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February 2024
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ANCO CAFS300 compressed air foam system: a proven game changer
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Compressed air foam systems continue to provide a significant advantage in firefighting operations.
With the release of the ANCO CAFS300 compressed air foam system (CAFS) in 2018, ANCO Manufacturing could not have predicted the significant impact this locally made CAF system would have on the fire suppression industry. Following implementation of the first system in early 2019, the various advantages and multiple applications of CAFS have proven to have had a significant, positive impact on the operations and lives of many fire fighters across a broad spectrum of applications.
“We never realised how much of an impact the ANCO CAFS300 system would have in adding firefighting capacity and effectiveness to such a wide variety of end-users” said André Scheepers, managing director at ANCO Manufacturing. “The acceptance of this product in the market has been exceptional and we continue to see more and more applications and end-users buying into the concept and putting our product it to use in their specific environments” he added.
The ANCO CAFS system was recently put to the ultimate test when industry partners joined forces to battle the chip stockpile fire at the NCT Fibre Mill fire in Richards Bay in late 2023. Being called on to quickly deliver additional equipment and foaming chemicals to existing customers who responded to the mill fire, André found himself in the midst of the action when he arrived at the NCT Mill and was thrust into service by adding his experience and suggestions to the multi-approach efforts that were already being implemented at the fire. By using the ANCO CAFS300 and a few hastily devised piercing nozzles to deliver foam deep into the burning stock-pile, André and the other fire fighters on scene could effectively extinguish a large portion of the fire in a very short time. Using the superb heat absorbing properties of Compressed Air Foam and the experience gained over the last years, the team could effectively add to the efforts in containing and eventually extinguishing the fire. Much valuable experience was gained and further applications identified. Multiple users of the ANCO CAFS300 could collaborate and having the ANCO CAFS300 mounted on fast attack LDVs and on larger fire trucks highlighted the versatility and effectiveness of the system.
Apart from corporate forestry companies’ other industries that have invested in adding the ANCO CAFS300 system to their firefighting arsenal includes mines, charcoal manufacturers, used-oil refiners, housing estates, game reserves and municipal fire brigades. Most of these units are either mounted onto existing fleet vehicles in skid unit format ie single cab Land Cruisers are popular platforms) or onto larger fire truck platforms. A number of trailer-based units with 1 000-litre water tanks have also been supplied.
Most recently the ANCO CAFS300 has found a use in smaller, rural municipal fire brigades where the system is incorporated into rapid intervention vehicles and first responder emergency vehicles. Aptly, Mkhondo (Piet Retief) Municipal Fire Brigade took delivery of a Toyota Land Cruiser RIV fully equipped with rescue equipment and the ANCO CAFS300 with 600-litre tank capacity. The unit currently serves the deadly N2 route between Ermelo and Pongola and was proudly manufactured by ANCO Manufacturing on behalf of PG Bison/Woodchem who donated the vehicle to the local fire brigade rescue services.
Photo 1: Red Land Cruiser RIV. The new Toyota Land Cruiser rapid intervention vehicle recently delivered to Mkhondo Municipal Fire Brigade
Photo 2: An example of a trailer-based ANCO CAFS300 with 1 000-litre water capacity
Contact André Scheepers or Casper Pieterse
ANCO Manufacturing (Pty) Ltd
Tel: +27 (0)17 826 6023
Cell: +27 (0) 83 556 3309
Email: [email protected]
www.ancoman.co.za
With the release of the ANCO CAFS300 compressed air foam system (CAFS) in 2018, ANCO Manufacturing could not have predicted the significant impact this locally made CAF system would have on the fire suppression industry. Following implementation of the first system in early 2019, the various advantages and multiple applications of CAFS have proven to have had a significant, positive impact on the operations and lives of many fire fighters across a broad spectrum of applications.
“We never realised how much of an impact the ANCO CAFS300 system would have in adding firefighting capacity and effectiveness to such a wide variety of end-users” said André Scheepers, managing director at ANCO Manufacturing. “The acceptance of this product in the market has been exceptional and we continue to see more and more applications and end-users buying into the concept and putting our product it to use in their specific environments” he added.
The ANCO CAFS system was recently put to the ultimate test when industry partners joined forces to battle the chip stockpile fire at the NCT Fibre Mill fire in Richards Bay in late 2023. Being called on to quickly deliver additional equipment and foaming chemicals to existing customers who responded to the mill fire, André found himself in the midst of the action when he arrived at the NCT Mill and was thrust into service by adding his experience and suggestions to the multi-approach efforts that were already being implemented at the fire. By using the ANCO CAFS300 and a few hastily devised piercing nozzles to deliver foam deep into the burning stock-pile, André and the other fire fighters on scene could effectively extinguish a large portion of the fire in a very short time. Using the superb heat absorbing properties of Compressed Air Foam and the experience gained over the last years, the team could effectively add to the efforts in containing and eventually extinguishing the fire. Much valuable experience was gained and further applications identified. Multiple users of the ANCO CAFS300 could collaborate and having the ANCO CAFS300 mounted on fast attack LDVs and on larger fire trucks highlighted the versatility and effectiveness of the system.
Apart from corporate forestry companies’ other industries that have invested in adding the ANCO CAFS300 system to their firefighting arsenal includes mines, charcoal manufacturers, used-oil refiners, housing estates, game reserves and municipal fire brigades. Most of these units are either mounted onto existing fleet vehicles in skid unit format ie single cab Land Cruisers are popular platforms) or onto larger fire truck platforms. A number of trailer-based units with 1 000-litre water tanks have also been supplied.
Most recently the ANCO CAFS300 has found a use in smaller, rural municipal fire brigades where the system is incorporated into rapid intervention vehicles and first responder emergency vehicles. Aptly, Mkhondo (Piet Retief) Municipal Fire Brigade took delivery of a Toyota Land Cruiser RIV fully equipped with rescue equipment and the ANCO CAFS300 with 600-litre tank capacity. The unit currently serves the deadly N2 route between Ermelo and Pongola and was proudly manufactured by ANCO Manufacturing on behalf of PG Bison/Woodchem who donated the vehicle to the local fire brigade rescue services.
Photo 1: Red Land Cruiser RIV. The new Toyota Land Cruiser rapid intervention vehicle recently delivered to Mkhondo Municipal Fire Brigade
Photo 2: An example of a trailer-based ANCO CAFS300 with 1 000-litre water capacity
Contact André Scheepers or Casper Pieterse
ANCO Manufacturing (Pty) Ltd
Tel: +27 (0)17 826 6023
Cell: +27 (0) 83 556 3309
Email: [email protected]
www.ancoman.co.za