Apparatus Innovations: The Continuing Evolution of Apparatus Equipment and Components

Apparatus manufacturers are working all out on production to fill back orders. Therefore, efforts to innovate are secondary at the moment. That isn’t the case at the companies that make the equipment and components for those vehicles. There are numerous new developments in the realm of what gets added to fire apparatus during their construction.

Akron Brass
The TerraStream 3 monitor is similar to the company’s Apollo monitor but has several operational improvements. The release mechanism on the TerraStream 3 is similar to a cam lock, which makes it more user-friendly. The ground base legs are synchronized. The unit’s designers concentrated on producing a better balance, to make the monitor easier for members to carry. All of these features make deploying the monitor faster.

On the operational side, the monitor weighs 30 percent less than the Apollo and has 36 percent less friction loss. Its maximum operating pressure is 232 psi.

The TerraStream 3 is available in truck-mount and portable versions, the latter of which has a new ground base design.

Fire Research
The company added three scene lighting products with the new Radiant line: the ECO (15,000 lumens), the MAX (32,000 lumens) and the LUX (22,000 lumens).

The ECO and MAX are available in both fixed-mount and pole-mount versions. Both lines have two options for focusing the light pattern.

The LUX (fixed-mount only) can be activated via either a standard on/off switch or a Controller Area Network (CAN) bus control, which provides more operational flexibility, including separate control over both the flood and spotlight functions as well as the ability to dim the lights.

Fire Research is offering the ECO through an LED upgrade program if a department has older lights on apparatus that it’s considering replacing.

The company also introduced OmniPlex, which is an integrated electronic multiplexing control system. The “all-in-one solution” has the capability to integrate all controls into one system. With an easily customizable, intuitive design and layout, the system provides “a hassle-free, user-friendly experience,” the company says. It includes a touchscreen for all functions and a 10-inch, high-resolution display that delivers significant brightness, to overcome visibility issues on sunny days. The higher resolution allows for better graphics.

Next-generation troubleshooting capabilities include location, diagnostics and current draw. Data logging for individual points includes history. For instance, if a particular circuit experiences a voltage spike issue, the spike is logged in that circuit’s history, to aid a technician in locating and repairing the problem.

Four camera inputs permit connection to a backup camera and as many as three other cameras. When the apparatus is shifted into reverse, the screen automatically becomes the full view of what’s provided by the backup camera. Touching the screen reduces the camera view and allows toggling of other system functions.

Voice alerts also are available for prompts with this system.

Four CAN bus inputs allow for other apparatus components to be connected to the system. These can include engine, transmission, anti-lock brakes system and other apparatus components that communicate on the J-1939 CAN bus.

FireTech
The new Omen warning lightbar was designed specifically for fire service applications rather than as a general emergency vehicle lightbar. To streamline specification, assembly, repair and parts inventory, only two types of lighting pods are used across all sizes (24 inches, 36 inches, 48 inches, 60 inches, 72 inches and 84 inches) of the product line. Each light pod is capable of five colors of light output (red, green, blue, amber and white).

The lightbar has four built-in operational modes: Respond Day, Respond Night, On-Scene Day and On-Scene Night. Default programming can be changed by the end user via a smartphone app. With all pods being capable of producing any of the five colors, myriad programming options are possible.

The lightbar communicates with the FireTech Guardian series of body-mounted warning lights. This allows for automatic night mode, ramping and dimming to be programmed into the system. The Omen and Guardian products communicate on the J-1939 CAN bus and Local Interconnect Network (LIN), both of which are common on built-in vehicle communications networks. Therefore, no special wiring is needed, which reduces installation complexity and cost.

Vehicle-to-vehicle communication also is possible with these products.

Trident Emergency Products
The Hosemate Safety Swivel hose fitting allows a 2½-inch or 3-inch hose to be attached to a fixed object (e.g., pumper auxiliary suction, standpipe connection, Blitzfire nozzle) where hose twist has been problematic on the fireground. The product permits a hose to rotate indefinitely, so twists come out as water fills the hose, which reduces obstructions to water flow. The swivel action is full time. A double raceway design means that water doesn’t get into the swivel mechanism.

Available soon, the ThermaGuard TRV and the ThermaGuard TMS monitor fire pump operating temperature and alert the pump operator to overheat conditions. The two systems have numerous operational characteristics in common, including the capability to allow the pump operator to pick the alert setting range. The selections are 120 degrees Fahrenheit, 140 degrees F and 170 degrees F. Both systems share a thermistor temperature sensor for more accurate temperature monitoring. Other common features are self-check on startup, LED status lights, optional audible alarm, default to last used temperature setting on startup, and IP67 rating (approved for harsh fireground situations).

The ThermaGuard TRV alerts the pump operator to an overheating condition but doesn’t take corrective action. The ThermaGuard TMS alerts the pump operator and takes action to alleviate an overheating condition. Unlike other thermal relief options, this unit offers options for accomplishing thermal relief. It can recirculate water from the booster tank or dump water to the ground. Both options can be programmed to function progressively.