Ch. 15 Apparatus Testing Flashcards
Road Test
-Conducted with vehicle load to same weight as when in service
-Must accelerate to 35mph within 25 seconds
-Top speed of 50 mph
-Complete stop from 20 mph with 35 feet
NFPA 1901
Standard for Automotive Fire Apparatus
NFPA 1906
Standard for Wildland Fire Apparatus
NFPA 414
Standard for Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Vehicles
Pump Hydrostatic Testing
-Ensure pump and piping are capable of withstanding high-pressure pumping
-Minimum pressure of 500 psi for 10 minutes
Pump Certification Test
- Performed by independent testing organization
- Ensure pump will operate as designed
- Conditions for test: Static source water level at 4 feet deep and with strainer 2 feet deep. Water no more than 10’ below centerline of pump and 20’ hard intake hose used and truck running as normally would, electronics, weights, hood closed, etc.
- Required tests for Apparatus 750-3,000gpm:
-Engine speed check
-Pump test
-Overload test
-Pressure control
-Priming
-Vacuum test
-Water tank-to-pump
-Interlock
-Gauge and flowmeter
Apparatus Acceptance Testing
-Demonstrate to purchaser that apparatus conforms to bid specifications
-At minimum, another pump test done at purchasing jurisdiction
-reps from manufacturer, purchaser, and testing agency present
-Ensure engine develops necessary power in altitudes higher than 2,000 feet
Apparatus Performance (Service) Test
- At least once a year, or after major repair
- Test conducted using hydrant or static water (static provides easier evaluation)
- Mark coupling to check for extension, if moves more than 3/8th” stop and replace hose
- Static source water level at 4 feet deep and with strainer 2 feet deep
- Pumps 1,500 gpm or less 10 feet
- Pumps 2,000 gpm 6-foot max lift
- Conditions when testing:
-Air Temp 0-110 degrees
-Water temperature between 35-90 degrees - Minimum diameter hose line 2 ½-inch
-Engine speed check
-Pump shift indicator
-Engine control interlock
-Priming system
-Vacuum test
-Overload test
-Pressure control
-Relief valves
-Gauge flowmeter
Correcting Net Pump Discharge Pressure Testing
-Difference between intake pressure and discharge pressure
- When drafting PDP is higher due to pressure loss from lift and should be adjusted
-Conducted at 150 psi, 165 psi, 200 psi, and 250 psi
Equipment for Performance (Service) Test
-Gauges used for service testing must be calibrated within 60 days
-Pitot tube used when no flowmeter in testing
- If using Flowmeters correctly rated FOG Nozzles may be used
-Pitot tube clamp makes process easier for testing
Flowmeters
-Indicates flow in gallons per minute within plus or minus 3%
-Using flowmeter testing may be conducted without shutting down the pump, changing nozzles, or converting the pressure reading of pitot gauge
-More efficient than pitot tubes
Safety During Service Testing
-Wear protective gear, eyewear, gloves, hearing protection
-Hearing protection if 90 decibels or greater
-Chock wheels
Engine Speed Check
-Conducted under no-load conditions after ensuring all fluid levels are within range
-Within plus or minus 50 rpm
-Evaluated by qualified mechanic
Vacuum Test
-Evaluates priming device, pump, and intake hose for air leaks
-Strainer should be 24 inches below surface when drafting
- Steps:
-connect 20ft hard suction, cap the end
-all intakes opened, capped tightly
-all discharges closed, uncapped
-connect vacuum guage
-Pump must reach 22 inches mercury
-Done first if doesn’t pass will be difficult to proceed if pump cannot hold vacuum
-shut off engine and listen for air leaks, No more than 10” should be lost in 5 minutes
Priming System Test
time it takes to prime
-Pumps 1,250 gpm must achieve prime in 30 seconds
-Pumps 1,500 gpm must be primed within 45 seconds
Discharge Pressure Guage and Flowmeter Tests
-Must be properly calibrated to avoid dangerously high or low pressure to attack line
-Difference between the flowmeter and pitot gauge must not be more than 10 percent
Tank-To-Pump Test
required GPMs for capacities
-Capacity 500 gallons or less flow 250 gpm
-Capacity greater than 500 gallons flow 500 gpm
Reviewing Test Results
-Not show signs of overheating, power loss, or other mechanical issues
-Fluid levels should checked and any losses noted
-Results less than 90 percent: may be
1. placed out of service
2. given a lower rating based on results
Foam Proportioning Equipment Testing:
Foam Concentrate Displacement Method
-Checks volume of foam concentrate drawn through the system to determine accuracy
-Water drawn from calibrated tank instead of foam
-Volume of water drawn from tank over measured period of time is correlated to actual percentage of foam that system would have drawn
Foam Proportioning Equipment Testing:
Foam Concentrate Pump Discharge Volume Method
-Foam is operated at predetermined flow while discharge from foam pump is collected in a calibrated tank for specified period of time
-Direct injection type proportioner may use to check volume of concentrate proportioned into stream
Foam Proportioning Equipment Testing:
Foam Solution Refractivity Testing
-Ensures the quality of foam solution
-Accurate for protein and Fluoroprotein foam
-Measured using a refractometer
-Device measures velocity of light that travels through a medium
Foam Proportioning Equipment Testing:
Foam Solution Conductivity Testing
-Measures quality of synthetic foam
-More accurate than refractory testing because foam is too light in color
Pressure Control Test
steps
- 3 Part sequence
-Part 1 flow rated capacity then close discharges between 3-10 sec and make sure pressure never surge over 30psi
-Part 2 same as part 1 but reduce to 90psi
-Part 3 same but use 250psi
