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The Dependence of Fire Services Upon Motor-propelled Appliances
Page 102
Page 103
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I T was in 1926 that it was decided to replace all the steam and other vehicles in the service of Stoke-on.-Trent Fire Brigade by internal-combustion-engined appliances. The department had six reciprocating steam engines and found that three Dennis 500-700-gallon machines and a Morris 1-tonner were sufficient to inaugurate the new scheme. Although these machines have been tin use for 10 years, they have done only 9,845 road miles, but have also effected 722 hours' pumping.
Mr.W. Kirby, the chief officer, comments on the fact that the tyres do not get sufficient service to wear them out, sohe has arranged to fit a new set every three years, the used equipment being taken in part exchange; this arrangement considerably reduces the risks of puncture.
As the city has developed, so the equipment of the brigade has grown, and, in addition to the three Dennis pumps mentioned, the Fire Department has a 200-400gallon trailer pump of the same make and a Leyland-Metz turntable water tower with 90-ft. ladders and a 250-400gallon pump amidships, whilst a fire engine with a New World-type body is on order from the Leyland concern.
CROYDON'S PRAISE FOR BRITISH PRODUCTS.
Ithe opinion of Mr. F. W. Delve, A.M.I.Fire E., chief officer of the Croydon Fire Department, motor appliances are absolutely necessary for present-day efficient fire protection. The type depends upon local requirements, but it is becoming an accepted practice in county boroughs and large cities for appliances to be of the multi-purpose kind, that is, a combination of motor pump, escape, etc.
A type of fire engine which is increasing in popularity is the Light Six, incorporating an efficient pump, and this is being found most suitable in places where heavy traffic congestion is experienced. Excellent acceleration, a low centre of gravity, a small turning circle and efficient braking make such an outfit ideal for work of this kind Mr. Delve expresses the view that fire appliances of British manufacture are second to none, due, to a great extent, to the practical opinions of chief officers being considered in co-operation with the policy of makers.
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The Ford fire engine, based on the Fordson 2-ton eight-cylinder chassis, is well suited to the needs of many municipalities. The self-priming turbine pump delivers 250 g.p.m., while seating is provided
for eight men, including the driver.
BIG INDUSTRIAL RISKS AT SALFORD.
MITE area covered by the City of Salford is 5,202 acres, 1 housing a population of 241,500, and this comes under the protection of the fire brigade, which has five fire pumps, as well as a turntable escape extending to 85-ft. In addition, the brigade also protects the districts of Prestwich, Whitefield, Swinton, Pendlebury and Clifton.
Mr. J. Stranaghan, the superintendent, tells us that there is a large industrial risk in the city, and speed.in turning out and a quick arrival at the scene of the outbreak are factors which have been better met since motorpropelled appliances have been adopted. Owing to the heavy traffic in the district, the brigade never turns out
less than two machines, however small the fire is reported to be.
All the machines in the brigade, are equipped with firstaid reels and water tanks, the water being delivered through 150 ft. of rubber hose with a 1-in. jet. In a large number of fires this equipment has definitely prevented a serious outbreak; the supply of water can be supplemented by street hydrants.
One of the vehicles carries a foam-generating apparatus . and a sufficient quantity of powder to create about 2000, gallons of foam, for use in the -case of oil and petrol fires. " The turntable escape and water tower can be operated by one man, whereas an escape of the same weight, handled manually, would require 'four or five men.
Mr. Stratiaghan stresses the point that, no matter what improvements and new appliances are brought forward for fire protection, speed in reaching the outbreak with a squad of trained men is the chief feature in,preyenting the spread of a conflagration, and, in attaining this end, the modern fire engine is proving invaluable.
DUNDEE'S 28 YEARS' EXPERIENCE.
/10TOR vehicles for fire protection have been in coinIVIniission at Dundee since 1908, and Mr. J. S. Weir, M.I.Fire E., the firemaster, cannot speak too highly of their value, especially in a hilly city like Dundee. Furthermore, they enable long-distance calls to fires outside the city boundaries to be speedily answered.
Practically all the machines in the service of the brigade are of Leyland make. One of the fleet is a six-wheeler, which is found most suitable for negotiating soft ground, and it is interesting to learn that this appliance was taken over the soft sea beach at Broughty Ferry, at low water, without its chain tracks being fitted on the rear wheels, and no trouble was encountered.
ACTON'S CHIEF CALLS FOR HIGH H.P.
D EFERRING to the requirements of chief officers of fire II-brigades, Mr. S. Culnane, chief officer of the Acton Brigade, impresses upon manufacturers the need for the horse-power of all fire appliances being well above that
required for general purposes. He expresses this view, first, because there is no tax on fire engines and the average mileage is small, secondly, because every atom of power is required for a quick getaway, and, lastly, by reason of the load that is put on the machine after it has been delivered. He quotes a case in which a fire tender was delivered with the• usual type of commercial power unit, and, after the chief officer had had the usual fire-brigade appurtenances added, it was found that the machine was overloaded and that top gear could seldom be used.
He admits that the makers of fire appliances have a more difficult job in the production of these specialized machines than in the mass production of lorries, because conditions vary in different districts, and a machine suitable for one might be totally unsuitable for use in another.
MIDDLESBROUGH AND OILERS FOR FIRE DUTIES.
THE motor-propelled appliances in the service of Middlesbrough Fire Brigade comprise a Merryweather turntable escape with a capacity of .500 g.p.m., a 250 g:p.m pump of the same' make, two Leyland -engines, one of 700 g.p.m. capacity and the other of 400 g.p.m. capacity, and a Leylahd fire-tender. The 'district covered ;by. ,the brigade " is such. that the standard range of
appliances adequately meets requirements. : Mt.' -W. H. Mardon, the chief fire officer, thinks that the next few years will witness changes in the power units used for fire 'engines, and, now that starting difficulties have been overcome, he fcirenees the adoptiOn of high-speed oil engines. He thinks' that manufacturers would not be disappointed with the results from a fire engine incorporating an oil power unit and a torque converter.
SUNDERLAND APPRECIATES MODERN MACHINES.
rr HE value of motor-propelled appliances means much to Sunderland, due to the fact that all the machines are housed in a central station and comparatively long runs have to be made to reach the furthermost points of the
borough. Modern machines can quickly respond to a
country call, whereas, in the old days, with horse-drawn appliances, a definite limit had to be made on the range possible and it was necessary to " nurse " the animals, even over comparatively short distances. Another advantage is that motor pumps are driven by the prime-mover, as are power-driven escapes, whereas, with horse-drawn appliances, it was necessary to obtain and maintain a sufficient pressure of steam to work the pumps. This, of course, also meant procuring a large supply of coal when operating at an extensive fire.
Then, again, the combination of escape and pump obviates the necessity of turning out two separate appliances. Another advantage is that, upon returning to the station after working at a fire, modern machines have only to be filled up with petrol to be ready to respond to another call, which allows the firemen to change into dry clothing without delay, or at night to return to bed at once. With horse-drawn fire-engines, there was at least an hour's hard work for the firemen after returning from an outbreak. Homes had to be washed and tended, and fire boxes cleaned out and relaid with fuel ready for the next call. This work could never be left until the men had changed, or until next morning.