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Home My WebLink About306.031 - Paratech Standard Stabilization KitEffective Date: FEBRUARY 2024 Alex Lencioni, Engineer Current Revision Date: 02/21/2024 Section 306.031 Next Revision (1) Date: 02/21/2026 Page 1 of 7 300 Training and Equipment Manual SECTION 306.031 PARATECH STANDARD STABILIZATION KIT PURPOSE To provide standard practices for the safe operation of the Paratech standard vehicle stabilization kit. APPLICATION This procedure is provided to guide all members with the safe operation and specifications of Paratech VSK. This information is to be used during maintenance, training, and emergency operations. OPERATIONAL POLICY Members should operate the tools consistent with the expectation described in Standard Operating Procedure, 306.001, Equipment Safety Precautions. If the equipment is damaged remove it from service and notify the USAR team for an advanced inspection. Operation and Maintenance Manual for Paratech Struts OPERATIONAL GUIDELINE Members should be familiar with the strut, extensions, bases, tie down keys with j-hooks, ratchet belts, and interface of the equipment prior to operating the kit. The Vehicle Stabilization Kit should be stored together whenever possible to expedite its use at an incident. PROCESS 1. Insert a Paratech ACMEThread Strut into the Strut Cup of any base. If an extension is needed, they are to be applied to the solid end of the strut only and securely fastened together with the lock pin. Applications that require stabilization at heights will make it difficult to access the lock Fresno City Fire Department Effective Date: FEBRUARY 2024 Alex Lencioni, Engineer Current Revision Date: 02/21/2024 Section 306.031 Next Revision (1) Date: 02/21/2026 Page 2 of 7 collar. When possible place the screw end of the strut into the hinged base keeping the screw end lower to the ground. When using the screw end, be sure to turn the screw until the lock pin engages into the base. 2. The free end of the ACMEThread Strut can accept any Paratech Multi- Base, Contour-Base, or V Base which works best for the circumstances requiring stabilization. 3. Position the strut and base assembly to the desired point of contact on the vehicle. Refer to Technical Manual Number 22-796198 for proper ACMEThread Strut Operation. 4. Pull the ratchet handle trigger upward, open the ratchet handle fully by rotating it away from the belt coil until it stops, and release the trigger. This locks the ratchet handle in the open position and allows the belt to move freely through the ratchet mechanism. 5. Pull out the desired length of belt and attach the wire hook end to the vehicle, tie-down key, or opposing ratchet belt as required. 6. Remove excess slack in the belt by manually pulling it through the mechanism. 7. Move the ratchet handle up and down until the strut draws in tight between the vehicle and ground. Effective Date: FEBRUARY 2024 Alex Lencioni, Engineer Current Revision Date: 02/21/2024 Section 306.031 Next Revision (1) Date: 02/21/2026 Page 3 of 7 8. Lock the ratchet handle into place by pulling the trigger upward, rotating the handle until it stops, and lock it into the closed / collapsed position. 9. To release tension on the belt, place the handle in the open position. Seal inspection: • With the strut fully compressed, place your thumb or finger over the air nipple inlet. Turn the strut upside-down and evaluate its ability to hold air. • If the inner extension slides out of the outer sleeve, the seal needs to be inspected and lubed with plumber's grease. After use inspection includes the following: • Clean the bases, extensions, all ends, threads, strut seals, ratchets straps, and tie down keys as needed. • Inspect the bases, extensions, all ends, threads, strut seals, ratchet strap, and tie down keys for any damage and proper operation. • Use plumbers’ grease on seals if they are found to be dry. Plumber’s grease can be ordered from the Shop. Video explaining the contents and use of the VSK: • Paratech Standard Vehicle Stabilization Kit - Contents & Deployment (youtube.com) Paratech Instruction Sheet: • Instruction Sheet for VSK Base Set • Paratech Ratchet Belt with Finger hook operation video. Effective Date: FEBRUARY 2024 Alex Lencioni, Engineer Current Revision Date: 02/21/2024 Section 306.031 Next Revision (1) Date: 02/21/2026 Page 4 of 7 INFORMATION Standard VSK is made up of the following items: Part Number Description Quantity 22-796200 Acme Thread Strut 25-36 in / 64-91 cm 2 22-796012 Strut Extension 12 in / 30 cm 2 22-796024 Strit Extemsopm 24 in / 61 cm 2 22-796025 Multi-Base 2 22-796180C Hinged Base w/Anchor Ring 12 in / 30 cm 2 22-890553 Ratchet Belt w/Finger Hook 27 ft / 8.2 m 4 22-796161 Tie Down Keys w/J Hook 2 Brochure VSK Standard 22 Acme Thread Strut 25-36 inch The AcmeThread Strut consists of various sizes of extendable struts plus various end plates and extensions. Each strut consists essentially of a 2 1/2" (6.4 cm) diameter aluminum alloy inner movable acme threaded shaft and a 3" (7.6 cm) diameter aluminum alloy outer tube. The struts are extended manually or from a pneumatic pressure source such as air. The design of the AcmeThread strut permits "soft" placement with sensitive positioning and locking at an infinite number of extended positions within the range of the strut. When the strut is extended manually or pneumatically to the desired length, an acme threaded nut moves with the inner, acme threaded shaft. The nut can be manually turned down the inner shaft and secured against the outer tube to lock the strut in any desired extended position. This feature permits the AcmeThread strut to lock in any desired set point resulting in gentle yet secure support of an area with a minimum of shock and displacement of the load. The strut axial crush strength exceeds 67,000 pounds. Effective Date: FEBRUARY 2024 Alex Lencioni, Engineer Current Revision Date: 02/21/2024 Section 306.031 Next Revision (1) Date: 02/21/2026 Page 5 of 7 AcmeThread Rescue Struts Load Chart Length Working Load Chart at Following Safety Factors Feet 2:1 lb. 3:1 lb. 4:1 lb. 2 ft 43,500 29,000 21,750 4 ft 40,000 26,667 20,000 6 ft 28,250 18,830 14,125 8 ft 24,050 16,030 12,025 10 ft 10,725 7,150 5,360 12 ft 7,660 5,000 3,830 Multi-Base The Multi-Base is a 3" diameter cylinder base with a claw-like wedge with slot for 3/8" chain. The 90 degree "V" end slot with two cross drilled holes for nails to secure to a corner or edge. Either of the two arms in the shape of a cone provides additional point loaded applications. Strut Extensions 6,12, 24, and 36 inch Effective Date: FEBRUARY 2024 Alex Lencioni, Engineer Current Revision Date: 02/21/2024 Section 306.031 Next Revision (1) Date: 02/21/2026 Page 6 of 7 Extension Converter 3" Strut. When combined with base plates and/or end plates, strut extensions function independently as rigid support devices. They also can be integrated with AcmeThread Struts to add length. Struts are not designed to accept more than two extensions with a total combined length of 36". Tie-Down Key with J-Hook Used for attaching the components of a vehicle to the ratchet belt or chain. You can use whichever key that makes the best connection to the vehicle. The main/ master link on the keys should be used to secure the ratchet belts or chain. The keys have a working load of 5,400 lbs. with a 3:1 safety factor. Hinged Base12 with Anchor Ring The Hinged Base 12 W/Anchor Ring has a 12" base plate with 8 holes to accept 1” pickets. It includes an anchor ring to attach anchoring straps, ratchet belts or chains and a hinged connector that allows the clevis to move through a 90-degree range of motion to find the best angle for support. Ratchet Belt with Finger Hooks Ratchet belts are 27 feet long and have a working load of 3,300 lbs. with a 3:1 safety factor. It is necessary to have the strap overlap the barrel a minimum of 1.5 times to ensure the load won’t slip once handle is placed in the locked position. Effective Date: FEBRUARY 2024 Alex Lencioni, Engineer Current Revision Date: 02/21/2024 Section 306.031 Next Revision (1) Date: 02/21/2026 Page 7 of 7 DEFINITIONS This section intentionally left blank. CROSS-REFERENCES Operation and Maintenance Manual for Paratech Struts