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Posted: Jan 1, 2019

Fire Apparatus Rollovers, Part 1

BY CHRIS DALY


In this series of articles, we will examine some of the more serious safety issues faced by the fire apparatus operator. By reviewing recent case studies, it is apparent that our first topic should be that of fire apparatus rollovers. Rollovers are a common cause of fire apparatus crashes.

Many of these rollovers are the direct result of excess speed or an inappropriate steering maneuver. When a fire apparatus with a high center of gravity is combined with excess speed and harsh steering, disaster often results. Unfortunately, many driver training programs lack an in-depth explanation of rollover dynamics.


ROLLOVER THRESHOLDS

The first step in understanding rollover dynamics is to understand the concept of a “rollover threshold.” A vehicle’s rollover threshold is a numerical relationship between the height of the vehicle’s center of gravity and the track width (distance between the rear wheels). The higher the vehicle’s rollover threshold, the more stable the vehicle. The rollover threshold of a vehicle is calculated using the “Equation 1” formula above.

As evidenced by this formula, a vehicle with a low center of gravity is more stable because it has a higher rollover threshold. Therefore, automobile manufacturers strive to design vehicles that have low centers of gravity. If the design and function of the vehicle prevents the center of gravity from being lowered any further, the only way to increase the vehicle’s rollover threshold is to make it wider. A good example of this concept is a quarry truck. Although the vehicle’s center of gravity is high off the ground, the vehicle is relatively stable because it is so wide.

Unfortunately, fire apparatus manufacturers are limited in how wide they can build a vehicle. This is because fire apparatus drive on public highways and must fit within a travel lane. Because a fire apparatus can only be built so wide, any increase in the center of gravity height reduces the vehicle’s stability and increases the risk of rollover.

1. A vehicle’s rollover threshold is a relationship between the height of its center of gravity and the track width (distance between the rear wheels). A vehicle with a low center of gravity has a higher rollover threshold. A higher rollover threshold translates to better stability and more resistance to a rollover. (Photo by author.)

1 A vehicle’s rollover threshold is a relationship between the height of its center of gravity and the track width (distance between the rear wheels). A vehicle with a low center of gravity has a higher rollover threshold. A higher rollover threshold translates to better stability and more resistance to a rollover. (Photo by author.)


NFPA 1901 requires a minimum rollover threshold. The rollover threshold can be calculated or determined with tilt table testing. This photograph demonstrates tilt-table testing at KME. (Photo courtesy of KME.)

2 NFPA 1901 requ

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Recent Fire Apparatus Orders
Recent Fire Apparatus Orders
Posted: Jan 1, 2019

Recent Fire Apparatus Orders

Compiled by Ron Heal


ARKANSAS

E-ONE—Searcy Fire Department 92-foot aerial platform quint. Cyclone II cab and chassis; Cummins X12 500-hp engine; Hale Qmax 2,000-gpm pump; UPF Poly 300-gallon tank; FRC ACT 3-way aerial intercom; Firecom wireless intercom kit; TFT 1,000-gpm electric monitor for platform. Sold by Darrell Osborn, Sunbelt Fire Inc., Fairhope, AL. Delivery in July.

CALIFORNIA

Rosenbauer—California Office of Emergency Services, Mather, tactical water tender. Freightliner M2 cab and chassis; Cummins L9 350-hp engine; Darley HM 500-gpm pump; UPF Poly 2,000-gallon tank; 20-gallon foam cell; FoamPro 1600 single-agent foam system; Ziamatic portable tank lift. Sold by Ken Howenstine. Burton’s Fire Equipment, Modesto, CA. Delivery in September.

Rosenbauer—Porterville Fire Department Type 6 mini pumpers (2). Ford F-550 4x4 cabs and chassis; Triton V-10 288-hp gas engines; Hale HPX-200 150-gpm pumps; UPF Poly 350-gallon tanks; 10-gallon foam cells; FoamPro 1600 Class A foam systems. Sold by Ken Howenstine, Burton’s Fire Equipment, Modesto, CA. Delivery in July.

FLORIDA

Sutphen—Cape Coral Fire Department 100-foot aerial platform quint. Monarch cab and chassis; Cummins X12 500-hp engine; Hale Qmax 2,000-gpm pump; UPF Poly 300-gallon tank; Harrison 10-kW generator. Sold by David Stonitsch, South Florida Emergency Vehicles, Fort Myers, FL. Delivery in July.

Sutphen—Estero Fire-Rescue pumper. Monarch cab and chassis; Cummins L9 450-hp engine; Hale Qmax 2,000-gpm pump; UPF Poly 750-gallon tank; 30-gallon foam cell; Elkhart eductor foam supply system. Sold by Clark Green, South Florida Emergency Vehicles, Fort Myers, FL. Delivery in August.

Sutphen—Fort Lauderdale Fire-Rescue pumpers (3). Monarch cabs and chassis; Cummins L9 450-hp engines; Hale Qtwo 1,500-gpm pumps; UPF Poly 750-gallon tanks; 30-gallon foam cells; FoamPro 2002 single-agent foam systems. Sold by Guy Lombardo, South Florida Emergency Vehicles, Fort Myers, FL. Delivery in August.

Sutphen—Iona McGregor Fire-Rescue, Fort Myers, SPH 100 aerial platform quint. Monarch cab and chassis; Cummins X12 500-hp engine; Hale Qmax 2,000-gpm pump; UPF Poly 300-gallon tank; 100-foot aerial platform; Harrison 10-kW generator. Sold by David Stonitsch, South Florida Emergency Vehicles, Fort Myers, FL. Delivery in Read more

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Recent Fire Apparatus Orders
Recent Fire Apparatus Orders
Posted: Jan 1, 2019

Recent Fire Apparatus Orders

Compiled by Ron Heal


ARKANSAS

E-ONE—Searcy Fire Department 92-foot aerial platform quint. Cyclone II cab and chassis; Cummins X12 500-hp engine; Hale Qmax 2,000-gpm pump; UPF Poly 300-gallon tank; FRC ACT 3-way aerial intercom; Firecom wireless intercom kit; TFT 1,000-gpm electric monitor for platform. Sold by Darrell Osborn, Sunbelt Fire Inc., Fairhope, AL. Delivery in July.

CALIFORNIA

Rosenbauer—California Office of Emergency Services, Mather, tactical water tender. Freightliner M2 cab and chassis; Cummins L9 350-hp engine; Darley HM 500-gpm pump; UPF Poly 2,000-gallon tank; 20-gallon foam cell; FoamPro 1600 single-agent foam system; Ziamatic portable tank lift. Sold by Ken Howenstine. Burton’s Fire Equipment, Modesto, CA. Delivery in September.

Rosenbauer—Porterville Fire Department Type 6 mini pumpers (2). Ford F-550 4x4 cabs and chassis; Triton V-10 288-hp gas engines; Hale HPX-200 150-gpm pumps; UPF Poly 350-gallon tanks; 10-gallon foam cells; FoamPro 1600 Class A foam systems. Sold by Ken Howenstine, Burton’s Fire Equipment, Modesto, CA. Delivery in July.

FLORIDA

Sutphen—Cape Coral Fire Department 100-foot aerial platform quint. Monarch cab and chassis; Cummins X12 500-hp engine; Hale Qmax 2,000-gpm pump; UPF Poly 300-gallon tank; Harrison 10-kW generator. Sold by David Stonitsch, South Florida Emergency Vehicles, Fort Myers, FL. Delivery in July.

Sutphen—Estero Fire-Rescue pumper. Monarch cab and chassis; Cummins L9 450-hp engine; Hale Qmax 2,000-gpm pump; UPF Poly 750-gallon tank; 30-gallon foam cell; Elkhart eductor foam supply system. Sold by Clark Green, South Florida Emergency Vehicles, Fort Myers, FL. Delivery in August.

Sutphen—Fort Lauderdale Fire-Rescue pumpers (3). Monarch cabs and chassis; Cummins L9 450-hp engines; Hale Qtwo 1,500-gpm pumps; UPF Poly 750-gallon tanks; 30-gallon foam cells; FoamPro 2002 single-agent foam systems. Sold by Guy Lombardo, South Florida Emergency Vehicles, Fort Myers, FL. Delivery in August.

Sutphen—Iona McGregor Fire-Rescue, Fort Myers, SPH 100 aerial platform quint. Monarch cab and chassis; Cummins X12 500-hp engine; Hale Qmax 2,000-gpm pump; UPF Poly 300-gallon tank; 100-foot aerial platform; Harrison 10-kW generator. Sold by David Stonitsch, South Florida Emergency Vehicles, Fort Myers, FL. Delivery in Read more

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Recent Fire Apparatus Deliveries
Recent Fire Apparatus Deliveries
Posted: Jan 1, 2019

Recent Fire Apparatus Deliveries

delivery of the month

Pierce—Village of Tinley Park (IL) Fire Department 100-foot RMAP PUC aerial platform quint. Detroit DD13 525-hp engine; 100-foot aerial platform; Pierce PUC 1,500-gpm pump; UPF Poly 300-gallon tank; Smart Power HR-10 10-kW generator. Dealer: Vince Baudek, Global Emergency Products, Aurora, IL.

Pierce—Village of Tinley Park (IL) Fire Department 100-foot RMAP PUC aerial platform quint. Detroit DD13 525-hp engine; 100-foot aerial platform; Pierce PUC 1,500-gpm pump; UPF Poly 300-gallon tank; Smart Power HR-10 10-kW generator. Dealer: Vince Baudek, Global Emergency Products, Aurora, IL.



E-ONE—Bloomington (IL) Fire Department pumper. Typhoon cab and chassis; Cummins L9 450-hp engine; eMAX 1,500-gpm pump; UPF poly 750-gallon tank; “Bloomington” custom-designed low hosebed; Onspot tire chains; Whelen warning light package. Dealer: Craig Hamerick, Banner Fire Equipment, Roxanna, IL. (Photo by author.)

E-ONE—Bloomington (IL) Fire Department pumper. Typhoon cab and chassis; Cummins L9 450-hp engine; eMAX 1,500-gpm pump; UPF poly 750-gallon tank; “Bloomington” custom-designed low hosebed; Onspot tire chains; Whelen warning light package. Dealer: Craig Hamerick, Banner Fire Equipment, Roxanna, IL. (Photo by author.)



HME Ahrens-Fox—Buchanan Township (MI) Fire Department top-mount-rescue pumper. HME 1871-W cab and chassis; Cummins ISL9 450-hp engine; Hale Qmax 1,500-gpm pump; UPF Poly 1,000-gallon tank; 30-gallon foam cell; Hale FoamLogix 2.1A Class A foam system; Harrison 8-kW generator. Dealer: Matt Creech, Kodiak Emergency Vehicles, Grand Ledge, MI.

HME Ahrens-Fox—Buchanan Township (MI) Fire Department top-mount-rescue pumper. HME 1871-W cab and chassis; Cummins ISL9 450-hp engine; Hale Qmax 1,500-gpm pump; UPF Poly 1,000-gallon tank; 30-gallon foam cell; Hale FoamLogix 2.1A Class A foam system; Harrison 8-kW generator. Dealer: Matt Creech, Kodiak Emergency Vehicles, Grand Ledge, MI.



Ferrara—Hoffman Estates (IL) Fire Department pumper. Igniter cab and chassis; Cummins ISL9 450-hp engine; Hale Qmax 1,500-gpm pump; 500-gallon polypropylene tank; Honda EM50005 5-kW generator; stainless steel body; Ziamatic QUIC-LIFT ladder rack; Whelen warning and scene lights. Dealer: Kevin Leuder, A.E.C. Fire & Safety, Springfield, IL. (Photo by author.)

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Recent Fire Apparatus Deliveries
Recent Fire Apparatus Deliveries
Posted: Jan 1, 2019

Recent Fire Apparatus Deliveries

delivery of the month

Pierce—Village of Tinley Park (IL) Fire Department 100-foot RMAP PUC aerial platform quint. Detroit DD13 525-hp engine; 100-foot aerial platform; Pierce PUC 1,500-gpm pump; UPF Poly 300-gallon tank; Smart Power HR-10 10-kW generator. Dealer: Vince Baudek, Global Emergency Products, Aurora, IL.

Pierce—Village of Tinley Park (IL) Fire Department 100-foot RMAP PUC aerial platform quint. Detroit DD13 525-hp engine; 100-foot aerial platform; Pierce PUC 1,500-gpm pump; UPF Poly 300-gallon tank; Smart Power HR-10 10-kW generator. Dealer: Vince Baudek, Global Emergency Products, Aurora, IL.



E-ONE—Bloomington (IL) Fire Department pumper. Typhoon cab and chassis; Cummins L9 450-hp engine; eMAX 1,500-gpm pump; UPF poly 750-gallon tank; “Bloomington” custom-designed low hosebed; Onspot tire chains; Whelen warning light package. Dealer: Craig Hamerick, Banner Fire Equipment, Roxanna, IL. (Photo by author.)

E-ONE—Bloomington (IL) Fire Department pumper. Typhoon cab and chassis; Cummins L9 450-hp engine; eMAX 1,500-gpm pump; UPF poly 750-gallon tank; “Bloomington” custom-designed low hosebed; Onspot tire chains; Whelen warning light package. Dealer: Craig Hamerick, Banner Fire Equipment, Roxanna, IL. (Photo by author.)



HME Ahrens-Fox—Buchanan Township (MI) Fire Department top-mount-rescue pumper. HME 1871-W cab and chassis; Cummins ISL9 450-hp engine; Hale Qmax 1,500-gpm pump; UPF Poly 1,000-gallon tank; 30-gallon foam cell; Hale FoamLogix 2.1A Class A foam system; Harrison 8-kW generator. Dealer: Matt Creech, Kodiak Emergency Vehicles, Grand Ledge, MI.

HME Ahrens-Fox—Buchanan Township (MI) Fire Department top-mount-rescue pumper. HME 1871-W cab and chassis; Cummins ISL9 450-hp engine; Hale Qmax 1,500-gpm pump; UPF Poly 1,000-gallon tank; 30-gallon foam cell; Hale FoamLogix 2.1A Class A foam system; Harrison 8-kW generator. Dealer: Matt Creech, Kodiak Emergency Vehicles, Grand Ledge, MI.



Ferrara—Hoffman Estates (IL) Fire Department pumper. Igniter cab and chassis; Cummins ISL9 450-hp engine; Hale Qmax 1,500-gpm pump; 500-gallon polypropylene tank; Honda EM50005 5-kW generator; stainless steel body; Ziamatic QUIC-LIFT ladder rack; Whelen warning and scene lights. Dealer: Kevin Leuder, A.E.C. Fire & Safety, Springfield, IL. (Photo by author.)

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