Building a mini fire truck

[Fxfymn413]

A high pressure system will not be effective for an outside fire as the principle behind HP is that the water will be sprayed in a fine droplet which is quickly converted to steam in a confined space. it allegedly saved water, but the reality is the structure usually burned down.

Fighting fire with water is a simple physics problem. It takes X amount of water applied directly to the fire to cool Y amount of heat. Not enough water on the fire equals no fire suppression.

30 to 100 gallons of water will control a relatively small area in mild weather conditions, but don't fool yourself into burning on a dry windy day as the fire will quickly overwhelm you.

Our small brush units used an engine driven pump activated by an electric clutch similar to an A/C compressor.

 

[AaronD81]

I got a couple leftover 55 gallon food grade barrels to palletize and load on my side-by-side for miscellaneous watering chores and fire control while burning. I figure I also need to set up a pump for garden hose flow and pressure.

I think one of you guys has run this mousetrap… any “standard” way of doing this?

I use this pump with a 55 gallon barrel in my Gator. It works well for watering plants and as a backup when I burn brush. It's too small for tote quantities of water, but it's a perfect fit for 55 gallons. The built in pressure switch is convenient, no need to turn it on an off, just close hose nozzle.

Amazon.com

 

[MarblemountLane]

I see good functional ideas here. Just keep in mind that it’s easy to overload equipment. Fresh water weighs 8.33 pounds per gallon; tanks can be heavy; pumps and hose weights add up. Seems it always ends up a bit more than expected.

 

[scootr]

When it's fire season, I put 2 IBC on my trailer, a small gas powered pump and about 30 meters of hose. It's not much but should help some.

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I have a small trailer outfitted with 2 totes and 2" trash pump with 50" hose...

 

[ptsg]

I have a small trailer outfitted with 2 totes and 2" trash pump with 50" hose...

Better to have it and not need it, that's for sure.

I've seen some nasty fires where I have this tractor at and this setup would've came in handy back then.

 

[RayIN]

800# for the bed. Thanks for letting me know - I did the math and wasn’t planning on filling both 100%.

Be aware, a partially filled container sloshes and the weight of sloshing water can easily cause major problems. That is why containers used to transport liquids OTR are baffled.

 

[quicksandfarmer]

Google "kei fire truck."

 

[ultrarunner]

I was thinking along these lines from the title…

1951 Crosley

 

[scootr]

I have seen retired forestry fire trucks for sale at auction...looked interesting. 2k-4k gallon water truck with a side spray and roof cannon would be ideal but the price is high. Also I have no desire to add one more vehicle to my maintenance load...hence the water trailer.

 

[Fuddyduddy1952]

Strange...it looks like the Nash Metropolitan fire truck except Crosley front.

 

[RobertN]

This is similar to what I mentioned above, that was built to use in large multi-story parking structure, with a structure lateral pack and room for extra SCBA bottles etc. In it's basic form though, it is built for brush/grass rig.

 

[Renze]

800# for the bed. Thanks for letting me know - I did the math and wasn’t planning on filling both 100%.

Most occurring cause of toppled firetrucks, is when they drive home after a fire with half empty tanks... when the truck leans over, the water sloshes to that side too, at the wrong moment.
Same with slurry tankers (they use truck container wagons with a 25 to 30 m3 tank welded on top, to transport it to the headland, before applicating it with a tank on floatation tires) when you cant fill them properly with a vacuum pump (because vacuum draws foam from slurry) you can get that slosh just at the wrong time, and it topples you over, like my mates intern had three years ago)