California Title 13 Emergency Lighting Requirements

California often goes its own way in developing industry regulations. Just as it has done with automotive emissions, the Sunshine State has its own set of government regulations for warning lights for emergency and special hazard vehicles: California Title 13
Organizations providing emergency services in California need to make sure their vehicles are compliant with Title 13, including the appropriate table ” or”class ” of safety standards for the type of vehicle and lights in use.

SAE Standards

In most states, emergency and special hazard vehicles use safety standards developed by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE). For emergency lights, SAE regulations stipulate minimum standards for brightness, color, patterns, manufacturing materials and testing procedures.
While SAE specs are not actual laws in most states, they are best-practiced safety standards recognized by the automotive and lighting industries. For those with responsibility for ensuring that their emergency vehicles are up to the task, SAE standards are the best starting point in choosing the best lighting products.
Important note: SAE publishes thousands of standards, each one numbered and typically broken out into “classes” with performance specs. Cal Title 13 uses the term “table” instead of “class.” In comparing lighting products, the term “compliant” should specify the SAE number and class or Title 13 table. Without these specifics, the term “compliant” can be misleading.

How California Title 13 differs from SAE Standards

California Title 13 standards are similar to SAE standards but differ in some important ways. Federal Signal (FedSig) provides the following comparison of SAE standards and California Title 13 regulations.

Minimum Standards for Emergency Warning Lights

SAE J845 is the set of standards that governs colors and light intensity levels for omnidirectional (360-degree) lighting. SAE J595 is its companion set of standards for directional flashing lights. Both include specs on flash patterns and frequencies, materials and product markings, and testing procedures. In comparing SAE standards and Cal Title 13, the important differences are in color and light intensity standards.

COLOR

SAE J845 allows four colors for omnidirectional lighting: red, blue, yellow and white. The industry regulations also specify acceptable shades of these colors

Cal Title 13 restricts colors to specific ranges of red, blue, and amber
For example, FedSig’s yellow is a rich amber lens, while other manufacturers may have a lighter yellow. Likewise, FedSig’s blue LED light meets Cal Title 13 intensity standards, while few other blue lights on the market can meet that technical standard.

LIGHT INTENSITY

Under SAE J845, light intensity is grouped into three classes:

Class 1, brightest (18,000 cd-s/m) – the primary optical warning for emergency vehicles to alert area motorists and pedestrians to a hazardous condition
Class 2, less bright (4,500 cd-s/m) – the primary optical warning for service and maintenance vehicles alerting the public to a traffic hazard
Class 3, least bright (1,800 cd-s/m) – a lower-intensity light that authorized vehicles use for identification purposes

Cal Title 13 has higher technical specifications for light intensity than SAE J845:

Cal Title 13 Table 1, brightest – this is an “above SAE Class 1” standard that is based on the perceived brightness levels of halogen lights. Since the lighting industry has largely moved to longer-life LED lighting products rather than halogens, some lighting products on the market are no longer permitted for use in California
Cal Title 13 Table 2, second brightest (12,500 cd-s/m) – the appropriate brightness for emergency vehicle omnidirectional lighting
Table 4, least bright (125 cd-s/m) – for gas discharge lights.

Why California Adopted Stricter Safety Standards

Title 13 addresses multiple issues relevant to the health and safety of California residents. Title 13 within the California Code of Regulations is designed to deal with the state’s air quality challenges, public health and welfare, as well as emergency vehicle visibility and safety. These government regulations regarding color and light intensity are important in emergency situations to ensure public safety.

To that end, specific light colors are recognizable and universally associated with certain vehicle types. For example, red and blue are generally law enforcement and emergency vehicles, whereas amber is typically recognized for use on utility, maintenance, or hazard vehicles.

Just as light color is regulated, so too is light intensity level compliance standards. Emergency vehicle lighting must be bright enough to be distinctive in all conditions, including darkness, fog, rain, and sunlight. While light intensity must be attention-grabbing, it cannot be blinding so as to disorient or confuse drivers.

Vehicles required to comply with Title 13 state regulations include:

Police cars
Fire and rescue vehicles
Utility and public works vehicles
School buses
Hazard response teams

Examples of Noncompliance with Title 13

As critical as it is to do what it takes to maintain compliance with Title 13 California Code of Regulations, it’s also important to know what not to do. In other words, what are some examples of being out of compliance with Title 13 as it relates to emergency and warning lights on vehicles?

Incorrect light colors. This would include using a yellow lens that doesn’t meet the defined “amber” color range. Additionally, the installation of green or purple lights is not allowed for warning purposes under Title 13 compliance standards.
Inadequate light intensity. Using LED lights that are not Table 1 or Table 2 brightness required of emergency vehicles. Lights that have faded or dimmed over time and need to be changed can result in noncompliance.
Improper flash patterns. Title 13 flash frequency specs are very specific with regard to flash sequences and dwell times and must be adhered to. Using patterns that distract or confuse drivers would also be a violation.
Unlabeled or improperly labeled equipment. Warning lights must display proper markings or test certifications from AMECA-approved labs. Missing or improperly marked labels are not in compliance with Title 13 compliance standards.
Unauthorized vehicle modifications. Red or blue emergency lights mounted on private security or construction vehicles are prohibited. These are restricted to use by public safety vehicles only.
Use of halogen-based equipment without proper output. Older halogen lights that don’t meet the new perceived brightness criteria for LED-standard Table1 requirements are noncompliant.

The Consequences of Noncompliance with Title 13

There are multiple risks, both financial and legal, for noncompliance with Title 13. These can vary depending upon the specific violation, the severity of the violation, and whether it’s a first-time or repeat offense. Potential consequences include:

Penalties and fines. These can range from small amounts for minor infractions to significant amounts per violation per day.
Legal ramifications. These run the gamut from time-consuming hearings to legal proceedings that result in fines, to requiring corrective actions such as recalling vehicles, to criminal penalties that can lead to imprisonment in severe cases.
Suspension or loss of license. Suspension or revocation of occupational licenses that disrupt operations and bring about dire financial consequences.
Business disruptions. Noncompliance can lead to disrupted business processes, lost productivity, lost revenue, and even termination of operations in serious cases.

Federal Signal and California Title 13

FedSig is The Driving Force™ for reliable emergency warning for first responders and work zone safety. We support any industry regulations and specifications that improve civilian, property and work zone safety, and protect your organization from non-adherence fines.

All FedSig products meet SAE standards and most meet Cal Title 13 specs. The exceptions are products that offer colors, flash patterns and speed/dwell time specs that are suitable for SAE-conforming state regulations but do not conform to CA Title 13
FedSig products offer technology that goes beyond SAE and Cal Title 13 specs. For example, FedSig’s patented lighting technology reflects the primary light source at a precise angle to not only meet state regulations, but also to optimize brightness and intensity
FedSig technology supports lower costs for replacement parts and retrofits. For example, our FS Convergence Network with plug-and-play amplifiers and controllers and our Reliable Onboard Circuitry (ROC) with printed circuit board parts (PCBs) instead of wires and connectors reduces maintenance time and replacement costs
Most FedSig LED products carry a 5-year warranty.

All Federal Signal’s California Title 13 products are tested in an Automotive Manufacturers Equipment Compliance Agency (AMECA) accredited laboratory. In addition, FedSig uses third-party independent labs to ensure all testing is unbiased and accurate. A test report summary appears on each product’s Federal Signal website page.

California TITLE 13 Approved LED Products Brochure