Assessment

Question 1

What are the 2 pump types?

Answer 1

Centrifugal

Priming pump/positive displacement pump

Question 2

Name 2 water supply types

Answer 2

Hydrant/reticulated/pressurised

Static

(Also appliance tank)

Question 3

Where are pumps mounted on an appliance

Answer 3

Usually at the back but can also be mid or front mounted.

Question 4

What are the benefits of centrifugal pumps?

Answer 4

• efficient
• low maintenance
• simple, 1 moving part
• driven from internal combustion
• give a steady flow
• can be operated with closed valves
• can handle mud and grit

Con: require priming

Question 5

What is class a foam used on

Answer 5

Carbonaceous solids such as wood and paper

Question 6

What is class A foam known as

Answer 6

Bush fire fighting foam

Question 7

What are the common priming pumps

Answer 7

Diaphragm

Rotary vane

Question 8

The act that allows the RFS to take water is

Answer 8

Rural Fires Act 1997

Question 9

What is the maximum vertical lift for water

Answer 9

Attempted 7.5m

Practical 8m

Theoretical 10m

Question 10

What are the common pump operating procedures

Answer 10

• connect supply hydrant to pump inlet
• slowly open valve and inlet
• operate pump according to brigade procedures
• monitor gauges for pressure (>0 to avoid line collapse and cavitation)
• monitor branch operators for flow
• shut off valves slowly

Question 11

What should we monitor when pumping

Answer 11

• valves are open
• add wetting agent where required
• monitor rate of flow
• monitor branch operators
• operate according to procedures

Question 12

Name 3 things to do when setting up to draught

Answer 12

• couple suction lines
• attach strainer
• support line by rope
• use a spanner to obtain firm joins
• check that hose is lower than the inlet
• prime pump
• operator to sops

Question 13

How should appliances be positioned

Answer 13

• not on the road
• visible
• park brake on
• clear of smoke
• close to the incident
• clear of power lines and trees
• clear access for others
• escape route

Question 14

For what reasons might a pump fail to prime

Answer 14

• loose couplings
• air entering through faulty hose
• faulty pump
• air pocket in the hose
• strainer not in the water
• strainer blocked
• vertical lift too high

Question 15

If a nozzle discharges at 200l/minute how long will it take to enter a vessel

3 x 2 x 1m

Answer 15

1m3 v 1000l

So

3x2x1000l=6000l

6000/200=30 min

Question 16

What pump pressure is required to deliver 500kpa is required at the nozzle with 4x30m lengths @15m above the pump

Answer 16

Rules of thumb

1 length=-100kpa
1m=-10kpa

500+4x100+15x10
= 500+400+150
=1050kpa

Question 17

As pump operators we need to be a aware of the tiring effect of the jet reaction force on branch operators. How came we mitigate this effect?

Answer 17

• check and adjust pressure
• reduce pressure thereby reducing jet reaction
• replace branch operator as necessary

Question 18

What component powers centrifugal pumps

Answer 18

The power /drive train

Question 19

How does a centrifugal pump work

Answer 19

The power train drives the impeller. The spinning of the impeller forces the water outward toward the water outlet.this action also creates a partial vacuum that drains water into the pump.

Question 20

What are the 2 relay types

Answer 20

Closed

Opens