Recent Delivery - Wellesley, ON Fire Department (Linwood Station)

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 



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.

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. 

Recent Deliveries - Hartland, NB

Metalfab would like to thank the Hartland Fire Department for their purchase of a new Metalfab Pumper unit.  This truck is the fifth Metalfab Fire Truck purchased by the Department.

The single axle pumper is mounted on a Freightliner M2 112 chassis.  The chassis is equipped with a 345 HP Cummins ISL engine and a Allison Automatic Transmission.  The chassis came complete with polished aluminum wheels.



The Hartland Pumper was equipped with A Hale QMAX 1500 IGPM midship pump and a Foam Pro
1600 Foam System.  Each 6" side suction port was equipped with a Electric MIV valve.  A 5" discharge was located on the right side pump panel.  The poly tank had a capacity of 1200 Imp. Gal. of water and 20 Imp. Gal. of foam.  There was also a 10" Newton Dump with a 36" telescopic chute and a 4" direct tank fill installed at the rear of the unit.

The Single Axle Metalfab Pumper Body had high side compartments on the left side of the unit and had intermediate height compartments on the right side of the unit.  The truck was equipped with AMDOR Roll Up Doors.  Ladders were stored on a Zico Electric ladder rack on the right side of the apparatus.  A portable tank was stored in a rear access compartment through the tank.  There was storage for a 6" suction hose in a rear access compartment on each side of the tank tee.