New requirements for equipping hearses in Saudi Arabia
The Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO) has launched a comprehensive project outlining the general requirements for equipping vehicles used to transport the deceased locally. This project aims to enhance public health and ensure the dignity of the deceased during transport within and outside cities, adhering to the highest safety standards. This initiative is part of the Kingdom's ongoing efforts to develop municipal and health services and standardize technical and operational procedures across various sectors, in line with Saudi Vision 2030.
A sophisticated regulatory framework for funeral services
Historically, the transportation of remains has relied on local initiatives and varying levels of efficiency across different regions, often overseen by charities or municipalities through their own efforts. With rapid urban development and increased environmental and health awareness, the urgent need has arisen for strict and standardized regulations to ensure the safety of the environment and the community. This new project represents a significant shift from ad hoc efforts to organized, institutionalized operations, establishing clear frameworks to prevent health risks and ensure efficient operation under all the harsh climatic conditions the region experiences.
Classification of hearses and the new operating model
The new standard document classifies vehicles into two main models to meet different operational needs:
- Model (A): Designed for urban transport within city limits. It requires an air conditioning system that maintains an internal temperature between 20 and 25 degrees Celsius, even when the external temperature reaches 48 degrees Celsius. It also requires a robust partition between the driver and the passenger compartment, equipped with a non-opening, transparent glass window with a minimum area of 950 cm².
- Model (B): Designed for long-distance travel between cities. The authority mandated that this model have a highly efficient cooling system that maintains a constant temperature between zero and 4 degrees Celsius, with superior thermal insulation, and a monitoring screen that allows the driver to monitor the temperature from his cabin to ensure that the body is preserved in ideal conditions.
Health and environmental requirements to ensure safety
The draft emphasized the need for vehicle cabins to be free of hard-to-clean materials such as fabrics, and to be replaced with smooth, non-porous finishes resistant to common chemical disinfectants without compromising their properties. The body-carrying frame must be made of corrosion-resistant stainless steel to ensure effective cold transfer and be securely fixed to the floor, equipped with at least two anchoring straps to prevent vibration and resist sudden acceleration and deceleration.
To prevent the accumulation of liquids and dirt, the floor must be a single, seamless piece at least 1.6 mm thick, made of non-waxable materials such as vinyl, acrylic, or epoxy, and extending at least 75 mm above the walls, with a safe and hygienic drainage system to prevent liquid pooling. The specifications also require the cabin to be tightly sealed to prevent the entry of water, dust, exhaust gases, and other contaminants.
Engineering dimensions and electrical safety standards
The standards specify net interior cabin dimensions of at least 1400 mm in height, 2900 mm in length, and 1600 mm in width to ensure safe and easy installation, operation, and maintenance of the body structure without compromising the vehicle's integrity. The requirements also include the provision of assistive devices for entering and exiting the vehicle, equipped with lighting and anti-slip materials, and the rear window must be secured with a metal mesh to minimize the risk of breakage.
On the electrical side, the driver's cabin must be equipped with a clear, vibration- and heat-resistant control unit, with a main breaker to completely cut off the current during long stops, and concealed wiring protected by an outer casing and independent fuses for each electrical unit to prevent any short circuits.
The standards also require the provision of 4 uniform white lighting units inside the cabin and two external units to facilitate loading and unloading, in addition to printing the beneficiary's logo on the doors with weather-resistant materials, and equipping the vehicle with a red light and sound alarm, a fire extinguisher, and a securely fastened first aid kit.
Expected local and regional impact of the new decisions
The implementation of these requirements is expected to have a significant positive impact both locally and regionally. Locally, this step will improve the quality of municipal and health services and reduce any environmental or health risks that may arise from substandard transportation. Regionally and internationally, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is setting a leading example in managing humanitarian and health logistics, reinforcing its position as a benchmark for quality and safety standards in the Islamic world, in line with its values of human dignity.
