Ch 10. Operating Fire Pumps

Question 1

What are the steps for putting the pump into operation?

Answer 1

1.Open tank to pump valve,
2.Open discharges to hose lines being used,
3. Open the valves fill hose with water, 4. Increase the throttle,
5. Once water is flowing adjust pressure, 6. Monitor all gauges

Question 2

When the pump is an operation, what is the responsibility of the driver/operator if a flow meter is in use?

Answer 2

Adjust the throttle until the desired flow rate is achieved

Question 3

What steps are necessary to transition from tank water to a water supply?

Answer 3

1. Connect the supply line into inappropriate intake.
2. Make the connection to the intake with the gate valve closed.
3. Open the hydrant/supply line to supply water to the closed intake valve. Open bleeder valve to allow air to escape. Open intake.

Question 4

Operating the pump with a residual pressure below ________ psi while being supplied by other apparatus is dangerous.

Answer 4

20 psi

Question 5

Why must water supply systems (municipal) maintain a residual pressure of at least 20 psi?

Answer 5

Contamination from sources outside the main may occur at lower pressures.
This may cause the supply hose to collapse, interrupting the supply of water.

Question 6

What are the least desirable hydrant locations?

Answer 6

Dead and hydrants

Question 7

Why might a fire hydrant be too close to the incident to use?

Answer 7

Creates a safety hazard for apparatus and personnel

Question 8

What type of Lay is the most direct method of supplementing hydrant pressure or performing drafting operations?

Answer 8

Reverse lay

Question 9

What is a potential problem with choosing to make a long forward lay with large flow demands?

Answer 9

An additional pumper maybe needed, placed at the hydrant to make use of all available pressure

Question 10

When should the driver/operator close the tank to pump valve?

Answer 10

After transitioning to an external water supply

Question 11

What exceptional circumstance may require a series “pressure” setting of the transfer valve?

Answer 11

Supplying the upper floors of a high-rise

Question 12

Percentage method:

What equation is used to determine available like volumes from a hydrant?

Answer 12

(SP-RP) 100 / SP = % drop

0-10% = 3x like volume
11-15% = 2x like volume
16-20% = 1x like volume
>20% = zero like volume

Question 13

During prolonged pumping operations, a bypass circulator may not provide sufficient cooling. What additional measures maybe used to avoid overheating?

Answer 13

Open a discharge drain valve.
Partially opened the tank fill valve or tank to pump line.
Use hose line to spray pump panel.

Question 14

When a pumper is connected to a hydrant and is not discharging water the pressure shown on the intake gauge is the _________?

Answer 14

Static pressure

Question 15

Like available water: First Digit Method

What is the first digit method for calculating available water using psi and GPM

Answer 15



Question 16

During drafting operations, the amount of friction loss is____________ to the amount of water moving through the hose or appliance.

Answer 16

Proportional

Question 17

How much vacuum capacity are most pumps capable of producing?

Answer 17

22 inches of mercury

Question 18

How much water should be above a traditional strainer in order for a pumper to approach it’s rated capacity during drafting operations?

Answer 18

At least 24 inches

Question 19

What can help lesson the chances of a whirlpool during drafting operations?

Answer 19

Floating in object above the strainer

Question 20

What type of appliance should be used when drafting from a swimming pool?

Answer 20

A low level strainer

Question 21

During drafting operations, water below 35°F or above 90°F may adversely impact the ability of the pump to ________

Answer 21

Reach capacity

Question 22

What should be done following pumping operations using non-potable water?

Answer 22

The pumps and piping should be flushed with fresh water after using non-potable water

Question 23

All fire pumps are required to pump their capacity at _______feet of lift

Answer 23

10

Question 24

To create an effective fire stream during drafting operations, a lift of no more than _________ is recommended. 

Answer 24

20 feet

Question 25

When should the pump be placed an operation during a drafting operation?

Answer 25

After all connections have been made and the apparatus is in its final position

Question 26

The transfer valve must be in parallel “volume” position when priming:

Answer 26

Two stage pumps

Question 27

The engine rpm should be kept as low as possible without causing the engine to stall when using a:

Answer 27

Vacuum type primer

Question 28

The priming action should not be halted until a steady stream of water is discharged &:

Answer 28

All air has been removed

Question 29

What is the most common cause of an air leak when priming the pump?

Answer 29

Open drain or valve

Question 30

After successfully priming the pump, the discharge valve should not be opened to quickly because:

Answer 30

Air may enter the pump causing loss of prime

Question 31

When should the throttle setting be increased before attempting to open any discharges when drafting?

Answer 31

After successfully priming the pump

Question 32

After successfully priming the pump, the driver/operator should not attempt to set the discharge pressure to the desired value until what condition is met?

Answer 32

Water is flowing and discharge gauge is stabilized

Question 33

What is most likely indicated by a gradual increase in the vacuum with no change in flow rate while the pump is operating from a draft?

Answer 33

Blockage developing

Question 34

When no specific information is available when supplying a sprinkler system via a fire department connection, the general guideline is to discharge at what psi?

Answer 34

150 psi

Question 35

When supporting an automatic sprinkler system via a fire department connection, a fire fighter should be sent to check what?

Answer 35

A fire fighter should be sent to check sprinkler control valves as soon as practical

Question 36

What type of standpipe system is likely to be usable as soon as the hose line is stretched in the valve is opened?

Answer 36

A wet standpipe

Question 37

What types of standpipe system should be supplied by a fire department pumper to supplement the systems water supply?

Answer 37

Both wet and dry systems

Question 38

What type of standpipe system is likely to experience a time delay and have trapped and compressed air released when the valve is open?

Answer 38

A dry standpipe

Question 39

What type of troubleshooting process should a driver/operator use during pumper operations to trace a problem back to its source?

Answer 39

A logical process

Question 40

 it is not possible to pour water into the pump from a draft. However it is possible to evacuate some of the air inside the pump creating a:

Answer 40

Pressure differential (partial vacuum)

Question 41

Atmosphere pressure at sea level is:

Answer 41

14.7 psi Decreases by .5 psi for every 1000 feet of altitude gain