Fire Truck Tire Pressure

Recently I got a call from a Fire Department asking why the tire pressure indicators provided with their new truck did not match the tire pressure stamped on the sidewall of the tire. This is a question that is being asked more now that tire pressure indicators are becoming more commonly used.

While it may seem that the tire pressure stamped on the side of the tire would be the recommended tire pressure to use, it is actually the maximum tire pressure to carry the maximum load the tire is rated for. Generally we are not loading the tire to its maximum rating for several reasons:

• The axle rating is based on the lowest capacity of axle, suspension, tires, wheels, frame; the tire often has a higher load rating than these other components and so we are not using the maximum load rating.
• We do not generally load the axle to its maximum load rating.

We obtain the recommended tire pressure from load and inflation tables published by the tire manufacturers. The axle loads we use are the ones we measure when performing the ULC or NFPA required weight tests with ballast simulating equipment and personnel loading.

It is important to use the correct tire pressure for the following reasons:
Underinflated tires flex more and build up heat, causing premature tire failure and potential blowouts. They also hydroplane at lower speeds and increase stopping distance.
Overinflated tires are more susceptible to impact damage and may cause handling problems.

NFPA 1915, Standard for Fire Apparatus Preventive Maintenance Program, recommends checking your truck's in service weight annually. This would be a good time to make sure that you are using the correct tire pressure based on the load and inflation tables published by the tire manufacturer.

We'd be happy to answer any questions you may have or help you with tire pressure calculations, feel free to contact us.

Metalfab Minutes - June Edition

Metalfab Minutes - June Edition

The June Edition of Metalfab Minutes has been released today.  If you haven't received a copy but would like to, please sign up for the newsletter at the link below.

 CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE TO RECEIVE YOUR FREE MONTHLY DIGITAL COPY

 

Photos of the Apparatus featured in the newsletter are posted below.



Hall's Harbour, NS



New Minas, NS



Miramichi, NB



Borden Carleton, PE



Stanley, NB



Brookfield, NS



North River, PE Rescue Before Refurbishment



North River, PE Rescue After Refurbishment

Kingsville, ON Roto Ray



Oakhill, NS Roto Ray



Oakhill, NS Roto Ray Activated



2014 NBAFC Metalfab Booth 



Recycling

We recently received a container to recycle the plastic jugs that hold antifreeze and oil and it prompted me to consider how much we recycle. It is sitting below beside our waste oil and waste antifreeze barrels.

As I thought about this, I recalled that our paint thinners and paint are recycled and have been for many years. In the office we recycle our paper and our cardboard. When garbage collection started in our area (when the local land fill closed), we at one point filled three dumpsters per week. At that point, we got a cardboard compactor and now we seldom fill one dumpster.

I continued walking around the shop and noticed our pop can barrels - more recycling! Also, any scrap metal is accumulated and sold so that it can be recycled.

I was quite surprised at the amount of recycling that we do now. I wonder how much more we could do if we put our mind to it?

Lean – 5S

One of the Lean Tools that we have used to one degree or another over the last several years is 5S. This is often considered housekeeping and stands for Sort, Straighten, Shine, Standardize, Sustain. However, I am coming to realize that while housekeeping and an organized workplace are the result of 5S, the purpose of 5S is to make problems visible.

At its most basic level, 5S requires that we ask the question “do we have all that we need in the workplace?”, and “do we need all that we have in the workplace?”, then problem solve when the answer is no. Self discipline and continual improvement are central to achieving success – 5S becomes a way of life in the workplace.

Once the workplace is cleaner and more organized, the elimination of waste and the development of standards can more easily be accomplished.  It is a lot of work, but the results will be well worth it!

Systems and Processes

I was watching a Gemba Academy webinar earlier today which mentioned that "Confusion prevents Improvement" and that "Systems and Processes create autonomy and lead to success". As I considered this, I have to agree that a lot of rework is due to confusion - uncertainty about what is required, how it is to be accomplished, etc. Rework (or defects) is considered one of the seven wastes of manufacturing (muda) as defined by Taiichi Ohno of Toyota.

The way to reduce defects or rework is to reduce rejects which requires that we remove the causes of the defect in the process itself. Rework can be due to confusion when building the product, or by lack of understanding of customer and supplier requirements in the design stage. The better we understand what our customer wants, the fewer design changes we will have. As well, if we let our suppliers know exactly what our requirements are, we can get the right parts at the right time.

All of these defects can be reduced by improving our systems and processes. These improvements can reduce the interruptions to production caused by rework as well as the expense. It can also reduce scrap.

As an Engineering Manager I want to improve our design process to make sure that we ask our customers the right questions when we prepare our specifications so that they get exactly what they expect. I want to ask our internal customers the right questions so that there is no confusion when they build the parts for the trucks. I want to work with our suppliers so we get the best component for our trucks. There's a lot of work to do...

Recent Deliveries - St. John's, NL

On August 26, 2013, the St. John's Regional Fire Department in St. John's, NL took delivery of their latest Metalfab Fire Truck.  This Single Axle Tanker is the Department's eighth Metalfab unit.

 

The chassis utilized in this build was an International 4400 SBA Two Door Chassis.  The chassis was equipped with an International Maxx Force 9 330 HP Diesel Engine and an Allison EVS 3000 Automatic Transmission. 

This tanker didn't have a pump installed.  It was equipped with two CET Portable Pumps.  It also had a 10" Newton Dump with a rotating and telescopic and a 4" Direct Fill installed at the rear of the unit. 

The Emergency Warning Light package on this tanker was a Federal LED System.  It consisted of an Aerodynic LED Light Bar, Sentry Rear Beacons, and Federal Quadra Flare LED Intersection Lights.

The single axle tanker body was of an Extruded Aluminum Construction.  The body featured low side compartments on both sides of the unit.  The doors utilized for this tanker were flush mount aluminum doors.  At the rear of the unit, there were rear access storage compartments for suction hose, a portable tank, and sliding trays for hose storage. 



Metalfab would like to thank the St. John's Regional Fire Department for the purchase of their latest Metalfab unit.

Throwback Thursday - Dartmouth, NS - 1992 Top Mount Pumper

A 1992 Metalfab Top Mount Pumper delivered to the Dartmouth Fire Department is today's featured unit for Throwback Thursday.   This unit was one of two pumpers delivered to the Dartmouth Fire Department in 1992.

This top mounted pumper was mounted on a Ford CF8000 Single Axle Chassis.  The chassis featured a Ford 7.8L Ford 240 HP Diesel engine and an Allison MT643 Transmission.  Metalfab fabricated and installed a four man enclosed crew area mounted behind the chassis cab.

The pump for this unit was a 1050 IGPM Hale QSG Midship Pump.  The pump panel was in a top mount configuration.  The Foam System was a Foam Pro 2000.  The poly tank had a capacity of 500 Imperial Gallons of water.  It also had a foam cell of 10 Imperial Gallons and one foam cell of 30 Imperial Gallons.

The Aluminum Body featured high side compartments on the left side of the unit and low side compartments on the right side. 

Recent Deliveries - East Zorra - Tavistock, ON (Tavistock Station)

The Tavistock Station of the East Zorra - Tavistock Township Fire Department took Delivery of this Metalfab Tandem Pumper/Tanker on July 24, 2013.  This unit was the third unit purchased by the township but it was the first Metalfab unit at the Tavistock Station.

 

This tandem Pumper/Tanker was installed on a Freightliner M2 106 Four Door Chassis.  The chassis was equipped with a Cummins ISL 350 HP Diesel Engine and a Allison EVS 3000 Automatic Transmission.  The chassis was complete with Aluminum wheels and dual fender mounted air horns with dual lanyard controls overhead in the interior of the cab.

The pump on this unit was a Hale PSD 840 IGPM PTO Driven pump.  Where this was a PTO Driven pump, it had Pump and Roll Capability.  All piping was stainless steel and the pump panel was in a side mount configuration.  The Poly Water Tank had a capacity of 2,500 Imperial Gallons.  The truck was also equipped with a 10" Newton dump with Rotating and Telescopic chute and Two 4" Direct Tank Fills at the rear of the unit.



The extruded aluminum body featured a combination of high side and low side compartments on the
left side of the unit.  The right side of the unit had a combination of intermediate and low side compartments.  Rear Access to the main hose bed was achieved by a Zico Quic Ladder.  On the left side fender top a portable tank was stored in a manual drop down rack.  The right side fender top had a manual drop down ladder rack. 


Metalfab would like to thank the East Zorra - Tavistock Township Fire Department and the Tavistock Station for choosing Metalfab to manufacture this new Pumper/Tanker.

Throwback Thursday - Oromocto, NB - 1990 Metalfab Custom Pumper/Tanker

Today's featured truck for Throwback Thursday is a 1990 Metalfab Custom Pumper/Tanker manufactured for the Oromocto Fire Department. 

 

The chassis for this build was a 1990 Spartan Gladiator MFD Custom Chassis.  The engine was a Detroit Diesel 8V-92TA 450 HP Diesel Engine.  The Transmission was an Allison HT-741 Automatic Transmission. 

The Aluminum Body featured High Side Compartments on the Left Side of the unit and Intermediate height compartments on the right side of the unit.  A manual drop down ladder rack was installed on the right side fender top.

This truck was equipped with a Hale QSMG Midship Pump.  The pump had a capacity of 1500 IGPM.  The poly tank for this unit had a capacity of 1500 Imperial Gallons of water and 100 Imperial Gallons of Foam.  Flowmeters were installed on all 1-3/4" discharges and the monitor discharge.


In recent years, this unit has had several modifications and is currently still in service with the Oromocto Fire Department.

Recent Deliveries - River John, NS

The River John, NS welcomed their newest Metalfab Unit to its Fleet of Fire Apparatus on July 10, 2013.  This Metalfab Tandem Pumper/Tanker is the Fourth Metalfab unit that the Department has purchased.

This tandem axle tanker was installed on a Freightliner M2 106 Tandem axle two door chassis.  The chassis was equipped with a 350 HP Cummins ISC Diesel engine and a Allison EVS 3000 Automatic Transmission.


This Pumper/Tanker was equipped with a Hale QFLO 1050 IGPM.  The pump panel was a side
mount type.  Each 6" Steamer port was equipped with a Hale Manual MIV (Master Intake Valve).  The water tank had a capacity of 2,500 Imperial Gallons.  At the rear of the unit, a 10" Newton Dump with rotating and telescopic chute and a 4" direct fill were installed.  There was also a 1" valve installed at the rear for filling of Back Pack Tanks for grass fires.


The extruded aluminum body featured Low Side compartments on the left side of the unit and intermediate height compartments on the right side.  The truck was equipped with a Whelen LED Warning Light package.  The doors on the body were a combination of Amdor Roll Up Doors and flush mount doors.  The truck had rear access storage compartments for a 3,000  Gallon Portable tank on the left side of the unit and had rear access storage for a 24'-00" 2 section ladder, a 14'-00" roof ladder, a 10'-00" attic ladder and 2 pike poles on the right side of the unit.  The truck also had storage compartments for wheel chocks in the left side rear wheel well area.

Metalfab would like to thank the River John Fire Department for this recent purchase.

Throwback Thursday - Saint-Pierre, Saint Pierre et Miquelon - 1996 Metalfab Rescue Unit

This 1996 Metalfab Rescue Vehicle for the Ville de Saint-Pierre, Saint-Pierre et Miquelon is this week's featured unit.

 
 


This Ford F350 4x4 chassis was equipped with a 13'-00" Extruded Aluminum Body.  The unit featured exterior compartments with roll up doors.  It also featured a deep hosebed area for the storage of hose.  Ladders were stored in racks mounted above the body.

Recent Deliveries - Murray River, PE

On June 27, 2013, a new pumper was delivered to the Murray River, PE Fire Department.  This unit was built as a Metalfab Demo Unit. 



The side mount pumper body was mounted on a Freightliner M2 106 Four Door Chassis.  The chassis was equipped with a Cummins ISC - 350 HP Engine and an Allison EVS 3000 Automatic Transmission.


The pump on this unit was a Hale QFLO 1050 IGPM Midship pump.  The truck also had a Foam Pro 2001 Foam System installed.  The water tank on the unit had a capacity of 1,000 Imperial Gallons.



The extruded aluminum body consisted of high side compartments on the left side of the unit and low side compartments on the right side.  A portable tank was stored in a manual drop down rack located on the right side fender top.  Ladder storage was located in a slide way in the main hose bed of the unit.

Metalfab would like to thank the Murray River Fire Department for choosing us as the supplier of their new pumper.

Throwback Thursday - Waterford, VT - 2002 Metalfab Single Axle Tanker

A 2002 Metalfab Single Axle Tanker is this week's Throwback Thursday featured truck.  This unit was delivered to the Waterford, VT Fire Department on November 12, 2002.

This unit was mounted on a Sterling Acterra chassis which was equipped with a CAT 3126 300 HP Diesel engine and an Allison 3060P Automatic Transmission.

This truck was equipped with a Hale DSD 1,000 USGPM Pump. 
The water tank capacity on this unit was 1,800 US Gallons.  A 10" Newton dump with a slip on elbow and chute were installed on the rear of the unit.

The body featured low side compartments on the left side of the body with a high front compartment.  The right side had low side compartments.  This unit had AMDOR Roll up Doors.

Recent Deliveries - Mabou, NS

The Mabou Fire Department, located in Cape Breton, NS welcomed home their new Metalfab Single Axle Tanker on June 26, 2013.  This was the first Metalfab unit purchased by the department.

The Metalfab Single Axle Tanker was driven by a International 4400 Two Door, Single Axle chassis.  The chassis was equipped with a MaxxForce 9 330 HP engine and a Allison Automatic Transmission. 


The tanker was equipped with a Hale AP 420 IGPM PTO driven pump and a FoamPro 1600 in a side
mount pump panel configuration.  The truck was equipped with 1 2-1/2" Discharge on each the right side pump panel, the left side pump panel, and the rear of the unit.  The truck was also equipped with 2 1-1/2" crosslays located above the pump.  The poly tank had a capacity of 1,500 Imp. Gal. of water and 20 Imp. Gal. of Foam.  At the rear, a 10" Newton Dump with rotating swivel and 36" telescopic chute and a 4" direct tank fill valve were installed.

The Metalfab Single Axle Extruded Aluminum Body featured low side compartments fitted with Roll Up Doors on each side of the unit.  There was rear access storage tubes for one 6" suction hose on either side of the tank.  There was also a tube for the storage of a pike pole installed in the right suction hose tube.  A manual drop down portable tank rack was installed on the left side of the unit and a manual drop down ladder rack was installed on the right side of the unit.  A Zico Quic Ladder was installed at the rear of the unit to access the main hosebed.  This was installed in place of steps.

We would like to thank the Mabou Fire Department for choosing Metalfab to manufacture this tanker for them.

Throwback Thursday - Lisbon, NH - 1998 Metalfab Pumper

This week's Throwback Thursday featured unit is the first unit Metalfab manufactured for New Hampshire.  This Metalfab Pumper was delivered to the Lisbon, NH Fire Department on July 15, 1998.

This pumper on a Freightliner FL-80 chassis was equipped with a
Hale QSMG150 Single Stage Pump and a Hale Foam Master 3.3 foam system.  The poly tank had a capacity of 1,000 US Gal. of water and 20 US Gal. of foam.

The extruded aluminum body featured high side compartments on the left side of the body and low side compartments on the right side.  All Compartments were fitted with Roll Up Doors.