New Dennis Air-raid
Page 48
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Precautions Plant VjEHICLES and equipment specially adapted for anti-gas V defence purposes are now a feature of the municipal products of Dennis Bros., Ltd., Guildford. Investigations into the most suitable measures to counteract the effects of gas bombs dropped from hostile aircraft have shown that water, whilst an essential ingredient of effective means for rendering the discharge harmless, alone is inadequate, and that its use, without chemical preparations, is limited to subsequent washing-down operations and to fire fighting.
For harmful gases or gas-producing liquids, powerful chemical reagents are essential, and the speed with which they can be brought into effect is of the highest importance. Local authorities are beginning to realize this point and certain manufacturers are actively developing special mobile equipment, expressly adapted for rapidly travelling to the contaminated site and for promptly and effectively. dealing with the danger.
Tractive Unit and Trailer.
An accompanying illustration shows that the Dennis apparatus includes two vehicles—a tractive unit and a twowheeled trailer. The former is equipped with a 700-gallon watertight body, and a Dennis high-efficiency turbine pump. This can deliver from the tank to jets, or from open water to jets, or from the external supply to the tank. Its output is 125 g.p.m. at 85 lb. per sq. in. A smaller pump is available as an alternative.
On this vehicle there is accommodation for one man in the cab beside the driver, and two men on the step at the rear. The trailer is provided with a seat at the front on which two more men can be carried, making up the squad of six required. A variety of equipment is carried on board the trailer, which is a well-built and properly sprung unit, provided with an over-running brake and suitable for relatively high road speeds.
Mounted at the front between the seats, are two stand pipes and two fire extinguishers. In addition, there are 100 ft.of 21-in, canvas hose, two nozzles for spray and jet respectively, spades, picks, brooms, buckets, rope, picket posts, warning notices, a stretcher, paraffin, bleach mixer, and a box for contaminated tools.
The mobile outfit has a small turning circle and possesses good manceuvrability, an important point when maxis may be partly blocked as a result of explosicrns. Moreover, the ability of the pump to feed from open water is a big advantage when mains have been damaged.
Out -other picture shows the outfit at the scene of operations The contaminated area has been roped off, the bleach has been distributed and a light water spray is in use to avoid spreading the gas.
Access to Courtyards.
Areas reached by paths or alley ways, courtyards, and so forth, are rendered accessible by the long length of hose provided. Subsequent/y, the neutralized residue is washed away into the sewers by means of the high-pressure jet. The inclusion of foam fire-fighting apparatus is a valuable asset for extinguishing off or petrol fires.
An alternative, and highly effective method of removing the debris is to employ a vehicle with flushing heads, controllable from the cab, with which the street can be quickly washed down. The scope of the Dennis machine of this type is considerable.