Hose Operations and Hose Streams Flashcards
What is the difference between a Hose stream and a fire stream?
They are interchangeable.
They both refer to the stream of water that comes out of the hose to extinguish the fire.
What factors can limit the availability of water from fire hydrants?
- Damage to hydrants
- Broken water mains
- Greater demand than anticipated
- Frozen pipes
- Closed isolation valves
- Dead-end water mains
Which of the following is not allowed to inspect a fire hydrant?
Firefighters, inspectors, police officers, water department personnel, private contractors.
Police
What are the two types of fire hydrants used in North America?
Dry-barrel and wet-barrel
What are the two essential componants that all fire hydrants have?
One 4 or 4.5 inch pumper outlet
Two 2.5 inch couplings
How large does the valve of a water main need to be to meet NFPA 1963?
6 inches
How large does the diameter of the valve of a standard three way hydrant need to be to meet NFPA 1963 standards?
5 inches
Where are dry-barrel hydrants designed to be used?
Cold climates
What is the main difference between dry barrel hydrants and wet barrel hydrants?
Dry barrel hydrants contain water underground where it will not freeze in winter, where as wet barrel hydrants are found in warmer climates and contain the water with in the hydrant itself.
What factors could lead to a fire hydrant being labelled as out of service?
- Damage to hydrant or piping or pump
- Repairs or upgrades being performed on the hydrants or pipes or pump
- Frozen componants
- Blockage due to an object
If you find a fire hydrant that is showing signs of malfunction, what steps should you take to mark it as out of service?
- Label it as out of service
- Notify fire department and water department
What are the most commonly used tools during hydrant operations?
Spanner wrench, Hydrant wrench, Rubber mallet, Gate valve, hydrant valves
What is the difference between a spanner wrench and a hydrant wrench?
Spanner wrenches are used for attaching hose to the fire hydrand valves, and the hydrant wrenches are used for opening the stem nut and opening the discharge caps.
What are the four most common uses of gate valves?
- Allow additional hoselines to be laid to the hydrant
- Connect a supply pumper to the hydrant
- Boost pressure in the original supply line without interrupting flow
- You can precharge a line for another pumper to use before it arrives
What is a hose clamp and what are they used for?
They prevent the discharge of water by creating a break in the hoseline to change a burst section of hose, add more hose all without interupting the flow path.
What are the four kinds of hose clamps used in firefighting?
Screw down, Press down, Hydraulic press, wildland
What skills must firefighters be able to perform with fire hydrants?
- Provide water for fire operations
- Flow water to discharge sediment in the hydrant
- Perform inspections
- Ensure proper operations
- Assist in flow test
True or false, water hose is designed to accomidate the pressures of fire hydrants, so it is ok to open them fast.
False, opening the fire hydrants quickly and discharging lots of pressure at once is called a water hammer. It can cause the hose to flail, create punctures in the hose, and more. Also, closing the hydrant too quickly can damage the hydrant.
When twisting the Stem nut of a dry barrel fire hydrant, does the valve move upward or downward, and how does this affect the drain valve?
The valve moves downward to allow water into the hydrant, this movement causes the drain holes to be closed. When the valve is lifted back up, the drain holes are opened and the water is able to drain.
Why is it so important for dry barrel hydrants to be opened and closed fully?
Because a partial opening causes an opening in the drain hole, which will decrease the water pressure and erode the soil arround the hydrant.
How do you test the drain hole of a dry barrel hydrant?
Leave one of the hose valves open as you close the stem nut, then place your palm on the opening of the open valve, if there is negetive pressure, the hydrant is emptying and if not then retry. If it continues to not drain, notify the water department.
What are intake strainers?
They are attached to the drafting ends of hard intake hoses and they filter out debris that could damage the pump.
What are hose rollers?
They are rollers used to ease the laying, collection and drainage of hose. They can protect against sharp edges and prevent mechanical friction damage.
What are hose bridges?
They protect the hose from tire damage by creating a ramp
What are chafing blocks?
Objects that are used to protect the hose from vibrating against sharp objects or rough pavement.
What is a hose strap?
A length of rope that is tied around the hose and around the shoulder of a firefighter to assist in pulling the hose forward.