In 2016, Waterous Company celebrates 130 years of providing innovative and reliable products for the fire protection industry. From the first horse-drawn fire engine in 1886, to the Advantus® and AquisTM foam proportioning systems in 2006 and 2007, to the ONE STEP™ CAFSystem in 2013, Waterous remains a leader in fire suppression equipment. Then and now, Waterous is always moving forward – generating new ideas, products and innovations. Here’s a look at the company’s history and achievements.
1886 – Waterous begins manufacturing steam engines for the firefighting and farming industries as well as constructing fire hydrants. The company also introduces frost jacket hydrants.
1898 – Waterous develops the first gasoline-engine-driven fire pump.
1906 – An internal combustion engine is used for the first time to propel a pumper. Two engines are used – one for propelling the vehicle and one for pumping.
1907 – Waterous introduces a pumper using a single combustion engine for driving and pumping.
1907 – The first Waterous self-propelled fire engine and pump is built and sold to the Radnor Fire Company in Wayne, Pennsylvania.
1908 – The first single-engine Waterous fire truck is built in St. Paul and sold to the Alameda, California, Fire Department.
Connecticut, in 1912.
1929 – The company completes and delivers its final Waterous Fire Truck, and focuses on manufacturing fire pumps, hydrants and other firefighting equipment.
1955 – Waterous introduces the first commercially produced fire pump with complete electric controls — the CM Electro-matic pump. Other innovations in 1955 include flame-plated impeller hubs and underneath-the-truck servicing. These innovations set new standards for fire pumping equipment and make the company’s pumps easier to use and service
1967 – Pacer hydrant is developed.
1977 – Ball transfer valves and a silent chain drive transmission are introduced. These innovations improve pump design significantly.
1981 – Waterous introduces the first resilient seated gate valve to have a fusion bonded epoxy coating on both the interior and the exterior of the valve. Fusion bond epoxy coatings have since become the industry standard for waterworks valves.
1989 – AMERICAN Cast Iron Pipe Company purchases Waterous Company.
1989 – Waterous introduces the first reduced wall, ductile iron resilient seated gate valve.
1996 – Ductile iron Pacer hydrant is introduced.
1999 – The EclipseTM CAFSystem (compressed air foam system) is introduced.
2003 – Waterous offers a five-year fire pump warranty, setting the standard for the industry.
2006 – The revolutionary Advantus® foam system is unveiled. This system delivers the most balanced water-to-foam ratio in the industry.
2007 – Waterous develops the AquisTM foam system.
2011 – Approximately 1,000 people attend Waterous’ 125-year anniversary in South St. Paul, Minnesota.
2013 – The ONE STEP™ CAFSystem is introduced. These revolutionary, compact foam generators provide a reproducible homogenous, micro-cellular, continuous bubble stream. A characteristic of each ONE STEP CAFSystem is the pre-set flow rate and pre-set pressure for water and air. The operator does not have to adjust flows and pressures during operation.
2014 – 3D Interactives are developed. 3D models become animated with the ability to rotate, expand and explode a Waterous pump with the touch of a finger. This valuable resource is used at tradeshows and during training sessions.
2016 – Tellurus is introduced. The Waterous-engineered Tellurus Digital Control System brings simplified control to the already easy-to-use ONE STEP CAFSystem.
2016 – Waterous celebrates its 130th anniversary.
To learn more about Waterous Company, visit http://www.waterousco.com/.
