New Firefighting System Three Times More Effective Than Previous Method

  • Published
  • By Mr. Steven P. Wells, AFRL/RXQE
  • Materials and Manufacturing
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  Air Force Research Laboratory researchers have developed ultra-high pressure (UHP) firefighting technology that is three times more effective than conventional capability and increases the length of time a firefighting vehicle can remain on scene. UHP technology, compared with conventional methods at the same flow rate, provides extended agent discharge distance and coverage and allows operators to more safely combat fuel fires. The first Air Force firefighting vehicle to use this new UHP technology is the P-34 Rapid Intervention Vehicle (RIV). The vehicle began production in September 2011. The P-34 RIV will replace older P-19 firefighting vehicles, which have been in service since the 1980s.

AFRL researchers develop a variety of new firefighting technologies to reduce cost, weight and volume for deploying effective airbase crash and rescue capabilities. The UHP firefighting system discharges a water and firefighting foam mixture at pressures of 1,500 pounds per square inch.

With a capacity of 500 gallons of aggregate firefighting agent, the P-34 RIV is smaller and more agile than older vehicles currently in the Air Force's crash response fleet. Built on a Ford F550 chassis with an enhanced front axle, the truck's cabin is designed to accommodate three firefighters and their equipment.

The UHP turret, which is mounted on the front bumper, is powered by a four-stage, high-pressure centrifugal pump that discharges 60 gallons of firefighting agent per minute. The turret is designed to be operated via a joystick by an operator in the cab. The RIV operator can apply firefighting agent using the UHP turret while in motion or stopped. The vehicle also has two 200-foot hand lines that output 15 gallons per minute each and allow firefighters to perform interior firefighting and rescue operations. Firefighters can operate the turret and two hand lines simultaneously.

In 2010, the average cost of replacing a 1,000-gallon P-19 firefighting vehicle was $564,000. The new, 500-gallon UHP P-34 RIV has the firefighting capability of a 1,500-gallon vehicle using conventional pumping technology and costs about $160,000. The Air Force is expected to purchase at least 207 RIVs, reducing the age of its vehicle fleet and achieving a cost-avoidance savings as high as $84 million.