Firefighting vehicles for high-risk industry
Published: 01 September, 2006
The latest newly developed cabin extension development from Netherlands-based Plastisol is designed for the Mercedes-Benz Econic. This vehicle is mainly used for specialised municipal purposes like crush-load lorries and ladder trucks.
Like other cabin extensions from Plastisol, this Econic composite body looks exactly like the original Mercedes-Benz product. The tiltable Econic cabin extension is a completely self-supporting construction which meets EC safety regulations. The extension can be ordered in any colour required, with or without interior finish, and mounted behind the original cabin or as a separate module.
In April 2006 Plastisol supplied the last of five Mercedes-Benz Actros units for the Scandinavian market. The cabin extension and the superstructure were supplemented by new features such as a high-roof with integrated blue-light covers and a pneumatic mounting steps under the cabin. Amongst the most innovative features are the mudguards which can also be used as a step.
New for industry
New vehicle units specially designed for industry were recently delivered by Rosenbauer. These include:
• The Compact Line small vehicle series;
• A multifunctional, rapid-response VRF-A tunnel vehicle developed for the Mittersill Voluntary Fire Brigade;
• A CL compact vehicle based on new MB Sprinter;
• A rapid intervention vehicle based on a US Ford chassis.
Company spokesperson, Gerda Königstorfer, tells IFJ: “With the Compact Line (CL) vehicle series, Rosenbauer has developed a multifunctional concept which covers the standard vehicle range up to 10 tons.
“What’s special is that the CL allows the use of a diversity of superstructures and chassis (e.g. MB Sprinter, Renault Master Pro, MB Atego and MAN). A major innovation within this vehicle concept can be seen in the superstructure area.
“This is a slim, self-supporting superstructure shell which slashes the dead weight of the traditional superstructure and which eliminates fixed inner walls, which would restrict the use of space.
The VRF-A tunnel vehicle has been supplied for rapid response in the 5.3km long Felbertauern Tunnel by the Mittersill Voluntary Fire Brigade.
“The Mittersill fire brigade has now taken delivery of this VRF-A tunnel vehicle which is based on an MB Sprinter 416 4x4 CDI with a wheelbase of 3.55mm, produced using CL design,” reports Gerda.
Special design features
The driver’s and crew cabins are designed for a team of three personnel. The SCBA fixture for the driver can be rotated and both passenger seats are fitted with integrated breathing apparatus holders for twin-pack devices with 6.8-litre carbon-fibre reinforced cylinders.
“One special innovation found at the rear of the tunnel vehicle is a pneumatic lowering device for an equipment trolley, with a ‘Dead Man’s Handle’, for rescue equipment and other accessories, such as a Weber E60 hydraulic rescue device with four quick attack hosereels.
“This greatly facilitates the transport of the rescue
equipment and the related accessories to the point of operations.”
Another piece of special equipment worth mentioning for this category of vehicle is an integrated 15kVA generator which is powered by an auxiliary drive. The UHPS (Ultra High Pressure System) is connected to the generator by a hydraulic shaft. This allows a rapid initial response with particularly effective extinguishing performance. The features of this vehicle are further enhanced by a pneumatic lighting mast (4x500 W) with a light point height of 4m above ground level and a reversing camera.
The CL compact vehicle
The CL compact vehicle based on a new MB Sprinter chassis - CL-TSF - is truly a smart looking vehicle. It’s put together with a superstructure consisting of self-supporting, laser-cut aluminium with aluminium-sandwich sheets. It has a stable transverse sandwich wall for the safe separation of the cabin from the equipment compartment at the rear,
The CL-TSF portable pump vehicle is based on the new MB Sprinter 311 CDI 4x2 and is manufactured at the Neidling production plant near St.Pölten/Austria.
Gerda continues: “The equipment compartment of the vehicle has been designed to precisely meet the needs of industrial fire brigades.
“The TMS standard load meets DIN14530 and, among other features, the vehicle has a fixture block for a motor chainsaw and related accessories, as well as an easily accessible, four-section scaling ladder mounted on the roof.”
“A FOX portable pump, providing 1,600-litres at 8 bar, is mounted on a pull-out system with rotating platform. Two removable walls at the rear of the vehicle facilitate the removal of equipment without putting a great deal of strain on the fire team.”
Oman buys RIV for heliport
One month ago a rapid intervention vehicle designed with Compact Line elements on a US chassis was delivered to the Royal Flight heliport belonging to the Sultanate of Oman. “What we’re talking about here is a unique version of a rapid intervention vehicle which unites apparently contradictory elements: an aluminium superstructure from Austria, Compact Line elements and a US Ford F-550 chassis. This vehicle was developed and produced to meet the special demands of the Royal Flight,” explains Gerda.
Also fitted was a midships-installed N20 (1200 l/min at 10 bar) normal pressure pump with unrestricted Pump & roll operation powered by a separate diesel engine. The RM8E water/foam monitor can be operated and controlled from the cabin. “Onboard shutters with bar locks allow quick access to the extensive range of equipment. The flashing lights on the radiator grille and at the rear of the vehicle definitely give it a high visibility profile,” Gerda explains.
Saudi gets turntable ladder units
Iveco Mezzi Speciali has supplied Saudi Arabia with 15 MAGIRUS turntable ladders DLK 23-12 GL CS based on the Stralis AD 190 S40/P.
The contract was signed at the end of December 2005 in Riyadh between Prince Naif bin AbdulAziz, Minister of the Interior, representing the General Management of the Saudi Civil Defence and Domenico Corti, Sales & Marketing Iveco Mezzi Speciali.
Speaking for Iveco, Alfred Bidlingmaier comments: “The combination of turntable ladder and fire pump within a single vehicle unit is a much-in-demand configuration, especially for export sales.
“Today MAGIRUS manufactures turntable ladders with 18m up to 53 m working height which are consistently equipped with state-of-the-art comfort and safety technology. Even the turntable ladder with 53 m working height, the longest model currently supplied, is equipped with a permanently-fitted rescue cage and elevator. More than 6,000 turntable ladders are currently in operation around the globe. According to the company, the MAGIRUS articulated ladder opens up ‘new possibilities’ for fire personnel.
“The advantages of the articulated arm are very apparent, particularly in industrial areas with tall structures or city centre locations, whether in an old-town or a modern city. Protruding roofs can be avoided and dormer windows can be reached. Even for under-floor operation like e.g. banks of rivers or from bridges, current operational limits are clearly exceeded.”
Alfred Bidlingmaier reports: “The latest ‘coup’ by Iveco’s development engineers is the telescopic version of the articulated ladder with which a working height of 32 m is now possible. The articulated section is 4.7 m long; the depth achievable below floor level is 8.2 m.”
MAGIRUS telescopic boom platform ALP 375 and ALP 325 offer a multitude of advantages for both industrial and municipal firefighting:
• A large persons rescue and working cage for 4 people with opening suitable for a wheelchair, 2 multi-function columns - usable either as mounting point for stretcher holders, or for a positive pressure ventilator, descender rope or illumination equipment may also be used - as well as separate winch, monitor with permanently routed water piping and power supply for illumination and operational assignments.
• smooth, steady control of all movements even at high operational speed
• memory control (optional) for fully automatic return to programmed positions
• remote diagnosis system (optional)
• ergonomically-designed operating elements (suitable for use with gloves), also on control displays on the main control stand (turret) and in the cage
Besides this configuration, the model series ALP 270 with 27 metres rescue height is available as an alternative. In addition to the IVECO chassis, also chassis of all main truck manufacturers can serve as basis vehicle.
“Magirus also offers the alternative models ALP 340, ALP 420 and ALP 540 in the Heavy Duty range. In general these vehicles have three- or four-axle chassis. Most clients are very keen to purchase supplementary equipment -pumps and extinguishing agents tanks as options for these vehicles,” Alfred concludes.
