Are You Dissolving Your Assets?

Our state most often uses Magnesium Chloride which is more environmentally friendly than Calcium Chloride or Sodium Chloride but this product does contain more Chlorides than other de-icers. The increase of Chlorides inherently increases the corrosion characteristics of a product. On the WSDOT website the possible harm caused to our vehicles is addressed in two sentences, “Most vehicles are made with a protective under coating that helps the vehicle resist damage and corrosion. WSDOT continues to strongly recommend drivers who drive on roads treated with anti-icer wash their vehicles to prevent build-up.” The important part to extract from this statement is “most vehicles,” as we know; Fire Department vehicles are not most vehicles. Our equipment is comprised of varying makes and models of both proprietary and custom chassis, some of these vehicles included superior resistance while some do not. With that in mind it is paramount to emphasize the importance of specifying additional corrosion protection on our newly built apparatus. When inspecting apparatus at the mid-build point it is important to verify that the openings for lights, compartment seams, and paint breaks have been fully painted leaving no openings or bare metal exposed to the exterior. These create open doorways for these chemical invaders to creep under the protective coatings and cause damage that is often discovered too late. Damage can be discovered at varying degrees of the oxidation process from seemingly tiny bubbles under paint to extensive patches of paint falling from the vehicle. This is often most evident toward the lower rear portions of an apparatus where road mists are deposited.

The effects of Chlorides are not limited to body damage, severe damage to under-carriage and wiring can also be found. With the ever growing complexity of vehicle wiring and use of multiplexed systems, very minor damage such as connector pin surface corrosion can cause large scale problems to the vehicles our citizens rely on.

What are the signs that anti-icing products may be on the roadway? First of all the onset of freezing temperatures should be your first indicator of the use of these products. Lines or residue may be visible on the roadway as well after first application. Another good indicator of the season for possible application of road anti-icing chemicals is the start of the legal studded tire season. In many cases the anticipation of freezing temperatures may lead to “pre-treatment” of the roadway before the ice actually forms, this usually occurs in a window no larger than 48 hours before the expected storm. 

What can we do today? This is the simplest part of the equation, use WSDOT’s recommendation and rinse the vehicle off, this should be done following every return to quarters. This doesn’t require a full detail after every alarm, however, a thorough rinse which is to include directing a spray upwards onto the undercarriage and inside wheel wells is critical. This can be assisted by using an extended washing wand with a 90 degree head such as the Orbit 36” 9 pattern spray wand PN 58674N available from Sears for around $20. By enacting policy or guidelines for winter operations of vehicles and reminding all personnel of these guidelines on an annual basis we can reduce damage caused by these products and increase apparatus service life.

By: Justin Claibourn, Washington Fire Mechanics Board Member