Huddersfield's Fire-tender does useful work
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ylETAlLS are to hand from Huds dersfield Corporation of the service given by a Karrier fire-tender which the authority has had in service since October last year. The vehicle is of the enclosed type, equipped with many first-aid appliances, and this style of bodywork is showing up satisfactorily under working conditions. The machine wils really purchased to deal with the large number of small fires which is experienced; for these a motor pump is not required, because the borough has a good pressure and volume of water in the mains . (the average pressure being 85 lb.).
It is found that this vehicle, which has accommodation for one officer and six firemen, is used for about 80 per cent, of the calls received, and in less than 11 months it has attended 61 calls, having travelled 429 miles. The chassis is of the Karrier Coaster type, having a wheelbase of 13 ft., a four-cylindered 68 b.h.p. engine, a sevento-one axle ratio and 36-in. by 6-in, highpressure tyres. The body was locally built by Messrs. A. Hawkes and Son, Huddersfield, the aim being to give the firemen weather protection without impairing efficiency.
'.;There is a. 25-ft extending ladder on the roof, and two 13-ft. 6-in, scaling ladders are employed, as well as a short ladder for reaching the roof. The interior equipment is most complete, for, in addition to numbers of Pyrene foam extinguishers and soda-acid extinguishers, useful for dealing with bulk petroleum and small outbreaks, there are searchlight and floodlight appli
ances ; also an A.L. oxy-acetylene metalcutting plant, a Dennis 120-gallon portable pump, a Pyrene foam generator with 1.2 charges, and two 50-ft, lengths of hose, numerous 25-yd. lengths of hydrant hose, and a 25-yd. length cf 1-in, hose on a reel with a 2i-in, adapter for instantaneous coupling and shut-oil nozzle to prevent unnecessary damage by water.
Two Proto one-hour oxygen breathing sets are carried, with eight Puretha gas masks and a smoke helmet and bellows, whilst other useful appliances include a jumping sheet, a life belt and line, three saws, a Simplex jack with bar and chain, a pick-axe, spade, hammer, electrician's chisel, rubber gloves, electric hand lamps and first-aid box.