In this fourth article of the series, I discuss the exothermic torch, or thermal lance. An exothermic torch cuts ferrous and nonferrous metals, including stainless steel and heavily rusted, painted, and concreted encrusted metal, using pressurized oxygen and a metal rod/tube to create a high-temperature flame.

The operator ignites the tip of the rod by sparking it against a 12-VDC battery striker plate as the oxygen flows through the rod, creating a class D fire at 10,000°F as long as the oxygen flows by depressing the trigger on the torch handle. It is not a precise tool. This torch takes less training than the other torches. Developed originally for demolition and machinery repair work, it now comes in backpack/tactical versions for special operations teams.

Exothermic reaction is defined as a chemical reaction resulting in a release of energy—in this case, heat and light, just like other torches. This torch consists of a long steel tube packed with alloy steel rods, sometimes mixed with aluminum rods to increase the heat output. One end of the tube is placed in a handle, and oxygen is fed through the tube. Some exothermic torches even operate underwater.

Do not burn the rod completely down to the handle. This will result in damage to the interior parts. Leave a few inches of rod, then switch out. Personal protective equipment (PPE) includes a shade 10 lens required, burn jacket, helmet/shield, and gloves.

Do not use petroleum products around pure oxygen because concentrated levels of oxygen can lower the ignition/flammable level of the petroleum, potentially causing a fire.

The torch is lit by arcing the rod while flowing oxygen with a battery. This electrical spark requires a surge of at least 100 amps to ignite the rod. If the battery has not been properly charged, it will not have enough amperage to ignite the cutting rod.

To accomplish this, the operator drags the alloy rod (connected to one pole of the battery) across a metal plate connected to the other pole of the battery, igniting the rod by causing a series of short circuits creating hot sparks. This ignites the rod and starts the exothermic reaction. The metal plate collecting the slag from igniting rods can cause poor electrical connections, which means it needs to be cleaned or replaced. The rod begins burning back immediately, losing length. Battery life is short also because of the short circuiting of the cells when igniting the rod. Therefore, you must be in position to cut as soon as the rod lights and keep pushing it against the object to be cut. There is now a system that uses two regular 9-volt batteries to ignite a redesigned rod, eliminating the large 12-VDC battery.

Slicing and piercing are the two most common techniques used with this type of torch. An intense ball of burning metal is produced at the rod end and can be used to cut rapidly through thick materials. The rod is quickly consumed. Once the rod is burned short, the operator lets off the oxygen trigger, discards the remaining stub, and installs a new one.

Most problems are with the battery having enough charge to ignite the rods. The only viable alternative is to keep extra batteries or get another torch. There is no tip to clean.

Before using this type of torch, visually inspect the following for damage:

• Torch.
• Striker plate.
• Electric cable.
• Oxygen supply hose.
• Electrical and gas fittings/connections (should be tight).
• Battery.

TIPS FOR EXOTHERMIC CUTTING

Exothermic cutting procedures vary based on the job. The standard process for exothermic cutting is done by a push technique. Hold the rod at a 45-to 80-degree angle to the work piece. Always maintain a proper travel speed. The speed of the cut tends to get too fast when the kerf is not visible to t

The West Douglas County (CO) Fire Protection District was formed in 1980 by combining three underfunded volunteer fire districts. The new district struggled to provide appropriate fire apparatus for its firefighters, with its fleet consisting primarily of used apparatus or rigs that were underpowered and didn’t meet the district’s needs. Beginning in 2006, the district received state and federal grants that substantially funded two Type 1/3 wildland urban interface (WUI) engines, a Type 1/3 wildland rescue engine, two brush trucks, two ambulances, extensive extrication equipment, a foam trailer, and most recently, two Rosenbauer water tenders (also known as tankers).

Assistant Chief David George-Nichols says the two new Rosenbauer tenders replaced a 1980 Kenworth 3,000-gallon tender with a body fabricated by a local builder and a used 1960s-era military 2½-ton 6×6 with a small pump and a 1,000-gallon water tank. “One third of our district is rolling grassland running from canyons to a state highway and the South Platte River,” George-Nichols points out, “and the use of a 3,000-gallon tender has been traditional in Douglas County.”

He continues, “We wrote a spec and got a good response from Rosenbauer and decided to go with them for the 3,000-gallon tender. We also needed a tender on a single rear axle with a shorter wheelbase that could negotiate long unimproved gravel roads and driveways that may be a mile or two long, as well as being able go off road in the national forest, so we chose a Rosenbauer tactical tender.”

Floyd Bacon, owner of Max Fire, who sold the two tenders to West Douglas, says Rosenbauer built Tender 132 on a Kenworth T880 two

According to the NY Post, an FDNY fire apparatus was recorded on video giving a ride to civilians who were seen taking selfies while hanging out of the rig’s window.

The tower ladder was filmed driving away with the civilian passengers with its warning lights activated.

According to the report, officials are working to identify the firefighters involved and the passengers, one of whom reportedly donned a helmet.

The post FDNY Investigating Civilians Riding Inside Fire Truck appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.

PAUL WILCOXEN
The Southern Illinoisan, Ill.
(TNS)

HERRIN — The trucks have been rolling out of Herrin’s new fire station for months, but on Friday, the public finally got a chance to step inside.

City leaders, firefighters and residents gathered for a ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house, marking the department’s formal introduction of the modern facility to the community it serves.

Herrin community welcomes new fire station

The station replaces a nearly 50-year-old building on Park Avenue that was originally built for two or three firefighters per shift. With the department now staffing five per shift and managing more equipment, the old space had long outlived its usefulness.

Herrin Mayor Steve Frattini said the project took years of coordination between city officials, architects, contractors and department staff.

“The location here is strategic to our footprint as a city, our growth patterns, both population and the assets,” Frattini said.

Fire Chief Sean Priddy said the department has been operating from the new station for several months while adjusting to the space and preparing it for Friday’s event.

“We’ve been in it for a few months, trying to live in the space and figure out what else we need,” Priddy said. “We know the community wanted to come and see the building.”

The open house gave residents a chance to meet firefighters, tour the station and explore features the old facility lacked — including a conference and training room and dedicated areas for rescue simulations.

The former station, built in 1973, faced serious structural and environmental issues. Mold, roof leaks and failing HVAC systems made renovation difficult.

Engineering studies later confirmed that bringing the building up to code would cost more than starting fresh.

The new station was built with modern standards and future growth in mind. It includes expanded living quarters, wider bays for apparatus and safety upgrades designed to reduce firefighters’ exposure to harmful contaminants — a growing concern in the profession.

The station’s design also supports continued training and development, featuring a ventilated decontamination zone and a bay area where crews can simulate ladder rescues and basement fires.

“It’s really exciting to finally let people come and see what we’re so proud of,” Priddy said. “The community’s always supported us, and now they get to see the kind of facility that support helped build.”

• Aurora (IL) Considers $570K Renovation of Fire Station 3
• Carbondale (IL) FD Dedicates New Rescue Pumper
• Peoria (IL) FD Adds New Ladder Truck, Two Pumpers for $3.2M

The Herrin Chamber of Commerce helped organize the event. Chamber President Rhiannon Storm thanked the city and the fire department for opening the building to the public.

“This beautiful new firehouse is something to celebrate,” Storm said.

After the ceremony, tours continued th