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Posted: Aug 3, 2017
By Alan M. Petrillo
Makers of ventilation equipment offer models that run from small, compact units to large fans that can rapidly cool and clear big structures.
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| 1 Spokane Valley (WA) Fire Department firefighters perform a positive-pressure attack using a Ventry Solutions model 24GX200 PPV fan. (Photos 1-3 courtesy of Ventry Solutions Inc.) |
The ventilation options available to fire departments are varied, and how the units are carried aboard fire vehicles differs by the size of the equipment.
Gas and Electric
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| 2 Mica-Kidd Island (ID) Fire Department firefighters get set to deploy Ventry Solutions PPV fans during a training exercise. Note that one of the fans already has its legs extended. |
James Neils, chief executive officer of Ventry Solutions Inc., says the most popular positive pressure ventilation (PPV) fan his company makes is the 20GX160, a 66-pound fan with a 20-inch aircraft style Ventry Safety Propeller, run by a 4.8-horsepower (hp) gasoline motor that can move 17,300 cubic feet per minute (cfm). “It’s our most popular because it fits in the compartments on most fire trucks,” Neils says. “If a fan doesn’t fit in a compartment, it isn’t going to get to the fire scene.”
Ventry Solutions also makes the 24GX200, an 88-pound wheeled PPV fan with a 24-inch propeller that Neils says “fits in compartments on larger pumpers as well as on aerial ladders and rescues.” The unit develops 29,500 cfm and is powered by a 5.5-hp gasoline motor.
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| 3 Hauser Lake (ID) Fire Protection District personnel use a Ventry Solutions 24GX160 PPV fan during a training exercise. |
“Our base model PPV fan comes with an open flow guard, the Ventry Safety Propeller, and all-terrain legs,” Neils points out. “Wheels are a popular option that some departments choose for the 20GX160 fan as well as LED or halogen lights powered by a coil in the fan. Both of our models have a 20-degree tilt and are lifted nearly 1½ feet off the ground by the all-terrain legs, giving the fans a wider range of aiming.” Beefier wheels, new rubber leg ends, and double MIG-welded reinforced guards are some recent improvements to Ventry’s PPV fans, he adds.
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4 Super Va
Read more
- 189
- Article rating: No rating
Posted: Aug 3, 2017
By Alan M. Petrillo
Makers of ventilation equipment offer models that run from small, compact units to large fans that can rapidly cool and clear big structures.
|
| 1 Spokane Valley (WA) Fire Department firefighters perform a positive-pressure attack using a Ventry Solutions model 24GX200 PPV fan. (Photos 1-3 courtesy of Ventry Solutions Inc.) |
The ventilation options available to fire departments are varied, and how the units are carried aboard fire vehicles differs by the size of the equipment.
Gas and Electric
|
| 2 Mica-Kidd Island (ID) Fire Department firefighters get set to deploy Ventry Solutions PPV fans during a training exercise. Note that one of the fans already has its legs extended. |
James Neils, chief executive officer of Ventry Solutions Inc., says the most popular positive pressure ventilation (PPV) fan his company makes is the 20GX160, a 66-pound fan with a 20-inch aircraft style Ventry Safety Propeller, run by a 4.8-horsepower (hp) gasoline motor that can move 17,300 cubic feet per minute (cfm). “It’s our most popular because it fits in the compartments on most fire trucks,” Neils says. “If a fan doesn’t fit in a compartment, it isn’t going to get to the fire scene.”
Ventry Solutions also makes the 24GX200, an 88-pound wheeled PPV fan with a 24-inch propeller that Neils says “fits in compartments on larger pumpers as well as on aerial ladders and rescues.” The unit develops 29,500 cfm and is powered by a 5.5-hp gasoline motor.
|
| 3 Hauser Lake (ID) Fire Protection District personnel use a Ventry Solutions 24GX160 PPV fan during a training exercise. |
“Our base model PPV fan comes with an open flow guard, the Ventry Safety Propeller, and all-terrain legs,” Neils points out. “Wheels are a popular option that some departments choose for the 20GX160 fan as well as LED or halogen lights powered by a coil in the fan. Both of our models have a 20-degree tilt and are lifted nearly 1½ feet off the ground by the all-terrain legs, giving the fans a wider range of aiming.” Beefier wheels, new rubber leg ends, and double MIG-welded reinforced guards are some recent improvements to Ventry’s PPV fans, he adds.
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4 Super Va
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- 148
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Posted: Aug 3, 2017
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Carl J. Haddon |
I’ve been asked the question, “How does the topic of encapsulator agent correlate with the column title ‘To the Rescue’?” Great question, easy answer.
Webster’s Dictionary and Google define “rescue” as “coming to the aid of; save from imminent danger or imminent harm.” Technical rescue equipment and apparatus are typically what come to mind when you see my column title. Read on while I explore the possibility of changing the title of this column … or not.
Those we are sworn to serve are not the only ones who need rescue. The nature of our chosen profession puts us in harm’s way and imminent danger at every turn. With the new and increasing dangers, threats, and especially cancers facing fire, rescue, and emergency medical service personnel daily, I have chosen to seek out new and innovative products and equipment that not only can help those we respond to but also can help minimize threats to our (emergency responders’) health and well-being. I hope to showcase these goods and services here in my column. This is the first installment.
Encapsulator Agents
Electrical transformer explosions and fires are nothing new. Solar panel arrays and solar panel covered rooftops (especially commercial) are becoming more and more common across the country. Fires involving (always energized) solar panels are also on the rise. The average age of electrical transformers in the United States is 40 years old. Have you ever really looked to see just how many transformers exist in your response area? Because of age and degradation, we are seeing more and more of them catastrophically fail with resultant fires. These fires are typically difficult to fight because of the extremely high temperature of the spewing, burning, heavy oil inside the transformer and the very high temperature of the metal encasing the oil. Remember, too, that when the oil inside the transformer catches fire, it expands, causing a spewing and flowing (three-dimensional) fuel fire. This is to say nothing of the fact that it may or may not be energized. The good news is that you can (usually) have the power to these transformers cut. The problem is that sometimes it takes a while to get that power cut. Until now, these fires would often take hours and hours to fight.
Unlike electrical transformers, solar panels are 100 percent live 100 percent of the time. Basically, if light (most any light) is reaching solar panel cells, they should be considered and treated as energized. These panels often now feed lithium ion battery banks (the subject of a whole other article), which pose a new and VERY challenging firefight. With the aforementioned hazards and makeup of these fires, it has been proven that water, foam, and dry chemical extinguishing agents are most often ineffective and often contraindicated because of the presence of electrical current feedback potential.
Unlike these other extinguishment tools, (real) encapsulator agents form a cocoon around the water molecules (spherical micelles), which allows the agent to contact the heat source first, thereby “insulating” the water molecules from both heat and (under approved conditions) electricity. In other words, this technology allows for super rapid cooling of the oil and metal by way of “thermal conveyance” as opposed to plain water’s steam conversion. This rapid cooling allows for lowering the autoignition temperature of the heat source. Additionally, because of the polarity of the encapsulator agent’s molecular structure, the agent solution (3 percent) “encapsulates” the hydrocarbon fuel o
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- Article rating: No rating
Posted: Aug 3, 2017
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Carl J. Haddon |
I’ve been asked the question, “How does the topic of encapsulator agent correlate with the column title ‘To the Rescue’?” Great question, easy answer.
Webster’s Dictionary and Google define “rescue” as “coming to the aid of; save from imminent danger or imminent harm.” Technical rescue equipment and apparatus are typically what come to mind when you see my column title. Read on while I explore the possibility of changing the title of this column … or not.
Those we are sworn to serve are not the only ones who need rescue. The nature of our chosen profession puts us in harm’s way and imminent danger at every turn. With the new and increasing dangers, threats, and especially cancers facing fire, rescue, and emergency medical service personnel daily, I have chosen to seek out new and innovative products and equipment that not only can help those we respond to but also can help minimize threats to our (emergency responders’) health and well-being. I hope to showcase these goods and services here in my column. This is the first installment.
Encapsulator Agents
Electrical transformer explosions and fires are nothing new. Solar panel arrays and solar panel covered rooftops (especially commercial) are becoming more and more common across the country. Fires involving (always energized) solar panels are also on the rise. The average age of electrical transformers in the United States is 40 years old. Have you ever really looked to see just how many transformers exist in your response area? Because of age and degradation, we are seeing more and more of them catastrophically fail with resultant fires. These fires are typically difficult to fight because of the extremely high temperature of the spewing, burning, heavy oil inside the transformer and the very high temperature of the metal encasing the oil. Remember, too, that when the oil inside the transformer catches fire, it expands, causing a spewing and flowing (three-dimensional) fuel fire. This is to say nothing of the fact that it may or may not be energized. The good news is that you can (usually) have the power to these transformers cut. The problem is that sometimes it takes a while to get that power cut. Until now, these fires would often take hours and hours to fight.
Unlike electrical transformers, solar panels are 100 percent live 100 percent of the time. Basically, if light (most any light) is reaching solar panel cells, they should be considered and treated as energized. These panels often now feed lithium ion battery banks (the subject of a whole other article), which pose a new and VERY challenging firefight. With the aforementioned hazards and makeup of these fires, it has been proven that water, foam, and dry chemical extinguishing agents are most often ineffective and often contraindicated because of the presence of electrical current feedback potential.
Unlike these other extinguishment tools, (real) encapsulator agents form a cocoon around the water molecules (spherical micelles), which allows the agent to contact the heat source first, thereby “insulating” the water molecules from both heat and (under approved conditions) electricity. In other words, this technology allows for super rapid cooling of the oil and metal by way of “thermal conveyance” as opposed to plain water’s steam conversion. This rapid cooling allows for lowering the autoignition temperature of the heat source. Additionally, because of the polarity of the encapsulator agent’s molecular structure, the agent solution (3 percent) “encapsulates” the hydrocarbon fuel o
Read more
- 191
- Article rating: No rating
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