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American Test Center, test and inspection nation wide
FIRE DEPARTMENT AERIAL DEVICES

Aerial Device Test and Inspection Nationwide

Properly maintained aerial devices, through a test and inspection program, are essential to the safe and economical operation of a fire department. Firefighters depend on these units to perform structurally, mechanically, hydraulically and functionally as intended. An aerial device that fails could result in injury or death to a firefighter or to a person being rescued.

WHY SHOULD AERIAL DEVICES BE TESTED?

Aerial devices may have been designed initially with adequate safety factors. Accidents, overloads, and fatigue can cause problems to develop. A thorough, regularly scheduled inspection and test program can identify potential problems before they cause injuries or unplanned out of service. Furthermore, early discovered defects are less expensive to repair than if they are left to develop into major defects and substantial monetary savings by using written test reports to obtain competitive quotations for repairing, rebuilding, and remounting their aerial device.

American Test Center performs a thorough test and inspection of your aerial device from the top of the aerial down through the truck frame assembly. The work is performed at your site by a well-equipped two-person crew of certified non-destructive test technicians who are experienced on fire department aerial devices. They are supported by a staff of professional engineers, Level III technicians and equipment specialists.

The following information describes the American Test Center inspection services.

I. STRUCTURAL INSPECTION

A. Visual Inspection A complete inspection of:

1.Outriggers; Pads, structure, welds, bolts, hoses, fittings, cylinders, check valves, pins and retainers.

2.Chassis; Truck frame, aerial sub-frame/mounting, suspension, PTO, brake hoses, hydraulic components, electrical components, brake lock assembly, steering components, exhaust system and cooling system.

3.Pedestal; Mounting bolts/welds, pedestal structure, attachment welds/pins, hydraulic swivel joint, hydraulic components, swing drive gear box/mounting bolts, backlash between swing pinion/bullgear and electric collector ring/brushes.

4.Rotation Bearing; Upper/lower bearing attachment weld/bolts and vertical movement of bearing. Proper torque on accessible bearing bolts.

5.Turntable; Turntable structure, hydraulic components, lower control operation, extension winch/motor mounting, spotlights and intercom.

6. Lower Boom; Boom structure, welds, lower boom lift cylinders/attachment, hydraulic components/lines, leveling cables/rods, upper/extend cylinder/attachment, boom rest supports, tie down straps, boom extension roller assembly and wear pads.

7. Elbow Area; Elbow structure, hydraulic hoses and leveling cables.

8. Upper Boom Extension; Boom structure, welds, leveling cables/rods, wear pads and hydraulic lines/components.

9. Platform; Mounting bracket/bolts, leveling system, platform exterior condition, platform control operation and hydraulic lines/components.

10. Ladder and Extension Sections; Base, Second, Third, Fourth and Fly; Inspect rails, rungs, lacing, handrails for, structural welds, dents and gouges, extension roller assemblies, wear pads/babbitt slides, cables/chains, bed lock and lubrication. Extension lock operation, pawls, springs, and lubrication. Cylinder shut-off safety valve operation and leakage. Pin joint condition.

11. Fifth Wheel; Pivot pins, mounting bolts and lower mounting housing.

12. Tiller; Steering gearbox/attachment, steering elements, signal to cab and suspension components.

13. Waterway; Waterway components, attaching brackets, see optional pressure test.

14. General; Load rating chart, electrical hazard placards and upper/lower control placards.

The visual inspection includes removal of inspection cover plates as necessary to do a thorough job.

B. Magnetic Particle Inspection: All critical welds, plates and castings of items listed in Part A during the visual inspection. Magnetic particle is used to identify surface cracks on ferrous material.

C. Dye Penetrant Inspection: All critical welds, plates and castings made of non-ferrous material and any area requiring verification in Part B. Dye penetrant is used to identify surface cracks and works on any structural surface.

D. Ultrasonic Inspection: All accessible pins including outriggers, pedestal, boom and platform. Ultrasonics is a test method used to detect flaws in pins. The pins being tested must be accessible, have flat end surfaces and not have grease fittings. Use of ultrasonics limits the number of pins which might otherwise have to be removed for inspection.

E. Hardness and/or Conductivity Tests: Non-ferrous aerial device beams checked for strength and heat exposure.

II. FUNCTIONAL and OPERATIONAL TESTING

A. Functional Test: A functional and operational test is performed to check the operation of controls, bearings, pins bushings, cylinders, holding valves, ladder extension cables, platform leveling mechanisms, outriggers, waterways, etc. This test also finds worn swing bearings/gear boxes, worn pins/bushings and loose bolts critical to the operation of the aerial.

B. Operational Test on Aerial Ladders: A complete cycle of aerial ladder operation will be carried out. The ladder will also be fully elevated out of the bed, rotated 90 degrees and extended to full specified height. The tests will also demonstrate successful operation of all ladder controls.

C. Drift Test: Place the aerial device at full elevation, marking the cylinder piston on the second section in relation to in relation to the base section and allow the ladder to stand for one hour with engine off. Results shall not exceed the manufacturer’s specifications for allowable cylinder drift.

D. Operational Test on Elevating Platforms: The operation of the elevating platform shall include movement of the platform from ground to maximum elevation and extension as well as rotating platform 360 degrees to the left and to the right while the unit is at its maximum horizontal reach. Booms and telescoping elevating platforms will operate without any improper or unusual motion or sound. From the lower control station, the elevating platform will also be raised out of the bed, extended to full specified height, and rotated through a 90 degree arc. Both tests will demonstrate successful operation of platform controls.

III. LOAD TESTS

Load tests are required on each aerial ladder and platform. The aerials are operated to determine they operate smoothly and without any undue vibration. Horizontal and maximum elevation tests are performed on aerial ladders using the manufacturers recommended rating at permissible operating ranges. Full operating range tests are performed on aerial platforms with the manufacturers specified rating to determine stability and acceptable operation under load.

IV. PRESSURE TEST (OPTIONAL)

The water system will be pressure tested by filling the system to the manufacturers rated working pressure and check for leaks including the turntable swivel. If equipped with a flow meter and/or water pressure gauge, each should be checked for accuracy. If equipped with a relief valve, it will be verified that it is operational at the manufacturers recommended pressure setting. Department must supply operator for these tests.

V. OIL SPECTROANALYSIS (OPTIONAL)

Chemical analysis of oil in engines, transmissions and hydraulic systems is also available. Determines type and amount of contamination, important for proper maintenance of equipment.

VI. REPORT and CERTIFICATION

Test defects are listed on American Test Center test report forms and described in detail on a comments sheet. Defects are classified for degree of severity. After the test, American Test Center personnel will review the report with the department representative. A signed, dated copy of the test report listing the defects discussed is left with the department. Reports are reviewed by American Test Center’s professional engineers and one report is then mailed to the designated department representative. American Test Center retains a copy of the test report on file. Certificates are provided for aerials that pass the test. Units that need rework require verification or retest of completed work.

VII. PREPARATION and SCHEDULING

American Test Center schedules tests with each fire department to best meet their individual requirements throughout the year. American Test Center has crews located throughout the United States and performs the test at you station or garage. American Test Center encourages your department to have all the appropriate people available after the test to review the test results and to ask questions. American Test Center requests that equipment be properly cleaned prior to testing to assure a thorough test. American Test Center is flexible and will work with you to meet special needs.


If you have any questions or if you would like a quotation, please call or write our corporate headquarters:

American Test Center, 3540 Hoffman Road East, St. Paul, MN 55110

Phone # 1-800-451-9087; Fax # 1-651-770-5268;

Internet Home page: www.atctest.com; Email: sales@atctest.com

Note: American Test Center specifications for test and inspection for aerial ladders, elevating platforms, and water towers meets or exceeds NFPA 1914 as specified in NFPA 1901.

Confidential form FT061998