JOHN Hales, Aussie Pumps’ Chief engineer, shares some of his experience to help farmers and homeowners make informed choices when it comes to buying a fire pump.
The lightweight portable high pressure fire pump is a particularly Australian innovation.
One of the reasons Aussie Pumps sell these pumps all over the world is because of our experience tackling bushfires in our beautiful but vulnerable environment.
Today, at least one high pressure fire pump is found on most rural properties.
An essential part of a farmer’s toolbox; they serve as utility pumps used for yard and crate wash down, water transfer, even sheep jetting, as well as firefighting duties.
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Even on the outskirts of our large cities, property owners are aware of the danger of living in beautiful bushland.
This story provides some advice, for farmers and those urban interface dwellers, on choosing the correct fire pump.
FIGHT OR FLIGHT
The first decision to be made well ahead of any bushfire emergency is whether to stay and protect the property or plan to leave early.
If choosing the first option preparation is vital, including selecting a reliable, premium pump that is right for the application.
It may be mounted on a fire trailer for mobile protection or installed under the house to feed a sprinkler system.
Consider purchasing more than one pump if you need to protect a large area and of course it’s always wise to have a back-up pump for emergencies.
CHOOSING THE PUMP
When Aussie Pumps decided to design a fire pump for the Australian market we weren’t prepared to compromise on quality or performance.
We design and build products as if we’re going to use them ourselves.
The result was the Honda powered Aussie Fire Chief, now regarded as the best lightweight portable fire pump in the world.
PERFORMANCE COUNTS
When comparing single impeller pumps, use the published performance curves.
You’ll find that the Aussie Fire Chief will outperform all others at the duty point on the curve, where it counts.
For example, our single impeller Aussie Fire Chief produces 100 litres per minute (lpm) flow at 63 metres head.
In the case of Davey pumps, according to performance curves, their single impeller delivers 100 lpm at around 55 metres head.
For Onga performance is much the same performance.
So, with the same Honda engine, a model GX160 5.5hp, the Aussie Fire Chief outperforms its competitors.
The Aussie Fire Chief comes standard with a big 2" flanged suction port.
That port can also be changed out to a 3” version when more flow is required.
Its flanged design makes it easy to remove to give access to the check valve, without having to take the whole body apart.
Best of all, the 2” suction port, compared to a pump with 1½” inlet, means you get 25 per cent more water into the pump.
More water in means more water out.
We also value add features that improve functionality like metal caps and chains on the three-way outlet, not plastic, a carry handle and skids that add stability.
THE INSIDE STORY
Apart from checking performance and the exterior of the pump, it’s nice to get a look inside.
When you open up an Aussie Fire Chief, you find a big 7” impeller, beautifully engineered and balanced to provide the best possible performance.
Most importantly, it doesn’t overload the engine at any point on the curve.
The engine has been perfectly matched to the impeller diameter and approved by Honda for this application.
It’s the superb hydraulic design of the impeller that delivers the 25 per cent more head than its competitors.
BEWARE OF GIMMICKS
Some brands offer additional ports on the outlet and customers may believe that they can operate up to five hoses simultaneously.
However, it’s the pump design and inlet port size that determines its capability.
The more discharge hoses added, the less water each will deliver.
With its 2” inlet, the Aussie Fire Chief can be used effectively with either two 1” hoses simultaneously, to maximise the area covered, or a single 1½” hose if more flow is important.
HONDA ENGINES WORK
At Aussie Pumps, we decided to standardise on Honda engines on our pump range years ago.
We tried other brands but found that the Honda quality, performance and aftermarket support was the very best.
The major reason is simple, ‘they start first time, every time’.
In a fire emergency this is critical.
Farmers and residents know they know to rely on Honda and can be assured that they have a Honda Service Centre close by.
FIVE YEAR WARRANTY
When we introduced a five year warranty on our Aussie Fire Chief 20 years ago, everybody said it would send us bankrupt.
Here we are 30 years on and we constantly receive feedback from users telling us that they think our product is the best they have ever had.
The Aussie Fire Chief is the only fire pump with a five year warranty.
A WORD OF ADVICE
Make sure you get the best advice as to what pump best suits your application and most of all, don’t compromise when it comes to protecting your property, livestock or family.
Unfortunately, price is not a reliable indication of quality.
Some brands charge excessively for their name while others are too cheap and you have to ask yourself why?
We often hear from users who have bought third world pumps that have failed prematurely.
This is not an application where it makes sense to save a few hundred bucks.
Aussie Pumps has a band of loyal Gold Distributors throughout the state that are primed to assist.
They not only stock and sell Aussie premium fire pumps, but have experience in pump selection, and can support the product through its life with spares and service.
AUSSIE’S BUSHFIRE SURVIVAL GUIDE
For further assistance on selecting and setting up your pump, Aussie produce free of charge a Bushfire Survival Guide.
It’s available from all Aussie Gold Distributors or it can be downloaded from the Aussie Pump website.
Talk to your local Aussie Pump dealer or call the Aussie Pump team.
Find your local dealer online at aussiepumps.com.au.
