Heavy Mobile Fire Units for A,R.P. Duties
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Fordson 2-ton Chassis as the Basis of Well-equipped Vehicles Built for H. M. Othce of Works
VARIOUS attractive features characterise a heavy type of mobile fire unit which is being built for H.M. Office of Works as A.R.P. equipment. We are indebted for particulars of these vehicles to Jensen Motors, Ltd., of West Bromwich, which is constructing the cab, body and lockers on chassis supplied by B. Billingham, Ltd., of Snow Bill, Wolverhampton.
The chassis is a Fordson 2-tonner, fully equipped with electric starting and lighting and provided with a spring-loaded trailer hitch for towing purposes. On this chassis there is mounted a Ta.ngye pumping unit, in which a Pord V8 petrol engine is directly coupled to a single-stage urbo-vol ute pump.
Four gunmetal outlet valves are provided, with instantaneous pressure. release couplings. The delivery capacity depends, naturally, on the outlet back pressure and varies in almost diteet proportion to that pressure from ts00 g.p.m. at 80 lb. per sq. in. to 400 g.p.m. at 160 lb. per sq. in.
At the front of the unit there is a two-compartment cab. The forward section accommodates the driver and one fireman ; in the other there are seats for four firemen facing to the rear.
The pump unit is located almost over the rear axle and on each side of it there are racks holding four lengths of 5+-in. suction hose, making 32 ft. in all. The delivery hose is stored in lockers fitted with doors which lift up and slide in by means of a Jensen rack-and-pinion device, which has been approved by H.M. Office of Works. A 30-ft. extension escape ladder is carried above the pump unit.