WATERAX Pumps for Wildland Fire Apparatus

WATERAXPumpsWildlandFireApparatus

Fire agencies need versatile, rugged and portable equipment for wildland and wildland-urban interface (WUI) applications, to transport firefighters, hoses, pumps, fittings, water and other equipment. Due to the often remote nature of wildland fires, getting to the scene generally requires four-wheel drive and off-road capabilities. For vehicles used in wildland applications, one particularly important component is the variety of pumps and water handling equipment available — from small pumps for mopping up, to large pumps that can help protect structures.

Standards for wildland fire apparatus are defined by the National Fire Protection Agency in NFPA 1906. Typically, the size of the vehicle, the volume of the tank and the performance of the pump defines the type of the fire engine. Type 4, 5 and 6 engines deliver flow rates of 50 gallons/minute or higher with a minimum pressure of 100 psi and tank capacities between 150-750 gallons. Type 7 engines have smaller 50 gallon tanks and are multipurpose units used for patrol, mop up or initial attack. Often, parks and fire agencies will use a combination of these various types of vehicles in their fleets.

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WATERAX offers several centrifugal fire pump models for Type 4, 5, 6 and 7 wildland engines. The WATERAX BB-4® and Diesel BB-4 pumps are designed for Types 4, 5 and 6, while the STRIKER and the VERSAX® are suitable for Type 7 applications. WATERAX partners with the various makers of wildland apparatus, including Heiman Fire Equipment, Nevada Pacific and RKO Enterprises.

Why use WATERAX pumps?

Trusted by the wildland fire community, WATERAX pumps have been top sellers and established leaders for years. Many WATERAX products sold decades ago are still in operation and maintained with genuine spare parts. They offer the performance, ease of maintenance, reliability and durability fire agencies need.

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Performance
The BB-4® high-pressure fire pumps are used by numerous wildland agencies and rural fire departments, and offer better performance at higher altitude with longer hose lays to reach higher elevation. High pressure allows the booster reel hose to be longer without sacrificing nozzle performance, and the hose can also have a smaller diameter, which helps minimize weight and save space.

The WATERAX B2X mid-range pump is a good balance of pressure and flow, providing fire fighters with versatility in attack and water transfer operations including dual line attack operations. The higher pressures that the WATERAX fire pumps are known for also provide better ground sweep and monitor performance, in addition to excellent flow rates.

Ease of maintenance
Agencies using WATERAX products benefit from a maintenance-free drive assembly that requires no oil change or fluid level monitoring.  Intervention in the field is minimized by a maintenance-free pump end, which is also detachable for easier remote repair and minimal downtime.

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Reliability & durability
The WATERAX family of quality pumps has been time-tested in rugged environments and trusted by wildland firefighters since the 1920s. With highly durable and reliable designs and construction, WATERAX pumps equipped with a drive assembly include timing belts and coupling buffers that extend the service life of the engine and the pump. The drive assembly ensures reliable operation at every range of engine speed, from idle to full throttle.

Customer support
WATERAX is focused on quality, and the company stands behind its products by offering first-class customer support to their worldwide partners and clients.

For more information, visit www.waterax.com.

 

Topics

Fire agencies need versatile, rugged and portable equipment for wildland and wildland-urban interface (WUI) applications, to transport firefighters, hoses, pumps, fittings, water and other equipment. Due to the often remote nature of wildland fires, getting to the scene generally requires four-wheel drive and off-road capabilities. For vehicles used in wildland applications, one particularly important component […]

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