Dräger breathes new life into firefighter safety at height

Dräger’s Engineered Solutions division has designed a breathing air panel for Staffordshire Fire and Rescue to protect firefighters working at height on aerial platforms and ladders from smoke and toxic fumes during an incident.

The panel protects firefighters positioned on and operating a fire rescue vehicle’s aerial ladder platform (ALP) and turntable ladder.

When firefighting from height, firefighters are at significant risk of smoke and toxic fumes inhalation, especially when there is a change in wind-direction. Immediate access to clean air is essential to protect them, and support Incident Command in how best to position the platform and ladders.

The panel works by providing a steady supply of compressed air to up to four firefighters. It consists of four high-pressure inlets, a pressure reducer and gauge, a series of valves and a control device that uses a hose to deliver air to a distribution system connected to the aerial ladder cage. The system is designed to prevent leakage and ensure an uninterrupted supply of breathable air. A warning whistle alerts the operator of any pressure issues, and an electrical signal is also shared with other firefighting vehicles attending an incident. The system automatically depressurises after operation.

Angloco, a business that specialises in firefighting vehicles and equipment, partnered with Dräger in installing the panel. Vehicle chassis, turntable ladders and ALPS vary in size and design, so Dräger and Angloco worked together to utilise shared experience in previous installations and design a bespoke, integrated solution for Staffordshire’s specific needs and product usage.

“Staffordshire has worked with the team at Dräger over many years and we trust their product expertise and the team’s ability to modify a solution to the requirements we set out. This expertise is why they were chosen to deliver the project, in addition to proven experience in similar programmes,” he says.

“Angloco also provided a brilliant service, and we felt all parties worked hard to ensure we have the best solution.”

Mike Williams, BA Maintenance Manager for Staffordshire Fire and Rescue.

Thomas Pearson, Marketing Manager Engineered Solutions at Dräger, says the hospitalisation of a firefighter who attended a plastics factory fire in 2016 brought the issue of firefighting at height to the fore: “Thankfully after this incident there has been a greater priority on the breathing protection and health of all firefighters, not only those tackling a blaze within a structure or building.”

The industry will once again be gathering at the NEC, Birmingham for The Emergency Services Show, co-located with The Emergency Tech Show, on 17-18 September, check out the full exhibitor list here. You can find Dräger in Hall 5, Stand D180.