Destructive storm cells delivering a deluge caused chaos and grief across South East Queensland last month, while other parts of the state sweltered through a record heatwave.
Both extremes demonstrate our vulnerability to mother nature and we know more will follow.
One Australian manufacturer, Australian Pump Industries understands what communities go through when racked by fires and floods.
Their design team develop pump products that are built to tackle issues during these destructive weather events.
RESILIENCE THROUGH PREPARATION
Recently the company was asked to air freight large six“ pumps to South Sudan, for use by the United Nations in a flood mitigation program, to redirect the Nile around the city of Juba.
“Our MQ600TDs are a huge hit with the UN because they are simple self-priming pumps that are robust enough to handle even primitive conditions.
By deploying a battery of these pumps in Juba, it has been spared this time, but the city remains under further threat,” said Aussie’s Export Manager, Melinda Jansen.
The Aussie MQ600TD six” trash pump can deliver flows up to 6,000 lpm. Put three of these in a bank and you have the capability of moving ‘1 million litres of water’ per hour.
The pumps self-prime within a matter of minutes, expelling the water from the pump body and creating a vacuum.
That automatically primes the pump, drawing water up as high as a 7.6-metre vertical lift.
These trash pumps feature a built-in front-mounted clean-out port that enables the pump internals to be cleared of blockages without the need to disconnect pipework.
MOVING FLOOD WATER … AUSSIE’S RANGE
Moving surplus water from inundated basements and carparks after a deluge is best tackled with a specialist self-priming trash pump.
These pumps feature open vane impellers that will move large volumes efficiently and can handle solids-contaminated water.
Aussie’s range of portable QP trash pumps (with port sizes from two”, three” and four”) use either Honda petrol or Yanmar diesel engines.
These self-priming pumps are fast to set up and are easy to maintain.
They are ideal for use in quarries, on construction sites and for clearing trapped water from low lying areas and basements.
FIRE PUMPS STANDBY
Aussie Pumps’ high-pressure fire pumps are an everyday tool for a wide range of applications around the farm.
They’re used for plant washdown, high-pressure water transfer and of course fire protection.
They can run sprinklers, be used in irrigation systems and can washdown a dairy yard or stock crate fast and efficiently.
However, their primary task is for the fire protection of outbuildings, homes, and sheds, in what fire authorities call the “Urban Interface”.
There are over a million houses lying on the outskirts of cities and towns in a rural or semi rural environment.
Owners are at risk of losing their homes, livestock, pets and even lives should a bushfire strike.
Aussie Pumps believes there are practical steps that can be taken to prepare properties for bushfires, but that planning is key.
AUSSIE’S BUSHFIRE SURVIVAL GUIDE
Every year, Australian Pump produce a revised version of their free Bushfire Survival Guide.
It gets better each time with more input from not just the fire authorities but also from people who have had practical experience in protecting their homes and assets.
The guide is a terrific document that shows a wide range of actions that need to be taken to protect property and livestock.
The guides are distributed through Aussie Pump Shops around Australia.
The guide covers the basics on how to fill gutters with water and move debris from around the house.
However, there are a score of other practical ideas that can be easily achieved.
For example, the guide covers instructions on how to set up sprinklers for a roof-mounted reticulation system.
The “halo” effect of water sprayed over the building can be a lifesaver.
There are real risks involved. People living in the “Urban Interface” who intend to stay and defend need to be prepared and practised at using their equipment.
BE PREPARED
The first essential is to have an adequate water source in the form of either a swimming pool, water tank, dam or well.
The Aussie Pump team believe that if you intend to fight the fire and protect your property, it is worth doing the research to make sure you have the right equipment.
After water, the next thing is having the right product in the form of a firefighting pump that will give you the best chance.
The company has a movie that illustrates the benefits of the Aussie Fire Chief, their flagship product.
They claim the Fire Chief is the world’s best and most effective lightweight, portable fire pump.
The movie shows exactly why the Aussie Fire Chief is better than competitor products.
Those advantages include heavy-duty components that deliver true reliability and increased performance.
In some cases, it’s 25 per cent more than for other products.
Plus all Aussie QP pumps are backed with a five-year pump end warranty.
BUY LOCAL
Aussie Pumps has an extensive network of Queensland Gold Distributors.
They are ready to assist with pump selection advice and service support on the Aussie QP range of fire, transfer and trash pumps.
The company has also released its latest Pump Smart nine Catalogue online (hard copies are available too) with over 300 self-priming pumps to choose from.
The comprehensive selection guide includes the latest Aussie developments, application details, performance curves and QR codes with links to further reading and videos.
To download the Aussie Pump Smart catalogue or Bushfire Survival Guide head online to aussiepumps.com.au or contact your nearest Gold Distributor.
