Chicago Fire Department

[MFD76]

[quote name='STLFire2494' timestamp='1295668584' post='421549']

Any reason for not having a pre-piped waterway on the aerial?

[/quote]



One big reason is pre-piped rigs in general have larger heavier ladders and more out-riggers. Thus making it more difficult to set in tight city streets. The med. duty ladder in my opinion is a great option most have a 250 tip weight rating with the NFPA 3-1 or 4-1 safety rating you are actually purchasing around a 750 tip weight or greater. Thus allowing rescue operations and if necessary or you can fly pipe with a clamp nozzle and 3inch.

The other reason is most large cities that use these med. duty ladders have Tower Ladder's or other type of units designed to flow big water. Generally when moving from offensive to defensive there is certain window to move the big water rigs in place if they are already not positioned and get Pumpers to supply them.



Some times in my own opinion departments spec. the most heavy duty ladder when it might not be necessary. Heavy duty ladder add weight to the chassis and cost to the entire unit. Also a single set of riggers is nice in apartments and on tight streets. These are my opinions from my research and colleges in the fire apparatus industry and large fire departments. I have always been a fan of the Chicago straight design and DCFD tiller design.



Some city's that med. duty ladders include nut but are not limited to:

DCFD

FDNY

Baltimore City

Boston

Wichita

LAFD

SFFD



Stay Safe,

Rick