Fire Equipment Digest
Floating Pump
Barebo, Inc. has introduced the Otterbine Chief, a self-priming, floating pump. The pump can operate in as little as 3 inches of water and requires no suction hose. It works off a four-cycle, air-cooled Briggs & Stratton engine. One three-quart tank of gas will last up to two hours at full throttle.
The pump housing and impeller are lightweight, non-corrosive aluminum castings, while the polyurethane shell float is virtually unsinkable. The pump delivers 350 gpm at 50 psi.
Circle No. 1 on Reader Service Card
Warning Light
Noren Products Inc. has introduced the Halogen Command, a bumper-mounted emergency warning light. It projects 250,000 candlepower of white light, filtered to red, blue or yellow in a wide-angle beam, through a quartz halogen filament. It uses 55 watts. The wigwag flasher can flash both lights simultaneously or maintain a constant light. The mounts can be attached to vehicle pumpers without drilling.
Circle No. 2 on Reader Service Card
Luminous Vests
Mine Safety Appliances Co. is offering traffic vests in two models made of guaranteed luminous red and white vinyl-coated material. The two-snap front model vest has extra-long front and back, and also is available as a ventilated vest.
The single-snap front vest version has a long back and shorter front, for access to a tool belt. The vest has two retro-reflective st rips for night. A DA-Lite vest of the same design is recommended for daylight use only. A cape is also available in a ventilated model.
Circle No. 3 on Reader Service Card
Disposable OB Kit
Rockford Safety Equipment Co. has introduced a disposable OB kit for paramedics. The kit contains pre-hospital essentials, such as alcohol prep pads and a receiving blanket.
Circle No. 4 on Reader Service Card
Waterproof Light
Princeton Tectonics has introduced a waterproof light, the BL-1000 Bottom Light. The weatherproof light works in and out of water. Its outer case is ultraviolet resistant, high-impact Lexan and pressure-tested to 300 feet. The 6-inch light has a lanyard hole for tying to wrist or belt.
A magnetic sliding switch eliminates penetration of the case, and locks into position. The BL-1000 uses C-cell batteries, which allow five hours of continuous use or about 10 hours of intermittent use. A spare bulb is attached beneath the reflector.
Circle No. 5 on Reader Service Card
Fireboat
Boston Whaler has designed a 20-foot boat for multi-mission fire and rescue work, the Fire One. It features twin outboard engines and an unsinkable foam core hull. Forward of the center console is a reel with 100 inches of 1-inch hose and three additional lengths of 1 – ½ -inch hose. A fire pump in the stern can supply 300 gpm at 110 psi.
The boat also is equipped with an emergency rotating beacon, siren, tow rail, 600,000 candlepower lights and VHF-FM radio. Console compartments accommodate a 10pound dry chemical and a 15-pound carbon dioxide extinguisher, with room for additional gear. The Fire One is capable of up to 40 mph.
Circle No. 6 on Reader Service Card
Water Tower
Truck Equipment Engineering Co. Inc. has introduced the Snozzle, a 40-foot articulated boom with a nozzle controlled by an operator in an attached aerial basket. Its output is 500 gpm at 125 psi and the boom can be mounted on a one-ton truck. The same nozzle is capable of flows to 1000 gpm when mounted on a pumper.
Circle No. 7 on Reader Service Card
Automotive Strobe Light
Tescor Technology Inc. now offers the Model 100 Series automotive strobe light. Designed for highway safety, it may be used in search and rescue work and in the fire service.
The light gives high visibility warning by plugging into a cigarette lighter outlet, and stays in place with a magnetic base. The strobe flashes an average of 75 times per minute, lasting approximately 40 microseconds at 500,000 candlepower.
Circle No. 8 on Reader Service Card
Detector Extension
Home Safeguard Indust ries Inc. now offers an extension device for use with a smoke detector tester, an aerosol device for testing photoelectric and ionization-type smoke detectors. The extension heads and arms reach detectors up to 30 feet high.
A short spray from the smoke detector tester should cause the smoke detector to sound. It should then stop in 10 to 30 seconds. The particles emitted are comparable in size to those generated in the early stages of fire.
Circle No. 9 on Reader Service Card
CPR Manikin
Simulaids, Inc. has developed a choking CPR manikin for practise in clearing blocked airways. The manikin has a life-size head and upper torso with a simulated rib cage for practising abdominal thrust, chest thrust and back blow procedures. A disposable lung allows realistic mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.
Large beans are provided as obstructions in practising the CPR techniques. The manikin is made of heavy vinyl and comes in a carrying case.
Circle No. 10 on Reader Service Card
