An independent engineer commissioned by the New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union (NZFPU) has refuted concerns from its members that the crew cabins on Type 3 MAN fire appliances did not meet safety standards.
In a report to the NZFPU, Tasman SV Consultants senior engineer Richard (Dick) Joyce concluded that the glass fibre reinforced plastic crew cabin of the Type 3 MAN fire appliance does comply with ECE R29 and in fact provides a greater level of protection than one built from steel.
“I have checked through all of the information provided and carried out some additional research of my own, and I am satisfied that test report No. 200718343 is valid and that the crew cabin, as tested, complies with ECE R29,” says Joyce.
“It is worthy to note that the tests carried out are effectively static tests where deflections are measured when a static load is applied,” he says.
“The performance of protective structure in the field is equally dependent on the dynamic performance of the structure and the amount of energy the structure absorbs as it begins to fail,” says Joyce.
“The latest standards covering protective structures for roll over, falling object, and operator protection as required by OSH NZ reflect this enhanced approach,” he says.
“As a general rule, glass fibre reinforced plastic performs better than steel in the area of energy absorption,” says Joyce.
“Also this material does not deteriorate with rust although it is subject to ultraviolet damage. The cabins are fully painted and do not spend a large proportion of their lives out in the direct sunlight,” he says.
“It could, therefore, be concluded that a cabin built from fibreglass and complying with ECE R29 will afford your members a greater level of protection than a cabin built from steel and complying with ECE R29,” says Joyce.
