24 May 2019

This February saw the launch of Emergency One (UK) Limited’s (E1) flagship new appliance, the E1 Scorpion™

The event, hosted by E1 and sister company, Clan Tools and Plant Limited, at their state-of-the-art specialist appliance manufacturing plant in Scotland, welcomed attendees from Fire and Rescue Services throughout the UK, as well as many from the airport and industrial FRS.

E1 has been at the forefront of specialist vehicle design and manufacture in the UK for 30 years, and they are now the largest such company based in the UK. Many of their developments have become widely adopted and recognized as the industry standards. Through detailed engagement with the UK FRS’s, dedicated research and development, collaborative engineering, and a passion for innovation, the E1 Scorpion™ was born

Innovate and Evolve

While the E1 Scorpion™ concept is not new (water tower pumping appliances have been around for decades), the manufacturing and systems engineering and technology employed with this vehicle certainly are new.

The E1 Engineering and Design Project Team were issued with the following simple design brief:

  • Improve firefighter and public safety
  • Robust and reliable engineering
  • Full BS EN 1846 compliance / Full pumping appliance capability
  • Full water tower capability / High flow rates / Optimize monitor performance
  • Offer Choice – Full customization of build and chassis options
  • Develop and improve existing technologies and solutions
  • Simplify operation

The resultant development of the E1 Scorpion™, therefore, required the creation of many new and innovative systems and componentry, as well as the refinement of many existing technologies – all of which were also on display at the Launch event.

HRET System

20m High Reach Extendable Turret (HRET) system is installed featuring the Fire-Spike piercing lance system A 20m High Reach Extendable Turret (HRET) system is installed (designed and manufactured in England by E1 UK partner Translink International), featuring the “Fire-Spike” piercing lance system. The installation facilitates up to a 20m vertical reach and 14m horizontal reach, with full 360° rotation.

Water and Foam delivery is available via the boom-mounted high flow monitor (up to 6,000lpm), or via the “Fire-Spike” (1,000lpm). CCTV and Thermal Imaging Cameras are also installed, with images relayed to locations such as the cab or pump bay system controls and/or the chest-pack remote control system.

Fire Engineering Installation

The impressive Fire Engineering installation feature a Godiva Prima P6A pump (6,000lpm), along with an (optional) Cobra Ultra High-Pressure abrasive/cutting system. The pump features a custom E1 designed manifold system, facilitating the high flow characteristics of the appliance.

Full BS EN 1846 Pumping Appliance capability is upheld, with the appliance featuring a 6-person cab/crew cab, individual crew seats (c/w integrated BA), a 1,800-liter water tank, 100-liter foam tank, and a 1,200kg operational equipment inventory capacity. A unique (optional) pump bay canopy door provides safe shelter for the pump operator, who benefits from the latest widescreen version (“Evo”) of the industry-standard E1 “ePumpControl” HMI system.

Design and Functions

The rear body superstructure includes the all-new “E-1” Roller Shutter Door system, and “E-1 Streamline” smooth, flush-sided profile – with no overhanging door furniture (a narrower body and reduced accident damage potential).

The E1 Technology arm of the business was on the show, with the E1 Scorpion featuring the latest iterations of their “e1fleet” specialist appliance telematics system, the “e1Tag” Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) on-appliance asset management system, and the “e1Connect” mobile Wi-Fi hotspot.

To enhance the list of firefighting options available only from E1, the “E1 Nebula” system was also launched. The Ultra High-Pressure firefighting system (38lpm @ 200bar) includes several lance options, robust PTO drive (low maintenance, improved reliability, and performance), full integration with ePumpControl, and e1fleet, and options for foam and abrasive cutting upgrades. The system was demonstrated in its alternative, portable (self-contained) form.

Other product launched

Also unveiled was the E1 Scorpion’s™ big brother, the E1 Manticore™; a fully configurable industrial appliance, available on 18, 26 or 32 tons GVW Chassis Day/Crew Cab variants.

Authority Comment

E1 Scorpion™ showcases the best of British engineering, innovation, and manufacturing Mike Madsen, Managing Director, Emergency One (UK) Limited and Clan Tools & Plant Limited, commented; “We are delighted that the E1 Scorpion™ has been met with such enthusiasm. It’s important to me that we offer our customers choice – hence the E1 Scorpion is fully customizable and offers a unique, no-compromise build solution along with a comprehensive option list.

The build quality and truly innovative design features are testaments to the quality, passion, drive, and commitment of our employees and the collaborative approach we adopted throughout the design and manufacture process. Working closely with our partners in Manchester, Translink International, I am proud that the E1 Scorpion™ showcases the best of British engineering, innovation, and manufacturing.

Finally, key supplier partners on the E1 Scorpion™ project were on hand to discuss and display their own products, along with many of the E1 and Clan Partner Companies, such as Magirus, Lukas, Vetter, Leader, and BioEx.