Tragkraftspritzenfahrzeuge

Tragkraftspritze, abbreviated TKP, is a portable, engine-driven fire pump used by many German-speaking fire services. It is designed to deliver water from a source to attack lines at the scene, enabling rapid initial water supply before larger apparatus arrive. The device combines a compact internal-combustion engine with a centrifugal pump and is carried by firefighters to the fire site.

A TKP typically runs on petrol or diesel and includes suction and discharge connections, a priming device, filters, and gauges. Flow rates vary by model but generally range from several hundred to around two thousand litres per minute. It can draft water from nearby sources and discharge through hoses; if a reliable static supply is available, it can be connected to a hydrant or a pressurized water line.

Operation is straightforward but requires training. To use, the crew primes the pump, starts the engine, and opens the discharge valve. Water is drawn through a suction hose from the source into the pump and expelled through the attack line to firefighting nozzles. Operators must ensure the suction is submerged and not run the pump dry, and they monitor pressure and flow with the attached gauges.

In use since the early 20th century, TKPs remain a standard tool for rapid water supply in many regions. They are commonly found on smaller fire appliances or carried by hand by a team for immediate response, and they undergo regular maintenance and periodic testing to ensure reliability.