Customising for special needs
Published: 01 January, 2007
In co-operation with the Denmark-based manufacturer, Sawo, Plastisol has delivered several firefighting vehicles for Denmarks fire and rescue sector. Since 1995 the company has delivered more than 100 superstructures with seven rollershutters and cab extensions. Together, Sawo and Plastisol have created a special adaptation based on a MAN chassis.
Plastisol is responsible for chassis amendments and the manufacture of crew cab extensions and superstructures while Sawo installs the firefighting equipment. “Working with a heavier chassis means you can carry more rescue equipment,” a spokesman told FIRE & RESCUE. “Inside a specially-adapted superstructure is an integrated 2,350 litre water tank.”
Plastisol superstructures are built to customer specifications and can include multiple integrated water/foam tanks. Standard c-profiles are fitted into the superstructures to make interior access flexible and easy.
“Once a customer decides to purchase a Plastisol module a project engineer is assigned to co-ordinate the order form start to finish, incorporating ant special features required. Our engineers offer a good source of advice in legal requirements and the technical and ergonomic possibilities of each unit.
The glass-reinforced polyester (GRP) the superstructures are made of a sandwich glassfibre material injected with resin. The advantages of this material include: lightweight construction (35-40% lighter than other materials), 100% corrosion proofing, zero maintenance, self-extinguishing flame retarding and shock absorbing qualities, easy repair and a long, economical lifecycle. Plastisol also offers a 10-year warranty on all its GRP products.
Made to customer specifications:
Germany-based Ziegler manufactures specialist vehicles for fire brigades around the world. Joerg Hitzler comments: “A fire service vehicle helps in saving lives. A fire service vehicle improves safety for everyone. Ziegler has contributed to this sector by developing high quality, long-service, durable, fire service vehicles and systems through approved manufacturing processes based on long experience. Thirteen years ago P.T. Ziegler Indonesia was established (1994) as a joint venture between Blue Bird Group Indonesia and Albert Ziegler GmbH & Co. KG. Germany. Ziegler itself is certified as meeting ISO standards in “establishing and applying a quality system for firefighting vehicles, fire pumps, hoses, hose maintenance equipment and firefighting equipment (Certificate Registration No. 70 100 F 285).” Ziegler’s truck manufacturing and assembly plant is located at Lippo Cikarang Delta Silicon Industrial Park, 37 km from Jakarta.
Aside from the manufacture and assembly of firefighting vehicles, Ziegler also supplies fire pumps, fire hoses, hose-maintenance equipment and auxiliary equipment such as a wide range of extinguishers, breathing & respiratory equipment, rescue and salvage gear and firefighters uniforms. Ziegler also provides on-site training to users of equipment and an after sales package which includes a guaranteed supply of spare parts. Ziegler offers five different types of firefighting vehicles and also prides itself on producing custombuilt vehicles adapted to clients’ needs.
New Pierce Multi Cab pumper:
November 2006 saw Pierce Manufacturing Inc., one of North America’s leading fire and rescue apparatus manufacturers, deliver the first Contender by Pierce Multi Cab commercial pumper to Big Horn Fire District No.4, serving the communities of Big Horn County, Otto, Burlington and Emblem, Wyoming. The vehicle was financed in part by a Wyoming state grant program and will be placed into service in the western part of the state.
“One of our biggest concerns with more than 640 square miles in the district is getting volunteer firefighters to the scene and having a place available for them to rehab,” said Big Horn Fire District No.4 fire chief J.R. ‘Butch’ Krause. “The Contender Multi Cab helps tremendously on both counts. We couldn’t be more excited to add this new fire truck to our department.” The seating for four rear-facing firefighters in the crewcab is the largest seating for any one-piece commercial chassis, says the company. “The additional heating and air conditioning systems offer an excellent environment for rehab from heat exhaustion and exposure to freezing conditions. The spacious crewcab provides room to easily put on or remove turnout gear,” says Pierce. A recess step is located behind the door and protected from snow, sleet and rain.
“The Contender Multi Cab is a seamless, one-ofa-kind crewcab for the fire industry. It not only improves communication, visibility and airflow, it provides a safe environment for firefighters, protecting them from the elements, traffic, noise and confusion at the fire scene,” said Jeff Resch, vice president of sales at Pierce. “With its increased interior space, we expect the Multi Cab to be the right answer for a lot of departments, including Big Horn.”
Bright idea for aerials:
2006 saw American LaFrance of Indiana, introduce an innovation to its line of heavy duty aerial ladders by adding ‘super bright’ L.E.D. Ladder walkway lighting on its 110’ rear-mount heavy-duty aerial ladder that has a tip load rating of 500 pounds. This new feature is part of the company’s Five Step Pathway to Safety which provides for safer climbing and descending. In addition to the red L.E.D. Illumination, the 110’ rear-mount ladder also features a clear walkway, high handrails, a wide climbing way and full rubber rung covers. “To remain a leader in the firefighting industry, we have to continually conceptualise and develop new technology and advances,” comments Jim Eshleman general manager of American LaFrance Aerials. “With years of experience in new product design, no one does that better than American LaFrance.”
In addition to the new ladder improvements, other product features on the 110’ rear-mount aerial include a pre-piped telescopic water system rated at 1,500 gallons per minute, open walkways, a maximum lift cylinder elevation range between -7 and +78*, 12 foot outrigger spread with deep penetrating jacks allowing full rated capacities on 10.5* (18% grade) and custom-configured aluminium or stainless steel bodies, among others. More information? Visit: www.americanlafrance.com
