Executive Summary:
This document outlines Amendment 5 to AIS 125 Part 1, concerning constructional and functional requirements for road ambulances. It defines neonatal and multistretcher road ambulances, specifies requirements for electric ambulances, and mandates rescue equipment for specific ambulance classes. The last date for comments was June 27, 2025.
Key Points / Main Content:
* **Definitions:**
* Neonatal Road Ambulance: Class C or D ambulance for transporting sick or premature newborns.
* Multistretcher Road Ambulance: Class C or D ambulance designed to carry multiple stretchers, focusing on intensive care for one patient at a time.
* **Electric Ambulances (E Ambulances):**
* Additional batteries are required to power medical devices, independent of the traction battery.
* Manufacturers must ensure optimal charging of additional batteries without impacting the vehicle's traction battery.
* Table 1A applies only if additional batteries are provided.
* Table 1A provides indicative capacity power guidelines for additional batteries in Type B, C, and D ambulances (80Ah for B, C, and D at 12V; 63Ah for B, C, and D at 2x12V, 24V, 2x12V respectively; 700W alternator power for B and C, and 1200W for D).
* Manufacturers must declare the certified capacity of the electric system in Watts, prominently displayed in the patient compartment.
* Each electrical socket in the patient compartment must be permanently labelled with its voltage and amperage.
* **Equipment Requirements:**
* Class B, C, and D road ambulances must carry rescue equipment as specified in Annexure 3 of AIS 125 Part 1.
* Neonatal Road Ambulances must have medical equipment as specified in Table 12 of AIS 125 Part 2.
* Multistretcher Road Ambulances must have medical equipment as specified in Table 13 of AIS 125 Part 2.
* **Annexure 3: Emergency Safety Rescue Equipment (Class B, C, and D):**
* Fire Hazard Control: Fire Extinguisher (ABC type, 4-6 kg), Smoke Mask, optional Sand Bucket and Fire Blanket.
* Rescue Extrication Tools: Glass Breaker, Crowbar, Bolt Cutter, Rescue Axe, Spanner Set, Tow Rope, Hydraulic Jack, Wheel Chocks, Screwdriver Kit.
* Lighting Visibility: LED Flashlights, Rechargeable Searchlight, Headlamps, Reflective Warning Triangles (at least 2), Traffic Cones (4-6 units), Emergency Light Bar, Reflective Safety Jackets for all crew.
Impact Analysis:
* **Ambulance Manufacturers:**
* Impact: Must comply with new constructional and functional requirements for neonatal, multistretcher, and electric ambulances. They must also include specified rescue equipment in Class B, C, and D ambulances.
* Action Required: Update designs, manufacturing processes, and documentation to meet the amended standards. Provide declarations regarding the electric system capacity for electric ambulances.
* **Ambulance Operators/Service Providers:**
* Impact: Need to ensure their ambulances meet the new equipment and design standards, especially regarding rescue and medical equipment and electrical systems.
* Action Required: Procure necessary equipment, ensure compliance with the updated AIS 125 standards, and properly label electrical sockets in patient compartments.
* **Regulatory Authorities (e.g., ARAI):**
* Impact: Responsible for enforcing the amended AIS 125 standards during vehicle certification and compliance checks.
* Action Required: Update testing and certification procedures to incorporate the new requirements and ensure that manufacturers and operators adhere to the standards.
Key Entities Referenced
AIS125 Part 1: Indian Automotive Standards document part 1 related to Constructional and Functional Requirements for Road Ambulances
AIS125 Part 2: Indian Automotive Standards document part 2 related to medical equipments in ambulances
Road Ambulances: A type of vehicle designed for transporting patients to medical facilities
Neonatal Road Ambulance: A specialized ambulance equipped for transporting sick or premature newborns.
Multistretcher Road Ambulance: An ambulance designed to carry multiple stretchers, often focused on intensive care for one patient.
Pure Electric Ambulances: Ambulances that are powered by electricity.
Fire Extinguisher ABC type: A fire suppression device used in ambulances
Smoke Mask: Respiratory protection masks for use during fires in ambulances
Date of hosting on ARAI website: 20th June 2005
Last date for comments: 27th June 2025
Revised Draft Amendment 5 (---/25)
To
AIS-125 (Part 1): Constructional and Functional Requirements for Road Ambulances
1.0 Add clauses 3.3.5 and 3.3.6 after clause 3.3.4
Neonatal Road Ambulance means an ambulance of class C / D equipped to
3.3.5
transport sick or premature new-borns from one hospital to another, usually for
a higher level of care.
Multistretcher Road Ambulance means an ambulance of class C / D
3.3.6
ambulance designed to carry multiple stretchers but typically focus on one
patient at a time for intensive care.
2.0 Add following new clause 4.3.2.1 after clause 4.3.2:
In case of Pure Electric Ambulances (E Ambulances) additional batteries shall be
provided to power the medical devices carried on board and the intended use of the
ambulance. In such cases, the manufacturer shall ensure optimal charging of the
additional batteries without any impact on the traction battery of the vehicle.
Additionally, Table 1A will be applicable only if additional battery(ies) are provided.
Table 1A
Indicative Capacity / Power (These values are given as a broad guideline only.
The manufacturers may alter them based on vehicle characteristics and
operational requirements.)
Type of Ambulance
B C D
Additional Nominal Voltage 80Ah 80Ah 80Ah
Battery(ies) (if 12V
deployed)
Nominal Voltage 63Ah 63Ah 63Ah (2x12V)
24V (2x12V) (2x12V)
Alternator Power 700W 700W 1200W
Manufacturer shall give declaration regarding the certified capacity of the electric
system of the vehicle model in the following format:
Sr. Ambulance Type Additional Electric Load of Medical
Equipment(s) permissible (Watts)
No.
1 A/B/C/D XXX
1/1This shall be prominently displayed in the patient compartment at an appropriate
location. Further each electrical socket provided in the patient compartment should be
permanently labelled as regards its voltage and amperage.
3.0 Add clauses 6.4, 6.5 and 6.6 after clause 6.3
6.4 All road ambulance of class B / C/ D shall carry rescue equipment(s) as
specified in Annexure-3 of AIS-125 (Part 1).
6.5 All Neonatal Road Ambulances shall have medical equipment(s) as specified
in Table 12 of AIS 125 (Part 2).
6.6 Multistretcher Road Ambulances shall have medical equipment(s) as specified
in Table 13 of AIS 125 (Part 2).
4.0 Add following Annexure-3 after Annexure-2
Annexure-3
List of Emergency & Safety/ Rescue Equipment for class B, C and D road
ambulances
1. Fire & Hazard Control
a) Fire Extinguisher (ABC type, 4–6 kg)
b) Smoke Mask/ Respiratory protection masks
c) Sand Bucket/ Fire Blanket (Optional)
2. Rescue & Extrication Tools
a) Glass Breaker / Window Punch Tool
b) Crowbar / Pry Bar
c) Bolt Cutter
d) Rescue Axe / Hatchet
e) Spanner Set / Adjustable Wrench
f) Tow Rope or Towing Chain
g) Hydraulic Jack (Heavy-duty)
h) Wheel Chocks
i) Screwdriver Kit / Basic Tool Set
3. Lighting & Visibility
a) LED Flashlights / Torches
b) Rechargeable Searchlight
3/11c) Headlamps (Hands-free)
d) Reflective Warning Triangles (at least 2)
e) Traffic Cones (4–6 units)
f) Emergency Light Bar / Flash Beacon
g) Reflective Safety Jackets (for all crew)
3/11