As more manufacturers enter the battery-powered PPV fan race, determining what fan is going to benefit the first responders the most may be difficult, especially when trying to do the same thing for many specialized tools and gear.
Based on feedback and sales history we’ve experienced at BlowHard, when it comes to battery-powered positive pressure ventilation (PPV) fans, overall we find the most value placed in four major areas: storage, deployment, performance and maintenance.
Storage
It’s common knowledge that space on the apparatus is limited, and decisions have to be made as to what tools can go in its compartments. Ultimately, the smaller the tools, the more tools can go into the compartment. BlowHard’s Ergo-fold design allows the fans to fold up and become very compact. When collapsed, BlowHard’s Quickee fan is one of the smallest battery-operated fans on the market, taking up the least amount of space on the apparatus. BlowHard’s Commando would be a midsize fan in the market and yet boasts the highest-performing battery-operated fan on the market – the storage required relative to performance is impressive.
Deployment
The job site of a firefighter is typically defined as hazardous terrain and possibly full of obstacles and challenges. BlowHard fans are lightweight and well balanced, making them highly manoeuvrable, allowing any obstacles and challenges to be overcome more easily during transport. They can also be deployed on angled or uneven surfaces without becoming unstable. The ease and accuracy at which you can set up and direct airflow allows for more time to be spent on more important tasks. BlowHard’s Quickee is one of the most lightweight, well balanced and highly manoeuvrable fans available to firefighters. BlowHard’s Commando is a very manoeuvrable and portable midsize fan with a large performance.
Performance
While other attributes are important in the use of a tool, performance is required for control. The PPV fan provides the necessary pressure to control ventilation of a structure. Ultimately, pressuring the structure allows firefighters to establish a strong flow path and drive air from the structure with control. Maximizing airflow through the structure in minimal time is the most basic level of the fan’s performance. Two things that can dramatically impact fan performance are battery size and propeller size. The battery size directly corresponds with the amount of power you’re giving the fan, while the propeller size is the area of air the fan power is interacting with, or thrusting. A larger propeller will provide a larger Jetstream, driving more air with it into the structure and driving up CFM or m3/h. In addition, the larger Jetstream covers more of the entrance opening, limiting the amount of pressure that can escape here and driving airflow through the structure. The Quickee features a 20in/510mm propeller and nearly 540Wh battery. The Commando features a 24in/610mm propeller and nearly 1,040Wh battery.
Maintenance
Fire departments dedicate time and energy checking and maintaining equipment so that they are confident it will be ready for use when the next time comes. BlowHard’s Quickee and Commando fans are IP-67, so spraying them down to clean them is not going to damage them. BlowHard’s battery-management system prevents the battery from over-charging during charging and or being over-discharged during operation and performs automatic cell-maintenance in the background after charging is complete.
Compounded value
Experience has taught us the importance of these key areas, and each remains a prioritized deliverable for BlowHard. However, true value is in maximizing each area to its fullest potential, providing a compounded value. The BlowHard Quickee even takes less space than other 16in/410mm fans, and is one of the lightest and most manoeuvrable fans on the market. Yet with its 20in/510mm propeller and powerful battery, it remains one of the top-performing battery-powered fans available.
The BlowHard Commando takes up less space than some 18in/460mm fans, and also weighs less. Yet this fan is untouchable with its 24in/610mm propeller and whopping 1,040Wh battery, outperforming some gas-powered fans. Or turn it down to match the Quickee’s maximum performance and run for 3+ hours on one charge.
BlowHard’s complete focus to providing true value to the firefighters in the field has been unwavering, and the compounded benefit it provides is what ultimately sets us apart. We believe you should have your dessert and eat it too.
About the Author
Benjamin Hadlock is Vice President of BlowHard.
For nearly 10 years Benjamin has been a driving force in BlowHard’s strategic journey in the research and quantification of fan performance as part of product development. These efforts by BlowHard have redefined the capabilities of PPV fans, specifically with regard to overall fan effectiveness while leveraging the convenience and power of the latest battery technology. Helping to lead the quest to be a true service to the fire industry, he has been instrumental in the release of the new fan series using High Flow Jet Technology from BlowHard.
