One of the key features of an H1 fire appliance is its water capacity, which is typically around 500+ liters, along with foam concentrate that meets ICAO performance level C. This performance level C foam is specially designed to suppress fuel fires, such as those caused by aviation fuel (Jet A1) spills. The foam’s rapid knockdown ability and good burn-back resistance make it essential for suppressing fires and preventing re-ignition, particularly in high-risk helicopter operations where fuel is often a major hazard. Despite the smaller capacity compared to larger appliances, the water-foam combination ensures effective fire suppression in helipad environments, which generally have lower fire risks than large commercial airports.

In addition to water and foam, the H1 fire appliance is equipped with complementary extinguishing agents such as dry chemical powder (DCP), which is crucial for addressing electrical fires or fires involving flammable liquids that are common in helicopter operations. The appliance is typically designed to carry enough DCP to effectively suppress fires that water and foam alone cannot extinguish. The vehicle’s pump system is engineered to provide a flow rate of around 250 to 500 liters per minute, ensuring that firefighting agents can be applied quickly and with sufficient force to control the fire.

Mobility is a critical feature of an H1 fire appliance, as it needs to operate efficiently in the tight confines of a helipad or heliport. These vehicles are often designed with compact dimensions and four-wheel-drive (4WD) capabilities to ensure they can maneuver in restricted spaces and reach the scene of an emergency within the ICAO-specified response time, typically under 2 minutes. This quick response time is vital for effective intervention during helicopter emergencies, where fires can escalate rapidly due to fuel and proximity to passengers or crew.

The H1 fire appliance can also be equipped with the necessary tools for rescue and fire suppression, including hoses, nozzles, breathing apparatus, and basic cutting or lifting tools for helicopter rescue. Furthermore, these vehicles can be (as an option) fitted with communication equipment to coordinate with control towers or rescue teams, as well as advanced lighting and thermal imaging systems to enable firefighting operations in low-visibility or night-time conditions.

While smaller in size and capacity compared to standard airport fire appliances, the H1 fire appliance is fully compliant with ICAO and CAA standards. It is specifically designed to address the unique challenges of helicopter operations, ensuring that helipads and heliports maintain a high level of safety and emergency readiness.