Post: Faster, safer fire management, made easy with STIHL

September 20, 2024

Faster, safer fire management, made easy with STIHL

Blowers have become an integral part of any fire management programme. STIHL BR 700 and BR 800 backpack blowers are powerful, reliable and robust, making them ideal for this type of work when you need blowers you can trust.

Another benefit is that less water is needed when constructing firelines, a significant advantage when out in the field for hours at a time.

These STIHL blowers, because they are mounted on the operator’s back, help to limit user fatigue – important when operators are working physically for long periods. They are far more comfortable and effective to use than hand-held tools such as beaters, with an excellent power-to-weight ratio and anti-vibration system.

A high powered blower is also extremely useful when managing fires. The forced air cools flammable gases so they are less likely to ignite; the air dilutes the gases and the high speed of air from the blower forces other gases away from the area.

Meet the machines
The STIHL BR 700 Magnum blower has impressive blowing force. This machine has a hefty high air throughput of 1550 m3/h, while offering low fuel consumption and reduced noise and emissions, thanks to its STIHL 4-Mix engine.

Why are fire management teams using STIHL backpack blowers?
These high-powered models are ideal for quickly clearing firebreaks and hard-to-reach places of potentially flammable dry material and debris. These areas would otherwise have to be cleared manually, which is very labour-intensive and time-consuming.

The BR 800 is STIHL’s most powerful backpack model, providing maximum blowing force plus optimal comfort and convenience. This ergonomic machine isn’t an enhanced version of other blowers on the market: STIHL has redesigned a whole new blower featuring an 80cc engine that offers 1700 m³/h of air volume and a wind velocity of 107 m/s, so that clearing matter away is faster and easier. Operators don’t have to remove it to restart it as the BR 800 is available with side-start technology. Plus, the telescopic tube is easily adjustable for varying user heights without tools.

Another benefit…
While any blower, even the BR 800, isn’t a stand-alone fire management tool, there is another advantage to using blowers in a fire management programme – in controlled burning, where the fuel load is light, blowers can be used to blow a fire back on itself.

Providing more than just blowers
STIHL also has a comprehensive range of Personal Protective Equipment to protect your team, including helmets, gloves, boots, safety glasses and ear protection, all designed and produced according to the exacting health and safety standards of Europe.Staying safe at all times
Please note that blowers do not take the place of water on a fire line.

Anyone wanting to attempt fire management with a blower should consult their local fire protection agency to learn about the proper procedures as well as what personal protective equipment should be worn.

Training of operators on how to correctly and capably use their tools and fire protective equipment is vital beforehand to ensure operator competency for the safety of everyone.