By Bill Adams

Apparatus manufacturers (OEMs) want their proprietary manufacturing specifications (specs) promulgated by prospective purchasers.

Buyer and seller proponents claim a level of quality is being established. That can be a valid claim. Opponents who advocate competitive bidding complain of favoritism and denounce the practice. That claim also has merit. OEMs protesting because another OEM’s spec was published are probably whining because they were beat before they got to the bid opening-a harsh but true statement. Once the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) publishes an OEM’s proprietary specification as its legal purchasing document, it owns it. It is the AHJ’s to justify and to defend if challenged. The merits of publishing proprietary specifications are not in question. The subject of this article is when those specs include an OEM’s compartment floor rating-an ill-defined, confusing, and misunderstood topic.

My intent was to illustrate how OEMs establish a compartment floor rating for a typical full-height body compartment approximately 40 inches wide by 60 inches high by 24 inches deep (40 × 60 × 24) located ahead of a pumper’s rear wheels. Some OEMs declined to comment. Others gave ambiguous responses. Others were extremely detailed. I researched manufacturers’ Web sites, literature, brochures, and technical specifications.

1 Riveted to the web on the frame rail of this antique Mack pumper are rigid stamped steel outriggers. Similar supports today are mostly removable aluminum or steel structural angle iron, channel, or tubular configurations. Each manufacturer has its own unique method of fabricating compartment support systems. (Photos by author unless otherwise noted.)

OEMs do not speak the same language when addressing the subject. What some call (compartment) floor ratings others call weight capacities, load capacities, weight ratings, and storage ratings. All are measured in pounds. I collectively refer to all as weight ratings.

Whether OEMs specify them to establish a level of quality, to hold specific equipment, or to beat their competition is immaterial. OEMs can say, claim, or infer anything they want in their literature and suggested specifications. They’re seldom asked to substantiate advertising, especially by prospective purchasers who favor their products. In a regulated bidding environment, if a purchaser adopts an OEM’s weight rating, accurately defining it is very important. Purchaser is synonymous with the fire department, AHJ, apparatus purchasing committee (APC), or whoever signs the check.

Accountability

When purchasers specify compartment weight ratings-which they have the right to do-the burden is on bidders to comply or take exception. In political subdivisions, purchasers have a legal responsibility to impartially evaluate bidders’ claims of compliance. That may not be an easy task. Differences between a 1,000-gallon and a 750-gallon booster tank and between a 300-hp and a 500-hp motor are obvious and quantifiable. Differences in weight ratings are not.

Read more 495 0 Article rating: No rating Posted: Mar 14, 2016 Apparatus Purchasing: Compartment Floor Ratings By Bill Adams Apparatus manufacturers (OEMs) want their proprietary manufacturing specifications (specs) promulgated by prospective purchasers. Buyer and seller proponents claim a level of quality is being established. That can be a valid claim. Opponents who advocate competitive bidding complain of favoritism and denounce the practice. That claim also has merit. OEMs protesting because another OEM’s spec was published are probably whining because they were beat before they got to the bid opening-a harsh but true statement. Once the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) publishes an OEM’s proprietary specification as its legal purchasing document, it owns it. It is the AHJ’s to justify and to defend if challenged. The merits of publishing proprietary specifications are not in question. The subject of this article is when those specs include an OEM’s compartment floor rating-an ill-defined, confusing, and misunderstood topic. My intent was to illustrate how OEMs establish a compartment floor rating for a typical full-height body compartment approximately 40 inches wide by 60 inches high by 24 inches deep (40 × 60 × 24) located ahead of a pumper’s rear wheels. Some OEMs declined to comment. Others gave ambiguous responses. Others were extremely detailed. I researched manufacturers’ Web sites, literature, brochures, and technical specifications. 1 Riveted to the web on the frame rail of this antique Mack pumper are rigid stamped steel outriggers. Similar supports today are mostly removable aluminum or steel structural angle iron, channel, or tubular configurations. Each manufacturer has its own unique method of fabricating compartment support systems. (Photos by author unless otherwise noted.) OEMs do not speak the same language when addressing the subject. What some call (compartment) floor ratings others call weight capacities, load capacities, weight ratings, and storage ratings. All are measured in pounds. I collectively refer to all as weight ratings. Whether OEMs specify them to establish a level of quality, to hold specific equipment, or to beat their competition is immaterial. OEMs can say, claim, or infer anything they want in their literature and suggested specifications. They’re seldom asked to substantiate advertising, especially by prospective purchasers who favor their products. In a regulated bidding environment, if a purchaser adopts an OEM’s weight rating, accurately defining it is very important. Purchaser is synonymous with the fire department, AHJ, apparatus purchasing committee (APC), or whoever signs the check. Accountability When purchasers specify compartment weight ratings-which they have the right to do-the burden is on bidders to comply or take exception. In political subdivisions, purchasers have a legal responsibility to impartially evaluate bidders’ claims of compliance. That may not be an easy task. Differences between a 1,000-gallon and a 750-gallon booster tank and between a 300-hp and a 500-hp motor are obvious and quantifiable. Differences in weight ratings are not. Read more 388 0 Article rating: No rating Posted: Mar 14, 2016 Air Systems International Releases 2016 Master Catalog Air Systems International, Inc. introduces its new 2016 Master Catalog in print and digital forms. The Catalog features Air Systems’ most popular items, including the Breather Box® Grade-D Air Filtration System, Saddle Vent® Confined Space Ventilation Kits, AIR-KADDY™ SCBA Storage Racks, MULTI-PAK™ Breathing Air Cylinder Carts, Ergo-Air® Carts, Air-Light® and Air-Light II® Portable Area Lighting Systems, and the Fume-Air™ Portable Fume Extractors. Product categories include: Grade-D Air Filtration – portable, panel mounted and custom Grade-D air filtration Breathing Air Compressors – plant and portable Grade-D breathing air systems High Pressure Breathing Air – fill compressors, fill assemblies, and containment fill stations Air Cylinder Carts – small & large cylinder air carts Custom Breathing Air Systems – custom carts, trailers, and plant filtration systems Fire & Rescue – air distribution for breathing, filling air cylinders, and rescue applications Ventilation – complete line of blowers & fans and confined space ventilation kits Portable Area Lighting – DC-powered area lighting, including the award winning Air-Light II® XP and Air-Light® 8600 portable area lights Environmental Control – fume extractors and HEPA vacuums The new Catalog includes 10 pages of reference materials including Understanding Breathing Air Systems, Sizing a Type-C/CE Airline Filtration System, Blower & Fan Selection Guide, Confined Space Ventilation Safety Tips, Confined Space Purge Time Estimating Chart, Hazardous Location Identification: Selecting Proper Equipment, and Axial Fan vs Centrifugal Blower – Picking The Best Fan or Blower for the Job. "We've added new reference materials to our 2016 Catalog, including the Blower & Fan Selection Guide, to assist users in the proper selection and use of our products." says Stephen Durr, Marketing Manager. To request a 2016 Master Catalog, please visit http://www.airsystems.com/index.php/catalog-request. A PDF version may be downloaded at www.airsystems.com. Read more 584 0 Article rating: No rating Pittston (ME) Considers New Fire Station Posted: Mar 14, 2016 Pittston (ME) Considers New Fire Station A new fire station for the village of East Pittston is the high-ticket item that Pittston residents will consider Saturday at Town Meeting, and the chairwoman of the town's Board of Selectmen said that's not expected to affect the town's tax rate. "We have an inadequate fire station in East Pittston," Jane Hubert said. The price tag on that project is expected to be $300,000, financed through a bond issue of $300,000 with an estimated net interest rate of 2.5 percent. “It doesn’t affect the budget much, and it won’t affect the mill rate,” she said. In fact, selectmen don’t anticipate much change in the tax rate this year. It won’t be finalized until after the School Administrative District 11 budget is approved in June. It’s now $13.20 per $1,000 of assessed valuation. In all, the town’s proposed spending is expected to come in at $998,000, about $6,000 more this year thanlast. The big increases are proposed in summer maintenance for the highways, up $27,000; and for snow removal, sand and salt, up about $12,000. This year’s proposal is seeking one-time funding of $22,000 to replace the roof on the central fire station. Hubert said those items, as are all the highway accounts, are funded by excise tax, and that does not affect the property tax rate. Not all costs would increase. This year, selectmen are not budgeting for legal fees, and the cost of maintenance at the salt shed is dropping from $32,000 to $3,600. Read More at www.centralmaine.com Read more 567 0 Article rating: No rating RSS FirstPrevious4349435043514352435343544355435643574358NextLast Theme picker Section Quick Links   Fire Mechanics Documents EVT Discussion Forum Fire Mechanic Photo Gallery Training & Testing 2019 Scholarship Logo Wear Store Upcoming Events Theme picker Sponsors Fire Mechanics Section Board Chair Posted: Oct 21, 2015 Chair Elliot Courage North Whatcom Fire & Rescue Read more 0 0 Article rating: No rating Vice Chair Posted: Oct 21, 2015 Vice Chair Mike Smith  Pierce County Fire District #5 Read more 0 0 Article rating: No rating Secretary Posted: Oct 21, 2015 Secretary Greg Bach South Snohomish County Fire & Rescue Read more 0 0 Article rating: No rating Director #1 Posted: Oct 21, 2015 Director #1 Doug Jones South Kitsap Fire & Rescue Read more 0 0 Article rating: No rating Director #2 Posted: Oct 21, 2015 Director #2 Paul Spencer  Fire Fleet Maintenance LLC Read more 0 0 Article rating: No rating Director #3 Posted: Oct 21, 2015 Director #3 Jim Morris Mountain View Fire Department Read more 0 0 Article rating: No rating Director #4 Posted: Oct 21, 2015 Director #4 Arnie Kuchta Clark County Fire District 6 Read more 0 0 Article rating: No rating Director #6 Posted: Oct 21, 2015 Director #6 Brett Annear Kitsap County Fire District 18 Read more 0 0 Article rating: No rating Director #5 Posted: Oct 21, 2015 Director #5 Jay Jacks Camano Island Fire & Rescue Read more 0 0 Article rating: No rating Legislative Representative Posted: Oct 21, 2015 Legislative Representative TBD TBD Read more 3358 0 Article rating: No rating Immediate Past Chair Posted: Oct 20, 2015 Immediate Past Chair Brian Fortner Graham Fire & Rescue Read more 0 0 Article rating: No rating RSS Theme picker 2020 CAR SHOW Terms Of Use | Privacy Statement - Copyright 2025 by Washington Fire Chiefs Home Members About Us News Calendar Resources Documents Sections County Fire Chiefs FRWC WSAFM