Basic Pumper/Apparatus

Operations-EquipmentPresenters: FF/Eng. Andy Grove

Captain/Eng. Mark Goerger

Northwest St. Clair County Fire Protection District

Updated 2012

Topics to be discussed: Pump design Gauge functions Line pressures Supply lines Standpipes/sprinklers Hydrants Hands-on

Pump Design

Piston pumps Rotary pumps Centrifugal pumps

Pump Types

Piston Pumps

First types of pumps used for firefighting

Very simple Pumps water and air

Single or double displacement

Very efficient Lack volume

Rotary Pumps

Developed to be used with steam engines

Still used today Primer pump

Rotating gears create pressure

Pumps water and air

Centrifugal Pumps

Used today Uses impellers

Cannot pump air

Series vs. parallel Series = pressure Parallel = volume

Transfer valve

Centrifugal Pumps

Parallel mode Water enters pump

through two intakes Twice the volume at

same pressure

Centrifugal Pumps

Series mode Water enters one side

and is then thrown to the other side

Double pressure, half volume

 

Centrifugal Pumps

Gauges and Controls

Pump switch Truck stopped Transmission = neutral Parking brake Lever down Transmission = drive

Look and listen

Gauges and Controls

Tank to pump Brings water from the

booster tank to the fire pump

Not used when running directly off a hydrant

Gauges and Controls

Tank Fill / Re-circulate Fills the booster tank Re-circulates water from

discharge back to intake

Keep closed when flowing water Open when sitting idle

Overflow under truck

Gauges and Controls

Relief valve Equalizes pressure on

all discharges +/- 10 psi. pressure Simple on/off switch

Gauges and Controls

Relief valve Mechanical spring valve Set highest discharge

pressure Decrease slightly

Gauges and Controls

Throttle control Turn clockwise

Increase throttle Turn counter-clockwise

Decrease throttle Emergency operation

Push red button in

Gauges and Controls

Transfer valve Pressure Volume

Operate when pumping more than ½ the rated capacity of the pump 500 gpm +

Gauges and Controls

Primer Rotary pump Pumps air and water

Drafting Lose prime in fire

pump Pull handle 30-45

seconds Water will spray under

the truck

Gauges and Controls

Compound gauge Intake pressure Discharge pressure

Drafting – vacuum pressure Inches of mercury

Gauges and controls

Discharges Control pressure to each

line

Control each line Gate / feather

Pull out on handle to operate

Turn 90 degrees to lock

Gauges and Controls

Discharges Control pressure to each

line

Control each line Gate / feather

Pull back on the handle

Turn clockwise to lock

Gauges and controls

Control panel on 4224 Throttle controls RPM/Pressure mode

Gauges and controls

LDH intake Gated valve 5” hose connection Storz connection

Gauges and controls

Aerial Flow meter Rear panel on 4229 Digital display

Gallons per minute

Gauges and controls

Aerial Discharge Valve Directs flow of water up

the pre-piped waterway Post indicator comes out

when valve is open

Line pressures

Calculating engine pressure Variables

Hose length Hose diameter Nozzles, appliances, etc. Elevation

Friction loss standards

Line pressures

Attack lines 1 ¾” hose 100 feet long Friction loss

32 psi.

Line pressures

Attack line/supply line 2 ½” hose 100 feet long Friction loss

Depends on volume and pressure

Supply lines

Large Diameter Hose LDH or 5” hose

Line pressures

Nozzles Smooth bore Fog nozzles

Line pressures

Smooth bore nozzle Stacked tips Bail Friction loss

Hand line 50 psi.

Master stream 80 psi.

Line pressures

Fog nozzle Bail Volume selector

Friction loss 100 psi.

Line pressures

Discharge pressure Nozzle + Hose + Appliances (+ or -) Elevation

Example: 200 foot pre-connected 1 ¾” hose with a fog nozzle

100 psi (fog nozzle) + 60 psi (32 psi hose X 2) = 162 psi NWFD = typically 144 - 150 psi

Line pressures

Hose lines Longer hose lays = higher friction loss Smaller hose = higher friction loss Fog nozzles = higher friction loss than smooth bore

Things to think about: Long hose lays Multiple lines off

Standpipes and sprinklers

Locations Kings House Shrine Firehouse crossing Others??

Standpipes and sprinklers

Standpipe Connect 2 ½” hose

to fire dept connection

Discharge pressure 25 psi + hose

Standpipes and sprinklers

Sprinkler connection Connect 2 ½” hose

to fire department connection

Discharge pressure 150 psi

Hydrants

Hydrant Detail Dry Hydrant

Hydrant Volumes

Colored Bonnets Blue = 1500 gpm + Green = 1000 – 1499 gpm Orange = 500 – 999 gpm Red = less than 499 gpm

Opening Hydrants

Opening Hydrants

“Hydrant man” Get off the truck ready to go to

work PPE SCBA Tools

Grab a radio!

Opening Hydrants

Pull hose and hydrant bag off apparatus DO NOT FORGET

THE HYDRANT BAG!!!

Opening Hydrants

Hitting a hydrant Wrap end of

hose around hydrant

Signal for driver

Opening Hydrants

DO NOT STAND ON THE HOSE!!

Opening Hydrants

Opening the hydrant Flush first, then connect Charge when told/signaled

Open slowly Open up 100%

Opening Hydrants

DO NOT CHARGE BEFORE ENGINEER IS READY!!

Connecting the supply line

LDH intake Connect LDH Charge hydrant Open petcock valve

Allow air to escape Close petcock valve Open gate valve

Basic Pumper/Apparatus Operations

Any Questions???