Main fire trucks: types, characteristics

2024 Author: Erin Ralphs | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-19 11:42

The first fire trucks appeared in Russia in 1904. At that time, these were fairly simple and reliable means. They had simple equipment and could carry up to 10 people. But progress does not stand still. The installed equipment has been modernized, as well as the equipment itself. It has become more spacious, efficient and reliable. Let's look at the main fire trucks, their features and key differences.

Some general information

Fire fighting equipment is a means of extinguishing a fire with the help of special equipment. The first machines of this type had the simplest equipment and pumps, and on some models the latter were completely absent. The pressure of water in this case was provided by a hydrant. However, it was not always available, which caused serious problems. At present, the main fire trucksare equipped with sophisticated equipment that allows you to control the intensity of the supply of water and a special extinguishing agent, security systems and much more.

I would also like to note that there are general and special purpose fire trucks. The former are used to deliver personnel to the scene, transport fire extinguishers and supply them to the source of fire. It is these cars that we can most often meet on the streets of the city. Special ones are much less common, and a little later we will figure out why.

Car color

We are all used to the fact that fire trucks are painted red with white stripes. This is due to the increased danger of equipment that has a large number of retractable elements that can harm human he alth. Yes, and GOST provides for just such a palette, since it catches the eye from afar. The undercarriage of the car is usually painted black. In addition, there are special requirements that prohibit the placement of various stickers and inscriptions on the body, other than those provided by the manufacturer.

The chassis was based on heavy domestic vehicles such as Ural, KamAZ, ZIL and KrAZ. Such a decision is fully justified, because a passable and reliable chassis in this matter is more important than a comfortable one. Well, now let's go further and consider in more detail these types of cars:

• tanker trucks (AC);
• pump-sleeve (ANR);
• First Aid (APP);
• with pumphigh pressure (HP).

About fire trucks

Fire tank trucks are very widespread. They are used not only for the delivery of fire extinguishing agents to their destination, but also for the transportation of combat crews. Fire extinguishing is carried out with water or foam. Accordingly, in the latter case, there is equipment such as a foaming agent. There are also fire pumps, the modifications of which may vary, and lines through which water or foam passes.

Tanker trucks are the main fire trucks of general use, which almost always have the same equipment, but the characteristics of the equipment can vary significantly. For example, a tank truck can be light, medium or heavy depending on the capacity of the tank. Accordingly, the performance of the pump varies over a wide range. This also applies to other equipment. The tank for transporting fire extinguishing agents is most often made of high-strength carbon steel or fiberglass, which, in the absence of mechanical damage, lasts quite a long time.

Pump-hose fire truck

The key difference between this type of equipment and a tank truck is that there is no water tank. This type of equipment is designed to transport the crew and combat crew. Such vehicles are often used to transport fire equipment.

In addition to the fact that the pump-hose type of equipment delivers the crew and fire trucks to the fire,he effectively copes with another task. For example, if you need to extinguish a large warehouse, and there is a reservoir nearby, then hoses are laid to it, and using a high-pressure pump, water is pumped into a tank truck or supplied directly to the source of ignition. The pump-hose fire truck boasts increased cross-country ability, as well as the fact that any source of water, even remote ones, can be used to extinguish a fire. In general, this is a very efficient fire truck that can drive up to hard-to-reach places where conventional fire equipment cannot reach.

Quick Response Fire Truck

The first aid vehicle, also known as the rapid response, stands out among other fire equipment. This is due to high mobility and small dimensions. This technique is most relevant in megacities, where it is able to quickly pass kilometer-long traffic jams.

Main and special rapid response fire trucks are equipped with a light chassis with a small payload. Accordingly, not always one such calculation is able to cope with a major fire. But often this is not required, since the main task of such equipment is to provide first aid to the victims and extinguish the fire before the arrival of help in the form of heavier and more efficient equipment. Complete sets, depending on the purpose, can differ significantly, this also applies to the spaciousness of the cabin to accommodate the combat crew. The main disadvantage of suchtechnology is limited permeability. That is why it is great for large cities and is least effective in mountainous areas or on rough terrain.

With high pressure pump

If we consider the main fire and rescue vehicles, then we cannot but mention the equipment that is used to extinguish fires in high-rise buildings. The fire engine, which is equipped with a high pressure pump (HP), is able to put out fires that originate at high altitude.

This technique has impressive dimensions and several compartments. One of them is a tank with a fire extinguishing agent, the other is a place for combat crew and additional equipment. Liquid under high pressure is supplied through the lines, quickly reaching the source of ignition. The main disadvantage of such equipment lies in its dimensions, which significantly complicates the approach to the fire site.

Main fire fighting vehicles of intended use

Special purpose vehicles are used to extinguish fires in difficult situations, for example, at such facilities:

• airports;
• cultural buildings;
• factories;
• various infrastructure facilities.

Currently, there are 7 categories of machines for targeted use: airfield, powder extinguishing, foam and combined extinguishing, pumping station, gas and gas-water extinguishing machines. Let's look at each type of technology in more detail, because almost all of them are different from each other.and are used depending on the situation.

About airfield cars

In the event of a fire on aircraft, such as helicopters and planes, a fire truck comes to the call, which is often based near the airfield. A large amount of equipment makes this technique quite heavy, but very functional. The airfield vehicle is great for evacuating people from an aircraft, cushioning landings with a layer of foam, etc.

The kit usually includes circular saws for opening the aircraft if necessary, foam tanks, a pump compartment and water tanks. In some cases, airfield equipment is equipped with additional fire extinguishing equipment. Usually there are several such cars at the airport. They must have excellent cross-country ability to operate outside the airfield in complete off-road conditions.

Fire trucks for the petrochemical industry

Machines of foam, powder and gas-water type are actively used to fight fires of varying severity in the petrochemical industry. In forestry, at gas industry facilities, combined extinguishing is most often used.

This technique is equipped with containers in which fire extinguishing agent is stored, converters, and fire monitors. The personnel is located in the cabin of the transport. All add-ons are installed on a base taken from heavy equipment.

To fight againstlarge-scale fires are used by pumping stations. Their key feature is that a high-performance pump delivers water through the mains to the fire monitors. The patency of such equipment is above average, and the pump performance is more than 100 liters per second. This machine is equipped with two engines. One for the chassis, one for the pump.

Summarize

So we have considered the purpose of the main fire trucks. Such equipment must always be in good condition. This applies to the technical part, the proper operation of the line, pumps and other equipment. There are many types of fire fighting equipment. This is due to the fact that a mobile and light car will not cope with a large fire, and an overall and heavy one will not be able to quickly drive through the metropolis in traffic jams.

This is the reason why the classification of the main fire trucks is so extensive. When it comes to forest fires, where ground equipment is ineffective, special helicopters are used, which have tanks with fire extinguishing agent on board. To control the situation, light aircraft are used that patrol the area and transmit data. But even modern technology does not always quickly cope with large-scale fires, especially forest fires, when entire hectares of territory burn out in a matter of hours.