Apparatus Ideas

by Bob Barraclough

Questions From You; Answers From The Guru

From time to time, I get interesting questions from our readers and from attendees at lectures and presentations I make on apparatus specifications and safety. Most of the queries involve National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1901, although others are more general in nature. If you have something you’d like to ask me about, I encourage you to send me an email at  news@firemagazine.com and I’ll do my best to get an answer.

One recent question from the Midwest involved striping on the front of apparatus.

Question: With the 2007 engine requirements for more cooling, which takes up more space on the front of the cab, and with customers requesting more “stuff” in the bumper, it’s becoming difficult to get 25 percent of the front covered with 4-inch striping required by NFPA 1901. Could that requirement be reduced?

Answer: The reason for the striping on all four sides is to provide a backup should there be a serious electrical problem that darkens all of the lights on the apparatus. It’s the “belt and suspenders” concept to give some visibility to rigs under all conditions. Some departments, like the Miami Dade and Montgomery County departments, have already switched to steel bumpers and striped them from side to side. I doubt you’ll see a reduction in the 25 percent of the front width requirement in the near future.

Compact Trucks

A reader from Texas asks about compact trucks.

Question: In your June column, you proposed using smaller trucks (compact type) for some of the fleet. Where can I get some information on chassis that may meet this criteria?

Answer: There are several chassis that may meet your needs. To get started, look at the new Spartan Furion that was unveiled at Fire Rescue International in Atlanta. Also offering possibilities are International, Freightliner and the Condor from American LaFrance. The tough part will be paring down what you want to carry in the way of equipment, foam, a foam system and water.

A friend in Pennsylvania asks about apparatus color.

Question: At one time NFPA required red trucks. Now, I can’t find any reference to color. What’s up?

Answer: At one time, I do believe, 1901 did say trucks shall be red. However, with the striping and warning lights required since the 1991 edition, the committee felt color became a non-item and removed specific requirements from the standard.

An attendee at a presentation in Baltimore asks about future standards.

Question: The proposed changes in the 2008 version of 1901 include three classes of trailers that may be used for emergency response. Will these include air compressor trailers that are not designed for speeds above 40 to 50 mph?

Air trailers, like those made by Bauer Compressors, are support vehicles, not emergency response vehicles, and therefore need not go at breakneck speeds. The NFPA is proposing adding standards regarding trailers to its 2008 edition of 1901, especially standards governing lighting and striping.

At least one remote controlled deck gun, such as those made by Akron Brass, Elkhart Brass and TFT, should be on every pumper. They eliminate one reason to have a firefighter on top of a truck, some 9 to 10 feet off the ground.                      (Elkhart Photo)

Red and yellow reflective striping has been proposed for 50 percent of the rear vertical surfaces. If firefighters must get on top of trucks, good access ladders are musts.                              (Fire Apparatus Photo by Bob Barraclough)

Answer: No. Air compressor trailers and many other types of trailers that are not designed for highway speeds are not included in the proposed changes. I’m not sure why except that, if they are not designed for highway speeds (68 mph), they are not really emergency apparatus. Frankly, this is the first attempt by the 1901 committee to address trailers in the standard, especially in lighting and striping areas. From my perspective, it might be better to get something in the standard, then fine-tune it during the next revision.

Question About Striping

In New Jersey, a reader asks about striping.

Question: Are you and the NFPA committee members nuts? Why would you require a specific color (red and yellow) striping when it clashes with our current color scheme on our apparatus?

Answer: It seems we hit a nerve here, and it was not intentional. The thinking was when the current older trucks cycle though the system, say in the next 20 years or so, all of our apparatus will have the same striping at the back of the unit. So, when coming up behind a fire apparatus, it will be immediately recognizable as a unit from the fire department and maybe motorists will slow down. It was discussed thoroughly and we felt it was the best solution to help reduce highway accidents and firefighter fatalities.

At a seminar in Florida, an attendee had a question about pumps.

Question: Do you have any preference on where the pump should be placed.

Answer: As opinionated as I am about “big red trucks,” this is one area where I’m neutral. I am against 60-inch wide midship pump panels, but otherwise, the pump and the operator’s panel should be put wherever you want. Be careful not to specify a rear-mounted pump with a front-mounted suction or vice-versa as it’s just not cost effective. While you’re at it, consider separating intakes/discharges from the actual control panel.

Body Material Discussion

A discussion at a conference in San Diego yielded a question too.

Question: What’s your opinion about body material type?

Answer: Aluminum is the most popular material being used today.

Next are probably stainless steel, then galvaneal, plastic and composite. All have plusses and minuses. Metal prices have gone sky high in the last 18 months, so all the metal designs have increased. Fortunately, the body prices are still lagging behind the raw material prices. If you live in a state that uses a lot of calcium chloride or newer liquid material for ice melting, better opt for stainless, plastic or composite.

Question About Ethanol

A fellow Texan asks about ethanol.

Question: Are we really preparing our firefighters to handle an ethanol fire?

Answer: I doubt the real requirements needed to combat an ethanol (Class B) fire have been recognized by the majority of our departments. Most don’t even know the local bulk distributor is getting several truckloads of ethanol a day and blending it in his storage tanks with gasoline. Talk about a recipe for disaster!

Remember, ethanol is 85 percent alcohol (most of the time), and that means conventional Class B foam is not an effective agent to use. You need an alcohol resistant (AR) foam concentrate, and lots of it, for a small storage tank or tank truck fire. Recognizing this, some departments and their local bulk fuel distributors are investing in foam trailers with either a full-blown proportioning system or a couple of high-capacity nozzle suckers, such as those made by Task Force Tips, Akron Brass and Elkhart Brass. Because there is so much ethanol moving around our cities and countryside – all in tank trucks – we need to be able to handle an accident involving this type fuel. It is not a question of “if,” but when.

An attendee at the annual Fire Department Safety Officers’ Association (FDSOA) symposium asked about new apparatus.

Question: What is the best way to handle acceptance and delivery of a new apparatus?

Answer: Go to the factory and inspect the truck to ensure everything you ordered is there and working properly. If there are some discrepancies, make a list and have the items fixed while you are there. There are much better “fix-it” capabilities at the factory than there are at a dealer’s shop. Next, let the factory people deliver the truck to the dealership where it can be cleaned and serviced prior to the first visit to the firehouse.

Break-in Trip

First impressions are lasting impressions! Don’t be tempted to let one of your members bring it home. This is an important break-in trip, and there is no need for your own fire department folks to be responsible for the new beauty. Once the rig is brought to the firehouse, go over the factory discrepancy list to ensure everything was corrected. When all is well, complete the demonstration phase with your trainers and the dealer/factory reps. Be sure you have told your insurance carrier that you have a new the truck as of a given date. Do not drive the apparatus unless the sales rep is with you or you have paid for the unit. Before you start training the troops, give the check to the salesman.

A savvy spec writer in Connecticut asked about firefighter safety.

Question: You seem adamant about keeping firefighters off the top of the truck. We don’t think this is possible, but what should we do to minimize the dangers associated with climbing up there?

Answer: First, specify a remote-control deck gun controllable from the pump panel. An even better solution is to spec one allowing movement around the truck while spotting the nozzle. Next, consider a walkway in the hose bed where a firefighter can stand while repacking hose. Finally, install (or specify) a good, wide access ladder to climb. Eliminate small, fold down steps that are hard to use.

That’s about it for this month. Stay safe and take time to research and write specifications that will get you a safer rig.

Editor’s Note: Bob Barraclough is editorial director of Fire Apparatus and has been involved with the fire service for more than 40 years as a firefighter and industry consultant. He is a member of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1901 Fire Apparatus Standards Committee, an organizer of the annual Apparatus Specification Symposium of the Fire Department Safety Officers Association and a long-time member of the Fire Apparatus Manufacturers’ Association