E-ONE has been certified to offer a wide range of apparatus that meet the latest Underwriters Laboratories Canada requirements.

The CAN/ULC-S515-04 Standard for Automobile Fire Fighting Apparatus identifies the minimum requirements of performance and design for new firefighting apparatus. Suppliers must validate their individual products, and the finished apparatus must undergo independent third-party testing and certification of the pumps, aerial devices, engines, brakes and the overall vehicle weight and balance.

"Many Canadian departments want ULC listing to ensure the quality of their apparatus," said Justin Stewart, quality manager of E-ONE Canada. "Having ULC-listed apparatus can also potentially lower fire insurance premiums for property owners in a department's jurisdiction."

Normally, ULC listing is only sought for apparatus such as pumpers, aerials and water tankers. "We decided that if we were going to go through the certification process, we should expand the scope of coverage and be able to offer ULC listing for other types of apparatus as well," Stewart said.

Certification involved a thorough review of the entire design, purchasing and manufacturing process. ULC auditors looked at the bid and order process, design validation, weight and balance calculations and many other documents. In some cases, E-ONE conducted their own tests on specific supplier components to ensure compliance with ULC standards.

As a result, E-ONE can now arrange for ULC listing of a wide range of apparatus, including pumpers, aerials, water tankers, initial attack/mini-pumpers, mobile foam firefighting apparatus, skid-mounted units and a variety of special service units.

"ULC listing is important to Canadian customers who want it," said Curtis Evans, vice president of customer satisfaction for E-ONE. "That's one reason we decided to include a wider range of products and not just those involved in structural fire fighting. It took a high level of documentation and effort to achieve this broad certification, but we think it was worth it."