Spotlight: Akron Brass FireCalc Pocket Computer
Welcome to a special Monday Edition of Eddie’s Math and Calculator blog.
This is an instance of a small gamble and the gamble paid off because the calculator works! I found a one of a kind calculator at the Redlands Thrift Store in Redlands, CA: the Akron Brass FireCalc Pocket Computer. The specialty is mathematical calculations in fire fighting. I paid $4.95, and it probably would cost, I guess $40-$50 or higher retail because this is a specialty calculator.
Quick Facts
Model: FireCalc Pocket Computer
Company: Akron Brass
Timeline: ????
Type: Fire Science Solver, 4 Function Calculator
Memory: No conventional memory registers, but input in the solvers are stored in memory
Power: 2 x LR44 batteries
The four function calculator has a square key, [ x^2 ], along with a square root key [ √ ]. There are two clearing keys:
[ CLEAR DISPLAY ]: acts like as clear entry key, which makes the display show 0.
[ ALL CLEAR ]: clears all the registers, and the display shows AKRON.
The display holds room for 8 digits. The display also shows alphabetic characters being built from segments.
Disclaimer: I am not a fire fighter or an expert in fire fighting mathematics. This is another topic to explore. I am going to do the best I can in describing the functions of the calculator.
A Solver for Fire Fighters
The FireCalc Pocket Computer features eight solvers. I’m going to be give a summary of how each solver as described as in the manual (see the manual section below). The solvers are the top two rows of blue keys. U.S. units are used.
There are four
rows of gray keys with measurements marked ¾” all the way to 6”.
Those are quick entry keys. For example, pressing [ 1 ¾” ]
enters 1.75 in one keystroke.
The solvers are:
[ ENGINE PRESSURE ]: calculates the engine pressure in psi (pounds per square inch) of the water hose (I think) given the pressure, flow (gallons per minute), and length of the hose. There is also a prompt for the number of Siamese lines used (defaults to 1).
[ FRICTION LOSS ]: calculates the friction loss of a hose lay given the hose size and length. The loss is shown in psi.
(FLOW RATE) [ STRAIGHT TIP ] or [ FOG NOZZLE ]: Find the flow rate of water through the hose when it is a straight bore tip or fog nozzle in GPM (gallons per minute), respectively. For the fog nozzle, the rated nozzle pressure is skipped (the manual has it prompted).
(REACTION FORCE) [ STRAIGHT TIP ] or [ FOG NOZZLE ]: Find the reaction force in Lbs (pounds fource) of water through the hose when it is a straight bore tip or fog nozzle, respectively.
[ APPLIC. RATE ]: Find the minimum rate of water, in GPM, that is required to extinguish a fire given the rooms’ length, width, and height in feet.
[ RATE OF FLOW ]: I did not see this calculation the manual, but given from the prompts, this calculates the rate of flow of water given the following parameters: nozzle pressure, English pressure, hose size, number of Siamese lines used, number of floors, and hose length.
Because the number of solvers don’t match the manual exactly, I think this model either predates or succeeds the model described in the manual. On the back of the project it states “Cygnus of South Florida Electric Calculator. Project No. 302”. Does that mean anything?
Manual
Manual to the FireCalc from Akron Brass Company, written in 2008. It’s not the exact module that I have, but it’s pretty close: https://smhttp-ssl-61500.nexcesscdn.net/media/pdf/9900_FireCalcInstructions.pdf
Until next time, be safe and wishing you happiness (and safety from fires),
Eddie
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