Firefighting vehicles for industry
Published: 01 April, 2006
So, what would you call a ‘typical’ industrial vehicle? Let’s consider a recent example - the Hovensa Fire Department of Christiansted, US Virgin Islands, found itself in need of a pumper capable of handling a factory, port or fuel storage facility fire.
So, what would you call a ‘typical’ industrial vehicle? Let’s consider a recent example - the Hovensa Fire Department of Christiansted, US Virgin Islands, found itself in need of a pumper capable of handling a factory, port or fuel storage facility fire.
Supplied by E-ONE in aluminium, this custom cab vehicle can carry six crew, has a 500hp engine, an Allison transmission and a midship-mounted Hale QMax single stage centrifugal pump capable of a 1,500 gpm (5,678 lpm) capacity.
A spokesman for Hovensa FD told IFJ: “Our new vehicle has a water tank capacity of 3,500 gallons and a foam tank capacity of 1,000 gallons, a Williams Hotshot foam system, and a Williams Ambassador nozzle that offers Hydro-Foam and Hydro Chem technology. It has a dual-agent delivery capability and a tiller style handle control for quick response.”
Better roadworthiness from Iveco Magirus
Alfred Bidlingmaier comments: “We recently delivered an order from the Riegel am Kaiserstuhl fire department for a HLF 20/16 based on the Iveco Magirus chassis 140 E 28 W. This all-wheel driven vehicle has a gross weight of 14.500 kg. The rated engine power is 275 HP. The loading is very comprehensive and has been configured in accordance with the tactical requirements of the Riegel Fire Department.
“In particular, the permanent all-wheel drive system by Iveco Magirus with its hub reduction drive axles is very popular for demanding off-road operations. This unique all-wheel drive system provides relief to drivers whom lack off-road practice and gives more traction with increased ground clearance. The front axle is always driven at the same speed as the rear axle. This causes reduced wear on the drive train components.”
Two Iveco Magirus’s new Aerial Ladder Platform ALP 320 L vehicles have taken up industrial duties with the fire departments of Bad Hofgastein and Alkoven in Austria. Each vehicle has a rescue height of 32 metres as well as offering all the system advantages of a telescopic boom platform. This new Magirus Aerial Ladder Platform Series offers a large personnel rescue and working cage for four people with a door suitable for a wheelchair, two multi-function columns - usable either as a mounting point for a stretcher holder, or an positive pressure ventilator, rope rescue or illumination equipment - as well as separate winch, a monitor with a pre-piped waterway and power supply for lighting and operational assignments.
Alfred Bidlingmaier comments: “Besides this configuration, the model series ALP 270 with 27 metres rescue height is available as an alternative. The chassis of all other major manufacturers can also serve as the basis for a vehicle.” Magirus offers the alternative models ALP 340, ALP 420 and ALP 540 in the Heavy Duty Series.
Another type of Heavy Duty industrial vehicle in big demand can be found working in ARFF capacity.
Panther prowls the airport
Within the last 12 months Rosenbauer has updated its designs and technical specs. on the PANTHER 8x8 and 6x6 - improvements included a special emphasis on ergonomics, passenger safety, modern materials, a powerful firefighting capacity and EURO 3-compliant drive units.
“The PANTHER 6x6 CA-5 airport rescue & firefighting vehicle recently delivered to the UK’s Newcastle Airport, is based on a completely new Rosenbauer Motors USA 705 HP rear-engine chassis with a Caterpillar 4-stroke diesel engine,” Walter Dolezal of Rosenbauer told IFJ.
The new vehicle - which holds a driver and three firefighters - features a EURO 3 compliant +Caterpillar 4-stroke diesel engine with an output of 705 HP at 2100 min-1. The gearbox is a Twin Disc TD61-1180, 6-speed automatic unit located under the cab, a permanently-mounted aluminium structure, consisting of moulded aluminium tubular ribs with aluminium sheets and roof edge profile, steel fenders, large windows and revolving glass doors.
The superstructure is self-supporting Rosenbauer laser-cut aluminium panelling with glass fibre reinforced polyester add-ons.
Walter Dolezal comments: “The vehicle carries a polypropylene water tank holding 12,000 litres and a similar foam tank with 1,500 litres of agent integrated into the water tank. There is a 135kg powder unit too.”
A midship-mounted R600 pressure pump and power divider energise a pump output of 7,000 l/min, while a Foamtic RVMA foam admixing system can provide foam at 3, 6 and 8 %.
A brand new accessory is a front monitor - the RM12E water/AFFF monitor with electrical remote control via a joystick. It has an output of 1,200 l/min and is described as ‘infinitely adjustable, electrically energised and providing a straight jet /spray setting.’
On the roof is a RM60E water/foam monitor with electronic remote control via a pistol grip which can throw out 5,000 l/min over 90m.
This incorporates a searchlight , 50% partial quantity setting, a foam barrel pattern and a hollow jet nozzle
To prevent the vehicle itself being engulfed in flames, there is a self-protection system consisting of ground sweep nozzles which cover the vehicle’s superstructure.
The PANTHER 6x6 CA-5 has an operating weight of approx. 31,000 kg, a maximum operational speed of 120 kph and an acceleration rate of 0 - 80 kph in 32 seconds.
New vehicle at Salalah Airport, Oman
Rosenbauer has delivered a PANTHER 4x4 5000/600/250 Foamatic to OAMC Salalah Airport in Oman which can hold a driver and crew of five others.
With its engine output of 441 kW (600 HP) at 2300 min-1, a Twin Disc Detroit Diesel Series 60 DDEC transmission, the 4x4 has a superstructure design made up of self-supporting aluminium sheet and steel bumpers.
An onboard GFP watertank holds 5,000 litres while a similar foam tank holds 600 litres of agent. A powder installation holds 250 kg of agent.
“This PANTHER can pump-and-roll 6,500 l/min at 10 bar thanks to a R600 NP pump. Once again, an automatic Foamtic RVMA 500 foaming-agent proportioning system can provide automatic proportioning rates of 3, 6 and 8 %,” explains Walter Dolezal.
A roof-mounted RM60E water/foam monitor can be electronically remote-controlled via pistol grip and provides an output of 5,000 l/min at 10 bar. This is equipped with a monitor searchlight, an O-stream nozzle with reduced-output ‘search jet’, a foam barrel and deflector
Rosenbauer RM8E water/AFFF bumper monitor is joystick-operated and electrically remote-controlled. This features an O-stream nozzle with adjustment between solid and spray jet providing an output up to 1000 l/min at 10 bar.
Finally, the vehicle has an operational weight of 21,800 kg, a top speed of 115 km/h and an acceleration from 0 to 80 km/h inside 25 seconds.
Delhi gets three HazMat trucks
Comments Plastisol’s MD, Rob Walraven: “Following the Gujarat earthquake in January 2001, the Delhi authorities saw the benefits of having three dedicated HazMat units to handle potential industrial hazards and contamination incidents.”
He reports: “Each of the trucks we provided carries a computer, chemical analysis software, radiation monitors, mobile & satellite communications system. The vehicles even incorporate a decontamination unit - a mobile shower to wash contaminants off the Hazmat personnel.”
A well-respected bodywork manufacturer meeting ISO 9001:20007, Netherlands-based Plastisol is best known for producing a state-of-the-art range of water and foam pumpers and tenders and support vehicles made of GRP.
GRP is corrosion-proof material providing a zero-maintenance and lightweight construction which saves 35-40% in weight compared with conventional materials. It comes with a 10-year warranty and a long economical, technical lifecycle.
Plastisol is currently involved with the new fleet purchase by the LFCDA (London Fire Brigade) which has already replaced 107 of its fire engines with Mercedes vehicles using Euro3 engines. The rest of the LFCDA appliance fleet (109 vehicles) will also be completely replaced by 2008.
A spokesman told IFJ: “The new vehicles will be based on the Mercedes Atego 13t-commercial chassis and the Euro3 engines will also be Mercedes-manufactured in Germany. There are 109 Mercedes Atego vehicles on order which will be manufactured to broadly the same specification as those already in service. The major differences will be a ‘facelift’ cab dashboard and the enhanced pump and foam system.”
What’s really special about these vehicles is that they will incorporate a GRP plastic one-piece body manufactured by Plastisol in the Netherlands.
Manufacturing partners, the UK-based Vehicle Application Centre will be building 27 vehicles annually. Uniquely, the Plastisol cab extension will offer space to four extra crew members and create extra storage room.
“What makes Plastisol’s bodywork superior,” explains Walraven. “If damaged it’s simple to repair; it has shock-absorbing and flame-retarding characteristics with unlimited design possibilities. Built to suit client requirements, our vehicles have a short delivery time and a long, economical life cycle,” comments Walraven.
Onboard each of the Plastisol vehicles will be an enhanced pump and foam-producing system utilising ‘through-the-tank’ water supply to pump with automatic input flow control. Other innovations include the fact that supply pipework to the fire pump has been increased to 4-inch throughout with ‘swept’ runs to increase flow rates and 25mm high pressure hosereel pipe work.
Rugged vehicles with ALPAS bodywork
Used extensively at Stuttgart Airport, Ziegler’s Airport Crash Tender is based on a M.A.N. chassis 36.1000 VFAEG 8x8 and features a MAN V 12-cylinder diesel engine with 735 kW / 1,000 PS, EURO 2 features.
“The 8x8 has a RENK 5-speed automatic transmission with retarder and mechanical emergency shifting. As well as a progressive coil spring suspension, it has an EG brake system with ABS. The vehicle features a max. speed of 138 km/h and an acceleration of approximately 25 seconds from 0-80 km/h,” reports Joerg Hitzler.
The ZIEGLER ALPAS features a large cab for a crew of 1+2 or 1+3, giving personnel an excellent viewing angle for driving and for extinguishing operations. Firefighting depends heavily on Ziegler’s GRP extinguishing agent tanks with water/foam capacities from 11,000 up to 15,000 litres (depending on GVW).
Also noteworthy is the ZIEGLER pump unit with separate MAN engine, operating completely independently of the vehicle engine. The pump can provide a performance from 6,000 l/min up to 10,000 l/min with a throw of 75m up to 90m.
“Our fire vehicles feature the ALPAS-System - ZIEGLER’s patented Aluminium Panel System for rigid and corrosion-free superstructure - this offers the highest flexibility for internal installations. We also provide the CAN-BUS System electronically controlling all vehicle functions - pump operation, monitors and warning devices” comments Ziegler’s Joerg Hitzler.
