Rosenbauer - How Advanced Technology improves Fire Trucks
Advanced Technology, or AT for short, which is Rosenbauer’s premium class, enjoys a first class reputation among fire services around the world
This is due primarily to the AT trucks’ outstanding performance capacity, utility and top manufacturing quality. In addition, it is also the result of the AT system’s enormous flexibility and variability, which enable vehicles to be produced precisely in accordance with customer requirements.
ATs are in operation in some fifty countries with Europe as the main market for standard vehicle versions. All in all, over 5,000 AT trucks have been manufactured and sold, which makes this concept one of the most successful in the entire fire industry.
Innovative trendsetter
The AT system was introduced in 1994 and since then has been the object of a permanent further development process, every stage of which has established new benchmarks. AT vehicles were among the first fire trucks to possess aluminum lightweight superstructures and integrated crew cabins (1994), CAN electronics and display controls (2002), full LED lighting (2010), and Euro 6 engines (2015). The system has also convinced the fire services with innovations such as the patented Rosenbauer revolving steps, fully integrated extinguishing systems and the very latest safety technology. In addition, the AT was one of the world’s first fire trucks to be awarded several international design prizes (red dot, iF product design, “Gute Gestaltung”, etc.).
Industrial manufacture
One of the trademarks of the AT is its industrial manufacture. This reliably ensures top product quality in tandem with efficient production. The series incorporates trucks with dead weights of between ten and twenty tonnes, and extends from vehicles built according to specific national standards such as the HLF, TLF or RLF, to individually designed rescues and equipment trucks, and a diversity of special vehicles that includes hazmat trucks. AT vehicles are in operation with municipal fire services, as well as company, industrial and airport units.
A revolutionary superstructure concept
At the beginning of the 1990s, with the AT system Rosenbauer revolutionized fire truck superstructure philosophy. Vehicle superstructures had previously been made using a welded steel skeleton, but in its AT vehicles Rosenbauer only employed aluminum and composites in a modern rib and system profile construction. This launched the lightweight superstructure era and the topic of corrosion in fire trucks was finally brought under control.
The concept of the self-supporting superstructure made from bolted and bonded, laser-cut and beveled, aluminum sandwich panels has remained state of the art until the present day. This is because it provides indispensible advantages that include the optimum use of superstructure space. Furthermore, the reduction in weight as opposed to steel frameworks allows the transport of a heavier payload, as well as the installation of larger water/foam tanks, more complex pump systems and the anchorage of a vast number of items. The superstructure openings in the AT trucks are also spacious and thus facilitate the removal of equipment.
Balanced handling
A further benefit of the self-supporting superstructure, which is reinforced with lightweight materials, is its high strength and torque resistance. In combination with the AT’s low center of gravity, this results in very balanced handling in rough terrain and secure road holding, especially in the case of rapid evasive action. The crew cabin, which is integrated into the superstructure and is specially linked to the original cab, also contributes to the AT’s excellent handling.
In addition, a driver warning device (DWD) is available, which measures the lateral and longitudinal axial forces affecting the vehicle and provides visual and acoustic warnings when the angle of the truck reaches a dangerous level.
Safety first
Crew safety has always been the prime consideration during the further development of the AT. This is exemplified by the revolving staircase, which under load stops in any door position and thus guarantees safe entry and exit to and from the crew cabin. Another safety feature is the vehicle roof, which owing to the integration of the cabin in the superstructure is flat and allows danger-free walking.
LED lighting also boosts safety, as the crew cabin and equipment compartments are illuminated entirely glare-free and high-performance LEDs and a lighting mast provide true color lighting conditions around the vehicle in poor visibility. In fact, every light source in the AT, from the front flashing lights to the handrails, floor contour lighting and the tank gauge employs LED technology, which owing to its limited power consumption and longevity offers an optimum energy balance.
Crew safety during emergency responses is also ensured by the combination of a high-strength cabin and crash-tested driver’s cab (according to ECE R29). Moreover, all the seats are fitted with 3-point safety belts and in the crew cabin the outside places can be equipped with a rollover air bag system including belt tensioners.
Excellent operating comfort
The AT is ready for action at a single press of the operation setting button. This activates the flashing warning lights, the traffic control unit, the surrounding area lighting, the pump at a predefined speed, and the generator.
The central water axis also offers plenty of comfort, as it transports all the water in the truck, irrespective of whether this is sucked in from a pond, or obtained under pressure from a hydrant. The axis distributes the water throughout the vehicle to precisely the point at which it is needed, which it be the tank, the pump, or both simultaneously. This allows the machine operator to focus on pressure and foam proportioning.
Practically all the functions in an AT vehicle are started, controlled and monitored via Rosenbauer LCS 2.0 logic control system displays. These functions range from the rotating beacons and the surrounding area lighting, to the pump (pressure level, cavitation), the integrated foam proportioning system, the portable electricity generator, the tank gauges and the various engine data.
Carefully considered down to the smallest detail
Last, but not least, it is innumerable details which demonstrate that behind the AT are developers and designers with practical fire service experience, and that the feedback from users is repeatedly put to good use. This is evident with regard to the intelligent COMFORT anchorage system, which can be moved with millimeter precision and allows individual payload configurations. It is also reflected by the tensioned spring system and the single-finger safety locks that facilitate the ergonomic and safe removal of equipment, not to mention the comprehensive color logic (orange) used for handles and all operational elements, and the shutter belt, which only needs to be tugged once in order to close the equipment compartments.
The ingenious, detailed solutions also include the many additional storage spaces provided from the cabs to the rear axles, as well as equipment such as the vertical hose magazine and the quick attack reel with hose window and foot switch rewinding. Other inventive features include the limbered hose reels that can be individually lowered hydraulically, an attenuated feed flap and integrated generators powered both directly from the engine (up to 9 kVA), or via the auxiliary drive (up to 80 kVA).
Maximum diversity
AT trucks are produced on all standard chassis (Mercedes-Benz, MAN, Scania, Volvo, Renault, Kamaz, Rosenbauer Commander). They come with and without all-wheel drive, with the original, or superstructure-integrated Rosenbauer crew cabin, and tank volumes of up to 5,500 l.
As far as the integrated pumps are concerned, units can be installed with outputs of up to 5,500 l/min at 10 bar, or in combination with high-pressure pumps, of up to 400 l/min at 40 bar. A range of supplementary foam proportioning systems such as the DIGIMATIC or AQUAMATIC is also available along with compressed air foam systems such as SKY CAFS. Moreover, the ATs can be fitted with front and roof monitors (1,500 or 2,500 l/min) and a polar package for fire services in the far north, or a hot country package for desert operations.
The jubilee selection
The 4,999th AT was produced for the Guangzhou City Public Security Fire Department and serves to underline the esteem in which the trucks are held in China. Some 200 vehicles have been delivered to China in recent years and are generally in operation with fire services in the nation’s megacities.
The 5,000th AT went to the Aldersbach Volunteer Fire Service in Bavaria, Germany and thus to Europe’s largest fire industry market. Rosenbauer ATs cover every type of standard German fire truck and also set technical benchmarks in this regard.
The 5,001st AT is part of a collective order from the Dutch Limburg-Noord/Brabant-Noord Fire Services Association and will be put into operation with the Heesch fire service.
TLF 4.000 Guangzhou City Public Security Fire Department
- Chassis: MAN TGM 18.290, 4×2, 18 t
- Crew: 2+3+4
- Cab: Rosenbauer crew cabin, integrated into the superstructure
- Extinguishing agents: 3,600 l water, 400 l foam
- Integrated pump: NH35 with up to 3,000 l/min at 10 bar and 400 l/min at 40 bar
- Foam proportioning system: FIXMIX, 2-level
- Monitor: RM25C water/foam monitor
- Lighting mast: FLEXILIGHT LED
HLF 20 Aldersbach Fire service
- Chassis: MAN TGM 15.290, 4×4, 15 t
- Crew: 2+3+4
- Cab: Rosenbauer crew cabin, integrated into the superstructure
- Extinguishing agents: 1,600 l water, 200 l foam
- Integrated pump: NH35 with up to 3,000 l/min at 10 bar
- Pressurized proportioning system: DIGIMATIC 42
- Monitor: RM24M water/foam monitor (fixed)
- Lighting mast: FLEXILIGHT LED
TLF 2.500 Heesch Brandweer fire service
- Chassis: Mercedes-Benz 1530 AF Atego, 4×2, 16 t
- Crew: 2+3+3
- Cab: Rosenbauer crew cabin, integrated into the superstructure
- Extinguishing agents: 2,500 l water
- Integrated pump: NH35 with up to 3,000 l/min at 10 bar and 400 l/min at 40 bar
- Pump&Roll
- 7 kW integrated generator
For further information, visit Rosebauer official website