PLI's Fire-Fighting Module consists of a specially designed "slip-on" initial attack unit that fits into a standard Heli-Basket^®. Floor space inside a Heli-Basket measures 4½ feet by 8½ feet, about the size of the box in the back of a pickup truck. "Slip-on" units, used by many rural fire departments, fit into the box of a pickup, a 3/4 ton truck or 1 ton truck. PLI's unit is mounted on a skid plate and aluminum frame that slides easily in and out of the Heli-Basket, when the water tank is empty (about 1200 lbs), or can be loaded and unloaded with a fork lift, when the water tank is full (about 4400 lbs). The Fire-Fighting Module is designed to be transported by a helicopter as an external load and used by a ground crew in locations that cannot be reached by a fire truck. The Fire-Fighting Module is used to suppress small wildland fires, for mop-up operations (typically lasting several days) or to protect structures.

Pump and Engine

The centrifugal fire pump is powered by a 18 hp Briggs & Stratton or Honda gasoline engine and can pump 110 gallons per minute (gpm) at a pressure of 100 pounds per square inch (psi) and 80 gpm at 200 psi. It can supply two 1½" hoses simultaneously for direct attack. The gasoline engine has a manual recoil and a 12 volt electric starter with external battery. The control panel consolidates pump and engine controls. It contains the ignition, starter and stop switches, throttle, choke, control for the electric primer on the pump, pressure gauge, and automatic-low-pressure-shutdown switch. A separate re-circulation valve prevents the pump from overheating when the nozzles are closed and no water is being discharged but the pump is running. Full-flow ball valves provide high flow-through rates.

Water Tank and Suction Hose

The heavy duty polypropylene water tank holds 400 gallons of water (3330 lbs.) and has a built-in foam tank. Clear strips on the side show the level of liquids in the water and foam tanks. There is a tank-shut-off valve on the suction side of the pump so that the pump can also suck water out of a nearby pond or a Fol-Da-Tank^® (not included). Ten feet of suction hose equipped with a footvalve and sieve are included. The sieve prevents larger particles from damaging the pump. The footvalve keeps water in the suction line when the pump is shut off so that the pump will be primed when it is started again. The fill tower on the polypropylene tank measures 8" by 10" for easy fill and clean out. The tank has a sump area with a drain valve on the bottom.

Foam Proportioner

A foam generator greatly extends the capability of the slip-on unit. A blanket of foam can quickly smother a pile of smoldering snags that otherwise resists being extinguished. The foam proportioner introduces foam concentrate, which is stored in a built-in 15 gallon tank, into the water stream. The standard foam proportioner takes a small stream of water from the discharge side of the pump and uses it to pick up foam concentrate from the foam tank and inject it into the water stream on the suction side of the pump. A metering valve or proportioner adjusts the concentration of foam chemicals in the water stream from 0.01% to 1%, producing "wet" foam or "dry" foam. [For mop-up operations, wet foam is preferred.] Air-aspirating foam nozzles for 1" and 1½" lines are included.

An optional foam proportioner manufactured by Robwen is also available. This foam proportioner (Model 500) operates only on the discharge side of the pump and downstream from the re-circulation valve. In contrast to the standard foam proportioner, the Robwen proportioner prevents foam concentrate from entering the water tank or the pump. This is an advantage in situations where the tank, pump, and valves are not cleaned in a timely manner after being used and corrosion by foam chemicals is a matter of concern. Most fire-fighters using slip-on units, however, are able to clean their equipment promptly and the standard foam proportioner meets their needs.

Hose and Nozzles

The Fire-Fighting Module comes equipped with 300' of 1½" diameter forestry hose and 300' of 1" forestry hose. The hose is in 100' lengths, equipped with ¼ turn quick-connect couplings. [Current U.S. Forest Service guidelines indicate quick-connect couplings for forestry hose.] Reducers connect the 1" hose to the 1½" hose or to the 1½" couplings on the slip-on unit. The 1½" straight stream/fog nozzle delivers between 20 and 60 gallons per minute. The 1" straight stream/fog nozzle delivers between 10 and 30 gallons per minute. Air aspirating foam nozzles for the 1½" and 1" lines and a mop-up wand are included.

The hose tray shown in the photo holds 200' of 1½" hose. The hose connects to the water line inside the hose tray. A tool box (not shown) holds the remaining hose. The hose reel with 1" hose, shown in the photo, is optional.

Structure Protection

The Fire-Fighting Module can be used to protect houses and other structures which are in the path of wildland fire and are cut-off from access by a ground-based vehicle.

Several polymer gels have been approved by the U.S. Forest Service and may provide short-term protection for a period as short as a half hour but may last several hours or longer. The polymer gel is sprayed directly on the walls and roof of a house and provides protection until the water in the gel evaporates.

In contrast, long-term retardant is sprayed on the yard and shrubbery around the house and provides protection until the next rain. The most cost-effective retardant is liquid fertilizer such as ammonium phosphate or ammonium sulfate. Commercial retardant contains a dye so that one can easily determine coverage.

Hand Tools and Tool Box

The locking tool box (not shown in photo) contains 2 forestry shovels, 2 Pulaski tools, 2 McLeod tools, a Bullard wildfire hat with rachet adjustable head band, a 5 gallon collapsible back pack tank and pump, space for additional 5 gallons of foam concentrate, and coils of fire hose as listed above. The tool box is made of 1/8" aluminum diamond plate as shown in the photo for the tank top and hose tray.

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