Gas Powered Positive Pressure VentilatorOwners/Operators Manual

3924 E. Trent Ave.Spokane, WA 99202

(509)535-7746 (509)535-90641-800-745-3282

Congratulations on your purchase of the best Posi-tive Pressure Ventilation fan in the industry, theUnifire Electric PPV. We use only the highest qualitymaterials and workmanship so that we can back ourproduct with the most extensive warranty in theindustry.Unifire’s commitment to produce the best productsavailable to the fire fighting industry has resulted intwo patented frames and a patented water mistingsystem. As part of our continued research anddevelopment, Unifire has also developed a ventila-tion saw and patented depth gauge.Because technology constantly changes, Unifirecontinues to lead the industry with innovative andquality ventilation products.As president of Unifire Power Blowers, Inc. I guaran-tee your satisfaction. If you have any questions orcomments please give us a call at 1-800-745-3282.

Sincerely,

Dan RaczykowskiPresident

©1994 Unifire Power Blowers, Inc. This manual covers PPV’sproduced from July 1993. Information in this manual may beapplicable to PPV’s built prior to this date. Contact your dealer or thefactory if you have any questions regarding compatibility.

Frame Patent # 5,205,711

Water Misting System Patent # 5,062,487

Important Information

OWNERS MANUAL FORUNIFIRE GAS POWERED PPV’S

WARNING!

Table of Contents

A letter from the president

Unifire Model #_____________________Serial Number______________________Purchase Date_____________________Dealer_____________________________Notes:___________________________________________________________________

Page 1

DO NOT OPERATE THE PPV UNTILEACH OPERATOR COMPLETELY READS

AND COMPREHENDS THE CONTENTS OFTHIS MANUAL

IMPORTANT INFORMATIONSPECIFICATIONSCAUTIONS & WARNINGSSAFETY PRECAUTIONSINTRODUCTIONPREPARATIONOPERATION

Filling the crank case with oilFilling the gasoline tankStarting the PPVInitial Startup

MAINTENANCEFrameShroudPropellerHubEngine

MAINTENANCE SCHEDULESTORAGEORDERING INFORMATIONLITERATUREPARTS BREAKDOWN

Specifications and design are subjectto change without notice or obligation. Allspecifications are general in nature and arenot intended for specific application purposes.Unifire Power Blowers, Inc. reserves the rightto make changes in design, engineering orspecifications and to add improvements ordiscontinue manufacture at any time withoutnotice or obligation. Unifire Power Blowersand its dealers accept no responsibility forvariations which may be evident in actual prod-ucts, specifications, pictures and descriptionscontained in this manual.

Contents

Specifications

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WARRANTY

If for any reason, the PPV should becomedamaged, call toll free in the USA and Canadaat 1-800-745-3282. All warranty work must beauthorized by Unifire prior to its performance.Any non-factory part utilized on the PPV voidsall warranties.

What is not covered

Shipping to and from Unifire, Inc., Spokane,WA

Normal wear and tear, including chips,scratches, abrasion, discoloration from useor exposure to sunlight, improper mainte-nance.

Damage caused by misuse, abuse, neglect,alteration, repairs by unauthorized persons,use of non-Unifire accessories or parts, orfailure to follow recommended maintenanceinstructions.

Consequential damages, incidental dam-ages, or expenses, including damage toproperty.

In no event will Unifire be held liable forany incidental or consequential damages orinjuries.

This warranty does not cover deprecia-tion or damage caused by: normal wear, ac-cident, improper protection in storage, im-proper use, alterations, tampering, the envi-ronment, lack of or improper maintenance orincidental costs incurred by the original pur-chaser while the PPV is being inspected and/or repaired under warranty. In addition, partsand/or components subject to wear with nor-mal usage are not covered by warranty.

Unifire, Inc. makes the following limitedwarranty to the original purchaser of eachnew and unused Positive Pressure Ventila-tion Blower (PPV).

Unifire warrants that each new and un-used PPV sold, be free from defects in mate-rial and workmanship under normal use andservice for a period of five (5) years on thestainless steel frame, limited lifetime on thepropeller and Unifire will pass on the enginewarranty from the original engine manufac-turer. (Unifire will warrant the labor expensesassociated with the defects in material andworkmanship for a period of one (1) year fromdate of purchase). The obligation under thiswarranty being limited to current labor ratesand the replacement and/or repair at its Spo-kane, Washington factory, or at an authorizeddealer of such part(s), as shall appear uponinspection to have been defective in mate-rial or workmanship at the time sold, providedthat all part(s) claimed defective are returnedto the Spokane, Washington, factory ship-ping charges prepaid. At the time of re-quested warranty service, the purchaser mustpresent evidence of the purchase date of thepart(s) submitted for warranty inspection.

NOTICE TO OPERATORSIF YOU CAN NOT READ OR DONOT FULLY UNDERSTAND THECONTENTS OF THIS MANUAL,

PLEASE CONTACT YOU DEALEROR THE FACTORY FOR PROPER

ASSISTANCE BEFOREATTEMPTING TO OPERATE

THIS PRODUCT.

Page 3

Do not allow anyone to operate thePPV without first reading this manual and/orbecoming familiar with and trained in its op-eration. Unifire has gone to great extremesto provide the owner(s) and/or operator(s)with the finest equipment available for theintended job of providing Positive PressureVentilation. Yet, the possibility exists that thePPV can be utilized in and/or subjected tojob applications not perceived by the manu-facturer. Such misuse and/or misapplicationof the PPV can lead to the possibility of seri-ous damage, injury or even death. It is theresponsibility of the owner(s) and/or opera-tors to determine that the PPV is being uti-lized and/or operated within the scope of itsintended job function. It is the responsibilityof the owner(s) and/or operator(s) to estab-lish, monitor and constantly upgrade all safetyprograms and/or practices utilized in and forthe operation of the PPV. The purpose of suchprograms is to provide for the owner’s and/oroperator’s safety.

It is the responsibility of the owner(s)and/or operator(s) to determine that no modi-fications and/or alterations have been madeto the PPV. Modifications and/or alterationscan lead to the possibility of serious damage,injury or even death. It is the responsibility ofthe owner(s) and/or operator(s) to make thismanual available for consultation during op-eration.

The concept of Positive Pressure Ven-tilation has been successfully utilized for manyyears as a practical solution to many types ofventilation requirements. The basic conceptis proven and accepted within the fire indus-try. Use of the PPV requires strenuous workactivity. This type of work activity should onlybe attempted by operators of adequate physi-cal size and stature, mental awareness andphysical strength and condition.

CAUTIONThe body parts most noticeably af-

fected during the operation/setup process arethe arms, hands, wrists, shoulders, back andlegs. An operator with chronic back relatedproblems or a history of back and/or othermedically related problems should not attemptto operate/setup the PPV.

Operation/setup of the blower mayonly aggravate this and any other medicallyrelated problems. Because of the diverse typeof application, conditions, an operator’s ex-perience and operator’s physical condition,no warranty, guarantee, representation and/or liability is made by Unifire Power Blowersas to the absolute correctness or sufficiencyof any operational procedure, operationalposition and/or technique. There is absolutelyno guarantee that an operator of any givenexperience, physical size and/or condition willbe immune to the possibility of and/or prob-able physical side effects of the normal useof the PPV. Each potential operator of the PPVmust be made aware of and assume the op-erational and physical liability described and/or associated with the use of the PPV. Eachpotential operator not willing to assume theoperational and physical liability describedand/or associated with the use of the PPVshould not operate the PPV. Proper levels ofoperator experience, skill and common senseare essential for maximizing the safe and ef-ficient operation of the PPV.

The following safety precautions pro-vide some common sense guides to promotesafety and efficiency with the PPV. Thesesafety precautions are intended to deal prin-cipally with common practices and conditionsencountered in the use of the PPV and arenot intended to be all inclusive. Proper levelsof operator experience, skill and commonsense are essential for safe and efficient op-eration.

Safety Precautions

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Introduction

Open the shipping carton immediatelyupon receipt. Visually inspect the contents fordamage and/or missing parts. If damage isevident, contact the carrier to arrange for aninspection of the damage. Compare yourpacking list to the actual contents. If missingparts are detected, notify your dealer to as-sist you in obtaining them.

The PPV should come with thismanual, an engine manual and a warrantyreturn card. Complete the warranty return cardbefore continuing. The serial number is foundon the side of the engine block. The warrantyreturn card should be sent back to Unifire,this information is used to update you on anychanges or new product information that wecan pass on to you.

If the fan was not damaged readthrough the engine manual to familiarize your-self with the operating instructions for theengine that your PPV was ordered with. Be-cause of the different models of PPV’s thatUnifire produces, this manual will not coverengine operating instructions.

The PPV is designed for positive pres-sure ventilation purposes. The PPV is not de-signed for operation in an explosive or flam-mable atmosphere. Operation in an explosiveor flammable atmosphere will result in prop-erty damage, personal injury or even death.Incorrect use of the blower can result in car-bon monoxide fumes causing serious injuryor even death.

DANGER

Incorrect use of the PPV can result inproperty damage, personal injury or evendeath. To reduce this possibility, give com-plete attention to the job at hand and followthese safety precautions

Included in the shipment should be the

following:

PPV unit Engine Manufacturer Owners Manual Unifire Operator Manual

Before starting the PPV familiarizeyourself with the unit. Locate the ON/OFFswitch, on some models this is on the sideof the engine. Familiarize yourself with thecarburetor controls.

Release the tilt handle by pushing thehandle forward (toward the shroud). Tilt theframe back and forth, notice that the tilt canbe tightened at any point from -10 degrees to+20 degrees. Tighten the handle by pullingback. Note that the handle friction can be ad-justed by pushing the handle towards the en-gine and repositioning the handle into thedesired position. This feature is available onlyto Unifire.

Before attempting to utilize the PPV,read this Manual and the operating manualsupplied by the engine manufacturer tofamiliarize each operator with the correctoperating procedures.

INTRODUCTION

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Preparation

1) This PPV is a specialized type of powerequipment, designed for a specific job func-tion. Each operator must receive adequateinstruction regarding the proper operation ofthis PPV BEFORE being allowed to operateit.

2) Develop a comprehensive training programfor safe operation of the PPV by its opera-tors. The program should include: instruc-tional requirements for safe operation, fireground safety and PPV maintenance. Con-stantly examine and upgrade this programto guarantee operator safety.

3) Determine that the PPV is in its original, fac-tory configuration and has not been modi-fied in any unacceptable manner. Manymodifications can result in potentially dan-gerous configurations that can lead to prop-erty damage and/or personal injury. If thereis any question regarding PPV modifications,contact Unifire or your dealer before opera-tion.

4) Bystanders, children and animals should notbe allowed in the area of PPV use.

5) Operators must be in adequate physical con-dition, mental health and not under the influ-ence of any substance which might impairvision, dexterity or judgment. Always lift thePPV with your leg muscles and not with theback.

6) Never wear loose clothing while operatingor maintaining the PPV. Wear appropriateprotective clothing, eye protection and hear-ing protection while operating the PPV.

7) Visually inspect the PPV for damaged, miss-ing or worn parts. Check for loose and/or bro-ken parts. DO NOT operate the fan in anunsafe condition.

8) In selecting a suitable operational site, de-termine that there is no obstruction that willcome in contact with the operator when start-ing the engine.

9) Become familiar with the engine controls. Ev-ery operator must know how to stop the PPVquickly in an emergency.

10) Give complete and undivided attention to thejob at hand.

11) Gasoline is an extremely flammable fuel. Useextreme caution when handling gasoline. Al-ways use an approved container for storageor transportation of fuel. Always shut off theengine before refueling. Never remove thegasoline filler cap while the engine is run-ning. Never operate the engine without thegasoline filler cap. Wipe off any spilled fuelbefore restarting and check for leakage. If afuel leak is found, do not start or run the en-gine until the leak is fixed. Take care not toget fuel or oil on your clothing.

12) Place the PPV on secure footing to preventit from shifting while in use. Such movementcan cause injury to the operator(s) or dam-age to the PPV.

13) Do not operate the PPV without the shroudsproperly secured and in place. Never replacethe shrouds with other than factory supplied,replacement parts. Determine that the shroudis structurally sound and will serve their pro-tective function. Keep the shrouds free fromobstructions and debris to maximize air flow.

14) Do not stand directly in front of and/or facethe PPV. Personal injury can result from be-ing struck by debris thrown from the PPVblade at a relatively high velocity.

15) Contact with the engine muffler can causedamage or personal injury.

DO NOT OPERATE THE PPV UNTILEACH OPERATOR COMPLETELY READSAND COMPREHENDS THE CONTENTS

OF THIS MANUAL

1) Place the PPV at the desired operation lo-cation. The location should be relatively flatto prevent tipping.

2) Turn the ignition switch into the ON posi-tion.

3) When starting a cold engine, move thechoke lever as far as possible in the ONdirection indicated by the arrow. A warmengine may not require choking. Move thethrottle lever off the idle position. Pull therecoil starter handle until engine compres-sion is felt. Then, give a fast, steady pull.Pull the starter handle until the engine fires.Allow the starter rope to retract slowly.When the engine starts, open the chokecontrol gradually.

4) Operate the PPV at full engine RPM.

5) Stopping the PPV is accomplished by mov-ing the throttle control lever to the idle po-sition and turning the switch OFF.

Page 6

Operation

Tools required: small funnel

1) Position the PPV on a suitable work areathat is level.

2) Wipe dust or dirt from the engine filler plugarea.

3) Remove the filler plug.

4) Using the funnel, fill the engine with therecommended oil grade and quantity re-quired by the manufacturer.

Filling the Crank Case with Oil

CAUTION: If improperly overfilled, theengine may emit excessive smoke when operatedor appear to be seized when attempting to start.Drain excess oil and remove spark plug to clear oiltrapped above the piston

5) Replace the filler plug.

6) Wipe off any excess oil spilled on thecrank case.

Tools required: small funnel

1) Carefully clean the filler cap area to in-sure that no dirt or debris falls into the gastank.

2) Fill the fuel tank with a quality grade ofgasoline. Unifire recommends fresh pre-mium unleaded fuel for clean, quiet op-eration.

Filling the Gasoline Tank

CAUTION This PPV utilizes a 4 cyclegasoline engine with the lubricating oil contained inits crank case. Do not operate the engine unlessproper oil level is maintained

CAUTION Do not fill the tank up to the top.When tilting the unit fuel may leak out of the fuel capvent. Fill to approx. 3/4 capacity.

Remember to turn off the fuel valve while thefan is in transport. This will prevent fuel draining fromthe carburetor into the oil.

This PPV uses a 4 cycle gasoline engine. DONOT MIX GASOLINE WITH THE OIL.

Starting the PPV

DANGER: This PPV is designed forPositive Pressure Ventilation Only. The gasolineengine is not designed for operation in an explosiveor flammable atmosphere. Operation of the PPV inan explosive or flammable atmosphere will result inproperty damage, personal injury or even death

Allow the engine to idle for a minuteand observe the unit. Observe safety pre-cautions mentioned in the beginning of thismanual. After the engine has reached oper-ating temperature slowing move the throttlespeed from idle to maximum speed. Run thePPV for a few minutes then return the throttleto idle. Turn off the ignition. If there wereany problems or if you have any questionsregarding the initial running of the PPVplease contact your dealer or Unifire at 1-800-745-3282.

After the initial run, inspect the unit forany loose bolts or nuts. Refer to the Parts sec-tion for proper torque specifications. The PPVis now ready to be placed into service. Re-member that proper training is the key to ef-fective ventilation. PPV is a tool that must beused properly to be safe and effective. If youdo not have a training program contact Unifirefor a copy of our ventilation manual “CurrentConcepts in Ventilation”.

Maintenance

Initial Startup

1) Use only genuine, approved replacementparts for maintenance and repair. Use ofunapproved parts will void warranty andmay result in damage or injury.

2) ALWAYS stop the engine and disconnectthe spark plug wire BEFORE working onthe PPV.

3) Always properly maintain the PPV. Fre-quently check all fasteners and individualparts. Keep the PPV clean and properlyserviced. Replace any questionable partor assembly with approved part(s). Do notattempt any maintenance or repair worknot described in the Operators Manual.All work must be performed by an autho-rized service center.

Maintenance

4) Consult the manual supplied with the en-gine for specific information relative to theoil and gasoline recommendations.

Proper and scheduled maintenance isthe key to long life and minimal down time ofyour PPV. The Unifire PPV has been de-signed for minimal maintenance and easycleaning. By following the recommendationsin this section your PPV should be able tolast beyond the warranty period.

All of our frames on the DS and DSTseries PPV’s are stainless steel. The onlymaintenance required is to wipe the frame witha mild soap and water solution or damp clothafter each use. The pivot point between the up-per and lower frame is an oil impregnated bush-ing this does not require any special lubrica-tion. The friction lock handle may need a shotof spray lube from time to time for easy adjust-ment.

Anytime that mild steel (steel wool) isused to clean the frame a surface rust maydevelop on the frame. This will not weakenthe frame and is only cosmetic, by using astainless steel cleaner or abrasive pad thisrust can be removed.

Any repairs to the frame must be au-thorized by Unifire or the 5 year warranty willbe voided.

The rubber feet may be replaced. Ifthey are broken, contact your dealer or Unifireto purchase replacement feet. Because of theabuse that the rubber feet are exposed to,they are not covered under the warranty.

Frame

Page 7

Maintenance

Shrouds produced after July 1993 are3/16" wire - the strongest shroud availableto the fire service. A retrofit kit is availablefor older fans with thinner wire, contact yourdealer or Unifire for information regarding thiskit.

The front shroud is attached to theback shroud by 4 nuts. Use a 7/16" wrenchto tighten these nuts. Care must be takennot to over tighten the nuts. Always use aflat washer between the shroud and the nut.Always use a lock nut or thread lock on thesebolts. If one of the bolts becomes broken,order a new front shroud. See ordering in-formation in the back of the manual.

Shroud

Caution: Never operatethe PPV with a loose,damaged or brokenshroud. Always repair orreplace the shroud if itbecomes damaged.

The back shroud is held in by 8 boltsand 4 straps. The bolts are threaded into“nutserts”, threaded inserts that allow for aclean, strong installation. If these bolts areremoved they MUST be reinstalled withthread lock.

The straps should be examined fordamage when the bolts are checked. Thereis also a rubber strap between the shroudand the frame. Examine this strap for dam-age or wear.

The prop should be cleaned and in-spected after every use under normal condi-tions. To clean the prop, remove the frontshroud. Wipe the prop with a non-abrasivesolution of mild soap and water. DO NOT usea cleaner that contains alcohol or any harshsolvent. After cleaning the blade, inspect theblade for damage.

If the prop is damaged contact yourdealer or Unifire for instructions. ANY unau-thorized repair of the prop will void the war-ranty. Do not paint or alter the blade. Theresult may be an unbalanced blade whichmay result in excessive vibration and pos-sible damage or injury.

PropellerThe Unifire blade is made of synthetic

nylon, reinforced with carbon fibers, and is a100% shatter-proof, high-heat, thermal plas-tic. The prop carries a limited lifetime warrantywhen used under normal conditions. Refer tothe warranty in the front of this manual.

While inspecting the blade it is a goodtime to inspect the hub assembly. The Unifirehub is a one piece aluminum assembly.Check the two set screws for tightness. TheseMUST be tight. If they are removed they mustbe replaced using thread lock compound.Check the hub for damage.

Hub

Refer to the engine manual for main-tenance and repair to the engine.

Engine

Recommended schedule for normal use PPV.

Engine Refer to Engine Owners Manual

Frame Clean after each use Visually inspect for damage orloose fasteners after each use

Front Shroud Visually inspect for damage and debris after eachuse. Check nuts after each use

Back Shroud Visually inspect for damage and debris after each

use. Visually inspect bolts/straps after each use

Prop/Hub Visual inspection after each useClean whenever necessary to prevent smoke

build up.

Maintenance Schedule

Page 8

Important Information

Proper procedures for long termstorage of the PPV will protect it againstcontamination and damage. If the PPV isnot to be operated for 30 days or more,store as follows:

1) Clean all accumulated dirt and greasefrom the PPV using a safe solvent. DONOT use an alcohol/solvent basedcleaner on the propeller blades.

2) Follow the engine manufacturers proce-dure for gasoline engine storage.

3) Check all visible parts for wear, breakageor damage. Make necessary repairs be-fore storage to avoid needless delays atnext use.

4) Store the PPV inside. For added protec-tion order the optional PPV cover andcover the fan during storage.

Storage

When ordering replacement parts itis best to first contact the dealer that youpurchased the PPV from. In many cases theymay have the part in stock. If the dealer can-not be reached you may contact Unifire di-rectly at 1-800-745-3282.

If the part is for a warranty replace-ment you will be responsible for the ship-ping. Unifire will, at its discretion, ship thereplacement part to you. You must replacethe part or have an authorized dealer replacethe part. After the PPV is reassembled shipthe broken part(s) back to Unifire. Unifire willexamine the part and determine if it is cov-ered under warranty. If the part(s) is coveredunder warranty you will be issued a creditfor the price of the part(s) only, you must stillpay for shipping. If the part(s) was not cov-ered under warranty you will be expected topay for the part(s) and any shipping.

Order Information

If you order a replacement part(s) forrepair you are responsible for shipping andhandling. You may be asked to prepay for thepart(s).

Remember that all non-maintenancerepairs must be factory authorized.

If the entire PPV mustbe returned to Unifire, drainthe oil and gas. If a unit isshipped with oil or gas theshipper may fine you $10,000.

Be sure to package any parts/unitsso that there will be no damage incurredduring shipping.

To order second copies of thismanual or the Honda Manual call Unifire at1-800-745-3282. Be sure to have themodel number of the engine and theblower. Second copies of either manual are$10.00 each.

Unifire also has available a trainingmanual for positive pressure ventilation.The manual, “Current Concepts in Ventila-tion” covers the theory of: Negative Pres-sure and Positive Pressure Ventilation andNatural and Mechanical Ventilation. Differ-ences in blower styles and designs arecovered as well as techniques in properusage of PPV. Included is a practice PPVsetup. Call Unifire to order “Current Con-cepts in Ventilation”, price is $10.00 percopy.

Prices subject to change withoutnotice.

Literature

Page 9

Parts Break DownDescription Part Number Qty Notes

1. Front Shroud FS____ 1 Specify model number or shroud size*2. Back Shroud BS____ 1 Specify model number or shroud size*3. Front Shroud Washer FSW 44. Shroud Nut SN 45. Sticker STKR1 1 Reads: UNIFIRE6. Nutsert NS 87. Rubber Isolator Strap RIS 48. Shroud Strap SS 49. Back Shroud Washer BSW 810. Back Shroud Bolt BSB 811. Sticker STKR2 1 Reads: RELEASE/TIGHTEN/ADJUST12. Frame Bolt FB 213. Frame Washer FW 414. Oil Impregnated Bushing OIB 4 Specify 3/4" or 1" lower frame15. Frame Nut FN 216. Friction Lock Washer FLW 117. Friction Lock Assembly FLA 118. Prop Bolt PB 419. Prop Face Plate PFP 120. Power Prop PP____ 1 Specify model number or prop size*20. Standard Prop STD____ 1 Specify model number or prop size*20. 4 Bladed Prop P4____ 1 Specify model number or prop size*21. Crankshaft Bolt CB 122. Crankshaft Washer CW 123. Hub H____ 1 Specify model number*24. Prop Nut PN 425. Set Screw SS 226. Shear Key SK 127. Engine E____ 1 Specify model number*28. Protective Tape PT 2/4 Specify 2 or 4 pieces (1 piece per blade)29. Engine Mount Bolt EMB 430. Engine Mount Washer EMW 831. Engine Mount Nut EMN 432. Rubber Feet RF____ 4 Specify model number*33. Lower Frame LF____ 1 Specify model number & 3/4" or 1" LF*34. Upper Frame UF____ 1 Specify model number*35. Sticker STKR3 1 Reads: DESIGNED FOR FIRE SERVICE36. Sticker STKR4 1 Reads: CHOKE...37. Sticker STKR5 1 Reads: CAUTION...38. Sticker STKR6 1 Reads: UNIFIRE...39. Front Shroud Hardware FSHDW 1 Includes: (4) 3 & 4, (1) 540. Back Shroud Hardware BSHDW 1 Includes (8) 10,9 & 6, (4) 8 & 741. Stickers Kit STKR7 1 Includes all stickers

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