Fire engine
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design—
which way?
continued from previous page
brake systems. What is probably the first UK fire engine to be fitted with it has already entered service.
ERF has also evaluated the Dunlop Ma..xaretto full air antiskid system on their appliances.
Chubb had the advantage of starting with a clean sheet in the design of its Pacesetter appliance and their Futuristic cab already complies with the stringent EEC cab impact regulations, ERF is in the fortunate position of having the design and construction expertise gained by the parent truck company in the design of the B-Series cab.
As previously stated the cost of developing a cab, especially for relatively small production would be prohibitive. It is conceivable that some appliance builders would opt to buy a cab outside.
The main source of in-cab noise is obviously the engine and by locating it at the rear of the chassis on its Pacesetter, Chubb has effectively eliminated the problem. It is unlikely that other appliance builders would alter their designs to any such drastic extent. They will continue to rely on shifting the air cleaners and exhaust, as necessary, and using insulating material around the engine cover and interior body panels.
On the body side UK brigades still favour the traditional composite construction with wood frames and aluminium clad timber panels. The rest of Europe and the USA favour steel construction while Australia and New Zealand prefer all-aluminium.
In the UK the trend could go either way though the initial leaning is toward greater use of aluminium. Lightweight aluminium bodies having panels with integral folds, i.e., an almost integral construction provide for relatively low maintenance costs arid cheaper unit construction than composite models.
The logical progression is to follow current haulage body practice with aluminium member frames riveted to aluminium panels.
On balance steel bodies are as easy to repair though if spot welding were used in construction this could cause problems for easy maintenance and accident repairs.