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Wednesday, 19 October 2011
Yanmar diesel safety concerns measured
The RFBAQ in conjunction with the University of the Sunshine Coast measured the amount of force required to manually pull start the Yanmar diesels as retrofitted to light attacks. The same Yanmar diesel has been fitted to a number of QFRS I-Zone vehicles as operated by paid QFRS staff.
This query stems from a resolution passed at the Caboolture Group meeting for the Association to investigate the safety issues of the retro fit diesel. The Caboolture Group operates on the direction that ‘if your retrofit does not start mechanically, then the appliance is taken of the fireline’.
In much of Queensland this safety policy is impractical, as many brigades only have the 1 vehicle.
The RFBAQ contacted Yanmar Power Equipment head office in Melbourne on 01/09/2011 and was transferred through to the Queensland office. The Service department of Yanmar in Queensland stated that they did not have data on the amount of force required to manually start the engine.
The test undertaken at USC involved the Engineering and Sport and Exercise Science divisions measuring of the force required to manually pull start with the decompression lever engaged and also with the decompression lever disengaged.
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With Decompression active
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Without Decompression active
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57.75kgs
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123.72kgs
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55.70kgs
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43.84kgs
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47.68kgs
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The Association will approach the UFUQ to investigate the workplace health and safety requirements and responsibilities so that all fire-fighters, whether Volunteer or paid can operate safely on the fireground.
 The Association would like to thank the University of the Sunshine Coast not only for their support in this investigation, but also for supplying Volunteer fire-fighters both from their student and faculty ranks.
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