FireCAN: Standardised communication in emergency vehicles - and how LEAB supports it

ICommunication between electrical components is crucial in modern emergency vehicles used by the fire brigade, disaster control and rescue services. This is where FireCAN enters the field - a communication standard for emergency vehicles that enables a reliable, manufacturer-independent connection.

LEAB supports this development with products such as the RC9 charger or the TS Pro, which are FireCAN-compatible and fulfil the highest requirements in mobile usage.

Complex cabling, lack of standards

Emergency vehicles often consist of individually configured components from different manufacturers. Without a uniform standard, complex cabling and communication problems arise. For the emergency services, this means higher failure risks, more difficult maintenance and potentially critical errors during operations.

Why this is more than just annoying

If the power supply to a pump fails in an emergency or radios are unable to transmit, this can have serious consequences. The increasing electrification and digitalisation of emergency vehicles makes it clear that a lack of standardisation is not just a convenience problem. It can become a safety gap in an emergency.

The origins of FireCAN

FireCAN was first introduced in 2010 and has been included in the DIN series of standards as DIN 14700 since 2014. Continuously developed by the ‘FireCAN’ working group within the DIN Fire Service Standards Committee (FNFW), FireCAN aims to enable safe, reliable and standardised communication between all devices in emergency services vehicles - regardless of the manufacturer. It is based on the tried-and-tested CAN bus system, but is specially tailored to the world of emergency services.

What changes with FireCAN

FireCAN enables components such as chargers, power distributors, lighting columns and generators to communicate using a common language. All elements are harmonised with each other and this brings many advantages:

  • Centralised control: Devices can be operated and monitored in a standardised way.

  • Future-proof: Long-term compatibility is ensured thanks to standardisation.

  • Manufacturer independence: Freely selectable components without integration problems.

  • Reduced cabling effort: Fewer cables, fewer sources of error.

RC9 charger

The new RC9 charger offers full FireCAN integration in accordance with DIN 14700:2025-03.

LEAB products with FireCAN interface

LEAB recognised early on how important FireCAN is for the future of emergency vehicles - and equipped its products accordingly:

🔌 RC9 charger

Complies with the new DIN 14679:2024, offers 96 % degree of efficiency and full FireCAN integration in accordance with DIN 14700:2025-03.

🔌 TS Pro charger

Can be used universally in 12 V or 24 V vehicle electrical systems to recharge the starter batteries of generators or portable pumps.

Get started now with LEAB

We don't just advise on suitable products - we think holistically in terms of solutions for mobile power supply in the emergency services sector.

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