New drilling and extinguishing system even eats through reinforced concrete

Roofs are basically supposed to keep water out and are designed to be solid. In the event of a fire, this is exactly what can become an obstacle for the fire department. Lukas Traxl from FF Roith experienced exactly that.

Two years of development work

As a mechanical engineer and firefighter, he couldn’t stop and the idea for the Drill-X was born – a powerful drilling and extinguishing device that, thanks to hydropower, can even eat through reinforced concrete. After two years of intensive development work, the drilling extinguishing system has now been handed over to fire departments across the country. The state fire brigade association is even talking about a new era of operational tactics and technology.

“Together with five project fire departments, we as a fire department had the opportunity for the first time to participate very comprehensively in research and development. The experience in use made it possible for the Drill-X to be quickly ready for practical use,” says fire department president Robert Mayer, pleased about the nationwide implementation Rolling out the new extinguishing device.

Video: The new extinguishing system was presented in Linz on Monday

An Upper Austrian idea

Lukas Traxl developed the device together with the special mechanical engineering company Syntex Tech in Bad Goisern. He is convinced: “It is the first drilling and extinguishing device suitable for use.” This is operated by a normal fire hose and uses the extinguishing water to drive a drilling unit. This can penetrate all common building materials such as wood, sheet metal and, in the future, reinforced concrete up to 42 centimeters thick in a very short time. Water is then introduced directly into the source of the fire via the drill head. This can reduce both the amount of water used to fight the fire and the extinguishing time itself.

Costs around 2 million euros

During the test phase, the system was used in real life 17 times and almost always successfully extinguished fires. It currently appears that the system’s optimal deployment window is up to around 30 minutes after the fire breaks out. Together with the state fire brigade association, the state of Upper Austria is equipping 52 aerial rescue locations and the state fire brigade school with one of these firefighting devices. “In this way, we are modernizing the operational tactics of our fire departments and at the same time increasing safety for the country and its people,” says State Councilor Michaela Langer-Weninger (VP) at the product presentation.

The costs for the 53 drilling extinguishers are shared between the state fire brigade association and the state and amount to around two million euros. “Through the financing, we can ensure that the local communities do not face any additional burdens,” promises State Councilor Michael Lindner, also the SP community representative.