BY JIM WILKINS
The department had not purchased a new apparatus for several years. The fire chief has now secured funds for a new pumper and has appointed a speccing committee to help determine exactly what should be purchased. As a member of the committee, where do you go from here? What exactly is the function of the speccing committee?
The committee’s primary purpose is to purchase the best available product that will meet the department’s defined operational applications (needs) for the funds available. Focusing on value for dollars spent is usually the most successful approach. As a committee member, you first must define your department’s unique operational application by way of a needs analysis. What’s your operating terrain, your street or road conditions, your year-round weather conditions, and your operating environment? Are we talking increased continual exposure to corrosion from coastal salt air, road salt, or high humidity? How many years do you plan to own the vehicle-15, 20, 25, 30? How many total miles will you put on it over this ownership period? The answer to these questions most likely means that what your friends in other departments have purchased in recent years is irrelevant in your case.
The committee must take into account the numerous mandatory federal, state, and local (if any exist) statutes pertaining to the general design and construction of apparatus. These standards cover many areas including design safety standards (FMVSS), exhaust gas-emission requirement (EPA), maximum noise output (OSHA), and the design and construction of aerial devices.
Keep in mind that although industry standards such as National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1901, Standard for Automotive Fire Apparatus-1999, are voluntary, most U.S. apparatus manufacturers will not build a vehicle that doesn’t meet NFPA 1901 recommendations. The same holds true for ANSI standards.
THE FAMILIARIZATION PROCESS
The main consideration when purchasing apparatus is to focus on maximum durability and reliability to avoid downtime. To this end, the committee should analyze past problems concerning equipment failures of the apparatus to be replaced to determine if some of the problems could have been prevented had the specifications been written differently.
Another consideration is whether the technology now available could resolve some of these problems. For example, it might be wise to spend $1,500 for an option that will eliminate $4,000 in repair costs over the service life of the apparatus.
Establishing the correct minimal horsepower requirement is another critical factor for speccing the most efficient apparatus. To achieve this most important goal, committee members should first determine the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR), the longest and steepest grade angles the apparatus would have to ascend and descend when responding to an emergency operation, the minimum and maximum speeds the apparatus would have to achieve when responding in the jurisdiction, and the minimum horsepower required for the fire pump. It is important that the horsepower be such that the apparatus will not be underpowered or overpowered. Overpowering the vehicle can increase costs significantly without providing any real benefit and can present a potential safety problem.
The committee should also determine which make and model of engine would best suit the department’s needs. There are major design and construction differences in the various engines available today. They include maximum horsepower; peak torque rating; percent torque rise rating; weight; physical size; service life before overhaul; and, of course, cost.
Once your operational application and needs are defined, go to a major show, if possible, to see the different products and talk with salespersons from apparatus, component, and accessory manufacturers. Focus on discussing your defined operational application, and ask which designs and features they would recommend for your specific defined applications. The industry is dynamic. Designs and products are constantly being changed and improved, as are construction techniques, materials, and power train components. If you can’t attend a show, call and ask the vendors to come meet with the committee at your fire station. When talking to different sales reps, don’t be too surprised if you receive what appears to be contradictory information your committee will have to discuss and evaluate later.
EVALUATION AND SELECTION
It is now time for a series of meetings for discussion. The committee should have an extensive list of items to evaluate. Among some of the important issues to be decided are the following: Should the apparatus cab and chassis be commercially available or custom fabricated? Should the truck cab be aluminum or steel? Should the apparatus body be aluminum, stainless steel, or steel? Should the water tank be plastic, fiberglass, stainless steel, or steel? What make and model engine should be purchased? What horsepower and peak torque ratings are needed to meet the department’s requirements? What type of power train, retarder, engine, and transmission should be selected? The list goes on. Numerous smaller details pertaining to every area of the vehicle will have to be considered, such as the type of mirror system and specification. And remember that in many cases there are right and wrong decisions based on your department’s specific operational applications.
NFPA 1901 now requires an auxiliary braking system in addition to the vehicle service brakes on all apparatus with a GVWR exceeding 36,000 pounds. To further aid in braking and to increase operating safety, many agencies and departments spec an auxiliary braking system on apparatus with a GVWR as low as 26,000 pounds, particularly when the apparatus will be used in mountain applications. The question is, Which kind of auxiliary braking system is best for you and your application? You have a choice of three engine types, an internal hydraulic transmission or an external hydraulic transmission, and an electromagnetic or hydraulic driveline or electromagnetic driveline attached to the rear axle.
Retaining the services of a qualified specification consultant can help you in your decision process so that you make cost-effective selections and avoid serious costly mistakes. However, be sure to check the consultant’s credentials. Ask for a list of clients the consultant has served, and contact those clients for an evaluation of the consultant’s performance.
Treat potential vendors equally and fairly. Knowledgeable, experienced salespeople can provide a wealth of beneficial information, regardless of the make and model of apparatus ultimately purchased. These representatives should know the latest technological advances and what is working and not working well for other fire agencies in your region.
A speccing committee that performs its job well will become involved in a tremendous amount of highly detailed tasks that will help it make prudent decisions concerning the ultimate purchased product. Spending enough time during the prepurchase phase to ensure that the newly purchased apparatus is the best possible match for the department’s applications will reduce the potential for serious problems to surface during the apparatus’ service life. In some cases, these problems can be of such magnitude that they will continue until the apparatus eventually leaves fleet service.
