Technology

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Technology Development Program

• CNH Forest Fire Council Spring Meeting

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Presentation Format

• Who we are.
• History
• Procedures
• What we do.
• Short list of projects

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What we DO Mission Statement

• To systematically apply scientific knowledge and
  advance technology to create new or substantially
  improved equipment, system, materials, process,
  techniques, and procedures to meet the challenges
  and objectives of sustainable forest ecosystem
  management practices

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History
Present Location San Dimas, CA since 1965
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History
SDTDC began in 1945 in Southern California for
the sole purpose of developing wildland fire
equipment.
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What we Do Program Areas

• Fire Aviation Management
• Fire prevention and suppression
• Fuels and residues
• Recreation
• Engineering
• Roads facilities
• Forest Management
• Inventory Monitoring

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Organization
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What we DO Program of Work

• How DO we get our work
• Steering committees
• Assigned by someone higher up

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What we DO NOT DO

• We do not develop policy
• Provide information to make policy
• We do not decide what to work on

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Products Services

• Equipment Development
• Publications
• Tech Tips
• Project reports
• Specifications
• Informational videos
• Product evaluation
• Training
• Technical consultants

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Customers

• Interagency field personnel
• US Forest Service
• Bureau of Land Management
• National Park Service
• Bureau of Indian Affairs
• Fish Wildlife Service
• National Association of State Foresters

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TD Process

• Proposals Submitted from the Field
• Steering Committee Rates Proposals
• Committee comprised of 1 Rep from
• each Region, WO and cooperating
  partners, FWS, BLM
• TD works on Priority Projects
• Product is Delivered to the Field

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Relies on

• Ideas
• Problems
• Constructive Feedback

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Product Lifecycle
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Other Sources of Projects

• FEWT
• NWCG
• RFECs
• FEWG
• WFEC
• Caches

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Technology Development Program

• Myths
• We DO NOT select our own projects
• We DO NOT make rules or policy

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Fireline Construction Production Rates Study

• Validate crew line construction production rates.

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Fireline Construction Production Rates Study

• Benefits
• Assist to establish rates for contracts
• Assist in planning resource allocations.

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Methodology

• Shadow crew
• Gather the following data
• Fuel model
• Terrain
• Weather
• Crew assignment
• No. of crew cutting line
• Line type, length
• Evaluate data
• Statistical validity
• Missing data on FM

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Observation Summary
2006 2007
Fires1 13 15
IHC 16 13
Type II 8 17
Total days 27 302
Total Shift Hours 389 308

• Notes
• Number of fires where data was collected.
• Unable to collect data on 7 fires

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Future Actions

• Determine data needed to achieve statistically
  validity.
• Import corrected GPS data photos to Google
  Earth.
• Production rates for dozers will be collected in
  FM 2 3.
• Collect crew data on FM 2 3 when available.

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Fuel Standardization Study

• Provide a central document for wildland fuels
  collection and measurement procedures.

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Fuel Standardization Study

• Collection Methods
• Containers
• Oven study
• Site selection

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Fuel Standardization Study

• 2 Tech Tips complete
• Chainsaw vs. handsaw
• Containers
• Oven study completed (Neo-systems, Computrak,
  convection).
• A first draft of the Fuels Guide Compendium is
  complete.

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Fuel Dike / Spill Containment

• Improve existing fuel berm dike and spill
  containment system.

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Fuel Dike/Spill Containment

• Prototype was developed and field tested.
• Initial test indicates that the unit worked well.
  
• Laboratory testing is being conducted.

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Fuel Dike/Spill Containment Study
Evaluation of foam tubing on the Zaca Fire,
showed no constant wear and an added bonus of
better stability of operating pump and
generators.
Foam tubing attached to outside frame
New tarps were being worn out from constant pump
vibration.
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Compressed Air Foam Systems Study

• Compare various CAFS units, determine if it can
  be used on prevention vehicles.

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CAFS Study

• 3 Units installed on patrol vehicles for field
  evaluation
• Tri-max Super 60
• Fire Solutions Dual RR 30
• Air Quick

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Tri-Max Super 60 skid
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CAFS Evaluation
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CAFS Evaluation
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Vehicle Stability Project

• Develop field procedures to verify, vehicle
  stability
• Gather data on agency vehicles

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Vehicle Stability Test

• Water tenders
• Crew carriers
• Type 3 engines
• Type 6 engines

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Vehicle Stability
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Crawler Protection Study

• Evaluate different products for operator
  protection

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Crawler Production Rates

• Validate crawler protection equipment
• Fire curtains
• Environmental cabs
• Hose protection

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Crawler Protection Study

• Finalizing indoor test plan.
• Looking for outdoor test site.
• Looked at dozer burn-over in California.
• Four dozers available for testing.

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Dozer Committee Research utilizing actual
events to better provide operator protection
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Unprotected Molding
Protective molding
Protective door covering helped to protect window
molding from extreme heat
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Glass laminate material showed melting in between
glass, suggesting lower ignition temperatures.
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Crawler Protection

• Laboratory Testing
• In-house
• NIST
• CSIRO

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Conclusions from CSIRO Study

• Untenable conditions due to toxic gas exposure
  was reached before untenable thermal limits in
  all cases for regions below the window level.
• Respirable particle were the main reason for
  exceeding tenability criteria.
• The physical integrity of the cabin envelope must
  be maintained in order for the vehicle to provide
  a safe refuge during a burnover event.

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from CSIRO Study

• Use of fire curtains compromises the integrity of
  the glass because it reflect radiant heat onto
  the inside of the glass. Heating both sides.

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Invasive Species Vehicle Wash Project

• Develop a minimum specification for vehicle
  washer used to minimize the spread on
  non-native/invasive species

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Types of Vehicles

• 5 different washer types evaluated
• Large wheeled vehicles
• Type 3 fire engines
• Civilian patterned vehicles
• Pick-up truck
• SUV
• Tracked
• Fire dozer

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Invasive Species Vehicle Wash
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Test Site CDF Facility Ione, CA
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Contactor Wash System
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Secondary Hand Washers
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FLOW
From the collection tank to this settling tank.
FLOW
Filtration
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Hydration Study

• Investigate other hydration system to replace
  canteen.

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Hydration Study

• Hydration system study
• Not limited to bladder types
• Initial selection procurement of products
  selected.
• Camelback bottle systems given to lead users
  for evaluation this fire season

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Hydration Study
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Model Capacity (fl. oz) Insulated Insulated Insulated Dry Weight GSA Schedule Cost Bladder Only Bladder Only
Camelbak Camelbak Camelbak Camelbak Camelbak Camelbak Camelbak Camelbak Camelbak Camelbak
Unbottle 70 70 Yes 12 oz. 12 oz. No
Unbottle 100 100 Yes 13 oz. 13 oz. No
Hotshot 72 72 Yes 25-33
Hotshot 102 102 Yes 18 oz. 18 oz. 29-37
Bottle 25 25 No 6 oz. 6 oz. 47/pack of 6
Bottle 32 32 No 7.4 oz 7.4 oz No 14 14
Platypus Platypus Platypus Platypus Platypus Platypus Platypus Platypus Platypus Platypus
Platy Bottle 34 34 No 0.8 oz 0.8 oz 4
Platy Bottle 80 80 No 1 oz 1 oz 5
Big Zip 34 34 No 3.5 oz 3.5 oz 12
Big Zip 60 60 No 4 oz 4 oz 13
Big Zip 70 70 No 4 oz 4 oz 13
Big Zip 100 100 No 4.5 oz 4.5 oz 14
Hoser 60 60 No 3.5 oz 3.5 oz 10
Hoser 70 70 No 3.5 oz 3.5 oz 10
Hoser 100 100 No 4 oz 4 oz 11
Hiker Hydrator 60 60 No 10 oz 10 oz 15 15
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Model Capacity (fl. oz) Insulated Dry Weight GSA Schedule Cost Bladder Only
Mountain Safety Research Mountain Safety Research Mountain Safety Research Mountain Safety Research Mountain Safety Research Mountain Safety Research Mountain Safety Research
Hydromedary 70 No 6.5 oz 19 Yes
Hydromedary No 6.7 oz 20 Yes
Hydromedary 100 No 7.1 oz 21 Yes
The Pack Shack The Pack Shack The Pack Shack The Pack Shack The Pack Shack The Pack Shack The Pack Shack
Water Bag No 13.7 oz No
Thielsen Thielsen Thielsen Thielsen Thielsen Thielsen Thielsen
Hydro_Cool Yes 18.4 oz No 30 18
Nalgene Nalgene Nalgene Nalgene Nalgene Nalgene Nalgene
Big Bore Tanker 48 No No
Big Bore Tanker 64 Optional No
Big Bore Tanker 96 Optional No
HDPE Loop Top Bottle 32 No 3.8 oz Yes 4
Wide-Mouth Loop Top Bottle 32 No 5.3 oz Yes 6
Wide-Mouth Loop Top Bottle 48 No 6.9 oz No 10
Multi-Layer Film Canteen 16 No 1.9 oz Yes 6
Multi-Layer Film Canteen 32 No 2.1 oz Yes 6
Multi-Layer Film Canteen 48 No 2.2 oz Yes 6
Multi-Layer Film Canteen 96 No 2.7 oz Yes 6
Canteen Tubing N/A N/A 3.5 oz No 12
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Model Capacity (fl. oz) Insulated Dry Weight GSA Schedule Cost Bladder Only
Deuter Deuter Deuter Deuter Deuter Deuter Deuter
Streamer 2.0 Optional 6 oz No
Streamer 3.0 Optional 7 oz No
MPACK
AquaFlo 2 Liter 70 No 3.2 oz No 20/5 bags
AquaFlo 3 Liter No 3.8 oz No N/A
Ultimate Direction Ultimate Direction Ultimate Direction Ultimate Direction Ultimate Direction Ultimate Direction Ultimate Direction
32 oz Reservoir 32 No 5 oz No 28
64 oz Reservoir 64 No 6 oz No 30
96 oz Reservoir 96 No 6.5 oz No 32
128 oz Reservoir 128 No 7 oz No 34
Skillcraft (Hydramax) Skillcraft (Hydramax) Skillcraft (Hydramax) Skillcraft (Hydramax) Skillcraft (Hydramax) Skillcraft (Hydramax) Skillcraft (Hydramax)
Reflector 100 Yes 21.6 oz No 52
Mustang 120 Yes 30 oz No 68
Stinger 100 Yes 18 oz No 52
Alpha Reflector 120 Yes 28.1 oz No 47
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Hydration Study - Testing

• The drinking systems are tested for following
  characteristics
• Effectiveness in providing cool water for
  extended periods in warm environments
• Efficiency durability, and ease of use in the
  fireline environment
• Compatibility with PPE and other fireline
  equipment
• Cost effectiveness
• Maintainability (meeting hygiene and health
  requirements).

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Weather Kit

• Evaluate content of current kit
• Feasibility of electronic weather instruments

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Weather Observation KitGSA Wildland Fire
Equipment Catalog,

• Weather Observation Kit 83.91
• Psychrometer 22.57
• Wind Speed Indicator 18.14
• Smoke Chasers Compass 10.64
• Weather Kit Case 14.87

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Belt Weather Kit - Recommendation

• Replace mercury thermometers with non-mercury
  thermometers
• Remove notebook and writing board

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Current Psychrometer

• Current Psychrometer
• 2 mercury thermometers on a metal mounting plate
  allowing for dry- and wet-bulb readings.
• Thermometer range is 30 to 110o F.

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Recommended Sling Psychrometer

• Weksler Glass Pocket Sling Psychrometer
• Two 5 ½ red liquid filled lens front
  thermometers attached to metal back with handle
  for whirling.
• Thermometer range is 20 to 110o F.
• 65 with case

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Why Phase Out Mercury Thermometers

• Executive Order 13423 (Strengthening Federal
  Environmental, Energy, and Transportation
  Management.
• Mercury on the list of 31Priority Chemical list
  established by the US EPA National Waste
  Minimization Program.
• The clean up can be very costly, averaging 1000
  for one broken thermometer.

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Belt Weather Kit
Mercury Red-Liquid
Temperature Range 30 to 110o F 20 to 110o F.
Replacement1 13.50 each
Psychrometer1 22.57 42.95
Belt Weather Kit1 83.91 121.502
Electronic Weather Kit 129.00 (Kestrel 3000)3 129.00 (Kestrel 3000)3

• Notes
• Commercial single unit price (Forestry Suppliers)
• Commercial 10 or more price (Forestry Suppliers)
• No accessories

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Weather Kit Disposal

• Disposal 500
• Hazardous waste contractor transportation 200
• Assumptions
• As long as thermometers are in tact, disposal
  cost is much less because its not considered a
  hazardous waste
• Thermometers on stock estimated to fit in two 5
  gallon containers
• Cost of shipping to a central location is not
  included.

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Belt Weather Kit - Refurbishment

• Alternatives for refurbishment
• Each cache refurbish existing stock dispose of
  thermometers
• Each cache refurbish existing stock send to a
  central disposal location
• Centralized location for refurbishment disposal
• Cache
• Contractor, e.g. Lighthouse for the Blind
• Do not refurbish, exhaust current stock.

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Alternatives for New Purchases

1. Do nothing
2. Replace thermometer in the IPD. Modify IPD to
   replace mercury indicator to non mercury, red
   liquid indicator.
3. Replace psychrometer in the weather kit with,
   COTS psychrometer.
4. Replace psychrometer with an electronic weather
   kit.

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Electronic Weather Kits
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Electronic Weather Kit

• Not accurate for low RH
• MFG claims 5 error
• Actual measurement 10 error
• Costly
• Units with wind direction capabilities are 3 time
  as much as the current weather kit

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Wildland Respirator

• Provide information to fire fighters managers
  on respirators usage

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Wildland Respirator

• A Tech Tip titled Respirator Usage by Wildland
  Firefighters was published in March 2007.
• Estimated completion of NFPA Standard Fall 2010

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Wildland Respirator
Samples of non NIOSH-approved mask products
A typical NIOSH-approved dust mask
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Fish Strainer for Helicopters
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Fish Strainer for Helicopters

• Fish strainer prevents fishes fish eggs from
  getting into helicopter bucket.
• Prevents harming sensitive species
• Prevents transferring invasive species.

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Specification Standards

• Maintain FS standards
• Assure that items procured meets standards

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First Articles - Workmanship
Thread inspection
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First Article - Reducer

• First Article Testing
• Assures that mfg is capable of making a product
  that meets specification
• Communicates FS requirements

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First Article Double Female Coupling
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First Article Garden Hose Wye
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First Article Nozzle Test
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First Article Hose Clamp
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FireWatch

• Project Goal Evaluate system
• Looks at smoke particle behavior
• System used in several European countries
• On loan from the manufacturer
• Install in Strawberry Peak Lookout in the San
  Bernardino

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Firewatch
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Remote Control Dozer

• Assist in line constructions in steep terrain in
  tandem with handcrews
• Able to position in in accessible location using
  helicopter
• EERA initial evaluation on 2 fires
• Spin off the use of small dozers excavators.

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Remote Control guy
Swamper
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Aerial Delivery Systems Rheology
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For More Information

• Contact
• Ralph Gonzales
• Fire Program Leader
• [phone] x 212
• rhgonzales_at_fs.fed.us
• Webpage http//fsweb.sdtdc.wo.fs.fed.us/programs/
  fire/index.shtml