Practical tip: Spring cleaning in the fire house

What to look out for after a long winter?

Much like ensuring that the equipment and vehicles are fit for winter in the fall, with the end of winter the spring cleaning is once more looming in the fire house. In this post we'll give you a few tips of what you should pay attention to.

Our spring cleaning does not require a mop and duster, but first and foremost some time and the necessary accuracy to check that all equipment is working properly. 

• Check oil level and engine oil

After a long winter, it is recommended to check the oil level of all gasoline-driven equipment. These include all vehicles, but naturally also portable fire pumps or power generators. A good nose can also be helpful: You can check whether there is gasoline in the engine oil by means of an odor test. If that is the case, you should carry out an oil change.

• Function test of all equipment

In order to check the correct functioning of the devices, it is often not sufficient to simply start them up and put them into operation. Ideally, you let service specialists carry out a test run, since their specialist knowledge guarantees that the devices are checked as per the manufacturer's specs. A status report and recommendations for proper corrective maintenance form the basis for faultless operation.

• Visual checks of rubber parts

Rubber parts, such as seals for example, can become brittle over time and therefore impair the functionality of different devices. Especially the dry air during winter can lead to problems. The right care helps to prevent this: Depending on the material, you can use glycerine, vaseline, silicone or talcum powder to keep the seals in place. Regular care is not just a topic before and during winter: sunshine can also lead to brittleness. It therefore can't hurt to regularly maintain the various seals all year round.<br/>Rosenbauer Customer Service will gladly give you info on the right care products for the respective parts.