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At Pierce, we build safety into every apparatus we make. 360º Protection From Every Angle is a bumper-to-bumper program designed to increase the safety of firefighters as they respond to fire and emergency calls.
A suspension system that Actually Raises Standards: TAK-4 Independent Front Suspension
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We are the only custom fire truck manufacturer in North America to offer a proprietary independent front suspension. And it has quickly become the most popular new technology ever introduced by Pierce.
TAK-4 Independent Suspension System shortens stopping distance by up to 23%, improves ride quality by 340% (as measured by accelerometer testing), enhances vehicle control, increases load-carrying capacity to give you more fire package flexibility, improves durability, and simplifies maintenance.
You can adjust vehicle lean in just 15 minutes with the torsion bar anchor lock system. TAK-4 isn’t just about stopping power; it’s about streamlined operation.
The Most Important Test: Crash Testing
As a part of our commitment to 360º protection, Pierce has crash-tested the majority of our cabs at or above ECE requirements.
Testing is done at the CAPE (Center for Advanced Product Evaluation), a part of IMMI. CAPE offers an unparalleled vehicle barrier crash testing facility complete with a test laboratory, dynamic test sleds, static pull chamber, computer screen crash simulation capabilities, and the world’s only 90-degree rollover impact test machine.
Our crashes make a real impact. They strengthen our trucks – and reinforce our commitment to safety.
Roll Model: Side Roll Protection System
Our Side Roll Protection System, another first to the fire industry, which we co-engineered over 18 months with IMMI safety consulting, aims to minimize the risk from side-roll accidents.
A Roll Sensor monitors the truck’s movement. When a roll is imminent, the sensor activates eight occupant protection devices. The exact moment of activation is determined by a “decision table” that factors the speed of the vehicle and the angle and rate of the roll, allowing protection devices to be deployed at the optimal moment.
Your seatbelt, designed to be comfortable in a rough riding environment, tightens and your seat lowers and locks to eliminate movement.
An Inflatable Tubular Structure deploys across the front window, and curtains in the crewcab outboard positions, protecting you from dangerous surfaces and cushioning the head and neck. This reduces movement, lowers the chance of head contact with the roof, and increases the survivable space. In total, it activates in about the time it takes a pencil to fall inches. It remains inflated for ten seconds, enough for the longest duration accident.
360° protection starts with minimizing the risks of 90° side-rolls. But it doesn’t end there.
Information at Your Fingertips: Command Zone Advanced Electronics
Better information means better decisions. Command Zone brings vehicle diagnostics to a new level. When the vehicle starts, it automatically checks each electrical circuit and verifies that systems – including aerial apparatus – are functioning properly. Command Zone’s collision avoidance envelope can even be programmed to operate only within established safety parameters.
In short, Command Zone provides the kind of real time information that makes a real difference.
Sight Lines and Sound Engineering: Cab Design and Control Zone Put You in Control
From the way you see the road to the way you reach for switches, every Pierce cab is designed for superior control.
For example, the distinctive wrap-around windows on our Quantum chassis give you the largest possible unobstructed view. Advanced insulation packages reduce noise and improve communication. The ergonomically designed dash means that controls are placed within easy reach and clear sight.
Our Control Zone organized pump panel uses color-coding and standardized knobs to simplify control panel operation. Controls are grouped by function so you can move from one apparatus to another without hesitation. And, based on firefighter input, it now comes with stainless steel piping and a ten-year limited warranty, one of the longest in the industry.
110 Percent Commitment to 360° Protection
All this thinking might save a few seconds of confusion or prevent a stumble in bad weather. And that might save a life. Every second, every decision, every movement: it’s all a part of our commitment to 360° protection.
And our commitment to 360° protection extends into the future. We are constantly seeking more innovations. And we are always eager to get your comments, feedback, and suggestions. It’s only through working with you that these systems have been introduced.
Pierce Manufacturing Inc., a subsidiary of Oshkosh Truck Corporation [NYSE: OSK], is the leading North American manufacturer of custom fire apparatus. To learn more about Pierce, visit http://www.piercemfg.com.
