Room for Improvement

MARK-3® fire pumps are often used in rugged environments and extreme situations. They are very durable units which that can endure take a lot of punishment, but occasionally they do sustain damage occasionally. One susceptible area is the steel frame. When falling from certain heights, the frame can get bent, distorted, and/or cracked. Vibration over the years can cause cracks in the frame welds which can necessitate require repair. As for backpacking, the frame must be attached to a separate carrying device which is not ideal since wildland firefighters have tight constraints on how much they can carry and the current carrying  candevice can be quite uncomfortable as well. Finally, when we gathered feedback from firefighters, they indicated that the frame was susceptible to sinking into the ground in muddy or swampy terrains.

Designing a New Frame

Given these realities, our team set out to design a completely reimagined frame for the MARK-3® Watson Edition. We started by experimenting with different materials and decided on a very tough type of composite that has the highest impact strength of any thermoplastic material presently made. It is lighter than steel, has impressive vibration dampening properties, and can be moulded into any shape. We also designed angled engine vibration mounts that greatly increase vibration absorption.

The Right Shape

Our design was inspired by a snowshoe concept. It provides more than 230% more contact area than the preceding frame and greatly improves grounding in uneven terrains. We tested the new frame with wildland firefighters during our 2019 WATSON tour and participants were highly impressed with its buoyancy! They also appreciated the added comfort from the ergonomic design which allows the frame to be part of antheintegrated backpack with military-grade Fidlock® quick-release carrying straps.

Endurance Tests

Endurance testing had already shown improved vibration dampening that will diminish frame fatigue and premature failure. The one thing that could not be tested in the field was its resistance to drops so our engineering team conducted a series of drop tests in the laboratory.

Frame Drop Testing: MARK-3® vs Watson Edition

The drop tests were performed from different heights and orientations. The results demonstrated improved shock absorption and resistance caused by impact thanks to the new frame’s flexibility.

Results & Observations

Learn more about the MARK-3^® Watson Edition Pump and all its improved functionalities in our new online brochure, including a detailed performance and technical specifications comparison between the current MARK-3^® 185cc and the MARK-3^® Watson Edition.

Click here to download the brochure.

Our engineering team has spent more than 5 years conceiving, designing, developing and testing (and testing again) the evolution of the iconic pump: the MARK-3® Watson Edition.

The main goal was to create a next-generation portable lightweight pump that would match the MARK-3® in terms of performance and reliability but would also be significantly lighter. This was a challenge because the MARK-3® pump was already recognized as the benchmark in terms of power-to-weight ratio. We were tasked with making it even smaller and lighter but moving as much water with as much pressure. To reach our goal we had to start from a clean slate and use the latest technologies to design a cutting-edge 4-stage centrifugal pump end and to develop the first ever purpose-built 140cc 2-stroke engine, resulting in an unprecedented power-to-weight ratio.

This was achieved by listening to our customers over the years and by translating their unmet needs into product requirements. We assembled a team of experts in the fields of hydraulic design, combustion engines, computational fluid dynamics, composite materials and industrial design to deliver that vision.

The fact that the MARK-3® Watson Edition is poised to have a lasting impact on the lives of thousands of wildland firefighters around the world is what we’re most proud of.

At the end of June 2020, Cédric Mainville, Head of land operations, and Martin Mantha, Equipment and infrastructure controller, at Quebec’s Société de protection des forêts contre le feu (SOPFEU), welcomed WATERAX team members Mario Janson and Frédéric Lefrançois for a comprehensive on-site trial of the MARK-3® Watson Edition in Maniwaki. The goal was to run the new pump in field conditions as close to wildland fire as possible.

The choice of the site and the participants was exceptional! The setting and terrain were truly appropriate, but without the danger of exposing people to a real fire. Going into the trial the WATERAX team had 3 objectives:

1. To confirm that the advantages of the MARK-3® Watson Edition resound with front line wildland firefighters.
2. To familiarize wildland firefighters with the new platform.
3. To determine if the MARK-3® Watson Edition is ready for deployment to fight fires.

The MARK-3® Watson Edition impressed all attendees. Firefighters who took part concluded that:

●      The 16-lb reduction in weight is a major advantage for firefighters.

●      The new frame and harness are very comfortable and easy to use.

●      The pump is very easy to start (“it’s like starting a lawn mower”).

●      The new purge bulb is a practical way to prevent flooding the engine.

●      The LED with operation codes is a very useful addition that facilitates firefighter training.

●      The performance was impressive (3 hose lengths with a ½” nozzle).

All four firefighters started the pump and got comfortable with it in record time.

We’d like to thank the team at SOPFEU for the opportunity to trial the MARK-3® Watson Edition alongside their team! Testing of the MARK-3® Watson Edition continues.

In a survey on the aspects of the MARK-3® pump that needed improvement, ease of start was the second most requested improvement after weight reduction. Many firefighters expressed trouble starting a MARK-3® with one arm, either due to a lack of strength or fatigue. To compensate, some firefighters stand on the base to hold the pump down. But, because there’s little space on the base to stand on, this presents a risk of injury from muffler burns. Failing to start a MARK-3® pump in the field can be a source of wounded pride. Some respondents reported anxiety when starting the pump for fear of looking weak or unqualified.

Given this feedback, our team set out to improve this aspect of the MARK-3® pump by significantly reducing the force required to pull-start the MARK-3® Watson Edition.
The addition of a foothold for steady pull-start—positioned away from the muffler—improves stability while ensuring firefighter safety.

Firefighters who had the chance to pull-start the MARK-3® Watson Edition during the tour were delighted by how easy it was. In order to quantify exactly how much easier it was to start, our engineering team put together a formal test plan.

Results demonstrated that the MARK-3® Watson Edition required 40% less force than its predecessor and generated 3 times the rotation speed, resulting in a much easier pull-start. Below are the results of the test.

Results & Observations

The pulls on both pump units were completed following the same procedure with the test setup shown in the photograph to the right.

The pull force, rotation speed and total number of revolutions completed were compiled and listed in the tables below.

Since the benefits of the new MARK-3® Watson Edition pump are most appreciated by workers on the ground, it is important for WATERAX to showcase this new platform to the end-users.

Starting off the tour with demos in a location we call home was a perfect way to begin this journey. We started with Errington, Alex's former firebase and also visited Cobble Hill, one of the four firebases on Vancouver Island. As former wildland firefighters, it is really great to see the keen interest in new products and technologies from current wildland firefighters.

As we prepared to continue the tour through the western United States, the COVID-19 situation became more serious. It was evident that we would have to find a place to park for the long term. We're now in British Columbia staying put while demos and customer visits are on hold to follow social distancing recommendations. You can find us at our quarantine place of choice: in the forest by the creek! We look forward to getting back on the road and meeting you when it's safe to do so. Until then, you can stay updated on our recent adventures by following @ontheroadwithzalex.

We're very happy to present the new WATERAX van, Zach, Alexandra and Cooper's new home while they will be travelling across North America to showcase and demo the new edition of the MARK-3® fire pump.

They are super excited about their new house/office on wheels.

Watch Alex and Zach's first reaction when they saw their new van!
What do you think? Would you live in it?

Stay tuned as we'll be sharing their itinerary on Facebook and Instagram for your chance to meet them while on tour!

If you see them, share your pictures on social media and use
#WATERAX #WeMoveWater #OnTheRoadWithWatson

WATERAX was excited to get the opportunity to head back to Fredericton and spend time with everyone at the Maritime College of Forest Technology. What’s more, it was Zach, Alex and their 4-legged buddy Cooper’s first time on the road together!

It was a privilege to showcase the MARK-3® Watson Edition to up and coming forestry recruits as well as seasoned firefighters. We had a truly dynamic day demoing to a group of people who had a very wide range of knowledge and experience with the MARK-3®.

The purpose of the Wildfire Lab was to familiarize the upcoming generation (as well as the seasoned pros present) with the next-generation pump, to help them gain an understanding of how to set up an individual MARK-3® and, in tandem, set up basic hose lays and strangling to advance the hose lay. In total, there were about 60 students taking part, divided in 8 groups. And everyone present had the opportunity to handle and start the MARK-3® Watson Edition.

Feedback on the MARK-3® Watson Edition was positive, including the following testimonials:

• "It feels like my school bag!"
• "It’s easier than my lawn mower!"
• "That’s a heck of a lot lighter!"
• "I really like that handle on top"
• "I like the coupling system a lot more" (pump-to-engine)

The MARK-3® Watson Edition wasn’t the only hit. People were impressed with Cooper, who was at his first demo. Students said that Cooper:

• "Made my day so much better"
• "Must be great for the marketing campaign, everyone likes dogs!"
• "Was the highlight of my day!"

Paul, the wildfire instructor from MCFT who took part in the demo thanked the WATERAX team for our time and effort with the college’s students. He also let us know that for most students, learning about the MARK-3® had been a steep learning curve and that adding the MARK-3® Watson Edition into the mix had made the day even more stimulating! Paul felt that even though the students were new to the program, it was important for them to see the future of wildland firefighting (and handle the technology that they will work with), while also becoming familiar with existing technology.

Thanks to everyone at The Maritime College of Forest Technology for the great day we spent together!

There were 9 people in attendance for the presentation and 5-6 for the demo.

Most of the people at the presentation had at least 20 years of experience in  Wildland firefighting, either with DND or with NB DNR.

All in all, there was positive feedback on the MARK-3® WATSON edition, everybody agreed that all the new attributes are very welcomed, anything that will make the pump safer, lighter easier to start is a a great improvement.

When heard about the foot hold one fellow said great idea, right now with the current MARK-3®  it’s hard to keep it stable.

Interesting fact about Gagetown is that they are the only base in Canada to have their own Forestry division because of the large land they look after, 4000 square miles of bush land.

Most other larger bases have some forestry equipment but run a base fire Hall with larger apparatus.

They also showed us their older trucks that had an older BB-4 high-pressure pump from WAJAX Pacific Fire Equipment (1980) and were also equipped with our previous Wildfire OT-4NX backpack hand pumps.

We’re wrapping up the WATSON Tour 1 with our very last stop, at the most eastern point of our itinerary. What an incredible adventure it’s been!

We were hosted by the Department of Fisheries and Land Resources at the Forest Fire Protection Centre in Gander, Newfoundland. Fifteen people—from a variety of backgrounds, including management, mechanics and operations—took part. After the classroom presentation anticipation for the actual demo was high—our hosts were curious to see the WATSON in action!

Given the chance to get their hands on the new MARK-3® WATSON Edition demo, everyone was impressed, finding it “a lot easier to haul over.” Participants agreed that “it’s a beefed-up MARK-26” and that the MARK-3® WATSON has “a lot of really nice features.”

Less weight, more comfort

Our hosts were enthusiastic about the WATSON pump’s reduction in weight and the integrated carriage system. They appreciated the carry-frame design and the unit’s different handles. One participant remarked that “it’s unbelievable, the composite frame isn’t going to hurt your back as much.”

In designing the MARK-3® WATSON edition, the goal of combining a new frame with the built-in backpack straps was to help firefighters when they need to move across difficult terrain. Our host firefighters in Gander appreciated the improvement, telling us “I like it, it’s really comfortable on your back” and that “I’m really impressed by the belt. I can’t get over it!”

Heading back home

Thanks for following along during our amazingly productive Canadian WATSON Tour 1. We’ve met great people from all across Canada and want to thank everyone we met for taking the time to demo the MARK-3® WATSON pump. It’s been a privilege for us, the WATERAX team, to meet up with so many firefighters and stakeholders from all around our country and get such valuable feedback on the WATSON. Thanks again … and stay tuned!

We’re at the second-most eastern point in our journey through Canada and were welcomed for our MARK-3® WATSON edition demonstration by the Department of Forest Resources and Agrifoods in Corner Brook, Newfoundland.

Our demo was very well received by a large group of senior operations personnel. Everyone was eager to advocate for the MARK-3® WATSON edition, given the operational benefits that it could provide. “If it’s more user-friendly and efficient—and we’re all hoping that it is—it’s going to make our job for initial attack much easier by keeping fires small, which keeps them cheaper for everyone," we were told. “I’ll support this 110% if it means better productivity and improved safety for our crews in the field. We've used choppers before to go drop someone off so that we could get a pump started,” said one participant.

At first, our hosts were apprehensive about not having a primer cap but following the demo they really appreciated that the pump head can be run at different angles on discharge, “we're looking at something that we've never seen on another pump. You’re making the pump more efficient.”

Absorbing vibration

The pump’s capacity to absorb vibration was a huge plus for our hosts. In the past, participants said they had to be careful that the vibration from the MARK-3® didn’t wear holes in their hose near the pump.They were impressed: “Wow, it just sits right in one spot. There's hardly any vibration at all. The base is nice, the frame is going to help a lot, even on harder surfaces like rocks”.

Great portability

After being given a chance to wear the MARK-3® WATSON edition pump on their backs, our hosts were impressed, saying, “it’s a joke how light it is—the weight ratio and balance is way better!”

WATSON carries on the MARK-3® tradition

Over the 55-year history of the MARK-3® “the reason that agencies stuck with the MARK-3® is because it’s bullet-proof”. However, being able to continue the tradition of innovation and improvement struck a truly positive cord with our Newfoundland hosts, "from our perspective, you are showing us a pump that is 30% lighter and more efficient. We all carry pumps for initial attack and know how big bulky, heavy and clumsy they are. The WATSON compares to the weight of the MARK-26 but has the performance of the MARK-3®. If you are going to make our world easier … obviously, we are all 100% in agreement!”

We’re now in Shubinacadie, Nova Scotia, where we met up with the Department of Lands and Forestry and the team from Nova Scotia Wildfire Management. There were 12 participants in this MARK-3® WATSON demonstration, which was very welcoming and productive. Thanks to the everyone on hand, the WATERAX team received lots of useful feedback.

The whole demo was light hearted, in true Maritime fashion. People joked about testing requirements for pumps: “you have to be able to drop them from a pick-up truck and helicopter—and then, to meet Nova Scotia standards, they have to last for 50 years!”

Diverse workforce

The MARK-3® WATSON “proof of concept” fuel-injected unit is just a prototype but, according to our hosts, ease of start would be the most important benefit. What’s more, having a more user-friendly pump caters to an increasingly diverse firefighter workforce. One participant told us, “I like that you cater to a different group of firefighters, speaking as a women firefighter. We all want to work smarter not harder. The fact that it's lighter is really going to help”. In addition, we were told that “8/10 pumps come back to the warehouse to be repaired because they were flooded.”

Love the handle!

Our hosts told us that the increased mobility of the MARK-3® WATSON Edition was a huge plus for them. We received great comments, including “I'm just in love with the handle” and “I like the harness, not just for carrying but just the fact that it won't sink into the ground.”

At the end of the demo, our hosts shared their anticipation and excitement for the final carburetor version and could “imagine the province fighting over who's going to use it!”

We were honoured to be told that the WATSON marks “a historic moment, we should take the time to appreciate it!”

We totally agree.

It’s great to be in Prince Edward Island, meeting up with the Department of Communities, Land and Environment; Forests, Fish and Wildlife Division with the PEI Wildfire Protection team, at PEI Analytical Laboratories.

Salt water trial

The demo site was in Beach Grove, which provided the unique opportunity to run the MARK-3® WATSON Edition in salt water—for the very first time during our tour! In this setting, we discussed the benefits of WATSON’s engineered composite-material components. There won’t be any galvanic corrosion on the impellers since they are made from composite materials so mechanics later on will be able to service the pump end without having to use excessive force to remove them.

Throughout the demonstration, reactions to the MARK-3® WATSON Edition pump were positive. Participants found the pump, “much lighter!” And, about the new backpack carriage system said, “Oh, wow! That’s light!”

Ease of start

During the hands-on demonstration, participants were impressed with the pump’s ease of start. Everyone had a chance to pull start the MARK-3® WATSON. Interesting perspective: A woman participating in the demo told us that she “couldn't pull the cord on the previous one.”

Thanks to all 12 participants who took part in this great demonstration.

We’re back on the road, heading eastwards!

Another stop on Canada’s beautiful east coast! We’re in Fredericton, meeting up with the New Brunswick Natural Resources, Department of Energy and Resource Development, at the Kingsley Tree Nursery. It’s been a valuable learning experience for both WATERAX and the 22 demo attendees whose initial reaction to the new MARK-3® WATSON Edition was summed up in 2 words: “really slick!”

Dropping weight, not performance

For personnel on the fire line, equipment weight is a big deal. Attendees found a “huge difference” between the weight of the MARK-3® pump-end vs the WATSON Edition pump-end.

No corrosion

WATERAX was able to cut weight by using engineered composite materials. There’s more good news: these materials also make galvanic corrosion impossible, which participants added is, "in itself, a huge, huge thing”.

Easier starting

As everyone took turns starting the new MARK-3® WATSON Edition, we were told, ''wow, it's a lot easier to start, too!'' We were reminded by firefighters that—especially at the end of a long day—a lot of people don't have 7 pulls in them and that having the right tools means making intelligent use of a firefighter’s energies.

MARK-3® … what was there to improve?

Participants told us that when they’d received the invitation to our presentation, they’d discussed among themselves, ''what do you want to improve on a MARK-3?'' They thought it was already great and didn't know how you could improve it!

But, with the demonstration over, one attendee explained, "I was around when the first MARK-3 pump came out, I'd say it’s about time that we evolved. The WATSON looks like the MARK-3 but you took it a step further.”

Well said.

See you soon, NB

We’re going to be back in Fredericton in September for the Wildfire Lab at the Maritime College of Forestry. It’s going to be a great opportunity to showcase the MARK-3® WATSON Edition to 60 students, future firefighters and people who will be key employees in forestry jobs—these young people will be the ones keeping us safe from the destruction of wildland fires!

The WATSON tour made its debut in early July to showcase the new MARK-3® WATSON Edition portable fire pump to wildland Canadian agencies, who are important stakeholders in the pump’s finished product.

Our team of product specialists made their way to Saskatchewan’s third largest city, Prince Albert, where they met with the Environment Wildfire Management and Nisbet Depot teams to gather feedback on the pump’s latest enhancements. A diverse crew of firefighters were present, varying in age, level of expertise and experience in the field.

Comments and feedback

The reduction in weight and size were the most talked-about elements of the WATSON pump: “I love it. It’s smaller but much more powerful.”

Many type 1 recruits don’t have much hands-on experience, leading them to return pumps from the field completely flooded. The lighter, easy-to-carry MARK-3® WATSON pump will definitely be more user-friendly, and the smart user interface will help recruits avoid flooding the engine.

The Nisbet Depot personnel saw numerous additional advantages of the pump’s modern interface. The younger generation of wildland firefighters want smaller and smarter products: “The pump’s interface is very intuitive and user-friendly, it will be a lot easier to use.”

The SK crew left our demo very excited: “I’m very impressed—you guys will undoubtedly get this right.” The team would like to test out a few units before they are distributed throughout the province. The sooner they can get their hands on them, the better prepared they will be in the field.

And that’s a wrap-up! We’re now heading to our last stop of our western Canada tour. What better to finish out west than in the “Gateway to the North,” The Pas, Manitoba! After that, we’ll head back east to the Maritimes.