REPLACING AN ARIAL UNIT: PLATFORM OR “STRAIGHT STICK”?
BY WILLIAM C. PETERS
A small volunteer fire department was facing a real dilemma. Its aging aerial truck that once was state-of-the-art was now in desperate need of replacement.
The Truck Committee did its research and made an excellent presentation to the elected officials. It cited documentation of high maintenance costs as well as the fact that the ladder was showing serious signs of deterioration, despite the fact that it had been back to the manufacturer for refurbishment several years before.
The governing body was convinced that a replacement was in order; however, the members weren`t quite persuaded that they should endorse the fire department`s request. The Truck Committee proposed replacing the unit with a 100-foot aerial ladder platform. Questions and comments came in rapid-fire succession: We don`t have tall buildings like in the city. Why do we need this unit? Will this “monster” fit in our fire station? There are fewer volunteers than before. Where will you get the people to operate this unit? Will it fit down the streets of our town? Won`t a less-expensive straight aerial be sufficient? It`s done okay for all these years.
The questions were valid and deserved answers. Fortunately, the Truck Committee expected them and had been well-prepared.
There are several advantages and disadvantages to consider when comparing a platform-type apparatus with an aerial ladder. They should all be carefully evaluated relative to the local situation.
PLATFORM ADVANTAGES
The advantages of a platform include the following:
A platform has a greater minimum load-carrying capacity, 750 pounds minimum compared with 250 pounds minimum on an aerial ladder. Many aerial manufacturers also produce a “heavy-duty” version of their ladder that substantially exceeds the minimum tip load requirements.
Often, a platform provides firefighters with a safer and more comfortable position for rescue, ventilation, exterior overhaul, and aerial stream application.
Victims, especially the young, elderly, and infirm, are more confident when being removed by platform than when climbing down an aerial ladder.
The platform can serve as a work station at an elevated location, supplying a hose outlet, an electrical power source, mounted hand tools, and miscellaneous equipment as well as face masks with remote air lines from the platform`s breathing air system.
The articulating boom apparatus adds an element of versatility to the platform concept, as it can reach over obstacles.
Rescue and removal of incapacitated victims on litters or in baskets are more easily accomplished with a platform.
The platform can be moved quickly between different points within its range to effect rescue.
Generally, a platform has greater elevated stream capacities that can be remote controlled from the turntable. This can be extremely valuable in low-personnel situations.
The waterway of platform apparatus generally doesn`t get in the way of operations because the platform extends beyond the area where the waterway normally is mounted under the ladder. Oftentimes, a prepiped waterway on an aerial ladder obstructs ladder placement if extension beyond the pipe is not required.
Lifting eyes mounted to the bottom of a platform structure can be extremely valuable for rescue situations requiring an elevated anchor point.
Large, platform-mounted, telescoping lights can illuminate the emergency scene from above.
The platform can provide the incident commander with an elevated position from which to survey a large area fire. Some departments have mounted to the platform a video camera that relays a view of the scene back to the ground.
PLATFORM DISADVANTAGES
The disadvantages of platforms include the following:
The travel height of platform apparatus usually is higher than that of aerials, which might cause a problem with low overpasses or a low fire station door. This is primarily true where the turntable is mounted at the rear of the apparatus and the ladder projects over the cab. Mid-mounted turntables can be mounted lower, thus reducing the travel height.
Due to the heavier construction necessary to meet the increased minimum aerial capacity, platform apparatus usually are heavier than aerials. This could present a problem in areas that have bridge or fire station floor-weight restrictions.
Depending on the length of the aerial device, the platform outrigger spread might be wider than that of an aerial. Once again, the higher mimimum capacity requires a wider jack spread to stabilize the truck and prevent tip-over.
Some platform apparatus models don`t provide a continuous path of egress from the platfom to the ground. When multiple rescues must be made, the time-consuming process of raising and lowering the platform could present a problem.
When the turntable is rear-mounted and the platform projects over the front of the apparatus, it is prone to damage from obstructions such as low-hanging trees. There is also a degree of obstructed vision, especially when looking forward and up, such as when sizing up a structure on approach. By the same token, mid-mounts with the platform extending over the rear of the apparatus can be seriously damaged if the driver makes a sharp turn without considering the “sweep” beyond the rear axle.
The larger size of the apparatus, compared with the older “light-duty” aerials, might be intimidating to some firefighters. This could easily lead to a problem attracting driver/operator candidates.
Platform apparatus generally cost more than aerials for two reasons: The increased minimum aerial capacity requirement of the platform necessitates a much heavier construction of the ladder (or boom) components, stabilizers, and chassis. Also, additional hydraulic systems are needed to maintain and operate from the platform.
DETERMINING WHAT IS BEST
The first step in determining whether an aerial or platform would best serve the community involves a survey of the response area to evaluate the type of structures for which the unit might be used. Consider not only vertical height but also the angle and extension that might be necessary to reach lower buildings set back from the street.
Aerial devices are strongest and most stable when they are in line with the vehicle and at an angle closest to vertical. In this position, most loads are transmitted down through the turntable and outriggers to the ground. When the elevation is decreased, the extension increased, and the aerial rotated, the forces that act to cause the aerial to become overloaded or the truck to become unstable increase.
If the configuration of your response area is made up of taller buildings that are relatively close to the street, a standard aerial ladder should provide adequate service for rescue, roof ventilation, and elevated master streams. However, if long extension at low angles is your “normal” operation, a platform or “heavy duty” (500-pound and up tip load) aerial would be a safer and more suitable purchase.
The next considerations are the width and configuration of the stabilizers. In most cases, they do not pose a problem except possibly in congested city streets.
An important fact often overlooked when specifying apparatus is how the size of the unit compares with the available space and door size in the fire station. Quite often, the building needs costly modifications to accommodate the larger modern aerial apparatus. Many chiefs have been embarrassed when it was discovered that the new truck didn`t fit in the intended station.
Weight is another important consideration. If the apparatus floor has a basement or crawl space under it, a structural engineer should be consulted to compare the estimated weight of the new unit with the load-carrying capacity of the floor. Many departments have had to provide additional bracing under the floor to support the newer apparatus.
Even though the need to replace the apparatus might be completely evident, securing the necessary funding is another serious consideration. All local governments, large and small, are feeling the impact of rough economic times. The best way to convince the elected officials that the purchase is necessary and justified is to do your homework and be prepared: Obtain all pertinent information; evaluate your response area to determine which type of aerial apparatus would best suit your needs; consider the modifications that might be necessary for the fire station; and, finally, estimate the cost and secure financing for the purchase.
Always keep in mind that firefighter safety and operational efficiency should be the foremost justifications for this type of purchase. n
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(Top left) Platforms provide a safer and more comfortable position for outside ventilation and exterior overhauls. (Photo by Ron Jeffers.) (Top right) The articulating arm on this platform is capable of reaching over obstacles. (Photo by author.) (Middle right) Often, platform apparatus have greater master-stream capabilities. This unit is equipped for water-fog or straight-stream operations. (Photo by Ron Jeffers.) (Bottom right) Removing incapacitated victims is more easily accomplished by platform. (Photo by Ron Jeffers.)
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(Left) If long extension at low angles is the “normal” condition encountered, consider a heavy-duty ladder or platform apparatus. (Photo by Willie Cirone.) (Right) When buildings are close to the street, the aerial can be set up in a strong, stable position. (Photo by Greg Cariddi.)
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(Left) When the platform projects over the front of the cab, it is prone to damage. This unit struck a low-hanging tree limb. (Photo by Ron Jeffers.) (Right) The platform`s projecting over the front can obstruct vision to some degree. (Photo by author.)
WILLIAM C. PETERS is battalion chief, supervisor of apparatus and equipment, and a 20-year veteran of the Jersey City (NJ) Fire Department. He is a member of the International Association of Fire Chiefs Apparatus Maintenance Section, Local 1064 of the International Association of Fire Fighters, and the Fire Engineering editorial advisory board. Peters is the author of Fire Apparatus Purchasing Handbook (Fire Engineering Books, 1994), two chapters on apparatus in The Fire Chief`s Handbook, Fifth Edition (Fire Engineering Books, 1995), and the booklet Final Farewell to a Fallen Firefighter: A Basic Fire Department Funeral Protocol.
