Fire Apparatus Components

A fire engine comprises separate components that come standard with every truck built for structural fire attack. These parts are essential to allowing the fire fighters to work safely and efficiently to extinguish fires. The actual makeup of the different components may vary between different cities to fit their particular needs, but the basics of the component remains the same. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) determines the basic components.

Hose

• All fire engines, by definition, must have a fire hose. These hoses may differ in length and diameter to suit specific task for the department that uses them. The hose carried by a fire engine must be able to withstand high water pressure and resist puncture and abrasion. It must also allow maximum possible maneuverability.

Pump

• A fire engine must have a pump capable of discharging water through a fire hose from a fire hydrant or a static water supply such as a pond or pool. The pump must be able to supply at least 750 gallons per minute to satisfy the NFPA requirements for classification as a fire pumper truck.

Water Tank

• For the NFPA to consider it a fire pumper, the truck must have an on-board water tank capable of holding at least 300 gallons to be used by the pump for a quick attack at a fire prior to establishing a water supply. These tanks are usually made of a polymer material so they won't rust.

Ladders

• A fire engine must carry a small complement of ground type ladders. Although fire attack engines do not have the primary responsibility of laddering a building, they must be present to use in a support role for the ladder companies. The usual ladders carried by a fire engine include a roof ladder with hooks, a common extension ladder and a small ladder used to access attic spaces inside a home.