Pump Panels Side Mount Vs Top Mount - My Firefighter Nation2024-03-19T07:12:06Zhttps://my.firefighternation.com/forum/topics/pump-panels-side-mount-vs-top?commentId=889755%3AComment%3A5761896&feed=yes&xn_auth=noThis just my opinion on those…tag:my.firefighternation.com,2011-05-29:889755:Comment:57633562011-05-29T14:44:49.018ZWalter Karl Powitzky, Jr.https://my.firefighternation.com/profile/WalterKarlPowitzkyJr
This just my opinion on those two types of pump panels as in my larger department we have one of each. The side panel allows for pull handles and easy acess to the rest of the truck and personnel. The top mount gives you better visability and safer work area as well as handles that are pulled back toward you or pushed away, the diadvantaged i have notice is difficulty in communacation with the pump operater both face to face and on radios were a headset is not used. If your dept. decides to go…
This just my opinion on those two types of pump panels as in my larger department we have one of each. The side panel allows for pull handles and easy acess to the rest of the truck and personnel. The top mount gives you better visability and safer work area as well as handles that are pulled back toward you or pushed away, the diadvantaged i have notice is difficulty in communacation with the pump operater both face to face and on radios were a headset is not used. If your dept. decides to go with a top mount make sure to purchase the headset for the person operating the pump it will save a lot of headaches with trying to get things done. Both types are bascialy the same in many other regards. They will have same intake and discharge handles and name plates,with also have flow meters, gauges, etc. It's all in what you like and any variation in cost. Anyone who has seen "many, ma…tag:my.firefighternation.com,2011-05-29:889755:Comment:57632432011-05-29T14:15:52.927ZTruckinainteasyhttps://my.firefighternation.com/profile/Truckinainteasy
Anyone who has seen "many, many" rear end wrecks that totaled apparatus may want to consider new SOPs or an attenuator vehicle. I'm sure you could also face your pump panel at every building, the long travel times, maneuvering down one way streets and dead ends should be interesting.
Anyone who has seen "many, many" rear end wrecks that totaled apparatus may want to consider new SOPs or an attenuator vehicle. I'm sure you could also face your pump panel at every building, the long travel times, maneuvering down one way streets and dead ends should be interesting. "...other then the highway we…tag:my.firefighternation.com,2011-05-29:889755:Comment:57624642011-05-29T05:23:25.784ZDaniel J. Grahamhttps://my.firefighternation.com/profile/DanielJGraham
<i>"...other then the highway we have, theres not a huge traffic threat to the saftey of our engineers."</i><br />
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I have to assume that you're referring to a limited access highway, with presumably a speed limit of at least 55mph. In which case, that highway IS a huge traffic threat to safety!<br />
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I'm certainly not saying that your apparatus is sub-par, or even not suited for your needs, because I do not know your response area, primary hazards, or anything of the sort. What I AM saying is that the…
<i>"...other then the highway we have, theres not a huge traffic threat to the saftey of our engineers."</i><br />
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I have to assume that you're referring to a limited access highway, with presumably a speed limit of at least 55mph. In which case, that highway IS a huge traffic threat to safety!<br />
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I'm certainly not saying that your apparatus is sub-par, or even not suited for your needs, because I do not know your response area, primary hazards, or anything of the sort. What I AM saying is that the highway is one of the most dangerous places we operate. It is, in my opinion, an IDLH environment in it's own respect. It requires the use of specialized equipement designed for that purpose to keep us safe (cones, signage, reflective vests, etc.) and also requires a certain skill set and mentality to operate safely. One must assume that every motorist on the highway is TRYING to run them over, and be prepared for when they are. That means properly positioning apparatus, operating outside the guardrails whenever possible, exiting on the shoulder-side of the apparatus, etc.<br />
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As for buying what your department can afford, I agree. Provided safety is NOT compromised. At no time should any self-respecting firefighter allow safety to be sacrificed in order to save money.<br />
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I'm glad your apparatus is working well for your department, but I would strongly consider how you operate with it to maximize safety. Especially on a limited access highway. Be safe. My Dept recently purchased a…tag:my.firefighternation.com,2011-05-29:889755:Comment:57618962011-05-29T04:18:07.111ZDwaine ( Lucky Luck ) Crainhttps://my.firefighternation.com/profile/Dwaine
My Dept recently purchased a 1995 HME 1000 GAL ENgine, with a side mount Pump Panel, for us it works great, were in the country and it works well with all of our fluch mount hydrants, other then the highway we have, theres not a huge traffic threat to the saftey of our engineers. Buy what your dept can afford, but keep in mind it also has to fit your communities profile.…<p style="text-align: left;"><img alt="" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1923093057?profile=original"></img></p>
My Dept recently purchased a 1995 HME 1000 GAL ENgine, with a side mount Pump Panel, for us it works great, were in the country and it works well with all of our fluch mount hydrants, other then the highway we have, theres not a huge traffic threat to the saftey of our engineers. Buy what your dept can afford, but keep in mind it also has to fit your communities profile.<p style="text-align: left;"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1923093057?profile=original" alt=""/></p> All of these responses are ex…tag:my.firefighternation.com,2011-05-22:889755:Comment:57446442011-05-22T07:00:35.178ZDaniel J. Grahamhttps://my.firefighternation.com/profile/DanielJGraham
All of these responses are excellent, and serve to illustrate one major point: when specing an apparatus, it needs to be designed and set up around the needs of YOUR response area. Personally, I prefer the top mount pumps for all the reasons stated previously, mainly visibility and safety. My department operates very frequently on a 6-lane divided limited access highway, and therefore all our drivers are taught the proper blocking position to provide maximum protection on the scene when…
All of these responses are excellent, and serve to illustrate one major point: when specing an apparatus, it needs to be designed and set up around the needs of YOUR response area. Personally, I prefer the top mount pumps for all the reasons stated previously, mainly visibility and safety. My department operates very frequently on a 6-lane divided limited access highway, and therefore all our drivers are taught the proper blocking position to provide maximum protection on the scene when arriving first due. Next-in units are then positioned to increase protection. We did a lot of research when purchasing our rescue-engine, and after reviewing all the points of each, we decided on a top mount for all those reasons, and because those reasons made it a better fit for our district. Got a pic?
Greenmantag:my.firefighternation.com,2011-05-21:889755:Comment:57437832011-05-21T23:30:13.782ZGreenmanhttps://my.firefighternation.com/profile/Greenman
Got a pic?<br />
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Greenman
Got a pic?<br />
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Greenman We got our new Pierce top sid…tag:my.firefighternation.com,2011-05-21:889755:Comment:57436552011-05-21T20:03:00.941ZJohn Van Coilliehttps://my.firefighternation.com/profile/JohnVanCoillie
We got our new Pierce top side mount in Jan. We love it so far. Visibilty is excellant no matter which way you pull up on scene. It did not add any additional lenghth to the truck. The pump operator is up and safe when working near the road. Our second due pumper is a top mount. It is ok but you can't beat the view of the scene like on the new Pierce. It is also about 3ft. shorter than our top mount.
We got our new Pierce top side mount in Jan. We love it so far. Visibilty is excellant no matter which way you pull up on scene. It did not add any additional lenghth to the truck. The pump operator is up and safe when working near the road. Our second due pumper is a top mount. It is ok but you can't beat the view of the scene like on the new Pierce. It is also about 3ft. shorter than our top mount. I too am an engineer at my st…tag:my.firefighternation.com,2011-05-20:889755:Comment:57391152011-05-20T05:38:48.996ZMichael Meadowshttps://my.firefighternation.com/profile/MichaelMeadows
I too am an engineer at my station and I love the top mount pumps. A lot of people talk about seeing the hoses and scene better but it's not just that. You can also keep better track of what's being gotten out of the compartments than you can with a side mount. I have used front mount pumps and side mount pumps, front mount is good in that you know exactly what is going on with the pump all the time and with our setup you can move the truck and still flow water. Only downside with ours is all…
I too am an engineer at my station and I love the top mount pumps. A lot of people talk about seeing the hoses and scene better but it's not just that. You can also keep better track of what's being gotten out of the compartments than you can with a side mount. I have used front mount pumps and side mount pumps, front mount is good in that you know exactly what is going on with the pump all the time and with our setup you can move the truck and still flow water. Only downside with ours is all the 2 1/2 connections are off the front so you have to drag hose then hook it up which can be a pain for suction or discharge. You also can't keep track of compartments like you can with a top mount pump. I don't care for side mount pumps they put you in the middle of the road sometimes and it's much harder to get a feel for the scene should the truck be blocking said scene. And again you can't keep track of equipment like you can with a top mount pump. Just my 2 cents. Top mounts are much better th…tag:my.firefighternation.com,2011-05-19:889755:Comment:57388822011-05-19T19:15:41.026ZGreenmanhttps://my.firefighternation.com/profile/Greenman
Top mounts are much better than side mounts for the reason others have posted here already.<br />
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When you get into Top Mounts, you need to consider Forward-Facing or Rear-Facing panels.<br />
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If you have a front jump line, or your department primarily uses forward lays when catching hydrants, go with a Forward-Facing Top Mount panel.<br />
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Greenman
Top mounts are much better than side mounts for the reason others have posted here already.<br />
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When you get into Top Mounts, you need to consider Forward-Facing or Rear-Facing panels.<br />
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If you have a front jump line, or your department primarily uses forward lays when catching hydrants, go with a Forward-Facing Top Mount panel.<br />
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Greenman Well I'm the engineer for our…tag:my.firefighternation.com,2011-05-19:889755:Comment:57386882011-05-19T18:44:22.515ZMichael Ahttps://my.firefighternation.com/profile/MichaelAmlotte
Well I'm the engineer for our department and I can tell you I love our top mount. I started with the side mount and like others mentioned you can't see you have lines in the way.<br />
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I will say one of the downsides is during a fire I get up and down off the engine numerous times. Very small department that is dependent on tanker shuttles for water. So I normally have to jump down and guide the tankers back to the drop tank. So I may not be "fighting" the fire but I get just as tired...lol
Well I'm the engineer for our department and I can tell you I love our top mount. I started with the side mount and like others mentioned you can't see you have lines in the way.<br />
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I will say one of the downsides is during a fire I get up and down off the engine numerous times. Very small department that is dependent on tanker shuttles for water. So I normally have to jump down and guide the tankers back to the drop tank. So I may not be "fighting" the fire but I get just as tired...lol