Underfloor Power for Fire Appliances
Page 35
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A RECENT Home Office specification r-ifor a high-powered water tender was filled by a special Commer chassis with a wheelbase of 11 ft. 9 ins. The first complete vehicle based on this chassis was delivered to Bracknell t Berkshire) Fire Brigade by the bodybuilder, Alex J. Marsh, Ltd., Lysons Avenue, Ash Vale, Surrey.
Like other Commer designs in the 5-7-ton range, the fire appliance chassis has an underfloor engine with a maximum power output of 109 b.h.p. Dual fuel pumps and ignition coils are fitted. and heavy-duty shock absorbers damp the front and rear spring oscillations.
Distributed resistance high tension leads prevent interference with radio equipment. At front and rear 9.00 by 20-in, low-pressure tyres are used.
Fa this chassis the bodybuilder has fitted a smart and practical limousine body. Immediately behind the sixseater cab is a 400-gallon water tank and its associated pumping gear.
Behind it on a dropped extension of the frame is a light mobile pump. The body sides are occupied by lockers for a multiplicity of stores.
Both the driving and crew compartments have exceptionally wide doors, and a neat detail incorporated by the bodybuilder is a specially designed step on the front wing, differing from the standard Commer fitting. By sweeping the step up towards the front, rubberbooted firemen are prevented from slipping when leaving the cab.
Towards the rear, the body sides are swept down, revealing the twin 180-ft. hose reels, the Ajax 35-ft extending ladder and the full-length hose boxes. There are three ladder gallows, each with rubber-covered rollers. The front one also has a spring-loaded roller which rides over the top of the ladder and rises as the ladder is withdrawn Rattling and movement of the ladder are thus prevented. The centre gantry is situated so that the ladder is balanced on it. An eccentric clamp on the rear gallows locks the ladder in place.
At the rear, the Coventry Climax light mobile pump is carried transversely on a low platform, held in place by a simple clamp. On the deck there are two stands for the searchlight. Power for this instrument, as well as for the multitude of lights fitted, derives from two 12-volt 180-amp.-hr. batteries carried in a compartment in the cab bulkhead. A similar compartment alongside is provided for the radio equipment.
Under the dashboard there is a combined battery-charging and radiator immersion-heater plug. In subsequent models a small immersion heater is also to be fitted in the water tank; jack-knife cab doors will also be employed. A means for irrigating the tyres when the vehicle is used for fighting heath fires is also provided. The main pump drive, power-take-off, relief valve, selector mechanism and hose reels are all of D.P.P. manufacture.
All-up weight of the appliance, including crew, water and equipment, is approximately 8 tons. On the road the vehicle proved capable of attaining a speed of more than 45 m.p.h. Minimum ground clearance is 14 ins, and the overall, height is 9 ft. 6 ins. Overall length and width are 22 ft. and 7 ft. 4 'i's., resrectively.