Chances are you’ve seen chains hanging beneath a school bus. They may seem kind out in place and you may wonder about the function the chains are meant to perform. In this article, we’ll be discussing the reasons why ambulances drag chains.
Ambulances drag chains to prevent static electricity from building up and damaging electrical components which also include medical equipment. Tire chains also improve traction on slippery roads.
As you can see, there are important reasons for ambulances dragging chains. Some people think ambulances drag chains to announce their presence but this isn’t so. They have a siren for that and people will make way for them whenever they approach. Continue to learn more about why ambulances drag chains.
Reasons Why Ambulances Drag Chains
As mentioned in the answer paragraph above, one of the main reasons why ambulances have chains is to prevent the buildup of static electricity. Static electricity is usually produced by friction and all motor vehicles, be it cars, buses, trucks, and ambulances generate static electricity as they move due to the friction between their rubber tires and the road.
In dry climates, static electricity can build up to hazardous levels and affect the electrical systems in an ambulance. The malfunctioning of any equipment in an ambulance can be very dangerous. Ambulances are usually called for emergencies and the initial treatment received en route to the health facility can be the difference between life and death.
So, by installing a chain that touches the ground underneath an ambulance, static electricity is conducted to the ground preventing potential buildup to hazardous levels.
Another reason why ambulances drag chains is to improve traction, especially on slippery roads. Ambulances are always on the move and the conditions of some of the roads they will travel on may not be ideal. This could be due to recent rain or snowfall. So, whenever an ambulance driver encounters a slippery road, they can deploy the chain which rolls beneath the tires as they move thereby increasing their traction.
Most ambulances have a quick deployment system that helps to activate and retract the chains. There’s no need for the driver to get down to deploy the chains. A flip of a switch will make the chains descend. Another flip and the chain retracts. Easy peasy.
Other Types of Vehicles That Drag Chains
Ambulances aren’t the only vehicles that drag chains. Other vehicles such as school buses, fire trucks, and oil tankers also drag chains. The main reason why fire trucks drag chains is to improve traction and ease movement on slippery roads. As you already know, fire trucks respond to emergencies, and something as trivial as a slippery road shouldn’t be enough to delay them from reaching their destination on time.
School buses also drag chains for the same reason as fire trucks. For oil trucks or tankers, the reason for dragging chains is to prevent the buildup of static electricity from building up and causing a spark that could start a fire. Oil trucks transport volatile fuel and all precautions must be taken to ensure the cargo they carry is well protected. And one of such measures involves them dragging chains.
If you live in an area where snowfall is high, you are bound to see several non-service vehicles having chains. The chain is to improve traction on snowy roads, especially for the bigger vehicles. Regular vehicles have transitioned to AWD and studded snow tires so you won’t see those ones dragging chains.
How Long Do Tire Chains Last?
The lifespan of a tire chain depends on three factors – how often the chains are used, the conditions of the road it is used on, and the weight of the vehicle. So, the exact lifespan can be accurately estimated or calculated. If an area doesn’t get a lot of ice or snow, then tire chains will be used infrequently and they’ll last for several years.
On the other hand, tire chains will wear out more quickly in areas with heavy snowfall. Regardless of snowfall, chains installed on ambulances are bound to wear out faster, especially those designed to release static build up. This is because these chains are always in direct contact in the ground increasing the rate at which they wear out.
Do You Need Automatic Tire Chains?
There are many benefits of automatic tire chains compared to traditional tire chains. You don’t have to mount automatic tire chains before you start your trip or at the middle of your trip. Also, you don’t have to remove them at the end of your trip. As their name implies, they are automatic, a single flip of a switch is all you need.
However, automatic tire chains are not compatible with all vehicles. This is because there’s a minimum clearance required to operate the wheel swing arms that deploy and retract the chains. Most private cars don’t have the clearance required and that’s why you won’t see tire chains on them. Instead, automatic tire chains are installed on large vehicles that have the required clearance such as trucks, buses, and larger vans.
For these vehicles, the convenience of deploying tire chains with the switch of a button and retracting them the same way is invaluable. They can keep to their schedules and save valuable time.
Tire Chains For Personal Vehicles
Winter driving is potentially very dangerous and if you live in an area that experiences heavy snowfall, you won’t be going anywhere fast or safely without better traction. It doesn’t matter if you own a Four-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. You need to find a way to improve the traction of your vehicle.
It’s more common to see people that drive regularly in snow and ice install snow tires. As the name implies, snow tires are designed for use on snow and ice. A look at snow tires and you’ll see their tread design comes with larger gaps to improve traction on snow and ice.
In some cases, a winter tire may not be enough to provide enough traction (in deep snow). You may have to install tire chains in such situations to get moving. The different States have different regulations about tire chains and you should find out what the local laws are in your area. Tire chains should only be used in snowy or icy conditions as they can damage the road. It also requires some effort and time to mount and remove them. But there’s no way around this as personal cars don’t have the clearance for automatic tire chains.
