Operating Fire Pumps

Question 1

Pump Indicators Inside The Cab (Four)

Answer 1

• “green” light
• Speedometer reading 10-15 mph
• Feel/hear pump engage
• 4th gear (NOT 5th)

Question 2

Pump Indicators Outside The Cab (Four)

Answer 2

• “middle pump engaged” light
• “green” light (Pierce)
• “yellow” light (Seagrave)
• Water in the pump (positive reading on the master discharge gauge)

Question 3

Manual Pump Engagement

Answer 3

• Two people
• While pump control is in neutral push (Pierce) or pull (Seagrave) manual pump shift. Pump engagement light should be on, wait four seconds, shift transmission into drive, shift pump control into pump (lowest position)

Question 4

Three Main Water Sources

Answer 4

• Water Tank
• Pressurized Source
• Static Source

Question 5

Two Basic Pressurized Water Sources

Answer 5

• Hydrant

- Another Pumper

Question 6

Forward Lay Key Steps/Numbers

Answer 6

• Pull past hydrant no more than 20’

- Drop hose at hydrant and proceed to fire no faster than 5 mph

Question 7

Supplying w/ Short Section of 5” Supply Line

Answer 7

-Stop apparatus with front or rear bumper in line with hydrant 10’-15’ away

Question 8

Minimum Residual Pressure

Answer 8

20 PSI

Question 9

Dual Pumping Operations

Answer 9

• Intake to intake

- Second pumper receives excess water not being used by the first pumper

Question 10

Tandem Pumping Operations

Answer 10

• Discharge to intake
• Second pumper boosts the incoming pressure, short relay operation
• Commonly used when high pressure or high friction losses cannot be avoided

Question 11

Relay Pumping Operations PSI

Answer 11

• Supply pumper: 175 PSI
• Relay pumper: 175 PSI
• Attack pumper: Adjust PSI for attack lines

Question 12

Can We Exceed The Rated Pump Capacity?

Answer 12

-Yes, 2,000 GPM is from a static source

Question 13

Atmospheric pressure sea level/Albuquerque

Answer 13

• Sea level: 14.7 PSI

- Albuquerque: 12.2 PSI

Question 14

Lift Required for Drafting

Answer 14

-NFPA requires 10’ of lift for capacity requirement

Question 15

Recommended Amount of Mercury for Drafting

Answer 15

22” (20” per AFR)

Question 16

Operating From a Static Water Source, Clearances/Max Amount Hard Suction Hose

Answer 16

• Strainer: 24” in all directions
• Max 20’ hard suction hose
• Max 10’ high

Question 17

Engine RPM’s for Drafting

Answer 17

1,000-1,200 RPM’s

Question 18

Volume vs Throttle mode for drafting

Answer 18

• Two stage pump: Transfer valve in VOLUME mode

- Pressure governor: Throttle mode

Question 19

Master Discharge Pressure for Drafting

Answer 19

50-100 PSI, open discharge valve slowly pausing if discharge pressure drops below 50 PSI

Question 20

Operating from a Water Tank

Answer 20

• Engage pump
• SET WHEEL CHOCKS
• Switch to pressure mode
• Open “tank to pump” valve
• Pull primer
• Open tank fill valve (if needed)

Question 21

Transition to External Water Supply

Answer 21

• Open “tank to pump”
• Prime pump
• Charge both 1 3/4” handlines
• Remove cap on hydrant/flush hydrant
• Connect 5” to drivers side PIV (ensure bleeder valve is open) and hydrant
• Open hydrant
• Close bleeder valve
• Open intake while throttling down (if necessary)
• Fill tank (attack lines have priority, make sure tank fill valve is closed when opening PIV and transitioning to external water source)
• Open auxiliary cooling valve if necessary