Ready for winter

The upcoming winter season means that it’s once again time to prepare the vehicles and equipment for the cold time of the year. The cold temperatures sometimes bring with them difficult operating conditions and are therefore a challenge for emergency crews, vehicles, and equipment.

 

What to look out for?

In order to minimize risk and to have a successful winter season, you can observe a few inspection steps before and during operations.

Liquids of the vehicles and equipment:

Checking the liquids plays an essential role: are the oil levels okay and is the oil that has been filled designed for the temperature range? It must also be ensured that the antifreeze content of the coolants and windscreen cleaning agents are approved for at least -30 C°. If a UHPS is on board, it must be filled with antifreeze in accordance with the operating instructions.

Fuel

For vehicles or equipment with diesel, make sure that the tank content has already been converted to winter diesel.

Vehicle care

Is the corrosion protection and underbody coating of the vehicle in good condition? If not, it should be overhauled to prevent corrosion damage from road salt.

Door seals and roller shutter guides must be cleaned and treated with silicone or Teflon lubricants. The same applies to the light mast, which should also be cleaned and preserved with Teflon spray. A regular check of the lighting is essential.

Tires

Check the tread depth and tire pressure regularly, also check the tires for damage. If necessary, snow chains should also be on board for emergencies.

Battery

The state of the vehicle battery and the batteries of the devices and equipment must be checked before the start of winter. The procedure is described in detail in the operation manual.

Pneumatic system

In pneumatic systems such as the brake system and pump unit, the pressure vessels must be checked for condensation and drained if necessary. This inspection must also be repeated at regular intervals.

Drain pump unit

In order to protect technical fire fighting components against corrosion and frost damage, it is necessary in winter operation to ensure especially exact drainage.

Here, the pump itself, the complete piping, suction connections, and all pressure gauges should be drained after each use. Do not forget the piston suction pump, which should be used to complete a dry suction operation.

If it is not possible to park the devices in a frost-proof area, the tank heaters must be operated or, if necessary, the water tank must be completely drained.

 

Aerial rescue

For aerial rescue devices, it is advisable to carry out a thorough cleaning before the winter season  as well as to thoroughly lubricate the entire ladder in order to be ideally prepared for the winter season. The necessary grease specification can be found in the operating instructions of the respective vehicle.

 

Rosenbauer Customer Service

For further questions about care and maintenance or for support if you need a repair, the Rosenbauer Service Team is always here for you. Genuine Rosenbauer spare parts such as batteries, chargers, and other parts can easily be delivered if needed.