EQUIPMENT DIGEST
DEPARTMENTS
Rescue ropes
Blue Water announces the introduction of Superline +PLUS ropes. The doubletwisted core construction makes the +PLUS ropes abrasion resistant and gives them shock-load absorption properties.
The ropes are available in 1/2-inch and 5/8inch diameters. The 1/2-inch +PLUS is rated at 9,000 pounds and the 5/8-inch +PLUS in excess of 13,000 pounds.
Circle No. 42 on Reader Service Card
Search and rescue item
The new SS1, manufactured by Fire Frontiers Inc., marks the rooms that have been, or are being, searched in a search and rescue operation. This item is small enough for a rescuer to carry several in his pockets. It opens easily and locks securely over the doorknob of the rooms to be searched.
The device will indicate when a room is being searched, thus incoming rescue personnel can direct their attentions to other rooms that have not yet been marked. The SS1 is designed of high-temperature material, with a fiberglass belt and a distinctive color for high visibility.
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Emergency breathing system
Respiratory Systems Inc. is now offering Life Air 10, a 10-minute hood type emergency escape breathing system. The highprecision regulator is detachable, facilitating maintenance and quick interchangeability of cylinders. Flow of air is constant from first instant of use through the tenth minute, according to the company.
Life Air 10 offers a clear plastic spring reinforced breathing tube that eliminates crimping and the resultant loss of breathing air. The hood is designed so that the draw cord neck seal assures proper fit, ease of donning, and minimizes outward leakage. The unit weighs 4 1/2 pounds.
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Strobe lightbar
Whelen Engineering Company Inc. now offers a new strobe lightbar, the Edge 9000SL. The SL series utilizes four new rightangle strobe flash tube modules that produce wide-angle high-intensity warning signals to all sides of this strobebar, according to the manufacturer.
A variety of built-in options and upgrade kits to meet any type of emergency vehicle requirement are available. These include: halogen built-in alley and take-down lights (steady burning), front and rear flashers, flashing take-down lights (steady and flashing), and California-approved steady red light.
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New rescue kit
AUSCO introduces its new Emergency Rescue Kit (ERK). The kit is equipped with the 10-Ton Power Jack with steel castings, ram tools, a six-foot shielded connecting hose with quick-connect hydraulic couplings, and the Maxi-Spreader, that can spread metal up to 12 inches.
The power source is hydraulic, eliminating the risk of sparks igniting dangerous fuel spills, according to the manufacturer. It can be actuated remotely so it will not interfere with the victim or other rescue systems.
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Portable tank
A free-standing, portable tank that does not require any frame or inflation, and that can be set up by one firefighter in seconds, is now available from J. W. Automarine. Because no frame is required, the Flexi-Dam can be filled on sloped or uneven ground.
The Flexi-Dam contains a foam-filled, puncture-resistant flotation collar.
When empty, the Flexi-Dam lies flat. As water or foam concentrate is pumped in, the flotation collar and the sides of the Dam rise, accommodating up to 6,370 gallons of liquid, according to the company.
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Forcible entry tool
A new air operated forcible entry and rescue tool designed to operate efficiently on lower pressures in the range of 40-250 psi is being presented to the market by Paratech Incorporated.
Called the Paratech Airgun 40, this new pneumatic impact tool weighs six pounds and works from any bottle source or compressor. Paratech’s spring design conserves air on the piston return to allow the full air valve to be channeled into the power stroke.
The Paratech Airgun 40 can cut through body panels, metal containers, and canopies, and can penetrate concrete floors and roofs, and breach walls with brick and block construction, according to the manufacturer.
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New rappelling gloves
Pigeon Mountain Industries Inc. announces a new series of light-weight and heavy-duty gloves designed specifically for use with ropes. The leather gloves are reinforced with extra leather layers across the palm and thumb pinch point where the rope slides through. Finger dexterity is maintained for typing knots and manipulating ascending or descending devices.
Light-weight rappelling gloves (model LW) are made of chrome-tanned pigskin with three layers of leather across the palm and an elastic band across the back of the hand. Heavy-weight gloves (model HW) are made of split cowhide in place of pigskin.
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New one-pound hose
National Fire Hose announces the introduction of the Quick Draw, a woven jacket lined hose coupled with brass garden hose threads.
The 50-foot, one-pound hose and carrying case fit into most protective coat pockets, allowing instant access to a garden type hose that can assist on small fires, according to the manufacturer.
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Rapid-entry keyboxes
Supra Products Inc. introduces their keyboxes that mount to commercial buildings, schools, and apartment complex buildings. The keyboxes allow fire departments entry without damage, and prevent them from having to break doors down for false alarms.
Five new steel keyboxes are available with surface mount, flush mount, and tamper switch options.
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New gage available
MC Products introduces a new gage to their product line. The Mini Four Light Gage, for water or foam, can be added onto any MC Four Light, Quint, or Mark V, according to the manufacturer.
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Hood protection
Fire-Dex hoods, manufactured by Morgan Protective Apparel, are knitted of Kevlar for maximum strength. These “under-thehelmet” hoods resist cuts and slashes, and are well-insulated, according to the company.
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Decontamination booth
Burch Manufacturing Company Inc. announces the development and availability of the Kolaps-A-Tank Decontamination Booth, a collapsible, portable unit designed for washing down persons who have come in contact with hazardous chemicals. The booth, called the DB-85, confines the contaminated fluids. The fluids can then be safely transferred into hazardous waste containers through a 1 1/2-inch outlet opening.
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Air chisel rescue kit
The Team Equipment Air Chisel Rescue Kit contains two long barrel (3 1/2-inch stroke) heavy-duty air hammers in a portable package. The tool operates at 90-psi pressure from standard backpack air cylinders, air brakes, and cascade systems, according to the company.
The complete kit contains the following items: two heavy-duty air hammers, one air pressure regulator, one 16-inch heavyduty hose with locking safety couplings, one quick-change tool retainer, one double female connector, assorted chisels, and one can of oil.
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Electric generator
The new Harrison Hydra-Gen is a state-ofthe-art hydraulic motor-generator system for fire service vehicles with engine active applications. Standard 6,000-20,000-watt models are of modular design and feature size, weight, noise, and fuel cost.
The generator and hydraulic components are assembled in a 35-inch X 23-inch X 19inch frame, ready for mounting in new or retrofit applications. Optional environmental treatment is offered for both the discrete and modular systems, according to the company.
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SCBA protector
Rogers Enterprises has developed ProtectPak to protect self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).
The Rogers Protect-Pak stores and protects two facepieces from ultraviolet rays and prevents lenses from becoming scratched. The Protect-Pak also prevents dirt and debris from collecting in the exhalation valves and facepiece area where it can be blown into the firefighter’s face while in use.
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New training suits
Durafab Inc. now manufactures suits stamped “For Training Only.” The “For Training Only” suits are made identical in style to the more expensive Haz Mat Saranex suits, but without the film of Saran resin, thus reducing their cost significantly, according to the company.
The “For Training Only” suits help teach personnel how to properly dress, undress, and the proper use of external or internal breathing systems. Many fire departments requiring “quick change” use the suits as a training tool.
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New protective suit
Globe Firefighters Suits has introduced a new protective garment utilizing Globe’s basic Astra style short jacket and bib trousers with new space-age material components. Labeled the “AstraXtra,” it features a 7.5ounce PB1/Kevlar blend shell; new, brighter Scotchlite triple trim reflective material; and a waterproof, breathable Gore-Tex barrier.
Suit construction includes Globe’s fourpiece custom-tailored shell, two-piece set-in sleeves, double back and shoulders. Leather sleeve cuffs are standard.
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Tubing transmits sounds
Flexiscope Type 1, from Flexiscope Corp., enhances heart and lung sounds, according to the manufacturer. With no electronic components, the coiled sound tubing transmits a clear sound and retracts to its compact size when not in use.
The tubing’s polyurethane compound resists outside noise, cracking, and drying. The tubing is centered to the back of the sensitive diaphragm, eliminating angles that cause sound resistance and echoes.
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Two types of monitors
The Scorpions are now available from Elkhart Brass. These monitors are available in both hand and electrically operated models and are designed for apparatus deck pipe or aerial device applications. Both models feature a vertical travel from 50° below horizontal to 90° above. Horizontal travel in the hand operated monitor is 360° continuous, while the electrically remote controlled monitor offers up to 325° horizontal travel. Both Scorpions feature a full 4-inch waterway that allows for low friction loss.
The hand operated model (8294-02) will flow up to 1,500 gpm, while the electrically operated Scorpion (8294-01) is furnished with a Select-O-Matic SM-100 E nozzle, which flows from 300-1,000 gpm.
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