Ch 9. Fire Pump Theory Flashcards
What is a positive displacement pump?
Self priming pump that utilizes a piston or interlocking rotors to move a given amount of fluid through the pump chamber with each stroke of the piston or rotation of the rotors. 
Where are positive displacement pumps used?
Used for hydraulic pumps on aerial devices’ hydraulic systems and for priming pumps on centrifugal fire pumps
Positive displacement pump’s produce the same flow at a given speed regardless of discharge pressure which makes them what type of machines?
Constant flow machines
Modern fire department pumpers are equipped with what type of pumps as their main pump?
Centrifugal pumps
How do centrifugal pumps produce pressure?
Centrifugal pumps rely on velocity of the water produced by centrifugal force to provide the pressure needed to achieve proper discharge pressure
How are positive displacement pump’s still used in modern Apparatus?
 because of their ability to pump foam and air they are still used as priming devices to get water into the centrifugal pump during drafting operations
Where are piston pumps still used in firefighting operations?
These multicylinder PTO driven pumps can provide pressures up to 1000 psi for high-pressure fog lines, or to inject foam concentrate into a waterline or manifold at a higher pressure than the water pump is creating
Where are rotary pumps still used today in modern Apparatus?
Rotary type pumps are the simplest of all apparatus pumps and are confined to small capacity, booster type pumps and low volume, high pressure pumps and priming pumps
How are rotary pumps powered?
Rotary pumps are driven by either a small electric motor or through a clutch that extends from the apparatus driveshaft
What are the two designs of rotary pumps?
Rotary pumps are either rotary gear or rotary vein construction
How do rotary gear pumps operate?
Rotary gear pumps consist of two gears that rotate in a tightly matched pattern inside a watertight case. 
What determines how much water can be pumped by a rotary gear pump?
The amount of water that can be pumped depends on the size of the pockets in the gears and the speed of rotation
Like piston pumps, the rotary gear pump is susceptible to damage from normal wear and tear as well as from __________?
Debris and sand laden water
What is the most common type of pump used to prime a centrifugal fire pump
Rotary vein pumps. They are constructed with movable elements that automatically compensate for wear, maintaining a tighter fit with closer clearances as the pump is used
What is a centrifugal pump
Pump with one or more impellers that rotate and utilize centrifugal force to move the water.
A centrifugal pump does not pump a definite amount of water with each revolution so this pump is classified as a ______________?
Non-positive displacement pump
How does a centrifugal pump move water?
 The impeller disk receives its water through the eye and its center. This water is thrown out to the volute around the outside edge of the pump housing.
What dictates the amount of pressure that is developed by a centrifugal pump
The speed of the impeller dictates the amount of pressure that is developed. The faster the disc is turned, the harder the water is thrown giving it more velocity
In order to develop the revolutions per minute required for use of the centrifugal pump, what must be done with the vehicle transmission?
The transmission must be placed in the correct gear based on the manufactures recommendation
In a centrifugal pump, as the water moves away from the impeller it enters a water passageway of gradually increasing size as it nears the discharge outlet of the pump. This section of the pump is called the __________?
Volute
What three main factors influence a centrifical fire pumps discharge pressure?
- Amount of water being discharged
- Speed at which the impeller is turning
- Pressure of water when it enters the pump from a pressurized source
Why must a priming pump be used to prime a centrifugal pump
Centrifugal pumps are unable to pump air and is not self priming
What are the two basic types of centrifugal pumps used by the fire service?
Single stage and multistage
Where is the rotor mounted in a rotary vane pump?
The rotor is mounted off-center inside the housing
What part of a centrifugal pump transmits energy in the form of velocity to the water?
The impeller
What dictates the volume capacity of the centrifugal pump
The size of the impeller
What type of centrifugal pump is constructed with a single impeller in may consist of front mount pumps, power takeoff, auxiliary engine driven and mid ship pumps?
Single stage centrifugal pumps
What is the impeller Eye?
The intake orifice at the center of a centrifugal pump impeller
What is an impeller
The vaned, circulating member of the centrifugal pump that transmits motion to the water
What type of centrifugal fire pump has an impeller for each stage mounted within a single housing?
Multi stage centrifugal pump
Multistage centrifugal pumps have an impeller for each stage mounted in a single housing. Generally, the impellers are identical and have the same ________ ?
Capacity
Multi stage centrifugal fire pumps can pump in two modes these modes are called?
Pumping in the parallel (volume) position
Pumping in the series (pressure) position
How does a multistage centrifugal pump operate in the parallel or “volume”position?
Each impeller takes water from a source and delivers it to the discharge. Each of the impellers is capable of delivering it’s rated pressure while flowing 50% of its rated capacity 
How does the multi stage centrifugal pump operate in the series or “pressure”position?
All water from the intake is directed into the eye of the first impeller. The first stage increases the pressure and discharges 50 to 70% of the volume capacity through the transfer eye into the second impeller. The second impeller delivers water at a higher pressure into the discharge
The process of switching between pressure and volume in a multistage centrifugal pump is often referred to as ____________ ?
Change over
What can occur when the transfer valve is operated on a two stage pump?
Switching from volume to pressure can result in the immediate doubling of the previous discharge pressure. This change may result in damage to the pump and hose line as well as injury to firefighters
During firefighter operations, if there is any question as to the correct position for the transfer valve in a multi stage pump it is better to operate in what mode?
Parallel or “volume” mode
A multi stage centrifugal pump will be capable of slut supplying 100% of its rated capacity at ______ psi, at ______feet of lift with _______feet of suction hose while drafting.
150 psi,
10’ of lift
20’ of suction hose
Many new pumpers use power operated transfer valves to operate multi stage centrifugal pumps. These transfer valves me operate at pressures as high as _________ psi?
200 psi
What is a Clapper valve?
A hinged valve the permits the flow of water in one direction only
What is a check valve?
An automatic valve that permits liquid to flow in only One Direction