To give your personnel an extra margin of safety, consider specifying custom apparatus with special cab construction or auxiliary occupant protection systems.

The most commonly used standard of crashworthy cab construction is the European ECE R-29 series of load and impact tests. There are several tests, so you need to ask which ones were used on each model. Some manufacturers also offer auxiliary cab occupant restraint and side air bag options.

The American LaFrance Eagle and Metropolitan custom cabs were one of the first to pass the ECE R-29 crashworthiness requirements in all three areas of testing. This construction is standard on those models. For more information, call 888-ALF-TRCK or go to www.americanlafrance.com

E-One has successfully tested its Cyclone II and Typhoon custom cabs and has certified them to meet or exceed the ECE R-29 crash test standards. This construction is standard on those models. For more information, call 352-237-1122 or visit www.e-one.com

Ferrara offers its Complete Air Bag Protection system to help protect occupants in up to six seating positions. The custom cabs also exceed the ECE R-29 crash test requirements. For more information, call 800-443-9006 or go to www.ferrarafire.com

The KME Total Occupant Protection system is available on its Predator custom chassis and is designed to help protect firefighters in case of a roll-over accident. The cab also passed the ECE R-29 crash tests. For more info, call 570-669-5132 or visit www.kovatch.com

Pierce offers its Side Roll Protection System on Quantum, Dash, Lance, Arrow XT and Enforcer cabs. Several of their custom cabs also have passed the ECE R-29 crash tests. For more information, call 920-832-3231 or go to www.piercemfg.com

Spartan cabs feature triple-wall construction with a 4-inch I-beam roof bolster as standard to produce a custom cab that surpasses the ECE R-29 roof load and collision tests. For more information, visit www.spartanchassis.com