Fire extinction with less water
Published: 02 April, 2009
Where water is a limited resource or when lower water volumes are an engineering necessity, specialist extinguishing systems such as the Fire Attack System made by ABC MacIntosh can prove invaluable.
The FAS units are detailed on the National Framework Agreement for Firebuy Emergency Response Equipment for the UK Fire Service.
These super efficient high-pressure units deliver very low volumes, typically 14 or 19 litres of water per minute at 200 bar depending on the size of the FAS model being used. The high pressure water is delivered via 30 or 60 metre hose reels with the option of using an additional stand alone hose reel which can extend a single hose length to 90 metres with minimal drop in pressure. The water delivery can be changed to low pressure instantly at the lance nozzle.
The operational applications for the FAS units are numerous as they are varied which is testament to the versatility of this equipment. Typically, these high pressure systems are fitted to 4x4 vehicles but not exclusively. The NF narrow frame version of the Ultra unit is designed to fit into a side locker of a standard water tender vehicle and fits onto a 50cm x 110cm frame, with a single 60 metre or 2 x 30 metre hose reels.
The small and lighter 4x4 vehicle has the capacity to carry a 450-litre water tank together with the 105 kilo Ultra unit, with a continuous operating time of 24 minutes. The efficiency of the equipment is improved again by reducing the surface tension of the water with the use of a wetting agent.
An FAS deployed on a smaller 4x4 all terrain vehicle offers easier access to rural areas, country lanes, small towns or villages and farm lanes, where roads may be narrow or poorly maintained and where water supply for re-filling water tanks may be restricted. The most commonly used package is the electric start FAS Ultra, with a 450 litre water tank with combined twin water and foam lances. The latest addition to the range is the NF (narrow frame) version.
The FAS Ultra is more than capable of dealing with the smaller fires that are the most common to fire services, such as vehicle fires. Skips and general rubbish fires, pallet or tyre fires can all be extinguished quickly, with as little as 10 per cent of the water normally required for these types of fire.
A typical car fire would be extinguished using approximately 900 litres of water through a 19mm hose reel from a fire water tender. The FAS Ultra would extinguish the same car fire with 90 litres of water with 0.9 litres of a wetting agent. This level of efficiency is normal, not the unusual, the environmental benefits are a consequence far lower water usage and water run-off. In today’s world of budget reviews and financial pressures, these efficiencies are vital for over stretched resources and offers major benefits to the Fire and Rescue Service.
