Fire truck manufacturers design apparatus to support the lifesaving work of firefighters. But fire truck design must go beyond supplying the necessary tools and fire suppression systems required at the scene of an emergency; they must protect the very people tasked with saving lives. Following industry standards and regulatory body requirements, fire truck crashworthiness is a critical element of truck design, overall safety and innovation. Continue reading to learn more about fire truck crash testing, the regulatory bodies that oversee cab safety, how crash-data is used to drive both safety and innovation, and how Pierce Manufacturing keeps firefighters safe on the job.
Fire truck cab crash testing is a process where fire apparatus are put through various tests, many of which are destructive in nature, to ensure the vehicle meets or exceeds industry standards. Cab crash tests focus on the structural integrity of the cab area, including a determination of what happens to the structure of the cab and occupants in the event of an accident.
Each fire truck manufacturer may design and innovate unique fire apparatus cabs, but each cab must be crash-tested for safety following industry standards.
There are several regulatory bodies and standards specifically designated for fire trucks with documented statutes focused on cab safety and crash test ratings and requirements.
Fire truck manufacturers partner with IMMI and the Center for Advanced Product Evaluation (CAPE) to appropriately evaluate product safety according to established standards.
Crash-testing requirements vary by the type of product or structure under evaluation. For fire apparatus cab safety, most tests involve analyzing reactions of critical components or assemblies using tests with various time durations. Results are measured with a pass/fail criteria according to standards and regulatory requirements. Some examples include:
The majority of cab crash testing occurs during the initial product development stage of new cabs or chassis. Pierce Manufacturing has the capabilities and expertise to simulate crash testing of new products in the development phase, but there are many steps that occur before a physical crash test is completed. When a new cab or chassis is in the design phase, Pierce engineers run the model through a Finite Element Analysis (FEA). This computer-based simulator allows the team of engineers to review the functionality and crashworthiness of a product and determine where more support or alterations may be required in the design. The FEA simulator is used throughout the design process to continually test the structure and safety of a new cab or chassis. When a new product passes all FEA testing, Pierce will manufacture a prototype and complete a physical crash at CAPE's facilities to ensure the safety and integrity of the structure.
Beyond crashing trucks into barriers and walls, Pierce also completes other product and safety tests in-house. A seat belt pull test, for example, is a destructive test that uses a hydraulic pull to test a seatbelt against the current FMVSS standard. Not only does Pierce test products and structures to meet industry standards, Pierce often tests products to failure to see what type of safety factor exists inherently in the design.
When a customer requests a unique truck feature, system addition or configuration, Pierce has the safety and crash-test data to help determine the appropriate design possibilities. As such, Pierce can use data to drive innovation and future development while maintaining a primary focus on safety.
The in-house testing capabilities at Pierce provide several benefits to customers. Customers can feel confident in both the quality and safety of each cab or chassis. Pierce’s test engineers control the parameters of the tests and test to failure. This information affords Pierce with a better sense of precisely what the cabs can withstand and where additional reinforcement and safety support can be added. Pierce’s crash test data is used in innovation, research and development, which allows Pierce to continually deliver industry-leading truck design. As a result of Pierce’s testing processes and focus on innovation, Pierce was the first fire truck manufacturer to integrate side roll protection into its chassis. Additionally, Pierce created TAK-4 suspension, which is an independent front suspension to help improve apparatus stopping abilities. Pierce was also the first in the fire industry to sell electronic stability control to help operators maintain directional control of fire apparatus during lane changes and cornering maneuvers.
See how Pierce has been leading the fire industry in apparatus innovation and design. View this timeline of advancements now.
From the time the first component is designed until after the last bolt is secured, Pierce Manufacturing is dedicated to designing and building world-class fire apparatus with a focus on protecting the safety of firefighters. Are you interested in learning more about fire truck manufacturing? Take a look at our video and blog, outlining the process from start to finish. If you have questions about cab safety or crash testing, please contact a Pierce dealer today.
Posted: Feb 23, 2022 8:00:00 AM by Pierce Mfg.
About Pierce Manufacturing Pierce Manufacturing Inc., an Oshkosh Corporation [NYSE: OSK] company, is the leading North American manufacturer of custom fire apparatus. Products include custom and commercial pumpers, aerials, rescue trucks, wildland trucks, mini pumpers, elliptical tankers, and homeland security apparatus. In addition, Pierce designs its own foam systems and was the first company to introduce frontal airbags and the Side Roll Protection system to fire apparatus. To learn more about Pierce, visit www.piercemfg.com.
At Oshkosh (NYSE: OSK), we make innovative, mission-critical equipment to help everyday heroes advance communities around the world. Headquartered in Wisconsin, Oshkosh Corporation employs more than 14,000 team members worldwide, all united behind a common cause: to make a difference in people’s lives. Oshkosh products can be found in more than 150 countries under the brands of JLG®, Pierce®, Oshkosh® Defense, McNeilus®, IMT®, Jerr-Dan®, Frontline™, Oshkosh® Airport Products, London™ and Pratt Miller. For more information, visit oshkoshcorp.com.
®, ™ All brand names referred to in this news release are trademarks of Oshkosh Corporation or its subsidiary companies.
This news release contains statements that the Company believes to be “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical fact, including, without limitation, statements regarding the Company’s future financial position, business strategy, targets, projected sales, costs, earnings, capital expenditures, debt levels and cash flows, and plans and objectives of management for future operations, are forward-looking statements. When used in this news release, words such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “should,” “project” or “plan” or the negative thereof or variations thereon or similar terminology are generally intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors, some of which are beyond the Company’s control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors include the overall impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition; the duration and severity of the COVID-19 pandemic; actions that may be taken by governmental authorities and others to address or otherwise mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic; the negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on global economies and the Company’s customers, suppliers and employees; and the cyclical nature of the Company’s Access Equipment, Commercial and Fire & Emergency markets, which are particularly impacted by the strength of U.S. and European economies and construction seasons.
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