Scott Kiernan from Trident Emergency Products’ outlines how air-powered priming and intelligent thermal management are improving reliability, reducing maintenance and protecting fire pumps during high-demand operational scenarios.
Please introduce yourself and give us an insight into Trident?
I am Scott Kiernan and I am Sales Manager at Trident Emergency Products in Hatboro, Pennsylvania. With over a decade of hands-on experience supporting fire departments and apparatus manufacturers across the U.S., I’ve seen firsthand how the right plumbing and hardware can make the difference between a successful operation and a challenge on the fireground. Trident was founded by four industry veterans with a combined 130 years of fire service knowledge. Our mission has always been simple yet powerful: listen to what firefighters and builders truly need, then deliver innovative, NFPA compliant solutions that exceed expectations. We specialise in fire truck plumbing and hardware, everything from adapters and valves to our flagship patented products that solve long-standing problems like unreliable priming and pump overheating. We pride ourselves on user-friendly designs that are easy to install, maintain and afford, all backed by an upstanding warranty and fast nationwide delivery. Today, thousands of fire apparatus rely on Trident components daily, and we’re proud to keep water flowing reliably when it matters most.
Looking at the last 10 years, what would you say are the key innovations in priming systems?
Over the past decade, priming systems have undergone a quiet revolution, moving away from the limitations of older electric-motor or oil-lubricated designs toward more reliable, maintenance-free air-operated technology. The biggest shift has been the widespread adoption of venturi-based, air-powered primers like our AirPrime™ system, which we introduced early and continuously refine in response to customer feedback. Key innovations include automatic priming controls that activate only when the pump is engaged, multi-location priming for pre-priming, and integrated lift gauges that give operators real-time visual feedback on vacuum and priming progress. These systems tie seamlessly into modern electronic pump panels, using the chassis air brake supply with a pressure-protection valve so they never compromise braking safety. Noise levels have dropped dramatically. AirPrime operates super quietly compared to screaming electric units, while weight and space requirements have shrunk, making retrofits far easier. Environmentally, the move to oilless designs has eliminated messy lubrication, contamination risks and disposal issues. As of recent years, over 50,000 AirPrime units are in service, proving that these advancements have become the new standard for reliability, especially in rural departments relying on static water sources or high-lift drafts. The result? Faster, more consistent priming that reduces cavitation and pump damage during critical initial attack.
What are the benefits of AirPrime™ over traditional primers?
Traditional rotary vane primers, common in older apparatus, rely on electric motors and draw significant current from the vehicle’s electrical system. They could overheat if left running, seize up, or fail during extended operations. AirPrime™ changed everything by using compressed air from the chassis brake system (or a regulated cylinder) to power a multi-stage venturi that creates vacuum without any moving parts in the primer itself, no electricity draw and zero lubrication needed. It’s completely oilless and environmentally safe, only air and water are discharged. Operators love that it’s super quiet with the lowest dB in the industry, and it’s lightweight, compact for tight pump panels and self-draining. It eliminates freeze-up worries in cold climates. As it has no electrical load, it protects alternators and batteries, improving overall apparatus reliability. It can run continuously without overheating, making it perfect for pre-priming multiple intakes or maintaining prime during long lays. Automatic versions activate when the pump is engaged, while manual push-to-prime buttons allow targeted control. Cost wise, it’s lower maintenance and often less expensive long-term than replacing worn electric motors, all backed by a 10-year warranty. Plus, it’s fully NFPA compliant and brass-constructed for corrosion resistance. Firefighters tell us it primes faster and more reliably, especially on high-lift or LDH intakes, reducing cavitation and giving them confidence when every second counts.
What advancements have you seen in thermal management?
Thermal management for fire pumps has evolved from basic wax element relief valves or none-at-all to sophisticated, sensor-driven systems that actively protect equipment and conserve resources. Trident’s ThermaGuard™ line represents the latest leap forward. The base TRV (Thermal Relief Valve) uses a precise thermistor sensor to monitor pump water temperature in real time, automatically opening at user-adjustable setpoints to dump or recirculate hot water before damage occurs. It includes self-check diagnostics on startup, LED alerts for quick status checks, and optional audible alarms. The upgraded ThermaGuard™ TMS (Thermal Management System) takes it further with selectable bypass modes: dump-to-ground, recirculate-to-tank, or both.
This flexibility allows operators to optimise water conservation while maintaining optimal pump water temperatures. IP67-rated components handle harsh environments, and setpoint memory ensures settings return during power cycles. These systems integrate directly with the pump plumbing, providing proactive protection where older setups left pumps vulnerable to overheating from prolonged recirculation. The advancement lies in proven modern components which are automated, precise and adaptable rather than reactive. This not only prevents impeller and seal damage but also protects operators from scalding risks and extends apparatus life dramatically.
What are some challenges one can expect when dealing with pump priming and thermal protection during a high demand incident?
High-demand incidents - think rural structure fires with long hose lays – multiple handlines flowing at once or drafting from static sources can amplify classic problems. Priming challenges include air entrapment in suction hoses or intakes, leading to rapid loss of prime, cavitation that erodes impeller and noisy, inefficient operation that wastes time. On large pumps or with LDH, a single primer location often isn’t enough, and operators struggle to pre-prime intake quickly. Thermal issues compound this: closed-loop recirculation without relief causes water temperature to spike rapidly, risking pump overheating, seal failure, or even warping. In freezing weather, dumped water can create ice hazards; in drought, wasting water is unacceptable. Operator workload skyrockets monitoring vacuum gauges, temperature, and multiple controls while coordinating with command leaving room for error. Equipment strain can lead to downtime mid-incident, and electrical failures in older systems add unreliability. The result? Delayed water delivery, increased fatigue and potential apparatus damage that hit budgets hard.
How do Trident’s solutions help address these operational challenges?
Trident’s AirPrime™ and ThermaGuard™ systems directly tackle these pain points with proven, firefighter-focused engineering. AirPrime’s automatic mode senses and clears air pockets instantly when the pump engages, while push-to-prime buttons and multi-location setups let operators pre-prime front intakes or auxiliaries without losing prime elsewhere, eliminating cavitation and speeding water delivery. The lift gauge provides instant visual confirmation of successful prime, helping operators diagnose leaks or issues on the fly. As it runs continuously without damage and draws zero electrical power, it stays ready during prolonged high-flow operations. Pairing that with ThermaGuard, the thermistor sensor monitors temperature proactively, triggering relief exactly when needed. TMS mode selection lets crews recirculate the tank, conserving water and avoiding ground hazards, or dump to atmosphere safely, perfect for extended incidents. Together, these solutions minimise downtime, protect the pump from damage, and give firefighters one less thing to worry about so they can focus on the event. Departments using them report faster initial attack times and far fewer pump-related service calls.
