Unit – 4

Lesson 1 – Fire Crash Tender

1. What are the main components of a Fire Crash Tender?

The water cum foam Crash Fire Tender is a specialized fire engine which is designed for aircraft
rescue as well as during firefighting operations at aerodromes, airports, and military air bases.
Water Tank
The water tank is made of stainless steel with epoxy coat or fiber glass (GRF). The capacity of
water tank is 6500 Liters. The tank is constructed with suitable longitudinal and traverse baffles,
and provided with hinged lids, a filling hole with filter at top and a drain hole at the bottom. The
tank can be easily separate from crew compartment, chassis, engine.
Foam Tank
The foam tank is made of stainless steel with epoxy coat or fiber glass (GRF). The capacity of
foam tank is 800 Liters. The tank is provided with a filling hole with filter at top and a drain hole
at the bottom. The tank can be easily separate from crew compartment, chassis, engine.
Pump with Primer
Pump is a multi-stage centrifugal pump, midship mounted and the pump control panel shall be
located in crew cabin. Primer provided along with pump is having an automatic engagement
(Water ring) and disengagement provision.
Engine exhaust gases
These are gases which exhausts from the engine during the operation. These gases are also
used as a drive force for the priming operation.
Air vent
Air vent is used to discharge the excess exhaust gases
Piping, Couplings and Valves
All piping’s, coupling and valves are made of materials to prevent corrosive and galvanic action.
Piping connections consist of mainly venturi pipes used to inject liquid with gas, to measure the
speed of a fluid, by measuring the pressure changes from one point to another.

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Waste Pipe
Excess fluid and steam will leave through the waste pipe during the operation.
2. How is power taken off from the engine?

Change the position of the lever provided at the back of driver seat to take power off the vehicle
engine and to divert the same to the pump.

3. What are the capacities of

a. Water Tank
Capacity of water tank is 6500 Liters

b. Foam Tank
Capacity of foam tank is 800 Liters

4. What type of primer is used on the pump? How does it work?

Pump is a multi-stage centrifugal pump, midship mounted and the pump control panel shall be
located in crew cabin. Primer provided along with pump is having an automatic engagement
(Water ring) and disengagement provision.
Open the suction valve of the pump. in case water is available in the water tank, simply open
the priming valve and allow all air present in the pump casing to come out of the waste pipe
followed by continuous stream of water. Then close the priming valve.
In case no water is available in the water tank, connect the suction hose and immerse the other
end fitted with a foot valve, in the source of water. Divert exhaust gases to the "primer" open the
priming valve. Allow all air to come out of the waste pipe till steam starts coming out of it.

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