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COMBINED WATERING WAGON AND FIRE PUMP.

22nd August 1922, Page 15
22nd August 1922
Page 15
Page 15, 22nd August 1922 — COMBINED WATERING WAGON AND FIRE PUMP.
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MOST municipalities have long ago realized the need for replacing antiqus,ted fire-fighting appliances by more rapid and up-to-date plant, and while this has been done in most of the larger towns and cities, many of the smaller authorities find that the expense of a. large motor-driven fire-engine is out of all proportion to the needs and resources of their districts.. It is to the latter, therefore, that the vehicle described in this article ought to make special appeal; although there are certain authorities in the larger towns who will find that a machine capable of performing the combined duties of washing and watering the streets and putting out fires is a most useful acquisition. The manufacturers of this two-purpose vehicle are Automobiles M. Berliet, whose works are situated at Lyons, France, while their London office is located at 40, Saeleville Street, W. 1.

To deal first, with the watering and fire-fighting gear of the machine. A tank, constructed from steel plates 6 mm. thick, which measures 12 ft. in length, 5 ft.. in breadth and 2 ft. 9 ins. in height, and is capable of holding 1,000 gallons, is carried on a wooden cradle attached to the chassis. The tank is provided with a large manhole on the top, and also a special inlet at, the rear for use when it is being filled from hydrants.

Between the clutch and the gearbox a centrifugal pump is lodated, all the metallic parts of which are made of bronze. This pump is driven by a silent chain from a gearwheel on the propeller shaft, and is put into action by means of a sliding clog-clutch

controlled by a lever at the driver's right hand.

From the pump pipes are carried to the sprayers, which are located one on each side ahead of the front wheels. The control of the sprayers is by means of two handles—due to each sprayer— positioned alongside the driver and intended to be operated by an assistant seated on the driver's left. The output from either sprayer can be varied independently of the other, whilst the maximum width of roadway that can be watered, by both sprayers together is 115 ft. Two outlets are located in the pipes serving the -sprayers. They are used for flushing the surface of the roadway and are controlled by a third lever. The water is delivered to the sprayers by pressure from the pump. The pump can also be used to fill the tank and is provided with a suction as well as delivery orifices. The maximum suction of the pump is 20 ft.

To turn now to the fire-fighting eqaipment. The pump can either deliver water from the tank to the jets, in which case the supply will be used in about 7 minutes, or the suction orifice of the pump can be coupled to a hydrant, or other outside source, and supply the hoses direct.

A single union is located onthe right side of the vehicle to which the fire-hose can be attach.ed. Should it be desired to use two jets, a special Y connection should first be coupled to the union and the hoses attached to the Y coupling.

With one 45 mm. diameter hose, 200 ft. long, and using. a jet with, a nozzle 12 ram. in diameter, the pump can throw

a horizontal iiotream of water 115 ft. at a pressure of 70 lm. per sq. in., while under the same conditions a vertical jet of 65 ft. can be delivered, With two 'hoses 45 mm. in diameter, each 80 ft. long, and usiag a 12 mm. diameter nozzle mu each hose, the horizontal jet is 80 ft. from each jet, and the vertical jet 50 ft. It will thus be seen that the pump is capable of forcing a jet of -water on to the roof of an average-size house.

A wooden superstructure is fitted on the top of the tank for the carriage of hose, etc., and also to provide accommodation for six firemen, three on each side.

The chassis which is used for this combined appliance it the well-known 5-ton Berliet heavy-duty model, and apart from the fitting of the pump drive it is of standard design. This chassis has a four-cylinder engine rated at 50 from which a multiple plate clutch conveys the drive to a four-speed-and. reverse gearbox, in which the differential is also embodied, the final drive being by side roller chains. The vehicle is capable of a speed of about 15 miles per hour on top gear, and the whole putfit forms a really practicable fire-fighting unit which should prove of the utmost value.

The principal dimensions are as forlow Overall length, 22 ft. 4 ins. ; over all width, 7 ft. ; wheelbase, 13 ft. 9 ins; track, 5 ft.. 10 ins. ; chassis weight,

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Locations: Lyons

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