Large water supply, compact for transport and quick to deploy

Buitink Technology’s mobile fire-fighting water tank combines a very large capacity with compact transport dimensions. The flexible tank has a clear top opening of approximately 8 metres and is suitable as a temporary water source for helicopters, fire engines and mobile fire-fighting pumps.

Temporary fire-fighting water supply in the event of major fires

In the event of large-scale wildfires and forest fires, sufficient water for fire-fighting is not always available where it is needed. Existing mobile reservoirs are often relatively small, whilst reservoirs with a capacity of more than one million litres require a great deal of space, equipment and preparation.

Buitink Technology has therefore developed a flexible fire-fighting water tank with a capacity of approximately 275 m³, or 275,000 litres. The tank combines a very large water capacity with compact transport dimensions and can be set up close to the scene of the incident.

The reservoir is suitable as a temporary water supply for, amongst other things, helicopters, fire engines, mobile pumping systems and large-scale fire-fighting operations.

Designed for helicopter operations

The open top has a diameter of approximately 8 metres. This allows a helicopter to draw water using a water bag or another suitable water-intake system.

With a water depth of up to approximately 3 metres, a large volume of fire-fighting water is available within a relatively small footprint. The maximum external diameter of the reservoir is approximately 13.75 metres.

Various filling options

The reservoir can be filled from, amongst other sources,

• Tankers
• Hydrants
• Surface water
• Mobile pumping systems
• Temporary transport pipelines

Even without the use of helicopters, the reservoir can serve as a central water supply for fire engines, mobile fire pumps and water cannons.

Flexible and self-supporting structure

The reservoir consists of a strong, flexible membrane structure with inflatable support elements.

The structure comprises

• Inflatable upper collar around the water inlet
• Supporting inflatable ring at the base
• Flexible water-retaining membrane
• Integrated connections for filling and emptying
• Option to connect to pump systems

Due to the shape of the reservoir, the water pressure supports the structure whilst it is being filled. This means that there is no need for heavy steel wall panels or bulky frame structures.

Compact transport size

After use, the reservoir can be emptied, cleaned and folded away compactly.

Specification	Approximate value
Length when folded:	+/- 3.0 m
Width when folded:	± 2.0 m
Height when folded:	+/- 1.8 m
Tank weight:	+/- 1,000 kg

Carrying and transport bag with lifting loops

The folded reservoir is packed into a sturdy carrying and transport bag with integrated lifting loops. This allows the package to be moved using, amongst other things,

• Truck-mounted crane
• Mobile crane
• Telehandler
• Forklift
• Off-road vehicle with suitable transport equipment
• Helicopter as an external load

Transport as an external helicopter load is possible subject to assessment and approval by the relevant helicopter operator.

The carrying case protects the reservoir during storage and transport and keeps the whole package together.

Fully equipped mobile storage container

The fire-fighting water tank can be supplied as a complete mobile deployment kit in a compact container.

One possible configuration consists of

• Folded reservoir in a carry bag
• Two compact air pumps
• Air hoses
• Electrical cables
• Connectors
• Repair kit
• Lifting and fastening equipment
• Installation, operating and maintenance instructions

The container can be transported by lorry, ship or rail and stored at a strategic location. From the container, the tank can be transported separately to the actual area of operation.

Can be deployed quickly even with limited infrastructure

The system has been developed for situations where a large temporary water supply needs to be established quickly, but where there is no permanent infrastructure.

Possible applications

• Forest and wildfires
• Campsites
• Remote or mountainous areas
• Areas with insufficient fire-fighting water capacity
• Temporary protection of villages and infrastructure
• Industrial sites
• Airports and military sites
• Emergency provisions following droughts or earthquakes
• Emergency provisions in the event of infrastructure failure
• Large-scale fire drills

Key features

• Capacity of approximately 275,000 litres
• Clear top opening of approximately 8 metres
• Height of approximately 3 metres
• Maximum external diameter of approximately 13.75 metres
• Fully flexible structure
• No bulky steel wall frame
• Compact and foldable
• Carry bag with integrated lifting loops
• Suitable for water intake by helicopters
• Central fire-fighting water reservoir for fire engines
• Optionally available as a complete operational container
• Customised connections, pumps and logistics

Suitable as a dip tank for firefighting helicopters (Bambi Bucket)

For filling by immersion (“dipping”), the manufacturer of the Bambi Bucket specifies a minimum fill depth per model. Small buckets need no more than a metre, but the large buckets flown by heavy helicopters — such as the 4,000 to 9,800 litre class under the Super Puma and Chinook — require a fill depth of 2.4 to over 3 metres. Most portable basins are too shallow for that; this tank (water depth ±3.0 m, free top opening ±8 m) is deep enough.

The table below shows, per Bambi Bucket model, the fill depth recommended by the manufacturer, the suitability of the tank and the theoretical number of fills from one tank volume of 275,000 litres.

* Recommended fill depth according to the official Bambi Bucket Operations Manual (SEI Industries, rev. 2020A); metric values rounded. ** Theoretical number; in practice the tank is continuously refilled during operations. *** The recommended fill depth (3.05 m) is just above the tank's standard water depth (±3.0 m); with a completely full tank, dipping is usually possible and a custom version with greater depth is available.

Also suitable for firefighting buckets of other brands

The fill-depth requirement is determined by the height of the bucket, not by the brand. The tank is therefore equally suitable for comparable buckets from other manufacturers:

• Bambi MAX and Bambi Torrentula (SEI Industries / DART Aerospace) — same capacity classes; versions with PowerFill pumps fill from as little as ±0.45 m of water.
• Cloudburst (IMS NZ, New Zealand) — collapsible buckets up to ±4,000 L.
• FAST Bucket (Absolute Fire Solutions, Canada) — variable-drop buckets.
• Monsoon-type buckets (e.g. A-Flex Technology, Rural Fire Service, Aerial Fire Control).

Rule of thumb: if the recommended fill depth of the bucket is 3 metres or less, it can dip from the standard tank. For the largest buckets (Chinook class, 7,600–9,800 litres) we are happy to discuss a custom version.

How many full scoops per tank filling?

A firefighting bucket can only dip as long as the water is deeper than its required fill depth — so it is the water depth of the tank, not its volume, that matters. The table below shows, per bucket model, how many full scoops can be taken from a single tank filling before the level drops below that minimum, without refilling in between** — for our tank and, for comparison, for the largest transportable dip tanks on the market. In practice the tank is refilled continuously during operations, so the actual number is (much) higher.

* Bambi fill depths per the official Bambi Bucket Operations Manual (SEI Industries, rev. 2020A); for buckets from other manufacturers estimated (≈) based on comparable capacity.
** Method: number of full scoops until the water level drops below the required fill depth of the model concerned, without refilling in between; the last scoop starts at the minimum level. Buitink tank calculated on its actual (conical) profile; third-party dip tanks as a cylinder based on manufacturer data. “—” = required fill depth exceeds the water depth. With continuous refilling (pumps/tankers) the number of scoops is in practice unlimited as long as supply keeps up with demand.
† Largest collapsible fabric dip tank on the market; specifications (54,500 L, filled height 2.36 m) from the manufacturer’s public product brochure (2017). †† Largest transportable rigid tank (aluminium wall with liner, set up in ±2 hours by 3 people, manufacturer data); water depth not published, derived (≈) from the manufacturer’s claim that this model can completely fill one 9,800 L bucket.
*** Required fill depth exceeds our standard water depth of ±3.0 m; for these we supply a custom version with greater depth — contact us. All types and brands mentioned belong to their respective manufacturers.

Developed and manufactured by Buitink Technology

Buitink Technology develops and manufactures flexible structures made from technical textiles and plastic films for demanding industrial and operational applications.

The 275 m³ tank is tailored to the required operating method, mode of transport, filling capacity and connections. Accessories such as pumps, hoses, support structures and transport containers can also be supplied as part of the overall system.

FAQs

Should we deploy a mobile fire-fighting water tank?

Do you wish to use the reservoir for fire-fighting, emergency response or temporary water storage?

Please contact Buitink Technology for technical information, customisation options and a proposal for a complete deployment and transport configuration.