Operating Fire Pumps

Chapter 11

Mississippi Fire AcademyCertification Division

Three Sources of Water Supply

• Tank Water

• Pressurized source

• Static Source

Making the Pump Operational

begins with:

• Positioning the apparatus

• Setting the parking brake

• Wheels are chocked

Engaging PTO & Front Mount PumpsPump & Roll

• Come to a stop

• Place transmission in neutral

• Operate PTO

• Place transmission into proper gear

• Release brake and/or clutch

Engaging PTO & Front Mount Pumps(Stationary Pump)

• Come to a full stop & set parking brake

• Place transmission into neutral

• Operate PTO

• Place transmission into proper gear

• Check Owner’s Manual

Disengaging PTO and Front Mount Pumps

• Reduce engine speed to idle

• Disengage clutch or place transmission in neutral

• Operate PTO to disengage pump

Engaging Midship Pumps

• Stop vehicle, put transmission in neutral, set parking brake

• Engage power transfer device

• Place transmission into proper gear– Check owner’s manual

• Check pump transfer light and speedometer

Disengaging Midship Pumps

• Reduce engine

• Place transmission in neutral

–Watch speedometer go to zero

• Operate pump shift lever

Auxiliary Engine Pumps

Designed to be in gear when started

Operating from the Water Tank

Most fires may be extinguished from this source.

Putting the Pump into Operations

• Safely exit• Chock Wheels• Opens tank-to-pump• Place pump in parallel or series (two stage

pump only)• Open discharge slowly• Increase engine speed• Set relief valve

Transition to External Water Supply

Usually involves a pressurized source such as a hydrant or relay.

Making the Transition

• Position the apparatus

• Place transmission in neutral

• Operate shift lever to pump gear

• Put transmission into proper gear

• Exit the vehicle

Making the Transition(continued)

• Chock the wheels

• Open tank to pump

• Place pump to pressure or volume

• Open discharge slowly

• Increase RPM

Making the Transition (continued)

• Set relief valve

• Connect supply line

• Open hydrant Open intake

valve

• Crack tank refill

Operating from a Pressurized Source

Two sources:

1. Hydrant

2. In Relay

Hydrant Operations• Determine which hydrant is

most appropriate

– Closet

– Safest

–Most water

Making a Forward Lay

• Drop line and proceed to the fire

• Make connections

Reverse Lay

• Used when the apparatus must stay at the

source

– Requires 2½ or larger line

– Disadvantage-all equipment must be removed

Getting the Water Into the Pump

• Open bleeder valve to bleed air

• Open hydrant

• Close bleeder valve

• Open intake

• Take static reading

Getting the Water Into the Pump (continued)

• Close tank-to-pump valve

slowly

• Open discharge

• Operate throttle

• Set relief valve

• Watch gauges

Putting the Pump in Service

• Avoid “dry running”– Pull booster line– Crack tank fill– Open auxiliary cooler

Shutting Down the Hydrant

• Throttle down• Disengage pressure governor• Close discharges• Place transmission in neutral• Close hydrant

Operating from a Static Water Supply

• Pulling water is Impossible• Atmospheric pressure is 14.7 at

sea level• Friction loss is dependant on

– Size of hose– Distance– Height of lift

• Maximum vacuum most pumps develop is 22 inches

Selecting a Drafting Site

• Dictated by:–Amount of water– Type of water–Accessibility of water

Amount of Water

• Most important factor

• Use strainer

Type of Water

• Non-potable Water is harmful

• Salt water corrodes

• Dirt or sand is bad stuff

Accessibility

• Lift and Friction loss factors to consider

• Pump capacity decreases with more lift

– The higher the lift, the less that can be pumped

Connecting to the Pump

• Position Apparatus– Less than 20 ft of lift

• Stop short of draft sight– Make connections

• Move pumper into position

Priming

• Engage pump• Increase RPM• Open discharge• Operate changeover valve if applicable• Increase rpm to proper setting• Set relief valve or governor

Operating the Pump from Draft

• Most demanding• Overheating may occur• Problems to look for:– Air leaks– Whirlpools– Defective pump packing– Blocked strainer

Shutting Down the Operation

• Decrease engine speed

• Take pump out of gear and allow to drain

• Operate primer to lubricate

Sprinkler & Standpipe Support

• Driver/Operator provides adequate water and pressure.

Supporting Automatic Sprinkler Systems

• Consider pre-incident plans• Consists of 2 x 2½ or 1 large diameter intake• Use at least 2 x 2½ inch or 1 LDH to supply– Consult SOPs

• Rule of thumb– 1,000 gpm pumper for every 50 heads

• Pump in volume on Multi-stage pumps

Supporting Standpipe Systems

• Supply in same manner as sprinkler systems• Discharge depends:– Friction loss (25psi)– Friction loss in supply hose– Friction loss in attack lines– Max 200 psi– Elevation

Thanks To

Kosciusko Fire DepartmentFlowood Fire Department