Engine Types and Uses

Types of Engines

ICS Typing defines seven types of engines. It is important to match each type to the appropriate job when fighting wildland fires. Mobility of the engine in tight spaces is paramount when deciding which engine to use.

The ICS engine designations are designed to give incident commanders a better idea of what resources are available to them at large-scale wildland fires.

Type 7

The unit will have a pump with minimum rating of 10 gpm at 100 psi, tanks with 50- to 200-gallon capacities

200 feet of 1-inch hose A crew of two. Primary use: mop-up and patrol duties, as well as control of fires

in light fuels where burning conditions prevent rapid spread.

Type 6

The popular brush trucks have pumps with minimum ratings of 30 gpm at 100 psi, 150- to 400-gallon tanks.

300 feet of 1½-inch hose plus 300 feet of 1-inch hose. A crew of two. The primary function is mobile attack of fires in light fuels, but

they also can be used for stationary attack, mop-up and patrol duties. A crew of three allows more extensive operations.

Type 5

These units are characterized by tanks of 400 to 750 gallons for operations in areas where water sources are scarce.

They have pumps with minimum ratings of 50 gpm at 100 psi, but otherwise carry the same amount of hose and crew as Type-6 engines. They are used for direct attack and line control in light to moderate fuels.

Type 4

These are identical to Type-5 engines, except they carry 750 gallons or more of water.

Certain state and federal departments use them for direct attack in large wildland areas. They are big and heavy, so medium-duty or heavy-duty chassis are common. Proper tank baffling and low centers of gravity are important for stability (Model 80).

Type 3

CDF made these units popular, and the design is now used by many other departments.

The minimum specs include pumps with ratings of 150 gpm at 250 psi, 500-gallon or larger tanks, 500 feet of 1½-inch hose plus 500 feet of 1-inch hose and a crew of two.

The higher pump pressure ratings are designed for use with long hoselays in steep terrain. These engines spend a lot of time performing structure protection duties, so they generally have 500-gpm pumps, more hose, short ground ladders and crews of three to five.

Type 2

This is classified as a structure pumper It has a pump with a minimum rating of 250 gpm or more at 150

psi, a 400-gallon or larger tank, a larger load of structure hose, 48 feet of ground ladders.

A crew of three. These engines are best used for structure suppression and

protection where pressurized hydrants are available.

Type 1

This is a full structure pumper. Type 1 has more 2-1/2-inchch hose, a 500 gpm or larger monitor

and A minimum crew of four. Type 1 engines are best positioned on level, paved roads where

pressurized hydrants are available. Unless they are specifically designed with short wheelbases and good ground clearances, they should not be assigned to areas where they have to negotiate narrow roads and driveways or operate off paved surfaces.