Fire Engine loading vs. Garbage Truck loading
Fire Engine loading vs. Garbage Truck loading
(OP)
1. For many decades codes have required a design live load of 12 kPa (250 psf) on slabs subject to fire engine loading. I believe that over the decades the fie engines have become heavier. Is anyone aware of whether there has been any review of whether that loading is still appropriate?
2. About 25 years ago someone told me that refuse trucks were heavier than fire engines. Has anyone any current data on this?
3. Is it appropriate to design slabs subject to refuse truck loading for the same load as fire engine loading i.e. 12 kPa?
I realize that I could research this out by calling garbage truck companies, and municipal fire departments, but they may not be keen on speaking to me. I was hoping perhaps someone has already researched this out.
2. About 25 years ago someone told me that refuse trucks were heavier than fire engines. Has anyone any current data on this?
3. Is it appropriate to design slabs subject to refuse truck loading for the same load as fire engine loading i.e. 12 kPa?
I realize that I could research this out by calling garbage truck companies, and municipal fire departments, but they may not be keen on speaking to me. I was hoping perhaps someone has already researched this out.






RE: Fire Engine loading vs. Garbage Truck loading
RE: Fire Engine loading vs. Garbage Truck loading
RE: Fire Engine loading vs. Garbage Truck loading
https://www.denvergov.org/Portals/696/documents/20...
RE: Fire Engine loading vs. Garbage Truck loading
Thus, if a pumper weighted 73,000 fully loaded with people and hoses and equipment and full of water, it will probably weight that much (73,000) fully loaded. But you wouldn't find one weighing 95,000. A newer pumper will almost be heavier than than old ones ... These things aren't going to get smaller when new equipment is bought.
The probability of a garbage truck being overloaded is near 100%. The operators are going to be able to cram as much stuff in the box as will fit. Then they will compress it and cram in some more. (Or it will be very lightly loaded.) The stuff that will get crammed inside is unweighed, unmonitored, and unknown.
So your margin for error for garbage rucks should be much higher than for fire trucks. On the other hand, the garbage trucks are weighed to set disposal charges, so you would have a record. Maybe.
RE: Fire Engine loading vs. Garbage Truck loading
The first attachment that you sent is very interesting because it is virtually the same total weight as I have in my records from 1998 for the Toronto area fire truck... also interesting that this is the Tower Ladder truck that weighs the most and not the pumper truck.
Your second attachment gives only the dimensions of the garbage truck and not its weight, but I assume that you got the 75,000 pounds from something that you did not send. So it seems that the garbage truck is the same weight as the fire truck?
racookpe1978 - you sent the index, but I do not have the Denver Code. But I doubt that it has anything in it that other codes do not have, but thanks for trying.
RE: Fire Engine loading vs. Garbage Truck loading
SteelPE's link did have the relevant chapter, not just the index.
Here are the relevant pages:
Page 29: Platform truck -
Page 30: Ladder truck -
RE: Fire Engine loading vs. Garbage Truck loading
RE: Fire Engine loading vs. Garbage Truck loading
To bridgebuster - ok, thanks. Looks like you both agree that the heaviest garbage truck is very nearly the same weight loaded as the heaviest fire truck, although as has been pointed out the garbage truck can be overloaded. Has it started snowing there yet?
RE: Fire Engine loading vs. Garbage Truck loading
RE: Fire Engine loading vs. Garbage Truck loading
RE: Fire Engine loading vs. Garbage Truck loading
RE: Fire Engine loading vs. Garbage Truck loading
RE: Fire Engine loading vs. Garbage Truck loading
RE: Fire Engine loading vs. Garbage Truck loading