Fire Equipment Digest
Breathing Apparatus
National Draeger, Inc. now offers a 4-hour oxygen breathing apparatus, the BG-174A.
This automatic unit weighs less than 35pounds. The required oxygen supply is governed by a constant flow of 1.5 liters per minute and a lung demand valve which supplies any extra oxygen required.
Standard equipment includes a mask with speaking diaphragm, corrugated inhalation and exhalation hoses, carrying frame and oxygen cylinder.
Automatic oxygen preflushing and low inhaled oxygen temperatures are features. An alarm signal sounds when 20-percent of oxygen remains.
Circle No. 1 on Reader Service Card
Siren System
Dunbar-Nunn Corp. has introduced System 80H, a Unitrol siren system. The Model 80H amplifier, measuring 3 x 5 x 5-inches, produces seven siren sounds and three PA functions. It can be installed on the instrument panel or in a car trunk.
Miniaturized control units range in size from 1 1/4 x 1 1/8-inches to a maximum of 1 3/4 x 5-inches, and can control anything from basic siren sounds to the emergency network of warning lights, siren, PA, two-way radio and the vehicle’s horn ring.
An optional switch controls floodlights, trunk lid and door locks.
Circle No. 16 on Reader Service Card
Magnetic Board
Identification Systems, Inc., has developed a Magnetic Strategy—Tactics Pre-Plan Board. The back of the board can be written on with write-on, wipe-off markers or can be used as a projection screen.
The board is available in two sizes and comes complete with magnetic charting components.
Circle No. 4 on Reader Service Card
Strobe Light
SOS Lightning Devices has developed a 360-degree emergency warning light that combines the high intensity rapid flash of a Xenon strobe light with a constant pulsating halogen light source. The Halo-Strobe enables approaching traffic to not only see what is being approached but illuminates the equipment or vehicle on which it is mounted and conveys the vehicles rate and direction of travel.
The light can be seen in adverse weather conditions, in daylight, and on a clear night up to a mile away, according to the manufacturer. Measuring 8 1/2 x 8 1/2-inches, the light provides 1.25 million candlepower while drawing on 5.75 amps.
Circle No. 15 on Reader Service Card
Amplifiers
A line of VHF power amplifiers in the 144 to 174 MHz range is now available from Wilson Electronics, Inc. Three compact mobile packages are being offered to provide the FM 2-way radio user with a low cost method of boosting output power of portables and low power mobiles. Model WAH-440 amplifies 2 to 6-watts input to 40-watts output, Model WAH-480 amplifies 2 to 6-watts input to 80-watts output, and Model WAH 2080 amplifies 10 to 25-watts input to 100-watts output.
Corrosion resistant, weather-tight, vaporproof, and shock resistant, the HaloStrobe comes with an unbreakable polycarbonate lens, available in amber, red, blue or clear.
Amplifier features include broadband notune design, heat sinks, self-locking connectors, low current drain and non-deteriorating components.
Circle No. 7 on Reader Service Card
SCBA Wall Cases
A line of wall cases to accomodate virtually any self-contained breathing apparatus has been introduced by Ziamatic Corp. The wall cases provide protection to the SCBA but do not limit instant access.
Included in the new line of ZICO QuicAccess wall cases are two universal models, one made of yellow epoxy-coated steel and the other made of chemical-resistant fiberglass. Each has a front-opening door with a neoprene gasket for a tight seal.
The four specialized models, all manufactured from fiberglass, include three frontopening models and two top-opening boxes.
Circle No. 8 on Reader Service Card
Distress Locater
The Antenna Specialists Co., Rescu division, has developed the Lifeguard personal distress device (PDD) enabling a fire fighter to signal for help.
When activated, a pulsating shriek alerts others on the scene. The unit is designed to be worn on a belt, SCBA harness or turnout coat. The device will sound the alert shriek for approximately two hours or until turned off. It uses a 9-volt transistor battery and incorporates an LED battery check indicator. The unit measures 3 1/2 x 4 1/2 x 1 11/16-inches and weighs 9-ounces, including battery.
Pulsing the shriek doubles battery life, according to the manufacturer.
Circle No. 5 on Reader Service Card
Flashlights
Tekna manufactures a line of waterproof, explosion-proof flashlights. The Tekna-Lite III produces over 12,000 candlepower from an eight-pack of AA cells. Measuring 7-inches long, and weighing 12.5 ounces, the Lite III burns at full brightness for over an hour. It is available with alkaline cells or a rechargeable nickel-cadmium battery pack (good for over 1000 recharges) and 110 VAC charger.
The Tekna-Lite I burns as brightly as a four D cell flashlight, weighs 5-ounces and is 5-inches long. It is powered by a four-pack of AA cells, and is available with a nickelcadmium battery and a 110-VAC charger.
The Tekna-Lite II weighs 3-ounces with two AA alkaline cells.
Circle No. 9 on Reader Service Card
Magnet Mount
A magnetic antenna mount, model K-350, has been developed by The Antenna Specialists Co. The mount has a pre-assembled RG-58U cable and fittings to accomodate standard base-loaded or low-profile communications whips.
The assembly will accomodate either 5/8-24 thread base loads or, with an adapter furnished, the 1 1/8-18 thread low profile configuration. Cable is 12-feet long with a PL-259 standard radio connector.
Circle No. 2 on Reader Service Card
Audio/Visual Program
Scott Aviation has completed its third audio/visual program, “The Scott Air-Pak Ila Family: Operation and Maintenance.” This program is designed to explain the operation and maintenance of Scott’s self-contained breathing apparatus, the Air-Pak Ila and Presur-Pak Ila.
The program consists of 80, 35mm color slides, pulsed for slide advance and a 15-page book duplicating the narration on the tape. The program lasts 17 minutes.
Circle No. 3 on Reader Service Card
Floodlight
A three-lamp vehicular emergency light, with either flood or spotlight capability, has been introduced by Federal Signal Corporation.
The Night-Fighter, js designed for fire apparatus, ambulances, and rescue vehicles. The light provides illumination for high rise or ground level situations.
The unit is available in either fixed or 4foot telescoping mounts and can be swiveled 360 degrees horizontal, 60 degrees downward and 90 degrees upward. This spot-flood incorporates three sealed beam lamps, each with a stainless steel housing. Each 100-watt lamp provides 200,000 cp as a spotlight and 50,000 cp as a floodlight. Current draw is 23 amps at 12.8 VDC for both spot and flood modes.
Circle No. 10 on Reader Service Card
Slip-on Pump
Firecraft slip-on fire fighting units feature a slip-on unit with the pump mounted on top of the tank. The remote control panel, as well as suction and discharge controls, is located on the driver’s side for fast, safe access. Top-mounting configuration also places exhausts, heat and noise higher and farther away from the operator.
These units may be ordered with 10 or 20 hp U.S. forest service qualified centrifugal pumps. Fiberglass tanks are available in a number of sizes and feature molded edges, removable tank tops and separate hatches for servicing suction assemblies.
Circle No. 13 on Reader Service Card
Pressure Pump
The model FP250 portable pump has been introduced by Homelite. The pump, with a 2 1/2-inch suction and discharge, weighs 109 pounds and has an exhaust primer and discharge check valve to maintain prime. It features a dual ball-bearing crankshaft, a dual element air filter with reusable foam element, a liquid-filled pressure gage and a heavy-duty, spring-isolated skid. This pump can put out a maximum of 208 gpm and develop 117 psi.
Circle No. 11 on Reader Service Card
Emergency Lights
An emergency light has been designed by Chloride Systems with a snap-in circuit board, spring-loaded rocker test switch, automatic battery charger and a sealed battery. The unit has a sturdy 20-gauge steel enclosure with lighting heads mounted on the front.
The light uses a 6.5 amp hour and a 6-volt sealed lead calcium battery for 90-minute emergency protection. A low voltage protection circuit reduces the possiblilty of battery failure due to prolonged power interruption, according to the manufacturer. A dual voltage transformer accepts 120/277 volts AC, 60 Hz at maximum input current of 0.02 amps.
Circle No. 6 on Reader Service Card
Backpack Pump
Homelite has introduced a backpack portable pump, model FP150, for wildland fire fighting. The pump weighs 29 pounds and has a HA-inch suction and discharge. It’s rated capacity is 60 gpm and it can develop 221 psi. The pump has an air-cooled, twocycle engine with a solid state ignition cutoff to prevent overspeeding.
Circle No. 12 on Reader Service Card
