Dennis SS series
Encyclopedia
The Dennis SS series is a fire engine built by Dennis
, it was produced from early 1980s until 1990s.
The Dennis SS was almost identical with the previous RS model. It incorporated the same cab design, engine and transmission, except the SS had a tilting cab which made maintenance and overhaul much easier. It could be fitted with a variety of bodies by Dennis and other coachbuilders such as JDC, Carmichael and Fulton Wylie.
Even though the cab design of the SS dates from 1978, they are seen to this day in fire brigades throughout the world, with many still in front-line use. In the later years the SS series appliances were dogged with door corrosion, aptly known as "Dennis Disease" as almost every single SS appliance suffered from rotten cab doors at some stage in their lives.
Several variants were built. The earlier models (SS130-SS137) were powered by Perkins V8 engines, with both manual and automatic gearboxes. Later models (SS233-SS245) were powered by Cummins
diesel engines. Most appliances had Kirkstall & Eaton axles fitted, front and rear respectively, some with limited slip differential
s. All chassis came with a choice of 500gpm or 1,000gpm fire pump
s, depending on application.
Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service
Dennis Specialist Vehicles
Dennis Specialist Vehicles is a major British coachbuilder and manufacturer of specialised commercial vehicles based in Guildford, England...
, it was produced from early 1980s until 1990s.
The Dennis SS was almost identical with the previous RS model. It incorporated the same cab design, engine and transmission, except the SS had a tilting cab which made maintenance and overhaul much easier. It could be fitted with a variety of bodies by Dennis and other coachbuilders such as JDC, Carmichael and Fulton Wylie.
Even though the cab design of the SS dates from 1978, they are seen to this day in fire brigades throughout the world, with many still in front-line use. In the later years the SS series appliances were dogged with door corrosion, aptly known as "Dennis Disease" as almost every single SS appliance suffered from rotten cab doors at some stage in their lives.
Several variants were built. The earlier models (SS130-SS137) were powered by Perkins V8 engines, with both manual and automatic gearboxes. Later models (SS233-SS245) were powered by Cummins
Cummins
Cummins Inc. is a Fortune 500 corporation that designs, manufactures, distributes and services engines and related technologies, including fuel systems, controls, air handling, filtration, emission control and electrical power generation systems...
diesel engines. Most appliances had Kirkstall & Eaton axles fitted, front and rear respectively, some with limited slip differential
Limited slip differential
A limited slip differential is a type of differential gear arrangement that allows for some difference in angular velocity of the output shafts, but imposes a mechanical bound on the disparity...
s. All chassis came with a choice of 500gpm or 1,000gpm fire pump
Fire pump
A fire pump is a part of a fire sprinkler system's water supply and can be powered by electric, diesel or steam. The pump intake is either connected to the public underground water supply piping, or a static water source . The pump provides water flow at a higher pressure to the sprinkler system...
s, depending on application.
Usage
Whilst successful worldwide, the series was most popular in the UK and Ireland. Most UK brigades bought Dennis SS appliances.Significant users
- London Fire BrigadeLondon Fire BrigadeThe London Fire Brigade is the statutory fire and rescue service for London.Founded in 1865, it is the largest of the fire services in the United Kingdom and the fourth-largest in the world with nearly 7,000 staff, including 5,800 operational firefighters based in 112 fire...
- Hong Kong Fire Service
Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service
- Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue ServiceGreater Manchester Fire and Rescue ServiceGreater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service is the statutory emergency fire and rescue service for the metropolitan county of Greater Manchester, England.Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service covers an area of approximately...
- Merseyside Fire and Rescue ServiceMerseyside Fire and Rescue ServiceMerseyside Fire and Rescue Service is the statutory fire and rescue service covering the county of Merseyside in north-west England and is the statutory firefighting and rescue service responsible for all 999 fire brigade calls in Sefton, Knowsley, St. Helens, Liverpool and Wirral.-History:The fire...
- Dublin Fire BrigadeDublin Fire BrigadeThe Dublin Fire Brigade is the local authority fire and rescue service for Dublin City and the majority of the Greater Dublin Area. It is a branch of Dublin City Council. There are currently 14 fire stations manned by DFB, 12 of which are full-time, the other 2 are part-time or "retained"....
- Northern Ireland Fire Brigade
- West Midlands Fire ServiceWest Midlands Fire ServiceWest Midlands Fire Service is the statutory fire and rescue service responsible for fire protection, prevention, intervention and emergency rescue in the county of the West Midlands in England....