Delhi Fire Service to get high-tech water towers, remote devices soon
NEW DELHI: Firefighters in Delhi will soon have access to hi-tech fire fighting equipment and remote devices to deal with fires which recently took a toll on the city's residents and firefighters alike, a major one being the one at Karol Bagh's hotel where 17 people died. Equipment such as multiarticulated water towers, which can move zigzag like a snake through narrow lanes and rotate at 360 degrees and devices that can be remotely controlled by fire officials, are likely to be brought to Delhi Fire department by next year.
Such modern equipment is expected to reduce the threat faced by these daredevils and increase their capacity to rescue people trapped in buildings in congested areas. While the process to acquire this longoverdue equipment was initiated a while ago, it is in its final stage.
Vipin Kental, Director, Delhi Fire Service (DFS) said that seven pieces of equipment will be acquired in total at an estimated Rs 30 crore. The equipment will be procured through the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation. The equipment are a basic turntable ladder (also called the hydraulic platform), four multi-articulated water towers and two remote-control firefighting machines. The water towers and remote-controlled devices will be procured for the first time, said Kental. "A major advantage with the equipment is, it can be used for operations in congested areas of Karol Bagh and Chandni Chowk. In case of any hindrance in the first lane, it can cross over and reach the by lanes behind using its articulated arms," he said.
At present, the DFS has four turntable ladders, used to rescue people trapped in high-rise buildings. Explaining other features of the articulated water tower, Kental said its booms structure and that it is flexibility helps it bend over and reach otherwise inaccessible places. He also said that the remote-control devices, to be procured, can be carried on any appliance and can be operated from a distance from the fire using an on-board camera.
"In case of a full-fledged fire, where the temperature is high and we feel that our firemen cannot bear so much heat, these remote-controlled operators could be used," Kental said. There's also the risk of the building collapsing. "So these machines can work continuously as it is also equipped with water jet, a high-power fan for ventilation," he said.
"In fact, these robots, will have water mist and would require less amount of water to control the fire. They can also be used in fighting fire in warehouses where its fan can even suck the smoke and blow it through its fan, if necessary," the officer said.