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Archive for July, 2007
Featured Question
Truck Co’ equipment
Posted by Mick from edwards, CO, US on July 15, 2007
Do you have a basic compliment for tools/gear for a ladder truck? We are purchasing a new truck and want to have everything that we need.
Mick
Good question, Mick. The current NFPA-1901 manual (2003) offers suggested equipment to be carried on Aerial apparatus (Chapter-8) and Quint apparatus (Chapter-9). All ladder trucks are to include a minimum 115' of assorted ground ladders, then a variety of hand tools and other items...(check out #8.8.2, items # 1 thru 23 for their suggestions). As many of these items (i.e. Sledge Hammers, claw tools, extinguishers, etc.) are used by some Departments, but not others, it's important to do a full review of what you feel is needed by your own FD. It's also important that ANY piece of individual equipment should be described and requested IN YOUR specifications to ensure it will be supplied by any bidder...(some FD's believe by simply stating that their truck be "NFPA-1901" compliant, that it would include all this equipment, but that is not the case). In the event you do not have a copy of the NFPA manual, I'd be happy to e-mail you this list. Good Luck !
Featured Question
Snorkel advantage/disadvantages
Posted by Joe from Ashland, CO, US on July 13, 2007
I am a member of the Board of Directors on my department and I am researching the request of our Chief to purchase a used 1979 Pierce/Osh Kosh Snorkel. First of all we are a small volunteer department with 25 members. We have approximately 2 businesses and 3 one+ story homes. I was wondering to you what are the disadvantages of purchasing a Snorkel truck of this sort or a articulating water tower? Thanks.
Thanks Joe, assuming that the Chief has done his homework, it's possible that this truck might be priced right and could be a reasonable investment. We typically suggest that ANY used device include an Aerial Certificate for safe operations. Other than that, certain aerial devices have certain advantages; the Snorkel device offers a nice "up-&-over" reach on a building. We usually see these devices in a more populated area, meaning that they might have limited use on low-rise buildings. ("side-reach"...or full horizontal "stretch" is not offered on this type of device) ~ however the Snorkel offers a wide sweeping master stream when needed. In any event, considering the device that is nearly 30-years old, some FD's feel that it might have served its best time, depending on cost and need of any service or repairs needed.
Good luck on your project.
Safety Issues
Posted by Johnnie from Winfield, MO, US on July 3, 2007
We have a 50ft aerial truck that has weld cracks near the topmost hand rails. Should this apparatus be removed from service until repairs are made?
Any signs of fatigue on any aerial device should be well documented and inspected for firefighter safety. In the event you (Fire Department personnel) made these findings, they should be brought to the attention of senior Officers first. At that time, it could be decided within to place this truck out-of-service until a 3rd-Party inspection service (i.e. "UL", or equivalent) can make a full aerial inspection. Once all findings have been made, the inspectors also suggest what repairs are needed in order to be certified safe for use. If the aerial has water-way capabilities, it could remain in "limited" service as a raised master stream device, but until all issues are addressed...you may want to limit any man-power on the ladder itself.
