of evaluation”
“EN 455-1:2020, Medical gloves for single use - Part 1: Requirements and testing for freedom from holes”
by
“EN 455-1:2020+A1:2022, Medical gloves for single use - Part 1: Requirements and testing for freedom
from h
...
EN 1789:2020/prA1は、医療車両およびその装備、特にロードアンビュランスに関する欧州標準であり、患者の輸送、モニタリング、治療、ケアに関する要件を定義しています。この標準のスコープは非常に広範であり、患者のコンパートメントに関して、作業環境、エルゴノミックデザインおよび乗務員および患者の安全に関する要素が明記されています。特に、エルゴノミックデザインは、医療従事者が効率的に作業できる環境を提供し、患者の快適さを確保する上で重要な要素です。 この標準は、担架での輸送を最低限行うことのできるロードアンビュランスに適用され、病院のベッドの輸送は対象外とされています。これにより、特定の医療ニーズに応じた専用の救急車が設計されることが促進され、患者の状態に応じた型（例：タイプA1、A2、B、C）に分類される要件を含んでいます。これにより、医療従事者は適切な救急車の選択を行うことができ、患者に対する最適なサポートを提供することが可能です。 また、EN 1789は救急車に搭載される医療機器に関する一般的な要件も規定しており、これにより医療機器が通常の屋内条件とは異なる環境下で使用される際の安全性や性能を確保しています。これらの要件は、救急車が地域や状況に応じて異なる環境で活動する際に非常に重要です。 全体として、EN 1789:2020/prA1は、医療車両の安全性、効率性、そして患者および医療従事者の健康を保護するための基盤を提供する重要な標準です。ロードアンビュランスにおける医療の質の向上に寄与するための具体的な要件が含まれており、医療現場における実践的なリファレンスとしての価値を持っています。
The EN 1789:2020/prA1 standard provides comprehensive guidelines related to medical vehicles, specifically focusing on road ambulances and their equipment. One of the primary strengths of this standard is its extensive scope, which encompasses the design, testing, performance, and equipping of road ambulances designated for the transport, monitoring, treatment, and care of patients. By explicitly detailing requirements for the patient’s compartment, the standard emphasizes the importance of creating a safe and ergonomic working environment for both crews and patients. The standard delineates various categories of road ambulances based on patient conditions, such as Types A1, A2, B, and C. This categorization aids manufacturers and operators in ensuring that ambulances are equipped and designed to meet the specific needs associated with different patient transport scenarios. Furthermore, EN 1789:2020/prA1 includes criteria for ambulances that accommodate transport incubator systems, thereby highlighting its relevance in neonatal and pediatric care. Moreover, the standard addresses the general requirements for medical devices utilized within road ambulances, ensuring that the devices function effectively across varying ambient conditions. This adaptability is critical for effective patient care in diverse operational environments, reinforcing the standard's significance in the medical transport sector. While the EN 1789:2020/prA1 standard does not encompass staff training requirements, it still serves as a vital foundation for equipping ambulances according to established safety and performance criteria. Overall, the standard significantly contributes to enhancing the quality and safety of patient transport in road ambulances, making it a key reference for manufacturers, operators, and regulatory authorities in the healthcare field.
Die Norm EN 1789:2020/prA1, die sich auf medizinische Fahrzeuge und deren Ausstattung konzentriert, insbesondere auf Straßenambulanzen, bietet eine umfassende Richtlinie zur Gestaltung, Prüfung, Leistung und Ausstattung von Straßenambulanzen, die für den Transport, die Überwachung und die Behandlung von Patienten verwendet werden. Diese europäische Norm ist von großer Bedeutung, da sie klare Anforderungen für den Patientenbereich definiert, einschließlich der Arbeitsumgebung, des ergonomischen Designs und der Sicherheit für sowohl Personal als auch Patienten. Ein wesentlicher Stärke dieser Norm ist die präzise Definition der Anforderungen für verschiedene Typen von Straßenambulanzen, die auf den Zustand des Patienten abgestimmt sind. Sie klassifiziert die Straßenambulanzen in Typen A1, A2, B und C und gewährleistet damit die optimale Ausstattung und Sicherheit entsprechend den unterschiedlichen Anforderungen der Patienten. Diese Differenzierung ist besonders relevant, um sicherzustellen, dass die Ambulanz über die notwendigen Ressourcen für spezifische Notfälle verfügt. Des Weiteren behandelt die Norm auch die speziellen Anforderungen für die Beförderung von Transportinkubatorsystemen, was für kritisch kranke Neugeborene von enormer Bedeutung ist. Diese spezifische Beachtung zeigt die Relevanz der Norm in der modernen Notfallmedizin, wo die Zeit und die richtige Ausrüstung entscheidend für den Behandlungserfolg sind. Ein weiterer wichtiger Aspekt der EN 1789:2020/prA1 ist die Berücksichtigung von medizinischen Geräten, die in Straßenambulanzen transportiert und verwendet werden. Die allgemeinen Anforderungen für diese medizinischen Geräte sind von großer Bedeutung, da sie sicherstellen, dass diese Geräte auch unter variierenden Umgebungsbedingungen, die von den üblichen Innenbedingungen abweichen können, effizient funktionieren. Es ist zu beachten, dass die Norm nicht die Schulung des Personals abdeckt, da dies in die Verantwortung der jeweiligen nationalen Behörde fällt. Dies könnte als eine Einschränkung angesehen werden, aber es verdeutlicht auch die klare Trennung der Zuständigkeiten im Hinblick auf die Ausbildung von Ambulanzpersonal. Insgesamt stellt die Norm EN 1789:2020/prA1 eine bedeutende Leitlinie für die Entwicklung, den Betrieb und die Sicherheit von Straßenambulanzen dar. Sie optimiert nicht nur die Patientensicherheit und -versorgung, sondern gewährleistet auch, dass die Ausstattung der Ambulanz den höchsten Standards entspricht.
La norme EN 1789:2020/prA1 est une référence essentielle pour le secteur des ambulances médicales, spécialement pour la conception, le test et l'équipement des ambulances routières utilisées pour le transport, le suivi, le traitement et les soins des patients. Son périmètre d'application est clairement défini, stipulant que cette norme s'applique spécifiquement aux ambulances capables de transporter au moins une personne sur une civière, à l'exclusion du transport de lits d'hôpital. Les points forts de cette norme résident dans ses exigences précises concernant le compartiment des patients. La norme aborde des aspects cruciaux tels que l'environnement de travail, le design ergonomique et la sécurité tant pour l'équipage que pour les patients. Cela garantit une prestation de soins optimale tout en respectant des standards de sécurité élevés. De plus, la spécification des exigences pour les ambulances destinées à transporter des systèmes d'incubateurs souligne son exhaustivité et son adaptation aux besoins variés des services médicaux d'urgence. La norme EN 1789:2020/prA1 est particulièrement pertinente car elle définit non seulement des exigences générales pour les dispositifs médicaux transportés dans les ambulances, mais elle prend également en considération la variabilité des conditions ambiantes lors de leur utilisation, tant à l'intérieur des hôpitaux qu’à l'extérieur. En établissant des catégories d'ambulances basées sur l'état des patients (types A1, A2, B et C), cette norme permet une classification claire et une préconisation des équipements en fonction des besoins spécifiques des patients. En somme, la norme EN 1789:2020/prA1 établit un cadre complet pour assurer que les ambulances routières soient conçues et équipées de manière à répondre aux exigences de sécurité et de qualité dans le cadre des soins médicaux, renforçant ainsi la fiabilité et l'efficacité des services d'ambulance.
SIST EN 1789:2020/prA1 표준은 의료 차량, 특히 도로 앰뷸런스의 설계, 시험, 성능 및 장비에 대한 요구 사항을 명확하게 규정하고 있습니다. 이 표준은 환자의 운송, 모니터링, 치료 및 간호를 위한 도로 앰뷸런스의 필수 요건을 제시합니다. 특히, 환자 공간의 작업 환경, 인체 공학적 설계 및 승무원과 환자의 안전을 중점적으로 다루고 있어 실질적인 적용 가능성이 매우 높습니다. 또한, 이 표준은 최소 한 명의 환자를 침대에 실어 운송할 수 있는 도로 앰뷸런스에만 적용되며 병원 침대의 운송은 제외하고 있습니다. 이는 표준의 명확성을 채택한 점으로, 사용자들이 정확한 적용 범위를 이해하는 데 도움을 줍니다. 표준은 또한 운송 인큐베이터 시스템을 실어 나르는 앰뷸런스를 위한 요구 사항도 포함하고 있어 다양한 상황에서의 사용성을 고려하고 있습니다. 더 나아가, EN 1789:2020/prA1 표준은 A1, A2, B, C 등 다양한 환자 상태에 따른 도로 앰뷸런스 유형별로 구체적인 요구 사항을 명시하고 있어 각 환자의 필요에 맞는 차량 설계를 가능하게 합니다. 이러한 세부화는 특히 비상 의료 서비스를 제공하는 데 있어 중요한 요소입니다. 또한 도로 앰뷸런스 내 의료 장치에 대한 일반 요구 사항도 제시하고 있으며, 이는 병원과 클리닉 외부의 다양한 환경 조건에서 의료 장비가 효율적으로 사용될 수 있도록 지원합니다. 이러한 점에서 이 표준은 현대 의료 시스템에서의 필수적 요소로 자리 잡고 있으며, 의료 차량과 장비의 안전성과 사용성을 동시에 보장할 수 있는 강력한 기준이 됩니다.
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