Chapter 4 Introduction to Apparatus Inspection, Maintenance, and Testing Flashcards
What NFPA requires driver/operators to have certain preventive maintenance skills?
NFPA 1002
What is “maintenance?”
keeping apparatus in a state of usefulness or readiness
What is “repair?”
restore or replace parts on components which have become inoperable
Through a systematic maintenance program, who is usually the first person to identify potential mechanical problems?
the driver/operator
What purposes do apparatus maintenance and inspection records serve?
- Warranty claims
2. Accident investigations
Washing the exterior of the apparatus is one of the most commonly performed what?
maintenance functions
How should you wash the exterior of a new (up to 6 months old) apparatus?
frequently with cold water
How should you wash a vehicle to reduce the chance of damaging new paint ?
garden hose without nozzle rinse as much loose dirt before washing wash off debris before they have a chance to dry wash with good automotive soap Do not use HOT water Top to bottom washing dry with clean chamois
The driver/operator should follow a systematic procedure for inspecting apparatus based on what?
- departmental SOPs
- NFPA standards
- manufacturer’s recommendations
What are the 4 tests of the AIR BRAKE TEST 1?
- Applied Air Loss
- Low Air Warning
- Air Brake automatic Activation “Pop-Out”
- Air Compressor Cut-In and Cut-Out
What is the “APPLIED AIR LOSS” test?
Engine off, trans in Neutral, full air tanks, parking brake released
Press brake pedal to floor–after 1 minute–air pressure should not drop 3 psi
What is the “LOW AIR WARNING DEVICES” test?
engine off, master switch on
pump brake pedal to lower pressure
Warning light and buzzer should activate before 60 psi
What is the “AIR BRAKE AUTOMATIC ACTIVATION” or “POP-OUT” test?
after pumping air brakes down, continue to pump brake pedal until air brake control sets automatically
This should occur between 20-40 psi
What is the “AIR COMPRESSOR CUT-IN AND CUT-OUT” test?
air compressor builds pressure and cuts out–around 125-130 psi. Apply brake pedal and lower air pressure by 5-10 psi increments until needle on gauge begins to move upward. This indicates “Cut-In”–MUST occur no lower than 85 psi
What are the 3 components of the “air brake test 2?”
- Parking brake test
- Service brake test
- air pressure gauge needles
What is the “parking brake test?”
engine running, apply parking brake and accelerate.
What is the “service brake test?”
5 mph and apply brakes. Any steering pull, unusual feel or delay
In the “air pressure gauge needles,” what color are the primary needles? Secondary needles?
primary–white or green
secondary–red or yellow
What two types of inspections are being conducted simultaneously as the driver/operator performs daily walk-around inspections?
- commercial pre-trip
2. Firefighter operational readiness
In the “walk-around” or “circle” method, where does the inspection start? which direction does it travel?
drivers door and continues in a clockwise rotation
Why is nitrogen used in tires?
holds less moisture
dissipates heat more rapidly
better fuel mileage
What is tire “rapping” and what is it not recommended for? what is it good for?
hitting the tires with a mallet to listen to the difference in sound. It is not good for determining psi. It is helpful in determining if one of the duals is flat or low in pressure
Automatic tire changes may not be effective when?
Snow depth of 3”-6”
Slow speeds
Reverse operation
How much “free play” is allowed in a steering wheel?
No more than 10 degrees in either direction
As a rule of thumb, the fuel level should be at or above how much?
3/4 tank
Hearing protection should be worn if personnel will be exposed to noise levels in excess of what?
90 decibels
What does a “load sequencer” do?
turns various lights on at specific intervals so that the start-up electrical load for all of the devices does not occur at the same time
What does the “load monitor” do?
“watches” system for added electrical loads that threaten to overload system
What is “load shedding”?
the shut down of less important electrical equipment to prevent electrical overload from happening
What are the two most important safety inspections that the driver/operator will perform?
Steering
Brakes
What does an “air pressure protection valve” do?
prevents the use of the air horns and other unnecessary peripherals from being operated when the pressure in the air reservoir drops below 80 psi
How often should the apparatus brakes be thoroughly tested?
once a year
The parking brake must hold the apparatus in place on a ____ % grade.
20%
How do you test “air leakage rate?”
With air tanks full, shut off engine and note loss of pressure. It should not exceed 2 psi per minute. Then depress pedal to floor (or not less than 90 psi). After it settles, not pressure loss. It should not exceed 3 psi per minute
How do you test “low-pressure warning signal?”
Engine on or off. Pump brakes to reduce pressure. Warning should sound before the pressure drops to less than 60 psi.
How do you test “spring brakes (parking brake) for automatic activation?
Pump the pressure down to about 40 psi or below. The parking brake switch should automatically pop out, engaging the spring brake
How do you check the “rate of air pressure buildup?”
Engine at normal rpm, pressure should build from 85 psi to 100 psi within 45 seconds
How do you test “service brakes?”
Apparatus moving forward at 5 mph. Apply brakes firmly. Note pulling, delays, or noises
How do you test the “parking brake?”
Stop vehicle, set the parking brake, and try to move forward in a low gear–should not move
How do you test “slack adjusters?”
Park on level ground and chock wheels. Release parking brake. Pull firmly on slack adjusters. If they move more than 1” they are out of adjustment
If the apparatus has a tilt cab and oil, coolant, and other fluid levels can be checked through a access panel, how often should you tilt the cab for a full inspection?
at least weekly
As a minimum, a driver/operator should check the following items in the engine compartment:
- engine oil level
- engine air filter
- emergency shutdown
- exhaust system
- coolant level
- cooling fan
- windshield washer fluid
- battery condition
- Transmission (automatic or manual) fluid level
- Power steering fluid level
- brake fluid
- air system
- belts
- leaks
- hoses and supply lines
- electrical wiring
- steering linkage
What type of explosive gas do batteries produce?
hydrogen
What position should the aerial device and the stabilizers be in when checking and adding hydraulic fluid to the system?
in the stowed position
What two purposes does the aerial operation inspection serve?
- ensure that the aerial device is in proper working condition
- serves as a review
Why is it not advisable to rotate the device and extend the device at the same time?
it overtaxes the hydraulic system.
Apparatus tests can be grouped into what two groups?
- preservice tests
2. service tests
Where are preservice tests conducted?
usually at the manufacturers facility
Any person who is actually performing nondestructive testing must be certified as what?
American Society for Nondestructive Testing (ASNT) Level II NDT technician
Load testing is a good indication of what type of load?
Static (nonmoving)
What two common fire ground occurrences are not accurately tested when static load tests are conducted?
- operation of the aerial master stream–nozzle reaction
2. impact loading the tip
Common types of NDT (nondestructive testing) that may be used on aerial devices:
- magnetic particle inspection
- conductivity readings
- liquid penetrant testing
- ultrasonic inspection
- radiographic testing
- hardness testing
- acoustic emission inspections
Hardness testing is most commonly used on what type of aerial device?
aluminum aerial devices and components
Ultrasonic inspection is performed on what components?
bolts and pins
If the apparatus has a pump, an important acceptance testing issue arises when the agency purchasing the apparatus is located at and altitude in excess of what?
2000 ft
