Operations

"Progress is meaningless if it is not exercised."

 

Initial Response:
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 can 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 as well as 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 set up 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?

Under the same conditions, one Firovac(TM) has proven many times to provide twice the amount of water as a pumper and two conventional tankers of the same size. Think of it, twice the amount of water provided by 1 unit with 1-2 people. How efficient is that?

Vacuum Operations in Relation to Fire Pump Operations:
Firovac’s forte is providing water rapidly to a fire as in tanker or tender operations. When the tanker stops, the water supply stops unless an alternate source replaces it. However, the efficiency of Firovac(TM) remains in units that have fire pumps also. In these units, all vacuum (tanker/tender) operations are controlled from inside the chassis cab.  Fire Pump Operations are separate from the Vacuum Operations and are controlled from the driver side pump panel as this is what most fire fighters are familiar with.

Firovac(TM) can discharge water through LDH with the Vacuum Pump OR a Fire Pump. The Fire Pump can be used as any current pump is being used. In addition, the Fire Pump can provide “Pump and Roll” Operations.  “Pump and Roll” for Firovac(TM) means driving up to 40 MPH and discharging water up to 100 Feet! View the video http://www.firovac.com/media

Bumper Turrets and Foam Systems can also be installed on Firovac(TM) units. Supplied by the Fire Pump, the Turrets can provide  "Pump and Roll" discharge distances of 100-150 Feet. The Turret can flow up to 500 GPM with vertical and horizontal travel, automatic oscillation and stow with flexible patterns. They are designed to meet various water, foam, CAFS and dry chemical needs.

These "Pump and Roll" features are not supplied by any other apparatus on the market today.

  • Using the Vacuum System, the unit can be driven up to 40 MPH and discharge water out the water valves up to 40 Feet, with the proper adapters.
  • Using the Fire Pump System, the unit can be driven up to 40 MPH and discharge water from a discharge up to 100 Feet.

This is almost like a Turret, but, is not as maneuverable. The video shows "Pump and Roll" using a Bumper Turret. Video showing the other scenarios will follow.

For More Information Call 1-800-796-2588 Ext. 104 or Email Us at admin@firovac.com

OR Contact One of Our Associates Listed Below:

New England Fire                                  Empire Emergency Apparatus     Federal Safety                           Apparatus Plus                             FESCO Emergency Sales                

New England States                              Niagara Falls, New York               New York                                   Tivoli, New York                          Elkridge, MD                    

401-568-2603                                        716-348-3473                               248-207-5150                            845-249-8033                             410-379-5353                                        

nefea@aol.com                                     mikem@empireemergency.com   les@fsecandor.com                  apparatusplus@frontiernet.net   plaakesr@fescosales.com

 

Elite Emergency Lighting & Warning Equipment, LLC                  R & R Fire Truck Repair Inc.                Unique 1 Fire Trucks                    Fire Apparatus & Supply Team (FAST)  

Sarver, Pennsylvania                                                                     Northville, MI                                        Oakland County, Mi                     Lincoln, Ill

724-502-0185                                                                                 248-344-4443                                      603-323-7117                              877-621-4095

elitelig@consolidated.net                                                               ricke@rrfiretruck.com                          unique1firetrk@yahoo.com          trucks@fastfireteam.com

 

Black Swamp PSO                                                                       Cashion Fire Equipment LLC             Pisarro Fire Truck Sales                   Heartland Fire Trucks LLC

Delta, Ohio                                                                                    Bridgeton, MO                                   Bayville, NJ                                       Marlow, OK

419-601-0898                                                                               314-770-9000                                    609-713-1793                                    580-467-4199

blackswamppso.com                                                                    cashionfire2sbcglobal.net                  dominickpisarro2yahoo.com              heartlandfiretrucks@gmail.com

                                                              

Camions Carl Thibault                          Fort Garry Fire Trucks                 Metalfab

Pierreville, QC                                       Winnipeg, MB                              Centreville, NB

450-568-7020                                       800-565-3473                               800-561-0012

cthibault@thibaultfiretrucks.com           bnash@fgft.ca                             gvgreen@metalfabfiretrucks.com

 

Not only does ISO (Insurance Service Office) require Fire Departments to be "capable of delivering 250 GPM or more for a period of 2 hours at a fire location beginning within 5 minutes of arrival of the first due engine" - BUT, new construction materials also require it. The battle is often won in the first minutes of a fire. Knowing the water supply can support a "blitz attack" however, is essential. Continual trainning and working together with mutual aid companies and equipment is a must.