If the fire department ran out of water, what do you think are the odds of them saving your property and the lives of you and your family?
In many rural settings across the United States and Canada, these properties are at a much higher risk for a greater loss than municipal areas with hydrants ready to provide an almost endless supply of water.
And let’s be clear—it’s not that the rural fire departments are less equipped or experienced. It’s the fact that they do not have the same water resources as cities or towns. And considering 83% of firefighters in Canada and 70% in the US are volunteers, more firefighters are working in rural areas than suburban areas.
I can speak firsthand to the reasons why rural departments are already behind the 8-ball when responding to these fires. How do I know this?
I’ve been a volunteer firefighter since 1991, covering a small farming community in Northeast Indiana. I’ve witnessed countless fires where water was more valuable than gold, seen fire trucks run out of water before other trucks arrived, and seen fire trucks arrive with little or no water at all in their tanks.
After nearly 30 years, I’ve seen a lot, but water has always been the number one concern. And that’s where fire suppression tanks can become lifesavers—literally.
Brooklin Concrete Products Offers Fire Suppression Tanks with Press-Seal Rubber Connectors
In business since 1952, Brooklin Concrete Products transforms landscapes with paving stones and retaining walls. The company’s ability to manufacture hydro vault and septic system products is just another reason behind their status as a leading resource in wastewater and stormwater collection systems in the Toronto area.
Brooklin also helps in another aspect of the industry by producing precast fire suppression tanks that, in turn, help protect rural properties. Although these tanks are more common in Canada, precast producers in the US manufacture them, as well.
Brooklin fire suppression tanks range in size from 5,000 gallons (18,927 L) to 20,000 gallons (75,708 L), with most wall thicknesses in the five-to-six-inch range (127–152.4 mm). The tanks are buried below the frost line and strategically placed in rural areas for fire department use only. Without these tanks, fire departments must rely on ponds/lakes or shuttle water from areas located farther away from hydrants.
Press-Seal PSX: Direct Drive mechanical connector.
A recent job Brooklin completed required four linked tanks capable of providing upward of 50,000 gallons (189,270 L) of water and covering two different manufacturing facilities on the same property. To ensure water always remains in the tanks when the fire departments arrive, connections between the tanks need to be properly sealed.
Brooklin utilized schedule 80 pipe to connect the tanks and get water from one place to the next. Every outlet needed a rubber gasket, too, so the company chose Press-Seal’s patented PSX: Direct Drive for the job—Brooklin found the product’s reliability and ease of use to be the best possible option.
“This flexibility on-site is critical to us getting the job finished on-time and within budget,” says Jami Quathamer of Brooklin Concrete Products.
Precast Products Save Lives
Water has always played an important role in the health and safety of communities around the world. Whether supplying potable water through pipes or providing a valuable resource in fire suppression tanks that save lives and property, precast products are historically critical to the success of many products, including lift stations, manholes, and box culverts.
If you live in a rural area or your municipality could use additional resources to keep citizens safe, then precast fire suppression tanks are a solution you should consider. If nothing else, contact your local volunteer fire department to see if they are aware of this cost-effective and potentially lifesaving resource.
Setting the Gold Standard
Contact Press-Seal today to learn how you can set the gold standard in your next project by utilizing products that help protect people from the dangers of fire. Reach out to us toll free at (800) 348-7325 or locally at (260) 436-0521.