Chp 19 Operating Aerial Apparatus Flashcards
Operator skills
Climbing and riding on app Operating aerial, telescoping and articulating controls Water delivery Adverse conditions Below grade operations General safety
Fall protection
Aerial: handrails
Platform: railings and gates
Ladder belts
Clip in ladder belts when
Not climbing ladder, clip in whenever paused
Not entering or exiting the platform
Any time device is moving
Only anchor to permanent elements not cables, lights etc
Moving aerial with people on it
Never unless everyone is clipped in to permanent element
Never extend or retract
Wires
Pinch hazards
Never touch while under load
Never touch when someone else is at the controls
Never touch when moving, can create barbs so wear gloves
Driver must know
App limitations
Proper spotting angles
Max load limits
Safe operating practices
Control positions
Primary is at the pedestal: be aware of number weight and position of personnel, wind and ice, comms with tip, other people on the turntable
Secondary is at the tip: final positioning, other people on the ladder, belted, water flow reaction, electrical hazards, feet clear
Load charts
Have them memorized
Some have electronic load monitors as well but can fail
Telescoping app
Aerial ladders
Aerial ladder platforms
Telescoping elevating platforms
Telescoping water towers
Steps to raise a ladder
Raise, rotate, extend, lower
Avoid multiples to avoid hydraulic pressure spike unless you have a joy stick
Feather instead of full speed
Articulating app
Water tower
Aerial platform
Mind the knuckle when it’s low
Don’t let other drivers park too close
Operating aerial ladders with piped waterways and water towers
Operated by remote control (better than FF at the tip) and some have cameras or TIC’s
Make sure pinned correctly
Operating aerial ladders with detachable waterways
More challenging FF at tip exposed to heat and smoke Usually no aerial controls at the tip Can't move much when charged Loose nozzle can hit FF Use ropes from pedestal (FF at tip to change pattern, shut down water if you can) Charge and stop slowly to avoid shock loading the ladder 75* elevation, 80% extended, 80 psi Don't use a hose with a nozzle attached
Adverse conditions
On a grade High wind Cold weather Fire exposure Mechanical or power failure
Operating on a grade
Not designed for routine torsional stress. Fix with:
Optimum positioning
Proper stabilization
Load restrictions
High wind
See mfg load guide, Or dispatch, Or iphone
15-24 small trees moving, whitecaps on ponds
25-31 Large tree branches, whistling from powerlines
32-38 whole tree, feel it when walking
39-54 twigs breaking, cant walk, bld damage
Cold weather
Hydraulics become viscouse, slowing movements
Metal becomes brittle, shock loading is worse
Ice makes it heavy and slippery, .25” total allowed
Applied grease can help keep it from sticking
De ice with high pressure steam or liquid, must be non corrosive
For weight keep in most stable position inline with chasis
Position with wind to avoid overspray
Ice shrugging
Slowing extend and retract ladder to remove ice
Won’t work if too much ice
Exposure
Move, or spray with water if it becomes one (don’t hit guys on the ladder)
Use a handline to avoid damage
Signs of heat damage
Discoloration Disfiguration Deformed welds Improper operation Aluminum aerials have heat sensors If suspected, remove from service and tested
Mechanical failure warning signs
Leaking fuel, hydraulic fluid, oil Overheating Strange noise or vibration Drifting when raised Gauges giving bad info Smell of burning fluids Interlock failure An unsafe drop in voltage or alarms Remove FF, bed it, take it out of service
Failure of hydraulic pump
Operating for a long time can make the oil overheat and cause permanent damage
Use aux pump in intervals
Below grade
Rescues from hole, trench, cars off an embankement
Most aerials not designed for below grade tip loading
Don’t lift a load but can use as high anchor point
Some have winches on platforms
Safety: inspection
Chasis inspected with 1911 Daily inspections Ventilate when inspecting batteries Stay clear of moving parts Don't touch hot surfaces
Safety: prepare to drive
Know the owner's manual Three points of contact Adjust seat, mirror, medal and steering wheel Secure compartment doors Store hose and restrain Make sure all seatbelted Stow stabilizers, bed ladder
Safety: driving
Only if you are trained Use a spotter when backing Don't speed Mind low bridges and OH obstructions Obey traffic signals Look ahead and anticipate Turn off aux braking in bad weather
Safety: positioning
Always use a spotter Only on firm surfaces Only on approved slopes Within reach of aerial On corner if possible Away from falling debris Use warning lights if in traffic Never on railroad or active runway
Safety: stabilizing
Read your manual
Firm surfaces only
Only on approved slopes
Use parking brake, aux front wheel lock and wheel chocks
Clear from powerlines
Clear stabilizer area and use ground pads
Safety: operating
Operate controls from platform, not ground Only put FF on tip if you have to and only with someone on the turntable controls Communicate with tip before moving Mind load chart limits If ice, use mfg reduced capacity Mind wind Short jacking ok if careful Don't make contact with structure Don't put over roof that might self vent
Safety: climbing
Use ladder belt
Three points of contact
Don’t hold hand rails or rungs if extending/retracting
Safety: water mgt
Mind reduced load limits
Prevent water hammer
Change direction slowly
Drain before retracting or removing caps
Safety: strategy
Rescue victims upwind
Aim above victim and lower to them
Mind debris or collapse
