How To Pick The Best Firefighting System
Understanding the differences between the many firefighting options available is bound to cause a headache. That's why we've come up with the 4 key things you need to consider when buying a firefighting unit to protect your farm.
1. Pull or electric start?
Pull start is the standard option and if you are buying a reputable firefighter then pull starting should not be an issue. If, however you want electric start this can be an option on most firefighters and starting is then simply the turn of a key. It is important to note that the battery for the firefighter will lose charge if not used often and if that is the case a small solar charger connected to the battery when the firefighter is not in use will ensure the battery is always charged and ready for action.
2. Petrol or diesel?
There are more petrol firefighters than diesel, so the petrol option is cheaper and there are greater choices in models. Diesel is more fuel efficient and is the preferred choice on mine sites or where continuous operation is needed but way more expensive.
3. What kind of seals does it have?
There are normally 2 types of seals that are available for your firefighter. EPDM and Viton. EPDM seals are good for most ag chemicals and Viton seals are good for most harsh chemicals including diesel. Viton is a more expensive option but if you are planning on pumping harsh chemicals then Viton is your best bet.
4. Which size firefighter is right for me?
A firefighter is different to a transfer pump though they can look very similar.
In a firefighting pump you are getting a higher pressure pump compared to a transfer pump enabling you stand back from the fire you are fighting and ensuring you are able to reach up into trees that many be alight.
Firefighters are a combination of engine and pump and therefore have a couple of considerations
Engine
Most firefighters have a petrol engine, some more reputable than others so look for a brand you can trust. Engine sizes vary from 160cc to 300cc. A larger engine means that the pump will not be working as hard when operated. The performance curves are the similar. A Twin Impeller Engine will also give you more head (PSI) to work with if pressure is critical or if there are excessive frictional losses to deal with.
Inlet and Outlet.
The inlet and outlet can vary from 1” to 6”+. In a standard firefighter increasing the inlet size from 2” to 3” and the outlet from 1 1/2” to 3” does not necessarily change the specifications of the flow and pressure markedly without increasing the engine size. Inlet and outlet size will affect the frictional losses in the system which is a major consideration if your discharge hose length is significant.
Visit our Firefighting solutions page for our range.
For information on how to size your pump for your job see the video below