Electric fire engine facts for kids
An electric fire engine is a special kind of fire engine. It has a water pump that uses an electric motor to spray water and put out fires. These engines were first thought of in the 1800s. People wanted them to replace the steam pumpers that firefighters used back then.
Electric motors were seen as better because they were simpler and cleaner. They were also faster to start and cost less to keep running. Today, there are even modern electric fire engines that run on batteries.
History of Electric Fire Engines
Early Ideas: Schuyler Wheeler's Invention
An American inventor named Schuyler Wheeler got a patent for his electric fire engine system in 1885. He first applied for this patent in 1882. His idea included electric motors to power the water pumps. These pumps were placed on a horse-drawn vehicle.
The electric fire engine looked like the regular steam fire engines of that time. But instead of steam, it used electricity. It had a special control and a switch for the main electric motor. This motor pushed water through the fire hoses.
The engine also carried a long electric cable, hundreds of feet long. This cable would plug into special electrical outlets near the fire. These outlets would be placed around the city, close to water plugs. When tested, the engine worked very well. Wheeler's company believed an electric fire engine could work better than a steam one.
William H. H. Whiting's Improvements
William H. H. Whiting was an insurance expert who cared a lot about preventing fires. He made some important improvements to the electric fire engine design. He received a patent for his ideas in 1899.
His main improvements included a special mix of motor, a spinning pump, a controller, and a safety valve. He also added an automatic stop feature. Mr. Whiting, his father, and his brother were all inventors.
Joseph Sachs's Design
Joseph Sachs also invented an electric fire engine vehicle. His design was a wagon with a platform held up by springs. On this platform was an electric motor. This motor powered two spinning water pumps.
The motor came with a reel of electric cable. Firefighters could control the motor from either side of the vehicle.
Early American Experiments
Many demonstrations showed how electric fire engines could be better than steam ones. One such event was the Crystal Palace electrical exhibition in 1892.
The Electric Fire Engine Company of Seneca Falls, New York, started in 1890. They planned to build these new fire engines. Later, in 1899, the Electric Fire Engine Company of America was formed in Des Moines, Iowa. This company aimed to make self-driving electric fire engines.
In 1910, the fire department in Springfield, Massachusetts, bought an electric fire truck. It had an automatic ladder that extended using electricity. This ladder was 85 feet (26 m) long. It was much easier to raise than ladders cranked by hand. Other cities watched its tests to decide if they should buy one too.
The Cincinnati Fire Department also started using battery-powered electric fire engines. They found these engines worked much better than the old horse-drawn ones.
European Experiments
Around the late 1800s, electric fire engines were tested in France, Germany, and England. The Siemens Brothers Company in London built and tested one in 1891. It was shown at a big exhibition in England in 1892.
The Paris Fire Department tried out a self-driving electric fire engine in 1899. This French electric fire engine was called the "automobile pump." It was shown at the 1900 World's Fair in Paris. It became very popular after working well for six months.
Tests showed that this electric fire engine helped firefighters start putting out a fire four minutes faster. This was compared to a steam fire engine. The engine drove itself using onboard batteries. It also carried a water tank with hundreds of gallons of water. This water could be used right away at the fire. For bigger fires, hoses could then connect to city fire hydrants. In 1901, the Paris Fire Department successfully used an electric fire engine with a hook-and-ladder wagon. It had an electric motor that powered the water pump.
Modern Electric Fire Engines
Today, some companies make self-driving electric fire engines that run on rechargeable batteries. They say these are better, cleaner, and "greener" than fire trucks that use gasoline or diesel fuel. These electric trucks are good for places like hotels, resorts, or factories. Using battery power for vehicles is an old idea, going back to the early 1900s.
In 2002, the French car company Peugeot designed a futuristic electric fire engine. It was a fuel cell battery vehicle. This means it made its own hydrogen and oxygen. These elements powered the fuel cell battery. This battery then ran the vehicle, the water pump, smoke fans, and other electronic gear.
In 2017, a company called Rosenbauer showed a new idea called the Concept Fire Truck (CFT). This truck would have all-wheel drive and all-wheel steering. Each of its four wheels would have an electric motor. It also had a diesel engine as a backup, like a range extender. In 2020, Rosenbauer announced that the real version, called the RT, would be tested in cities like Amsterdam, Dubai, and the Australian Capital Territory.
Why Electric Fire Engines Were Designed
In the 1800s, the idea was for electric fire engines to replace steam ones. They would get electricity from a central power station. This power would be sent through wires, like those used for electric lights or trolleys. These wires would lead to special outlets around the city. Fire engines could then plug into these outlets.
The fire engine itself would be pulled by horses. It would be a wagon with an electric motor and a water pump permanently attached. Cables from the motor would connect to the outlet to get electricity.
Advantages of Electric Fire Engines
Electric fire engines had several good points compared to steam engines.
- Instant Power: An electric fire engine could start working at full power right away. Steam engines took time to get ready. Firefighters had to keep a fire going to boil water for steam. This was to make sure they didn't waste time getting the pump running. An electric motor, however, started instantly when switched on.
- Lower Cost: Electricity was cheaper to use overall. There was no need for coal, and they needed less maintenance.
- Cleaner and Quieter: Electric fire engines would not make loud noises, smoke, dust, or ashes. Steam engines did all of these things.
- Lighter and Cheaper to Build: An electric fire engine cost about one-third less to build than a steam engine. It also weighed 60% less than a steam engine with the same power.
Disadvantages of Early Electric Fire Engines
Even with all the good ideas, electric fire engines didn't take off in the 1800s.
- Technology Wasn't Ready: The electrical systems and power grids back then were not strong enough. They couldn't handle the power needed for a whole city of electric fire engines.
- Risk of Power Loss: There was a chance of power cuts from broken wires or equipment failures. This often happened during storms.
- High Installation Cost: Setting up all the electrical outlets and wires across a city was very expensive. However, some argued it would be cheaper in cities that already had electricity for lights or trains.
The idea of replacing steam fire engines with electric ones was ahead of its time. It didn't move forward until much later.
