Report on the ‘Ambassador’ and how to improve it
In contemporary times, there are several available nozzles, designed differently for firefighters use. However, getting the best design that would be effective in combating fire incidences is very significant to save lives and properties. The ‘Ambassador’ is a specialty fabricated automatic machine with hybrid capability to perform as an automatic pressure or a fixed gallonage nozzle. It is a very handy machine for firefighters in battling incidences of blaze outbreaks. The machine is fortified to automatically regulate flows in order to maintain on frequent basis tip pressure. This enables fire fighters handling the equipment to have effective range for a determined discharge flow. Nozzle is the primary equipment for combatting fire outbreaks. Hence, the Ambassador 1X 6 Monitor/ Nozzle is designed to give hydro foam proportional ranges of 1000 to 6000 GPM. When selecting a nozzle for combating fire outbreak, it is expedient that the user fully understand how it works. This can be done when the chosen equipment is tested to see how adequately water penetration flows easily with range from the required GPM in area of usage. Also, It is pertinent that the choice of selecting a nozzle, like the Ambassador, is assessed based on the equipment’s water delivering reach, penetration and the reaction force on users (firefighters). The different types of nozzles have their advantages and disadvantages. For instance, the Smooth-bore nozzle type has the advantage of having good reach and penetration and it is low in cost. Also, this category of nozzle easily discards debris and it is simple to use. For the fixed-gpm / constant flow nozzle, it has the advantage of good foam production, good reach, and can be directly used at variable streams; either straight, narrow or wide fog. For automatic nozzle they are very expensive, but have some qualities that include good foam production, constant nozzle pressure, decent reach and it is easy to use and rugged (Kirby and Lakamp, 2012). The Ambassador has combined some of the qualities of the different aforementioned nozzles; thus making it a hybrid with lots of benefits for users.
SWOT Analysis of Ambassador
Recommendations
It is recommended that the weight of the equipment be designed in such a way that mobility will be very easy. In densely populated cities where houses are built very close to each other moving such heavy firefighting nozzle would pose a challenge and speed maybe hampered. Hence, the weight design should be adequately considered.
Furthermore, smaller sizes with design using this prototype should be considered.
Suggested forecasted improvement and saving
Reducing the size of the equipment by reducing some parts to cut weight will promote speed and safe cost.
Some of the optional parts can be reduced to reduce cost and enable savings for buyers. These include parts like: 2.0JP60 Jet Pump w/stinger (three) which can use one, in additional to the 1.5JP30 Jet Pump w/stinger (Monitor/Nozzle Packages 201?).
References
Kirby, Mike. & Lakamp, Tom. (2012). “Nozzle Types, Pros and Cons” http://www.firefighternation.com/article/firefighting-operations/nozzle-types-pros-and-cons (28 Dec., 2013).
McCormack, Ray (2012). “Tactical Safety for Firefighters: Nozzle Backwards” http://www.fireengineering.com/articles/2012/05/tactical-safety-for-firefighters-nozzle-backwards.html (28 Dec., 2013).
‘Monitor/Nozzle Packages’. (201?).
