overweight firetrucks

[rescue5271]

On ABC radio the other day the CFA has but 40 of its firetankers on reduced speed limites due to being overweight due to equipment being placed on tankers over the last few years. Neil bibby said that because the service was busyer and that crew need more gear that the tankers where overweight. This would mean that most call outs would need not two appliances but now three due to speed restrictions.....

Why not just remove some of the gear or better still give them a second tanker?

[CFS_Firey]

I've heard a rumour that the CFS re-badged a whole lot of its trucks because they too were overweight. (That is, they just re-badged what the maximum weight is).
I also know of at least one truck that now has less water because they traded weight in water for equipment... Are the truck max weights a safety thing, or a legal thing IMHO, the CFS should be allowed to go over weight if their operational requirements need it, rather than compromise safety by loosing water...

[oz fire]

I believe CFS set a standard years ago that was 85% of the manufacturers maximum - which allowed a safety margin for the additional equipment, crew etc. Don't know if they still do that, but when they did it allowed for the extra's that people have due the the unique risks, environment, etc that they have in their repsonse area.

[Mike]

There are a few overweight appliances in the CFS, and not all traded water. The problem comes with general use of the vehicle, not when under emergency conditions.

CFS applied to Transport SA to get exemptions for overweight vehicles (I think the old 24 Specials where the worst offenders). A few had engineering inspections to have the GVM revised to a higher weight, whilst a couple of brigades had to reduce water carried.

I believe the 24P appliances had to get exemption from Transport SA for being overwidth as well. They were designed right on the limit, but because the sidelines stick out a little more when you put them into the holders..... well thats just enough to put them over~!

[rescue5271]

Our group got one of the overweight 24's from another group the unit is with a rural brigade that does 3 jobs a year as less gear on it and is legal for the road. When we got it it had more lockers on it than another applinaces that I have seen....

[Mike]

that would be a 24 special.... was there seperate access to the rear for the pump operator?

[kat]

We have a 24 special built by the CFA and delivered in 1991. It has a door to access the pump and a work deck.

It was weighed many a time and visited. The rescue gear and all BA is now stored on the pumper so reduced the weight a bit.

A long story, the overwieght appliance saga.

[rescue5271]

yes mike you are right i think it came from region 2 virgina or some where like that..

[Chris@forestry]

Hi,

All Forestry SA RFW fire trucks and tankers were oversize and over weight. We just had to get permits every year.

All had a top speed of 100-110 so speed was not an issue.(except around town)

The new firekings are over weight a little so we will have to do the same thing with them.

Weight is only an issue if you are a lot over not just a few cwt. all vehicles have a bit of tolerance in them. Most are made for overseas markets and are allowed to carry bigger loads there. The weight limits here are intended to protect the roads from damage.

Our heavy tankers were top heavy and very unstable when turning and had to be very slow on tight turns or on slopes.

The weight issue is a legal thing, max axle weights are set down and must be followed at all times unless a permit is issued. There would be no problem for CFS getting a permit BUT it does mean that because the vehicles are being used subject to a permit. Each MUST have an yearly inspection. A pain in the bum and exspensive.

It just means you have to drive a bit more carefull as the unit is at it's maximum brake and steer weight and will tend to wander.

Cheers

Chris

[rescue5271]

Chris how did ya get a permit?? as some auspine unit are overweight and they cant get one are they only for goverment appliances