The London F.13.'s Latest Purchases
Page 39
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Two Well-equipped Merryweather Appliances Recently Added to the Large Fleet Used for the Protection of the Metropolis
I N execution of orders placed by the London County Council, Merryweather and Sons, Ltd., Greenwich, London, S.E.10, has recently supplied a further two motor pumps to the London Fire Brigade. One machine is a breathing-apparatus pump, and the other a " dual-purpose" engine which is fitted, in addition to a powerful Merryweather fire pump, with first-aid equipment and arrangements for carrying a wheeled fire-escape. Each machine has an Albion-Merryweather chassis as its basis, the six-cylindered engine developing 115 b.h.p.
The superstructure of the former is of the all-enclosed type, with two rows of seats at the forward end for the accommodation of driver and crew of six. Four doors, hinged on the forward edges, are provided, and the doors of the second compartment have drop windows.
Ample provision is made for the storage of five sets of breathing apparatus, with oxygen cylinders, etc.
The rear part of the body is divided into two horizontal compartments for the stowage of hose and other gear, with a door at the rear to enable hose to be run out from the upper section. At each side are horizontal doors pro-a
viding access to both compartments, which, with the two forward cabins, have internal lighting.
At the rear end, outside the bodywork, is a. Merryweather turbine fire pump, which has special characteristics to meet the requirements of the London Fire Brigade, as to quantity and pressure in relation to the engine power available for its operation. The pump has two suction inlets and four delivery outlets, each provided with wheel valve, gunmetal blank cap and chain; The pump is capable of delivering 850 g.p.m., and of working up to a pressure of 175 lb. per sq. in. A 15-ft. 6-in, length of armoured suction hose is carried coupled to the pump, and an 8-ft. length is also provided.
The roof has rollers and a locking device for carrying an extension ladder and two hook ladders.
A 12-volt lighting gystem is provided, with two head, two side, tail, reversing and " stop " lights, also a strip light at the rear for gauges and a lamp on a lead to reach any part of the machine. A socket is fitted at the rear, with a plug point, so that a head
lamp in a bracket may be brought into use.
The " dual-purpose " engine is similar in general design, but is also provided with first-aid equipment. This consists of a 45-gallon water tank with a small gear-type pump driven off the gearbox, and hose reel, etc., so arranged that, on engagement of the pump, water is drawn from the tank and delivered direct to the hese reel. A lever for engaging the pump-drive pear is operated from the driver's seat.
A multi-way control-wheel valve is fitted adjacent to the driving seat and will permit of three water circuits :— (1) Tank to pump and thence to reel; (2) hydrant to reel direct; (3) hydrant to tank direct for refilling.
The hand wheel is of polished gunmetal engraved with the position of the valve, and a 21-in. hose union is fitted on the near side of the chassis and piped to, the multi-way valve and thence to the 'hose wheel and tank hi the operation Of water circuits' 2 and 3. The. hose reel is fitted in the centre oi the second cabin, and hose can be run out from either side of the vehicle.