Vehicle Tech

Pushing flow boundaries

Ferrara’s high-capacity Super Pumper has received UL confirmation for a flow capability of 6,256gpm (23,681 lpm) from draft at a discharge pressure of 125psi (8.6 bar), exceeding the record for pump performance.

According to Ferrara, with four 8-inch (20.3cm) and one 12-inch (30.4cm) intake connections, the ability to be remotely supplied from mega hydrants is now feasible.

With this new increased flow capability, fire departments will no longer be limited to the standard industrial rating of 100% capacity at only 100psi (7 bar) net discharge pressure. Breaking the 100-psi ceiling was made possible by the unit’s new HPV6000 pump from US Fire Pump.

The Ferrara Super Pumper offers a triple-deck gun system with a main gun providing 8,000gpm (30,283 lpm) and a dual rear 2,000gpm (7,570 lpm) configuration.

All three monitors are controlled by wireless remote control, which ensures fire-ground safety and efficiency during the application of large streams. Other features include a rear-mount pump configuration that protects from potential supply and discharge lines and facilitates the establishment of supply lines to the pump as well as providing a quieter operating environment.

The vehicle carries a foam concentrate tank with a 900-gallon (3,406 litres) capacity as well as a 300gpm (1,135 lpm) multi-point direct injection foam system that reduces increased flow restrictions.

Ferrara’s Super Pumper meets the higher flow requirements that industrial hazards firefighters are facing at petrochemical processing and refining plants, and is also ideal for municipalities with large fire load facilities such as warehouse districts, shopping centres, shipping docks, tunnels, tank farms, or for mass disaster response requirements.

The vehicle is well suited to industrial facilities where space is an issue thanks to a shorter, more maneuverable 185-inch (4.7m) wheelbase and an overall length of just over 33ft (10m). The latest test was documented and witnessed by both UL and the Louisiana State Fire Marshal’s Office.

Truck for extreme environments

Truck for extreme environmentsA flexible, off-road capable, large-tank fire truck designed specifically for industrial use has been launched by Rosenbauer.

The Tigon combines concentrated extinguishing power with a robust, lightweight construction, 700hp engine, and an off-road chassis to create a vehicle that can cope with high payloads over even the most extreme terrain, such as deserts, tundra or Arctic conditions.

The Tigon consists of a chassis from Czech manufacturer Tatra that is based on a robust central tube frame to ensure optimal distribution of forces. The tubular construction envelops vehicle elements and protects moving drive components from damage.

The differential gears are also protected within the tubular frame and can be locked individually. The semi-axles are freely movably mounted, and the wide tyres are equipped with a pressure system that adapts to the condition of the ground.

The Tigon can be fitted with built-in pumps with capacities up to 13,000 lpm; proportioning systems that can deliver up to 1,200 lpm of foam compound and mix foam into the complete pump output; and water turrets for combined extinguishing output of up to 15,000 lpm.

In the standard 8x8 version, the Tigon carries 12,500 litres of extinguishing agent. It is also equipped with a power take-off drive to enable the use of fire-fighting equipment while driving.

The Tigon can also be equipped with a high-pressure pump for rapid attack or a powder extinguishing system. The extinguishing agents are deployed by fast assault and/or high-performance turrets. Turrets with specially developed Chemcore nozzles are available for the combined application of water and powder.

All-round light and vision

A lighting tower manufacturer has partnered with vehicle camera system suppliers to add cameras to its light towers to improve scene visibility during operations.

Working with Intec, Safety Vision and Zone Defense, light specialist Command Light has mounted camera systems on its light towers to provide crews with 360° views at height.

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vehicles

The cameras on the light towers enable incident commanders to survey both fire and kerb-side activity from the pump panel; record response actions for review and training; and ensure the safety of crews around the apparatus.

Intec Video Systems has provided two high-end camera options – the CVC500AH or the VSC510, which features a motorised x23 optical zoom lens for detailed viewing and can switch from colour to black-and-white images to enhance details.

In partnership with Safety Vision and Zone Defense, Command Light also offers two vehicle camera system options, which are expected to be popular on mobile command units. Paired with select Command Light towers, these cameras are designed to provide 360° viewing angles at what the company describes as a reasonable price point. “Our CL Series tower is able to reach up to 11 feet and has the ability to overhang the side of vehicles, making this one of the most adjustable vehicle cameras,” said Command Light’s Roger Weinmeister. “When you pair that with our new eight-head tower, crews can capture every angle and illuminate it with 240,000 lumens.”

Going bespoke in Sao Paulo

A fire truck has been especially designed to meet the challenging requirements of an aluminium recycling company in Brazil.

Aluminium lamination and recycling firm Novelis required the fire truck for its plant in Pindamonhangaba, São Paulo. "Our factory has very large structures and, due to the aluminium manufacturing process, our internal fire department needs an agile vehicle that reaches the high ceilings in our production plant," said Daniel Forastieri, EHS director at Novelis South America.

The fire truck not only had to be highly manoeuvrable and compatible with fire-fighting accessories but also carry a turntable ladder with a 42m reach. In addition, it had to comply with US NFPA standards. The turntable ladder truck project started in 2012 and was so complex that speciality vehicle maker Triel-HT Group consulted an American firefighter team to assess whether the vehicle met international standards.

Triel-HT selected a Scania P440 6x4 commercial chassis and an Allison 4500 fully automatic transmission. According to Triel-HT director Marciano Dalla Rosa, the Allison 4500 enables the chassis, body and pump to efficiently work together. He explained that the company prefers to use Allison transmissions because of the manoeuvrability, safety and performance they provide to firefighters during operations as well as the perfect integration of transmission to the body and the electronic controllers that operate the truck.

The truck's specification includes a 7,000-lpm pump, breathable air track for rescue at heights, and inlet and outlet water fittings at the rear of the vehicle.

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Panthers for Dubai AirportFire risks on electric vehicles

Dubai Airports has placed an order for 22 Panther 8x8s and three turntable vehicles model E8000/3000 from Rosenbauer. The large order also includes additional equipment and a multi-year service contract.

The 25 vehicles will be deployed at Dubai International Airport, the world’s busiest international airport for passenger volumes. Rosenbauer ARFF vehicles have had a presence at Dubai Airport since the 1980s, and a fleet of ten Panthers is already located there.

The 52-t Panther 8x8 has a top speed of over 135kmph and carries 19,000 litres of extinguishing agent comprising 16,800 litres of water, 2,200 litres of foam compound, and 500kg powder or CO 2 . Its two 700hp Euro 5 engines enable it to accelerate from 0 to 80kmph in less than 25 seconds – even faster with the Euro 6-engine option.

The new Panther 8x8 features a pump that provides 10,000 lpm at 10 bar with a range of monitor options. These include the new RM80 roof turret with an output rate of up to 9,000 lpm and a throw of 100m for water and 90m for foam, and the new RM35 with up to 4,750 lpm and throw of 85m for water and 76m for foam.

A new research project focusing on the fire risks presented by electric and hybrid vehicles powered by lithium-ion batteries has been launched.

The project is being funded by Sweden’s innovation agency Vinnova with support from fire sector partners including Dafo Vehicle Fire Protection and Fogmaker.

Current levels of knowledge regarding the risks associated with these types of vehicles are limited in spite of their growing numbers on the road. While vehicle fires can be extremely intense and have significant safety and environmental consequences, these can be even more severe when they take place in road tunnels and underground car parks.

The project, which has been initiated by Rise Research Institutes of Sweden, will focus on how fire risks posed by lithium-ion batteries in vehicles should be managed. "With this new project – in which Rise, Scania, the Swedish Association of Vehicle Workshops, NEVS, and Fogmaker are also participating – we will map the fire risks associated with lithium-ion batteries and as well as mitigating the consequences of fires in electric and hybrid vehicles. The big increase in electric vehicles and the transition to renewable fuels means that this is a very important and exciting project,” said Johan Balstad, business area manager, Dafo Vehicle Fire Protection. He continued: “This work will lead to future safety solutions, including system design and battery placement. Our focus of this project will be to investigate the extent to which fixed/integrated fire suppression systems, that are widely used to protect engine compartments on heavy vehicles, can be applied to vehicles powered by lithium-ion batteries, as well as how the systems should be designed.”

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Rising to the challenge

A hydraulic platform that can transport up to five people from a height of 60m has been developed for industrial fire service applications including fire-fighting and rescue at height.

Rosenbauer’s multifunctional B60 platform has a payload of 500kg thanks to lightweight construction and an optimised cage, which provides both front and rear access and space for heavy-duty stretchers. A rescue ladder with rung-levelling adjustment running along the telescopic boom sets provides a second rescue route option.

The platform’s fire-fighting capabilities include the delivery of 3,800 lpm of water from a cage turret that is permanently connected to the telescopic waterway. The aerial appliance, cage, and turret can all be controlled remotely.

The B60 has a five-part telescopic main boom and a two-part cage boom. The secondary element of the cage boom can be telescopically extended and retracted, and the rescue cage moved up or down through 180°. The platform uses a hydraulic horizontal-vertical jacking systemfor stability with jacks that can be adjusted and extended up to 9m. Other safety features include an automatic return function for the rescue cage as well as the ability to store different cage positionsand automatically reposition back to them.

Military-grade coach protection

A fire suppression solution for engine compartments in coaches has been developed that complies with new regulations that came into force this summer.

Bus Shield is fully compliant with the new UNECE R107 regulations that become mandatory in July 2018, and which require Class III coaches to be fitted with fire warning and suppression equipment. Class I and II vehicles are set to follow in 2020. Class III coaches are defined as vehicles constructed exclusively for the carriage of seated passengers.

The new system that has been introduced by Lehavot consists of a linear heat detection system, a command and control unit, and a suppression agent and delivery mechanism. The whole system, which draws on technology developed for war zones, has been designed for integration into bus engine compartments.

Lehavot says that the heat detection element, which is based on its Delta 6-series of linear heat detectors, offers lightning-fast detection of any issues within a second, plus a high degree of reliability and low false alarm rates.

Should a fire be detected, suppressants primed in 25-bar pressurised dry chemical agent containers are able to swiftly smother and put out a range of fire types before they can take hold.

Mounted straight in the dashboard, the control unit provides pre-alarm and fire alarm warnings. The system is set to automate responses to threshold heat parameters, thereby ensuring safety even in the event that a driver has been incapacitated. A manual mode also enables the driver to manually activate suppressants.

Sensitivity can be tailored to individual vehicles and user requirements and, in addition, all alarms, fire events, and responses are recorded in the detector, enabling users to download and monitor conditions at any point.

Lehavot says that it developed Bus Shield by leveraging its experience as a primary supplier for all of the in-service military mine-resistant ambush-protected vehicles developed to counter the IED threat over the last 10 years. This included the development of an advanced fast-release valve that is able to rapidly counter blossoming explosions and keep military operators safe.

As well as compliance with UNECE R107, Lehavot and Bus Shield are certified to ISO 9001:2008, FM-approved, and also bear Rise Institute’s P Mark. In addition, the Delta detectors are rated to MIL-STD 810, 461 and 1275.

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