AMD Standardized Test Methods

The Ambulance Manufacturers Division (AMD) is providing notice that it has revised AMD Standardized Test Methods (STM) for 2019. 

Formerly known as the AMD Standards, the STM document fulfills the same role as the prior version — it provides test procedures to validate specific performance requirements of governing standards that incorporate the use of these tests by reference. Such governing standards currently include the Federal Specification for the Star-of-Life Ambulance (KKK-A-1822), the National Fire Protection Association 1917 Standard for Automotive Ambulances, and the Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services/Ground Vehicle Standard for Ambulances. 

The STM document was last revised in 2014. Below is a short summary of some of the notable changes for the 2019 document.   

• Changing name of the document from the AMD Standards to the "AMD Standardized Test Methods"
• Placing the AMD 001 and 003 document numbers in reserve status, because those tests are being replaced with the use of SAE J3057 and J3043, and reference to those tests is being discontinued by the KKK-A-1822.
• The addition of AMD 028. This new test is a vertical test mode that provides a generic, vertical static test load. (A vertical test mode previously was contained in the AMD 003 test procedure, but is not included in the SAE test that is replacing AMD 003.) 

The AMD is composed of manufacturers of ambulances, rescue and emergency vehicles, and related emergency apparatus and equipment. The organization works to expand and improve its market segment; acquire, preserve and disseminate information on the role of emergency vehicles; improve relationships with other industry segments; promote new product innovations; and assist in the development of industry safety standards and programs.