Establishing reliable remote water points can present logistical challenges during firefighting operations, particularly where equipment needs to be deployed quickly. Vallfirest has developed its inflatable water tanks to reduce assembly time and operational complexity while providing high capacity water storage.
The inflatable tanks are designed to reduce assembly time and complications compared with traditional metal frame tanks. Vallfirest also states that the design provides more efficient features than floating collar tanks. The tanks can withstand sustained bucket operations involving helicopter fills and dips, supporting their use during demanding firefighting operations.
Inflatable water tanks for firefighting operations
Vallfirest offers five capacities, comprising 3,000 litre, 7,000 litre, 12,000 litre, 25,000 litre and 56,000 litre versions. Inflation times range from one minute for the smallest model to four minutes for the 56,000 litre tank.
The tanks use a PVC 2,600 g per square metre structure with a double layer base. Depending on capacity, models measure between two and six metres in diameter, with heights of either one or two metres. The published weights range from 31 kg for the 3,000 litre tank to 173.5 kg for the largest version.
Connections are positioned at the bottom of the tanks, while metal anchor points are provided to support stability during operation. Vallfirest also supplies a repair kit containing patches for the base and structure, together with a cap for the inflation valve.
Improved logistics
The supplied equipment includes an anchoring kit, portable DeWalt blower with battery, charger for DeWalt batteries, square base, carrying bag, pressure gauge and Camlock cover bag.
By combining rapid inflation with capacities reaching 56,000 litres, the Vallfirest inflatable tank range is intended to improve the logistics involved in establishing remote water supply points while minimising the complexity associated with tank deployment.
