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NATO STANDARD
ATP-85
EMERGENCY ALARMS OF HAZARD
OR ATTACK (CHEMICAL, BIOLOGICAL,
RADIOLOGICAL AND NUCLEAR
(CBRN) AND AIR ATTACK ONLY)
Edition A Version 1
NOVEMBER 2013

NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY ORGANIZATION

ALLIED TACTICAL PUBLICATION

Published by the
NATO STANDARDIZATION AGENCY (NSA)
NATO/OTAN

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NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY ORGANIZATION (NATO)

NATO STANDARDIZATION AGENCY (NSA)

NATO LETTER OF PROMULGATION

7 November 2013

1. The enclosed Allied Tactical Publication ATP-85, Edition A, Version 1,

EMERGENCY ALARMS OF HAZARD OR ATTACK (CHEMICAL, BIOLOGICAL,
RADIOLOGICAL AND NUCLEAR (CBRN) AND AIR ATTACK ONLY), which has
been approved by the nations in the MCJSB, is promulgated herewith. The
agreement of nations to use this publication is recorded in STANAG 2047.

2. ATP-85, Edition A , Version 1, is effective upon receipt.

3. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system,

used commercially, adapted, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic,
mechanical, photo-copying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of
the publisher. With the exception of commercial sales, this does not apply to
member nations and Partnership for Peace countries, or NATO commands and
bodies.

4. This publication shall be handled in accordance with C-M(2002)60.

Dr. Cih ngir Aks~R Civ

Director NATO Standardization Agency

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ATP-85

RESERVED FOR NATIONAL LETTER OF PROMULGATION

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RECORD OF RESERVATIONS

CHAPTER RECORD OF RESERVATION BY NATIONS

General FRA, GBR, LTU, NLD

Note: The reservations listed on this page include only those that were recorded at time of
promulgation and may not be complete. Refer to the NATO Standardization Document
Database for the complete list of existing reservations.

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RECORD OF SPECIFIC RESERVATIONS

[nation] [detail of reservation]

FRA France will not implement fully the provisions of the draft standard
ATP-85(A).
As far as visual signals are concerned, France excludes maritime
approaches from the scope of this document. Indeed, the guidelines
proposed for the visual signals used to give alarm of CBRN and air
attacks are incompatible with safe navigation in coastal areas.
GBR GBR ratifies this tactical doctrine and is already implemented within
JDP 3-61.1. This will apply to all new automated systems. Legacy
systems, if they are not compliant with this STANAG, will be
upgraded at the capability renewal point and on a case-by-case
basis. The UK also accommodates a minor national variation where
the CBRN alarm can be raised by 3 blasts on a gas horn/ hunting
horn/abeng/maroon horn or 3 strikes of a gong.
LTU Audible and visual alarm signals according ATP-85 will be used only
in military areas and installations during operations and exercises.
Public (civil) warning system (network of civil defence sirens) in LTU
is managed by Fire and Rescue Department under the Ministry of the
Interiors. It does not correspond to ATP-85(A) requirements. In case
of emergency there is only one type of sound signal (3 minutes of
warbling tone) meaning "Attention! Listen to the radio or television
and follow the official information and instructions" launched over
mainly populated areas. After the signal "Attention" over State and
some commercial Radio and TV broadcasting means is transmitted
information about hazard and recommendations to population.
Additionally through the Infrastructure of Public Mobile Telephone
Providers Networks on designated channels in 3 languages
(Lithuanian, English and Russian) is transmitted short warning
message about hazard.
NLD The Netherlands will not use visual alarm signals.

Note: The reservations listed on this page include only those that were recorded at time of
promulgation and may not be complete. Refer to the NATO Standardization Document
Database for the complete list of existing reservations.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER 1 AGREEMENT 1-1

ANNEX A EMERGENCY ALARM AND WARNING SIGNALS A-1

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CHAPTER 1 AGREEMENT

1.1. AIM

The aim of this publication is to provide a standard method of giving emergency

alarms within the NATO Forces operating on land, of:

a. Chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear (CBRN) hazards and strikes.

b. Air attack.

1.2. AGREEMENT

Participating nations agree that NATO Forces, when operating on land, will use the
alarm signals detailed herein to give emergency alarms of hazard or attack.

1.2. DETAILS OF THE AGREEMENT

Audible and visual alarm signals must be given by means which cannot easily be
confused with other sounds or sights encountered in combat. The alarm signals will
be given in all cases as soon as an attack or the presence of a hazard is detected.
The alarm signals will be repeated throughout the unit area by all who hear or see
the original alarm signal since most available alarm signals are generally limited in
range. Additionally, audible and visual alarm signals should normally be
supplemented by the simultaneous use of radio, telephone, computer and public
address systems.

It is unlikely that personnel can understand and react quickly and correctly to more
than two alarm signals. The following hazards require fast and correct reaction: use
or presence of chemical or biological agents or the release of Toxic Industrial
Materials (TIM) and an imminent air attack or missile interception. Therefore, alarm
signals for these two hazards are mandatory In the case of radiological
contamination, a delay in personnel taking cover may be acceptable.

The spoken word (vocal alarm signals) remains the most effective means of
informing troops in an emergency; to avoid inhalation of the contamination, one has
first to take individual protective measures (i.e. donning the respirator) before giving
alarm by means of the spoken word.

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Visual alarm signals are included to supplement the audible alarm signals under
conditions when audible signals may be lost due to other noises or to replace audible
signals when the tactical situation does not permit the use of sound:

a. Reliance should not be placed on visual alarm signals during the hours of
darkness or in conditions of poor light.

b. Visual alarm signals should be used when purely audible signals may be lost
due to other noise.

c. Visual signals should be used to warn those personnel arriving at a particular

location of an imminent hazard.

d. Apart from the audio-visual signals detailed at Note 2 of Annex A, normal signal
flares are excluded from use as a color alarm signal for CBRN and Air Attack.

e. Visual signals need not be displayed by mobile forces.

The actual form of a visual signal and method of display are left to the discretion of
the local commander. Only the color at Annex A is mandatory. However, to aid
recognition, it is recommended that the red signal preferably be square and the black
signal preferably be triangular.

The alarm signals listed in this standard are primarily intended to serve as alarms of
enemy action. They may be used, however, in an emergency when friendly action
could produce similar effects on own forces.

Conflict with civil regulations. Alarm signals for use by NATO Forces operating on
land are in Annex A. There are some differences between the alarm signals
prescribed herein and some national civil defense alarm signals. These differences
are considered minor for air attack. Reservations are indicated by each nation where
nations or local regulations prohibit NATO Forces, operating in their territory, from
sounding alarm signals in exercises and/or alarm signals incompatible with the public
warning system in wartime.

Practice alarm signals. In those cases where nations or local regulations preclude
sounding alarm signals during exercises, local commanders should negotiate with
local authorities to obtain authorization to sound alarm signals periodically. In the
absence of agreement, small alarm devices emitting sounds similar to the prescribed
audible alarm signals and having limited range should be used during exercises to
keep personnel familiar with the audible alarm signals.

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ANNEX A TO
ATP-85

ANNEX A EMERGENCY ALARM AND WARNING SIGNALS

The following are emergency alarm and warning signals for NATO forces operating on land.
In respect of the audible alarm signal, one or more of the signals listed below should be
used.

TYPE OF HAZARD AUDIBLE ALARM SIGNAL VISUAL WARNING SIGNAL

1a. Imminent Air Attack. 1b.(1) Unbroken warbling 1c Red.

siren for one minute. Preferably square in
shape.
(2) Succession of long
blasts on vehicle horns,
whistles, bugles or
other wind instruments
in a ratio of 3:1;
approximately 3
seconds on and 1
second off.

(3) Vocal "AIR ATTACK",

or corresponding
national term where
only one nation is
involved.

2a. Imminent arrival of, or 2b.(1) Interrupted warbling 2c.(1) Black. Preferably
presence of chemical or sound on a siren. triangular in shape.
biological agents, or
radiological hazards, (2) Succession of short (2) Donning respirators
resulting from the use of signals on vehicle or and taking protective
Weapons of Mass other horns or by action followed by
Destruction (WMD), or beating metal or other such hand signals as
the release of Toxic objects in a ratio of 1 : may be prescribed in
Industrial Materials (TIM) 1; approximately 1 local instructions. (See
or CBR contamination as second on and 1 Notes 1, 2 and 3
a Consequence Of second off. under this table).
missile Intercept (COI).
(3) In the case of an alarm
for a chemical or
biological agent: vocal
"GAS, GAS, GAS", or
corresponding national
term where only one
nation is involved.

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ANNEX A TO
ATP-85

(4) In the case of an alarm

for a radiological and
nuclear hazard: vocal
"FALLOUT, FALLOUT,
FALLOUT" or
corresponding national
term where only one
nation is involved.

3a. All Clear. 3b.(1) Vocal "all clear (specify 3c. Removal of appropriate
type of attack)" or warning signal.
corresponding national
term when only one
nation is involved.

(2) If used, a steady siren

note for one minute or a
sustain blast on a
vehicle horn, whistle,
bugle or other wind
instrument to indicate
absence of all CBRN
and air attack hazards.

Notes:

1. Automatic alarms for the early and rapid detection of biological and chemical
agents and radiological hazards may complement the devices referred to
previously.

2. A special audio-visual pyrotechnic signal producing a whistle sound and a

yellow, red, yellow display of lights may be used. The combination of colours
should be produced as near simultaneously as possible.

3. To avoid internal radiological contamination respiratory protection is required.

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ATP-85(A)(1)

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