Chapter 16 Apparatus Testing

Question 1

If the requirements of NPFA 1901 are included in the apparatus bid specifications, which two tests must be performed by the manufacturer?

Answer 1

The road test and the hydrostatic test

Question 2

When must road tests be conducted?

Answer 2

When construction of the apparatus is complete

Question 3

When performing road tests, the apparatus should be:

Answer 3

fully loaded as it would be once in service.

Question 4

In a road test, the apparatus must accelerate to ___ mph (km/h) from a standing start within 25 seconds.

Answer 4

35 mph (56 km/h)

Question 5

In a road test, the apparatus must achieve a minimum top speed of ___ mph (km/h).

Answer 5

50 mph (80 km/h)

Question 6

In a road test, the apparatus must come to a full stop from 20 mph (32 km/h) within ___ feet (m).

Answer 6

35 feet (10.7 m)

Question 7

Pumps are tested hydrostatically at ___ psi (kPa) for three minutes.

Answer 7

250 psi (1 725 kPa)

Question 8

Which of the following statements about hydrostatic tests is FALSE?

Answer 8

A. Discharge valves should be opened and capped.
B. Intake valves should be opened and capped.*
C. The tank fill line, tank-to-pump line, and by-pass line valves should be closed during this test.
D. The test pressure should be maintained for a minimum of three minutes without the failure of any component of the system.

Question 9

Which of the following are some of the required pump certification tests for apparatus equipped with a 750 gpm (3 000 L/min) or larger fire pump?

Answer 9

A. Acceptance test, hydrostatic test, and road test
B. Pumping test, vacuum test, and priming device test*
C. Engine overhaul test, draining test, and external pressure relief valve test
D. Engine speed check, gauge and flowmeter test, and pressure control test

Question 10

Apparatus equipped with a fire pump rated less than 750 gpm (3 000 L/min) are required to undergo the same certification tests, with the exception of:

Answer 10

A. the vacuum test.
B. the pumping test.
C. the priming device test.
D. the pumping engine overload test.*

Question 11

Pumper service testing can use either a ___ or a static body of water.

Answer 11

hydrant

Question 12

When testing at a static source, the water must be at least ___ deep.

Answer 12

4 feet (1.2 m)

Question 13

When testing at a static source, the strainer must be submerged at least ___ below the surface of the water.

Answer 13

2 feet (0.6 m)

Question 14

When testing at a static source, the surface of the water may be no more than ___ below the centerline of the pump intake.

Answer 14

10 feet (3 m)

Question 15

When testing at a static source, ___ of hard intake hose should be used for drafting during testing.

Answer 15

20 feet (6 m)

Question 16

Air temperature should be between:

Answer 16

0ºF and 100ºF (-18ºC and 38ºC).

Question 17

Water being used should be between:

Answer 17

35ºF and 90ºF (2ºC and 32ºC).

Question 18

Barometric pressure should be at least ___ corrected to sea level.

Answer 18

29 inches Hg (98.2 kPa)

Question 19

The driver/operator must lay out a sufficient number of hoses and nozzles to:

Answer 19

pump the rated capacity.

Question 20

No hose smaller than ___ may be used, but larger hose may be used if available.

Answer 20

2½-inches (65 mm)

Question 21

Hose must be tested to ensure that it is capable of withstanding the discharge pressure: A mark is scribed where the hose and couplings meet; if during the test, the scribe mark moves more than ___ away from the coupling, the test is stopped and the hose replaced and retested.

Answer 21

⅜ inch (9.5 mm)

Question 22

All ___ should again be checked and any losses noted.

Answer 22

fluid levels

Question 23

If the fire pump tests to less than ___ of its capabilities when it was new and underwent certification testing, two options are available.

Answer 23

90%

Question 24

If the apparatus does not test to desired results, the preferred action is to:

Answer 24

take the pump out of service and restore it to its designed capabilities.