OPERATIONS

Optimizing Firefighting Efficiency

The most efficient use of water from any tanker is to unload water into a drop tank, either supplied by the unit being driven or by another unit. This drop tank is like another truck in the system because it provides water to the pumper while allowing the tanker to get more water. 


Because water is pressure unloaded in a Firovac(TM) System, water is discharged rapidly at 1500-2000 gpm with complete control. The pump can be throttled back to “top off” a portable tank fill. The last gallons will discharge as fast as the first gallons do and it empties more completely having a “Zero Loss” rating from ISO (The standard 10% ISO deduction for tanker capacity is NOT assessed).

Firovac(TM) can “Nurse” other apparatus but a more efficient use is to discharge the water into a drop tank and go for more water.


Getting More Water:

Pre-planning water sources in light of Firovac’s capabilities is advantageous. Water can be easily loaded from another apparatus or a pressure hydrant. It can do anything a conventional apparatus can do and it can then go beyond that capability and self-load from a dry hydrant or other static water sources. Because no water goes through the vacuum pump, as it is stopped by the 2 shut offs, the pump does not freeze or lose prime therefore allowing the unit to do some amazing things. Things like Vertical Lifts up to 28 FEET, Long Hose Lays up to 136 FEET and Flexible Loading from ponds and rivers and dry or pressure hydrants are done with ease. By using close, available, static sources, valuable driving time is saved.


Set up time is quick and easy. Hard Suction Hoses 12 to 15 foot Long and 6” diameter with quick couple fittings can be easily coupled together to reach the water source using minimum personnel. Quick couple fittings are used because they are quick and easy requiring NO WRENCHES! Kochek has a number of adapters to adapt to other hoses if necessary. A patented Floating Low Level Strainer is used when loading from a static source (Refer to High Volume-Floating Strainer information in www.firovac.com/features-models).


The ability to tap into previously unavailable water sources and a quick setup time, Firovac(TM) can accelerate initial water supply, granting a more aggressive fire attack. How much more effective could fire fighting be if there was sufficient water to attack the fire BEFORE the fire load escalates to an unmanageable level, and even before mutual aid arrives?

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