
How to improve your department ISO rating... by Chief Michael Cottrell Chapter 5: The Equipment
The Minimum Required Equipment ! Lot’s of play toys ! Call it, “Toys-R-Us the firefighter adult section” To get into the real game, we must have the right “play toys” in our arsenal. I will not tell you I agree with the ISO required equipment list 100%, however knowing what they are trying to achieve I can relate to the methodology of their madness. I know you will look at some of the items and say, “We will never use that piece in 100 years!” Or look at another section and say, “That is totally redundant!” Well, you are right! But it is their game and rules, so let’s deal with it and move on. The next few paragraphs and charts cover the required equipment per apparatus. The minimum quantity needed is listed on the left hand side. The next column is blank for you to fill in from your own audit, then of course a description of the equipment then finally on the far right how many points each item is worth. If you are a department just starting out on upgrading, do not be alarmed. Use some common sense when you start into this project. Once you have completed your in house audit, and you see first hand what you are missing, then prioritize the missing items. It is best to target areas that you can pick up “low cost” but “high points” items. This equipment does not have to be new. You can apply used equipment and still receive FULL credit. If need be, go scrounging in the larger City Departments for items you still need. From their updates, they may have discarded some items you need. You may be surprised of what you may come home with. Better yet, pull one of my moves,….go shopping from your comfortable chair at home and search “EBay” on your laptop! Each Pumper or Engine will need its own check sheet, as well as each Service or Ladder truck, so don’t be shy about making copies of these forms. Also, you can only count a piece of equipment once, no double dipping! I have also included the equipment substitution list at the end. Read through it and be creative! What can you substitute where and still obtain full credit? It reminds me of one of those little mind game puzzles, but at a larger scale. Just re-arrange your equipment so you capitalize on all of the points you can. After you review the equipment list, and complete your truck inventory, it will start coming together. ISO Equipment Pumper/Engine Equipment and Hose Need Have Equipment and Hose Total Points 800’ ____ Supply hose 2 ½” or larger *** If you carry less than 100% of what is needed 400’ ____ Attack hose of 2”, 2 ½” or 3” ISO will discount credit for the entire apparatus 300 gallons____ Booster tank 30 200’ ____ Booster or another 1”, 1 ½” or 1 ¾” pre-connect 12 400’ ____ 1 1/2”, 1 3/4” or 2” preconnected 24 200’ ____ Spare 1 1/2”, 1 3/4” or 2” hose 8 200’ ____ Spare 2”, 2 1/2” or 3" spare 12 1 ____ Heavy stream appliance (1,000 gpm) no nozzle needed 100 1 ____ Distributing or piercing nozzle 5 1 ____ Foam eductor or built in foam system 4 10 gallons____ Class A or B foam 6 15 gallons____ Spare foam may be carried or at station 6 2 ____ 2 1/2” nozzle w/shut-off with 1”, 1 1/8”, 1 ¼” tips 40 2 ____ 2 1/2” combination nozzles with shutoff 200 gpm minimum* 60 2 ____ 1 1/2” combination nozzles with shut-off 20 4 ____ Air packs 30, 45 or 60 minute 64 4 ____ Extra cylinders (carried) 16 2 ____ Salvage covers(12’x18’ or 12’x14’)canvas or heavy rip stop plastic 4 2 ____ Electric hand light (4V. wet, 6V. dry) no flashlights 4 1 ____ Hose clamp 4 1 ____ Hydrant hose gate (2 1/2”), hydrant wye four way or Humat valve. 4 1 ____ Burst hose jacket or hose clamp (2 1/2”) 4 1 ____ Gated wye (2 ½” x 1 ½” x 1 ½”) water thief or any form of gated wye. 4 1 ____ Mounted vehicle radio 32 1 ____ Portable radio 16 1 ____ 12’, 14’ or 16’ roof ladder 10 1 ____ 24’, 28’, 30’ or 35 ‘extension ladder 15 ____ Annual pump tests (See table A) 100 ____ Annual hose tests (See table B) 50 Total 654 + A heavy stream device is not needed for a basic fire flow of less than 1,500 gpm. Can be a nozzle with 1 ½” threads (with a 2 ½” to 1 ½” reducer) as long as I flows at least 200 gpm. The fire apparatus should also have supply hose and fire-fighting hose. For maximum credit, the engine company should carry 1,200 feet of hose. This can be 1,200 feet of 2-1/2" or larger supply hose or a combination of 2", 2-1/2", or 3" hose (up to 400 feet) and 2-1/2" or larger hose up to 800 feet. (This is an absolutely minimum, which probably will NOT qualify you for a Rural Water Grade. If you wish to establish a Rural Water Grade then the supply line will have to be upgraded to the 5”LDH family in addition to carrying more linear feet) Table “A” Pumper Service Tests Average Interval Between 3 Most Recent Tests Maximum Points Credit 1 year 100 2 years 75 3 years 50 4 years 25 5 years or more 0 A Pumper Service Test is similar to the Certification Test described in NFPA Standard 1911, except that the duration is reduced to 20 minutes at 150 psi, 10 minutes at 200 psi and 10 minutes at 250 psi. The overload test is not necessary. Service tests are described in the ISO™ publication “Fire Department Pumper Tests and Fire Stream Tables.” Table “B” Hose Service Tests Average Interval Between Maximum Points Credit 3 Most Recent Tests Test Pressure 250 psi 200 psi 150 psi 1 year 50 37 28 2 years 37 27 18 3 years 25 18 12 4 years 12 9 6 5 years or more 0 0 0 Tests for fire hose are described in NFPA Standard 1962. “Care, Maintenance and Use of Fire Hose.” When the hose test frequency, pressure, or both, vary 2 1/2” and larger hose and for 1 1/2” hose, proportion the credit using 65% for the 2 1/2” and larger hose and 35% for the 1 1/2” hose. Note: If there are no records of tests claimed to have been conducted, reduce the applicable points credit by 20%. Service Company Equipment Need Have Equipment Total Points 1 ____ Large spray nozzle 1000 gpm(500-gpm minimum) 16 6 ____ Air packs 30, 45 or 60 minute 96 6 ____ Extra cylinders (carried) 24 10 ____ Salvage covers (12’ x 18’) canvas or heavy rip stop plastic 20 1 ____ An electric generator of any form (2,500-watt minimum) 25 3 ____ Any form of portable or removable floodlight (500-watt minimum) 12 1 ____ Smoke ejector or thermal imager 20 1 ____ Oxyacetylene torch, hydraulic or electric extrication cutter tool 20 or combination tool, plasma cutter, air chisel, extra circular saw, sawzall or thermal imager. 1 ____ Circular saw, chain saw with carbide blade, sawzall or thermal imager. 20 4 ____ Electric hand light (4V wet, 6V dry) 8 1 ____ Hose roller (equip. hoist) 4 2 ____ 5’, 6’ or 7’ pike poles 4 2 ____ 7’, 8’, 9’ or 10’ pike poles 4 2 ____ 10’, 11’, 12’ 13’ or 14’ poles 4 1 ____ Mounted vehicle radio 32 1 ____ Portable radio 16 1 ____ 10’ collapsible ladder 4 1 ____ 14’, 16’ extension, A frame, combo or little giant ladder 5 Totals 334 Additional Equipment for Ladder Company** Need Have Equipment Total Points 1 ____ 16’ or 18’ roof ladder 20 1 ____ 20’ roof or 2^nd 16’ ladder 20 1 ____ 28’or 30’ extension ladder 20 1 ____ 35’ extension ladder 20 1 ____ 40’, 45’ or 50’ extension or 2^nd 35’ ladder 20 ____ Elevated stream device (50 foot minimum)* 100 ____ Aerial ladder/elevating platform (50 foot minimum)* 200 ____ Annual tests aerial/platform (See Table C) 50 Totals 450 Or sufficient height to reach the roof of any building or 100’, whichever is less. The credit shall be prorated if existing equipment has insufficient reach. Table “C”* Aerial Ladder/Elevating Platform Tests Average Interval Between Maximum 3 Most Recent Tests Points Credit 1 year 50 2 years 37 3 years 25 4 years 12 5 years or more 0 Tests for aerial ladder and elevating platforms are described in NFPA 1914-“Recommended Practice for Fire Department Aerial Ladders and Elevating Platforms.” Note: If there are no records of tests claimed to have been conducted, reduce the applicable point’s credit 20%. Equipment Substitutions: We can substitute equipment and receive full credit ? Times are getting tough and everybody is being asked to do more with less. You have read through the ISO™ minimum equipment list; now let’s look at what we can substitute on the list. After all, why invest extra money when we can get the job with some of the old equipment we have laying around the station. One of the best examples of this is from my mentor, he always used the example of a hose clamp at a cost of $400-$600 each versus a leather hose jacket that you can by at around $35-$40 each. If your fireload dictates that you have 3 Class A pumpers, then that means you have to have 3 hose clamps or hose jackets. Do the simple math, it is obvious not to purchase the expensive hose clamps but purchase the cheaper leather hose jackets. Why not? You get FULL credit for the less expensive equipment, plus they take up less space in your compartment. Did you know that a thermal imager will count as a torch, smoke ejector or power saw? This only applies for one of the pieces of equipment and only on one engine though, so you will have to be creative on your other engines. But you now can justify that imager purchase as offering full ISO credit for your apparatus. How many of us actually carry an Oxyacetylene cutting torch on your truck? Did you know that a hydraulic (hydraulic, electric or air powered extrication cutter and power unit) or pneumatic cutting tool (air chisel, air powered saw, air powered saw-zall or plasma cutting tool will count in lieu of a torch. Some ISO™ field representatives have allowed a second metal cutting circular or cutoff saw or an electric saw-zall to replace the torch as well. The idea being if it will cut metal it will count. You’d probably use all of those tools more in a month than you ever would a torch. Here are other examples of substitutions and explanations of what is suppose to be carried for full credit. Supply Hose Every engine is suppose to carry 1200 feet of 2 ½” or larger (3”, 3 ½”, 4”, 4 ½”, 5”, 6”, etc) supply hose. That amount is broken into two categories. You need to carry 400 feet of 2”, 2 ½” or 3” and the 800 foot balance can be larger than 2 ½” inch and should be. If you pack LDH you could also get 33 to 75% more credit for distant fire hydrants if you use a reverse lay and have a SOP stating it. Utilizing LDH for your supply line is critical on achieving your Rural Water grade. Water Tank A tank with 300 gallons or more. You may need to rethink your strategy here. IF you cover a rural area or you have an abundance of rural area in your fire district then you need to seriously consider the following. Remember; the bigger the tank the better. If we are talking about pumpers; then nothing smaller than 1000gal. If we are talking tanker/pumper then nothing smaller than 2000 gal. I can almost guarantee this is more than what you have historical looked at. If you want to address your rural needs, it is easier if you have equipment in this family size. Attack Hose Every engine is supposed to carry one 200 foot booster reel and two 200 foot 1 ½” pre-connected attack lines. A 200’ foot pre-connected 1”, 1 ½”, 1 ¾” or 2 inch soft hose attack line will receive full credit in lieu of the booster reel. The two 1 ½” pre-connects can be 1 ¾” or 2” lines. Spare Hose Each engine needs a total of 200’ of 2 ½” and 200 feet of 1 ½” spare hose. It can be carried on the engine or stored at the station. The smaller hose can be 1 ¾” or 2”. The larger hose can be 2” or 3”. Foam The needed foam eductor on an engine can be 1 ½” or 2 ½” in size. A built in foam proportioning system can be used to replace a foam eductor. Ten gallons of Class A or B foam liquid is required per engine. Fifteen gallons of spare foam can be carried or stored at the fire station. Nozzles Two 2 ½” combination with “shut-offs” nozzles are needed. A 200 gpm or 1 ¾” nozzle with 2 ½” adapter is an acceptable option to ISO™. A pair of 1 ½” spray nozzles are also needed. Any 1 ½” threaded fog nozzle is creditable. Each engine needs to carry two 1 ½” or 2 ½” shutoffs with a set of 1”, 1 1/8” and 1 ¼” stacked or interchangeable smooth bore tips on each. If the 1 ½” valve is used a 2 ½” increaser or adapter is required. The elevated stream device on an aerial has to be a fog tip and must flow 500 gpm fog tip. It requires a 1000 gpm tip for full credit. A 500 tip would score 50% and a 750 gpm 75%. The heavy stream device on an engine can be portable or fixed. No nozzle is called out or required in the schedule. A fixed plumbed gun will get full credit. Please note, the inspector will read the gun to see the flow rating of the device not the nozzle. Prorating is for the device not the nozzle. If it is 800 portable you’ll get 50%. If you’ve got literature that shows a gun will flow 1250 gpm fixed but the gun says 850 gpm portable you better have it in hand when graded. A 1000 gpm large spray nozzle is needed for full credit carried on a Ladder or Service Company must be a fog tip that will flow at least 500 gpm. The nozzle on an engine company deck gun or ladder pipe on a combination pumper/service company will count twice as a heavy stream on the engine and fog tip on the service company list. A 2 ½” distributor nozzle on an engine can be replaced with a 1 ½” or 2 ½” piercing nozzle or a rotating 2 ½” cellar nozzle. Air Packs An engine needs four air packs and four spare bottles and Ladder or Service Company needs 6 of each. All must be 30 minute duration or more. A cascade system will not be an acceptable replacement for spare cylinders. Foam Nozzle Any foam eductor or built in foam system is acceptable. Salvage Covers An engine needs 2 salvage covers. A ladder or service company needs 10 salvage covers. All covers must be 12’ by 18’ or 12’ by 14’ made of canvas or heavy rip stop plastic on an engine company and 12’ x 18’ foot canvas or heavy rip stop on a ladder or ladder service company. Handlights Each engine needs to carry 2 and each ladder or service company 4. They need to be 4 volt wet or 6 volt dry or 6 volt rechargeable with 40,000 candle power. Hose Clamps ISO™ is looking for a one 2 ½” or 3 inch clamp on every engine. However they commonly accept LDH hose clamp. The hose jacket will count as a hose clamp. Hydrant Gate One 2 ½” hydrant hose gate is needed for full credit on each engine. A four way valve, water thief or multiple outlet 2 ½” gated wye can also receive full credit. Gated Wye One gated wye is needed per engine and it must be 2 ½ by two 1 ½”. A water thief, a 3 way 1 ½” gated wye or any gated wye or gated manifold with adapters to connect 2 ½” and 1 ½” lines is also creditable. 2500 watt generator Any type acceptable, PTO driven, inverters, mini-generator floodlights get credit for the wattage delivered, generator ventilation fan, etc. Floodlights Three 500 watt or larger portable floodlights must be carried on a service or truck company. Fixed mounted floods, pole lights or light masts will not be credited. Tripod lights or removable heads on fixed pole lights are fully creditable as are mini-generator floodlights. Smoke Ejector Every ladder and service company needs a smoke ejector. A positive pressure ventilation fan is acceptable. And if you can’t get the smoke out a thermal imager receives full credit. Saws The intent of the schedule is a ladder or service company should carry a rotary fire department saw like a K-12 or similar. However a chain saw with carbide tip cutting blades will be credited. ISO™ has allowed full credit for reciprocating saws and electric circular saws as well. What is really amazing is a thermal imager will count as well. Generators Every ladder or service company needs a 2500 watt or larger electrical generation device (inverter, fixed or portable gas or diesel generator, PTO or hydraulic generator). Mini-generators with or without floodlights get credit for their rating. Hose Roller One hose hoist is needed on each ladder or service company. A hose roller or equipment hoist is also creditable. Pike Poles Each ladder and service company should carry six pike poles. The lengths should be two each 6’ (or 5’ to 7’), 8’ (or 7’ to 10’) and 12’ (or 10’ to 14’). Acceptable substitutions include plaster hooks, almost any style hook and even rubbish and trash hooks. Ground Ladders An engine is supposed to carry a 12’ or 14’ roof ladder. A 16’ is also creditable. In addition to the roof ladder a 24’ extension or 28’, 30’ or 35’ will also offer full credit. A ladder or service company needs to carry one long ladder for each 35’ or taller building in the community and every 3500 gpm or higher property up to the 5 ladder compliment. ISO™ does not follow NFPA 1901 on ground ladders for ladder and service companies. They mirror the robust NFPA ladder standard of 1979. Each service or ladder company must carry: Required Substitutions a 10’ folding, 10’ attic a 14 foot extension or combination, 14’ A frame, little giant, 16’ 2 fly Each ladder or service company must carry a portion of the following as well: Required Substitutions a 28 foot extension ladder, 30’ 2 or 3 fly a 35 foot extension ladder 35’ or 40’ 2 or 3 fly a 40 foot extension ladder. 35’. 40’, 45’, or 50’ 2 or 3 fly a 16 foot roof ladder, 18’ roof a 20 foot roof ladder, 16’ roof Special Note: Maximum Age for Apparatus How many of you have been told, a pumper older than 20-25 years cannot be credited because it is too old? Welcome to one of the myths of the ISO. The below paragraph was copied directly off of the ISO Web Sight. “The Fire Suppression Rating Schedule (FSRS) does not specify any maximum age for fire apparatus. ISO uses NFPA standards to define whether or not the apparatus meets general requirements. In addition, pumper apparatus must pass a pump test. ISO will credit a pumper with its capability (gallons per minute) at a net pump pressure of 150 psi. Aerial apparatus must also pass an annual service test (including a nondestructive test at least every five years).” To view the information listed in this article regarding the minimum required equipment list or the FSRS Equivalency List, log into the ISO Mitigation web sight at: *http://www.isomitigation.com/ppc/3000/ppc3007.html* As with any editorial column that I publish, I invite you to send me your questions. Feel free to contact me via email at: ISOFireChief@yahoo.com Till the next column, Regards, ISOFireChief
About the author: Michael A. Cottrell, Fire Chief for General Motors Corporation, has over 22 years of Fire and Rescue service ranging from Volunteer to Paid from W.Va. to South Carolina, Nebraska and Ohio. In addition to residential fire protection the author has a solid background on high hazard industrial and manufacturing fire protection. More than 16 years experience as a Fire Chief or Chief Line Officer. Training and specialties include; Certified Fire/Rescue Instructor, high angle rescue, confined space rescue, Arson Investigation and former EMT and Medical 1st Responder He offers ISO certification consulting, has extensive knowledge of ISO Certification process and experienced interaction with ISO personnel.

How to improve your department ISO rating...
by Chief Michael Cottrell
Chapter 5: The Equipment

The Minimum Required Equipment !
Lot’s of play toys ! Call it, “Toys-R-Us the firefighter adult section”

To get into the real game, we must have the right “play toys” in our arsenal. I will not tell you I agree with the ISO required equipment list 100%, however knowing what they are trying to achieve I can relate to the methodology of their madness. I know you will look at some of the items and say, “We will never use that piece in 100 years!” Or look at another section and say, “That is totally redundant!” Well, you are right! But it is their game and rules, so let’s deal with it and move on.

The next few paragraphs and charts cover the required equipment per apparatus. The minimum quantity needed is listed on the left hand side. The next column is blank for you to fill in from your own audit, then of course a description of the equipment then finally on the far right how many points each item is worth. If you are a department just starting out on upgrading, do not be alarmed. Use some common sense when you start into this project. Once you have completed your in house audit, and you see first hand what you are missing, then prioritize the missing items. It is best to target areas that you can pick up “low cost” but “high points” items.

This equipment does not have to be new. You can apply used equipment and still receive FULL credit. If need be, go scrounging in the larger City Departments for items you still need. From their updates, they may have discarded some items you need. You may be surprised of what you may come home with. Better yet, pull one of my moves,….go shopping from your comfortable chair at home and search “EBay” on your laptop!

Each Pumper or Engine will need its own check sheet, as well as each Service or Ladder truck, so don’t be shy about making copies of these forms. Also, you can only count a piece of equipment once, no double dipping! I have also included the equipment substitution list at the end. Read through it and be creative! What can you substitute where and still obtain full credit? It reminds me of one of those little mind game puzzles, but at a larger scale. Just re-arrange your equipment so you capitalize on all of the points you can. After you review the equipment list, and complete your truck inventory, it will start coming together.

ISO Equipment

Pumper/Engine Equipment and Hose

Need Have Equipment and Hose Total Points

800’ ____ Supply hose 2 ½” or larger *** If you carry less than 100% of what is needed

400’ ____ Attack hose of 2”, 2 ½” or 3” ISO will discount credit for the entire apparatus

300 gallons____ Booster tank 30

200’ ____ Booster or another 1”, 1 ½” or 1 ¾” pre-connect 12

400’ ____ 1 1/2”, 1 3/4” or 2” preconnected 24

200’ ____ Spare 1 1/2”, 1 3/4” or 2” hose 8

200’ ____ Spare 2”, 2 1/2” or 3" spare 12

1 ____ Heavy stream appliance (1,000 gpm) no nozzle needed 100

1 ____ Distributing or piercing nozzle 5

1 ____ Foam eductor or built in foam system 4

10 gallons____ Class A or B foam 6

15 gallons____ Spare foam may be carried or at station 6

2 ____ 2 1/2” nozzle w/shut-off with 1”, 1 1/8”, 1 ¼” tips 40

2 ____ 2 1/2” combination nozzles with shutoff 200 gpm minimum* 60

2 ____ 1 1/2” combination nozzles with shut-off 20

4 ____ Air packs 30, 45 or 60 minute 64

4 ____ Extra cylinders (carried) 16

2 ____ Salvage covers(12’x18’ or 12’x14’)canvas or heavy rip stop plastic 4

2 ____ Electric hand light (4V. wet, 6V. dry) no flashlights 4

1 ____ Hose clamp 4

1 ____ Hydrant hose gate (2 1/2”), hydrant wye four way or Humat valve. 4

1 ____ Burst hose jacket or hose clamp (2 1/2”) 4

1 ____ Gated wye (2 ½” x 1 ½” x 1 ½”) water thief or any form of gated wye. 4

1 ____ Mounted vehicle radio 32

1 ____ Portable radio 16

1 ____ 12’, 14’ or 16’ roof ladder 10

1 ____ 24’, 28’, 30’ or 35 ‘extension ladder 15

____ Annual pump tests (See table A) 100

____ Annual hose tests (See table B) 50

Total 654

+ A heavy stream device is not needed for a basic fire flow of less than 1,500 gpm.

*Can be a nozzle with 1 ½” threads (with a 2 ½” to 1 ½” reducer) as long as I flows at least 200 gpm.

*** The fire apparatus should also have supply hose and fire-fighting hose. For maximum credit, the engine company should carry 1,200 feet of hose. This can be 1,200 feet of 2-1/2" or larger supply hose or a combination of 2", 2-1/2", or 3" hose (up to 400 feet) and 2-1/2" or larger hose up to 800 feet. (This is an absolutely minimum, which probably will NOT qualify you for a Rural Water Grade. If you wish to establish a Rural Water Grade then the supply line will have to be upgraded to the 5”LDH family in addition to carrying more linear feet)

Table “A”

Pumper Service Tests

Average Interval Between

3 Most Recent Tests Maximum Points Credit

1 year 100

2 years 75

3 years 50

4 years 25

5 years or more 0

A Pumper Service Test is similar to the Certification Test described in NFPA Standard 1911, except that the duration is reduced to 20 minutes at 150 psi, 10 minutes at 200 psi and 10 minutes at 250 psi. The overload test is not necessary. Service tests are described in the ISO™ publication “Fire Department Pumper Tests and Fire Stream Tables.”

Table “B”

Hose Service Tests

Average Interval Between Maximum Points Credit

3 Most Recent Tests Test Pressure

250 psi 200 psi 150 psi

1 year 50 37 28

2 years 37 27 18

3 years 25 18 12

4 years 12 9 6

5 years or more 0 0 0

Tests for fire hose are described in NFPA Standard 1962. “Care, Maintenance and Use of Fire Hose.” When the hose test frequency, pressure, or both, vary 2 1/2” and larger hose and for 1 1/2” hose, proportion the credit using 65% for the 2 1/2” and larger hose and 35% for the 1 1/2” hose.

Note: If there are no records of tests claimed to have been conducted, reduce the applicable points credit by 20%.

Service Company Equipment

Need Have Equipment Total Points

1 ____ Large spray nozzle 1000 gpm(500-gpm minimum) 16

6 ____ Air packs 30, 45 or 60 minute 96

6 ____ Extra cylinders (carried) 24

10 ____ Salvage covers (12’ x 18’) canvas or heavy rip stop plastic 20

1 ____ An electric generator of any form (2,500-watt minimum) 25

3 ____ Any form of portable or removable floodlight (500-watt minimum) 12

1 ____ Smoke ejector or thermal imager 20

1 ____ Oxyacetylene torch, hydraulic or electric extrication cutter tool 20

or combination tool, plasma cutter, air chisel, extra circular saw,

sawzall or thermal imager.

1 ____ Circular saw, chain saw with carbide blade, sawzall or thermal imager. 20

4 ____ Electric hand light (4V wet, 6V dry) 8

1 ____ Hose roller (equip. hoist) 4

2 ____ 5’, 6’ or 7’ pike poles 4

2 ____ 7’, 8’, 9’ or 10’ pike poles 4

2 ____ 10’, 11’, 12’ 13’ or 14’ poles 4

1 ____ Mounted vehicle radio 32

1 ____ Portable radio 16

1 ____ 10’ collapsible ladder 4

1 ____ 14’, 16’ extension, A frame, combo or little giant ladder 5

Totals 334

Additional Equipment for Ladder Company

Need Have Equipment Total Points

1 ____ 16’ or 18’ roof ladder 20

1 ____ 20’ roof or 2^nd 16’ ladder 20

1 ____ 28’or 30’ extension ladder 20

1 ____ 35’ extension ladder 20

1 ____ 40’, 45’ or 50’ extension or 2^nd 35’ ladder 20

____ Elevated stream device (50 foot minimum)* 100

____ Aerial ladder/elevating platform (50 foot minimum)* 200

____ Annual tests aerial/platform (See Table C) 50

Totals 450

*Or sufficient height to reach the roof of any building or 100’, whichever is less. The credit shall be prorated if existing equipment has insufficient reach.

Table “C”

Aerial Ladder/Elevating Platform Tests

Average Interval Between Maximum

3 Most Recent Tests Points Credit

1 year 50

2 years 37

3 years 25

4 years 12

5 years or more 0

Tests for aerial ladder and elevating platforms are described in NFPA 1914-“Recommended Practice for Fire Department Aerial Ladders and Elevating Platforms.”

Note: If there are no records of tests claimed to have been conducted, reduce the applicable point’s credit 20%.

Equipment Substitutions:

We can substitute equipment and receive full credit ?

Times are getting tough and everybody is being asked to do more with less. You have read through the ISO™ minimum equipment list; now let’s look at what we can substitute on the list. After all, why invest extra money when we can get the job with some of the old equipment we have laying around the station. One of the best examples of this is from my mentor, he always used the example of a hose clamp at a cost of $400-$600 each versus a leather hose jacket that you can by at around $35-$40 each. If your fireload dictates that you have 3 Class A pumpers, then that means you have to have 3 hose clamps or hose jackets. Do the simple math, it is obvious not to purchase the expensive hose clamps but purchase the cheaper leather hose jackets. Why not? You get FULL credit for the less expensive equipment, plus they take up less space in your compartment.

Did you know that a thermal imager will count as a torch, smoke ejector or power saw? This only applies for one of the pieces of equipment and only on one engine though, so you will have to be creative on your other engines. But you now can justify that imager purchase as offering full ISO credit for your apparatus.

How many of us actually carry an Oxyacetylene cutting torch on your truck? Did you know that a hydraulic (hydraulic, electric or air powered extrication cutter and power unit) or pneumatic cutting tool (air chisel, air powered saw, air powered saw-zall or plasma cutting tool will count in lieu of a torch. Some ISO™ field representatives have allowed a second metal cutting circular or cutoff saw or an electric saw-zall to replace the torch as well. The idea being if it will cut metal it will count. You’d probably use all of those tools more in a month than you ever would a torch. Here are other examples of substitutions and explanations of what is suppose to be carried for full credit.

Supply Hose

Every engine is suppose to carry 1200 feet of 2 ½” or larger (3”, 3 ½”, 4”, 4 ½”, 5”, 6”, etc) supply hose. That amount is broken into two categories. You need to carry 400 feet of 2”, 2 ½” or 3” and the 800 foot balance can be larger than 2 ½” inch and should be. If you pack LDH you could also get 33 to 75% more credit for distant fire hydrants if you use a reverse lay and have a SOP stating it. Utilizing LDH for your supply line is critical on achieving your Rural Water grade.

Water Tank

A tank with 300 gallons or more. You may need to rethink your strategy here. IF you cover a rural area or you have an abundance of rural area in your fire district then you need to seriously consider the following. Remember; the bigger the tank the better. If we are talking about pumpers; then nothing smaller than 1000gal. If we are talking tanker/pumper then nothing smaller than 2000 gal. I can almost guarantee this is more than what you have historical looked at. If you want to address your rural needs, it is easier if you have equipment in this family size.

Attack Hose

Every engine is supposed to carry one 200 foot booster reel and two 200 foot 1 ½” pre-connected attack lines. A 200’ foot pre-connected 1”, 1 ½”, 1 ¾” or 2 inch soft hose attack line will receive full credit in lieu of the booster reel. The two 1 ½” pre-connects can be 1 ¾” or 2” lines.

Spare Hose

Each engine needs a total of 200’ of 2 ½” and 200 feet of 1 ½” spare hose. It can be carried on the engine or stored at the station. The smaller hose can be 1 ¾” or 2”. The larger hose can be 2” or 3”.

Foam

The needed foam eductor on an engine can be 1 ½” or 2 ½” in size. A built in foam proportioning system can be used to replace a foam eductor. Ten gallons of Class A or B foam liquid is required per engine. Fifteen gallons of spare foam can be carried or stored at the fire station.

Nozzles

Two 2 ½” combination with “shut-offs” nozzles are needed. A 200 gpm or 1 ¾” nozzle with 2 ½” adapter is an acceptable option to ISO™.

A pair of 1 ½” spray nozzles are also needed. Any 1 ½” threaded fog nozzle is creditable.

Each engine needs to carry two 1 ½” or 2 ½” shutoffs with a set of 1”, 1 1/8” and 1 ¼” stacked or interchangeable smooth bore tips on each. If the 1 ½” valve is used a 2 ½” increaser or adapter is required.

The elevated stream device on an aerial has to be a fog tip and must flow 500 gpm fog tip. It requires a 1000 gpm tip for full credit. A 500 tip would score 50% and a 750 gpm 75%.

The heavy stream device on an engine can be portable or fixed. No nozzle is called out or required in the schedule. A fixed plumbed gun will get full credit. Please note, the inspector will read the gun to see the flow rating of the device not the nozzle. Prorating is for the device not the nozzle. If it is 800 portable you’ll get 50%. If you’ve got literature that shows a gun will flow 1250 gpm fixed but the gun says 850 gpm portable you better have it in hand when graded.

A 1000 gpm large spray nozzle is needed for full credit carried on a Ladder or Service Company must be a fog tip that will flow at least 500 gpm. The nozzle on an engine company deck gun or ladder pipe on a combination pumper/service company will count twice as a heavy stream on the engine and fog tip on the service company list.

A 2 ½” distributor nozzle on an engine can be replaced with a 1 ½” or 2 ½” piercing nozzle or a rotating 2 ½” cellar nozzle.

Air Packs

An engine needs four air packs and four spare bottles and Ladder or Service Company needs 6 of each. All must be 30 minute duration or more. A cascade system will not be an acceptable replacement for spare cylinders.

Foam Nozzle

Any foam eductor or built in foam system is acceptable.

Salvage Covers

An engine needs 2 salvage covers. A ladder or service company needs 10 salvage covers. All covers must be 12’ by 18’ or 12’ by 14’ made of canvas or heavy rip stop plastic on an engine company and 12’ x 18’ foot canvas or heavy rip stop on a ladder or ladder service company.

Handlights

Each engine needs to carry 2 and each ladder or service company 4. They need to be 4 volt wet or 6 volt dry or 6 volt rechargeable with 40,000 candle power.

Hose Clamps

ISO™ is looking for a one 2 ½” or 3 inch clamp on every engine. However they commonly accept LDH hose clamp. The hose jacket will count as a hose clamp.

Hydrant Gate

One 2 ½” hydrant hose gate is needed for full credit on each engine. A four way valve, water thief or multiple outlet 2 ½” gated wye can also receive full credit.

Gated Wye

One gated wye is needed per engine and it must be 2 ½ by two 1 ½”. A water thief, a 3 way 1 ½” gated wye or any gated wye or gated manifold with adapters to connect 2 ½” and 1 ½” lines is also creditable.

2500 watt generator

Any type acceptable, PTO driven, inverters, mini-generator floodlights get credit for the wattage delivered, generator ventilation fan, etc.

Floodlights

Three 500 watt or larger portable floodlights must be carried on a service or truck company. Fixed mounted floods, pole lights or light masts will not be credited. Tripod lights or removable heads on fixed pole lights are fully creditable as are mini-generator floodlights.

Smoke Ejector

Every ladder and service company needs a smoke ejector. A positive pressure ventilation fan is acceptable. And if you can’t get the smoke out a thermal imager receives full credit.

Saws

The intent of the schedule is a ladder or service company should carry a rotary fire department saw like a K-12 or similar. However a chain saw with carbide tip cutting blades will be credited. ISO™ has allowed full credit for reciprocating saws and electric circular saws as well. What is really amazing is a thermal imager will count as well.

Generators

Every ladder or service company needs a 2500 watt or larger electrical generation device (inverter, fixed or portable gas or diesel generator, PTO or hydraulic generator). Mini-generators with or without floodlights get credit for their rating.

Hose Roller

One hose hoist is needed on each ladder or service company. A hose roller or equipment hoist is also creditable.

Pike Poles

Each ladder and service company should carry six pike poles. The lengths should be two each 6’ (or 5’ to 7’), 8’ (or 7’ to 10’) and 12’ (or 10’ to 14’). Acceptable substitutions include plaster hooks, almost any style hook and even rubbish and trash hooks.

Ground Ladders

An engine is supposed to carry a 12’ or 14’ roof ladder. A 16’ is also creditable. In addition to the roof ladder a 24’ extension or 28’, 30’ or 35’ will also offer full credit.

A ladder or service company needs to carry one long ladder for each 35’ or taller building in the community and every 3500 gpm or higher property up to the 5 ladder compliment. ISO™ does not follow NFPA 1901 on ground ladders for ladder and service companies. They mirror the robust NFPA ladder standard of 1979.

Each service or ladder company must carry:

Required Substitutions

a 10’ folding, 10’ attic

a 14 foot extension or combination, 14’ A frame, little giant, 16’ 2 fly

Each ladder or service company must carry a portion of the following as well:

Required Substitutions

a 28 foot extension ladder, 30’ 2 or 3 fly

a 35 foot extension ladder 35’ or 40’ 2 or 3 fly

a 40 foot extension ladder. 35’. 40’, 45’, or 50’ 2 or 3 fly

a 16 foot roof ladder, 18’ roof

a 20 foot roof ladder, 16’ roof

Special Note:

Maximum Age for Apparatus

How many of you have been told, a pumper older than 20-25 years cannot be credited because it is too old? Welcome to one of the myths of the ISO. The below paragraph was copied directly off of the ISO Web Sight.

“The Fire Suppression Rating Schedule (FSRS) does not specify any maximum age for fire apparatus. ISO uses NFPA standards to define whether or not the apparatus meets general requirements. In addition, pumper apparatus must pass a pump test. ISO will credit a pumper with its capability (gallons per minute) at a net pump pressure of 150 psi. Aerial apparatus must also pass an annual service test (including a nondestructive test at least every five years).”

To view the information listed in this article regarding the minimum required equipment list or the FSRS Equivalency List, log into the ISO Mitigation web sight at:

http://www.isomitigation.com/ppc/3000/ppc3007.html

As with any editorial column that I publish, I invite you to send me your questions.

Feel free to contact me via email at: ISOFireChief@yahoo.com

Till the next column,

Regards,

ISOFireChief

About the author:

Michael A. Cottrell, Fire Chief for General Motors Corporation, has over 22 years of Fire and Rescue service ranging from Volunteer to Paid from W.Va. to South Carolina, Nebraska and Ohio. In addition to residential fire protection the author has a solid background on high hazard industrial and manufacturing fire protection. More than 16 years experience as a Fire Chief or Chief Line Officer. Training and specialties include; Certified Fire/Rescue Instructor, high angle rescue, confined space rescue, Arson Investigation and former EMT and Medical 1st Responder He offers ISO certification consulting, has extensive knowledge of ISO Certification process and experienced interaction with ISO personnel.