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Student Designer
University Product Description and Principal Function(s) The AMATOYA concept introduces a new class of vehicle to the field of fire appliance design; capable of reconnaissance and suppression, the proposal may gradually shift the way authorities approach modern fire fighting. Research indicates a need to develop an advanced and highly specialised light tanker. The concept will function primarily as a reconnaissance vehicle while providing unparalleled vehicle and crew safety/survivability, maintain superior off road capabilities and possess appropriate fire suppression technology for the purpose of initial response and front line defence.Why does the product represent design excellence and why do you believe it deserves an Australian Design Award? The 2009 Black Saturday bushfires decimated the state of Victoria. The density of fuel loads, extreme temperatures, low humidity and unpredictable wind speeds culminated in disaster. Over 170 lives were lost and thousands made homeless. The unique conditions experienced on February 7 saw authorities overwhelmed and incapacitated by the sheer scale and velocity of the event. The unprecedented level of social and political attention following the 2009 Victorian bushfire season has provided an exceptional opportunity for growth of understanding, not only to the cause and nature of these fires, but what measures can be taken to further and more efficiently respond, defend and suppress such catastrophic events.Upon arrival at any a fire event, in order to establish the most effective means of suppression and relevant appliance deployment, in-depth and ongoing site reconnaissance must be undertaken. In an extreme event such as the Victorian Black Saturday fires, this task becomes exponentially critical to the survival of all crew and civilians located on the fire ground. Currently the role of site reconnaissance is carried out by light tankers or QAVs (Quick Attack Vehicles), these are typically modified single cabin commercial utility vehicles. While off road performance and manoeuvrability is sufficient, the ability to actively suppress a fire threat is severely limited by considerably small water supplies (500lt) and distinct lack of burnover protection. Existing approaches towards survival engineering on fire tankers and QAVs alike, consistently appears as augmentation rather than integration. Methods are passive, typically reactive and often incapacitate the appliance when in use. To create a homogenous directive towards survivability AMATOYA will incorporates state of the art clear aerogel laminated insulation in the windows and bodywork, a dedicated auxiliary water supply to operate a highly efficient, intelligent temperature controlled spray down system, military grade sacrificial thermo ceramic intumescent paints and a mechanically injected large displacement diesel engine specifically engineered for the unique conditions experienced on the fire ground. A Remotely Operated Suppression Cannon Outfit (ROSCO) coupled with a generous 1800lt + 400lt auxiliary water supply, offers a unique dynamic to vehicle operation. The ROSCO system utilises highly efficient IFEX3000 impulse technology which not only conserves water usage, but vitally will eliminate crew members being subjected to the elements and stresses of extended high intensity work on the fire ground. These measures will assure that even in the case of an extremely prolonged burnover the vehicle will not only maintain cabin integrity, but opposed to existing appliances AMATOYA will remain fully operational and mobile. With an emphasis on crew and vehicle survivability combined with a radically altered approach to fire suppression, the AMATOYA Fire Reconnaissance Vehicle is dramatically separated from any existing appliance in operation. While idealistic in its execution, this project endeavours to question the adequacy of existing appliances and suppression strategies. The goal is not to dismantle a system which has been utilised for over 70 years, but rather to modernise and homogenise, to ask the question and demonstrate just what may be possible in the future. |
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