APPARATUS POINTS TO PONDER
The events depicted in these photographs offer a number of points to ponder. We’ll give you a few, in particular order of importance. Write to us with your own operational considerations of the scenarios depicted and we’ll publish them in a future issue.
The cause of an aerial ftilure is usually operator error mechanical malfunction. It is absolutely essential that all of the manufacturer’s instructions be clearly understood and followed Following are some of the general safety precautions that must be taken:
- The first step in operating an aerial device is prope stabilization. Make sure the parking brake is applied, the whee^ are chocked, and the jacks are firmly in contact with the grounr before you raise the aerial.
- The use of auxiliary jack pads, especially on soft ground c pavement, will help prevent the outriggers from sinking into the ground by spreading the load over a greater surface area. d
- Mechanical pins or locking devices (if provided by the manufacturer) should be routinely used to maintain jack integrity in case of a hydraulic failure.
- When lowering outriggers on apparatus with spring-loadec lever-type controls, ensure that the control handle is manual returned to the center locked position before proceeding to raise the ladder.
- Interlocks that prevent the ladder from being operated unU, full stabilization is complete should not be overridden. In the rare instance of extreme emergency where an interlock must £/ bypassed, the operator must be totally aware of the cojj, sequences and take full responsibility for his actions.
- Continuously monitor the aerial’s load and angle indicatory Overloading an aerial ladder, especially at low angles with Ion: extension, can cause a catastrophic failure of the device.
- Be aware that the use of a ladder pipe or other elevat^ master stream further reduces the load-carrying capacity of a aerial device.
WILLIAM C. PETERS is battalion chief, supervisor of apparatus and equipment, and a 19-year veteran of the Jersey City (NJ) Fire Department, hei 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, published by Firej Engineering Books, and the booklet Final Farewell to a Fallen Firefighter: A Basic Fire Department Funeral Protocol.
- Aerial ladders should not be operated in close proximity to electrical wires.
- Consider all wires energized and dangerous.
- If an aerial comes in contact with an energized wire, the firefighters on the vehicle must jump clear. Anyone who simultaneously contacts the ground and the energized apparatus can be electrocuted.
- Aerial apparatus with pumps or controls at ground level should have a step for the operator to stand on to prevent electrocution (see bottom photo). Its use should be mandatory when wires are within the operational range of the aerial.
- Firefighters operating on the platform of a ladder towertype apparatus are grounded and subject to electrocution if any part of their body comes in contact with live electrical wires.
- Water generally is considered a poor conductor of electricity. However, depending on the mineral content of the water, stream pattern, stream distance, and voltage, directing a ladder pipe stream in close proximity to high-voltage power lines could cause the apparatus to become energized and, thus, should be avoided.
If you would like to submit photos for Apparatus, EMS, Prevention, or Rescue Points to Ponder, send them with a short description of the incident to: Points to Ponder, Fire Engineering, Park 80 West, Plaza 2, 7th Floor, Saddle Brook, NJ 07663.
