IFSTA Chapter 10 Operating Fire Pumps Flashcards

1
Q

When operating at the pump panel, drivers must wear

A

full PPE

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2
Q

What does the placement of chocks provide

A

an extra measure of safety should the apparatus jump into road gear or override the parking brake system

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3
Q

When operating the pump when should you reach the appropriate pressure

A

When water is flowing

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4
Q

When using the tank fill valve to cool the pump what must be concidered

A

Tank Fill Line may be piped large enough to cause the pump to cavitate when using the onboard tank

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5
Q

When discharge pressure increases, intake pressure from the source will drop due to friction loss,

what happens when intake pressure drops too low

Why must you not pump below a residual pressure of 20 psi while being supplied

A

Allowing the discharge pressure to decrease the intake from the source can cause damage to the pump

pumping at a residual pressure below 20 psi while being supplied by other apparatus may cause the supply line to collapse or lead to cavitation

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6
Q

Why should supply systems maintain a residual pressure of 20 psi also

A

Contamination from sources outside the main may occur

overtaxing the water system may cause sediment or debris that has formed to become lose and damage the pump

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7
Q

what are dead end hydrants and why are they least desirable source

A

Hydrants served by smaller mains from only one direction and generally have higher amounts of sediment and deterioration

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8
Q

In Prolonged pumping operations a bypass circulator may not provide enought cooling, what other methods can be used to keep the pump from overheating

A

Open Discharge Drain Valve: Some need opened before valve is under pressure

Partially open tank-fill valve or tank to pump

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9
Q

Exact explanation of Like Volumes

A

10% of less = 3 lines of the same flow can be added

11 - 15% = 2 lines of the same flow can be added

16 - 25% = 1 lineof the same flow can be added

more than 25%= more water may be available but not as much as is flowing through first line

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10
Q

A_______ _____ is created when air inside the pump is evacuated

A

Pressure Differential

allows atmospheric pressure acting on the surface of the water to force water into the fire pump

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11
Q

With an atmospheric pressure at sea level of 14.7 psi what is a partial vacuum of -2 psi measured as

A

4” of mercury which causes water to rise 4.6ft

The Weight of water combined with reduced air pressure creates a balance

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12
Q

When drafting other than bends in plumbing, hose or appliance what else created friction loss

A

The Inertia of water

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13
Q

To what level of mercury are pumps able to develop a vacuum approximately

A

22” of mercury but

Compound gauges not providing accurate readings on the vacuum side it must be acknowledged that at this reading the pump is nearing the limits of its ability to supply water.

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14
Q

Describe cavitation

A

Water being discharged faster than it is coming into the pump

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15
Q

What causes cavitation
(Air cavities)

A

Air cavities are created in the pump as they move from highest vacuum into the presurized section where they collapse (fill with water)

High velocity of these cavities filling causes severe shock to pump

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16
Q

What occurs to the state of water during cavitation

A

Pressure drops below atmospheric and the boiling point of water drops to the point that water changes to a vapor creating voids of steam

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17
Q

Indicators of a pump cavitating

A

Pressure gauge on the pump will fluctuate and hose streams may pulsate (popping, sputtering sound)

The pump makes noises compared to gravel passing through the pump

The surest indicator will be a lack of reaction of the pressure gauge when increasing the throttle

18
Q

In order for a pumper to reach its rated capacity during draft using a traditional strainer, how much water (in inches) must be above the

A

24 inches

It is also helpful to have that much clearance around the strainer to avoid drawing foreign objects

19
Q

What may cause a whirlpool resulting in air entering the intake hose during draft and how can it be prevented

A

Rapid Intake of water may cause the pump to lose its prime

whirlpool can be fixed by placing a floating object above the strainer

20
Q

What steps can be taken to use a shallow source of water

A

A dam can be built or the bottom be dug out

Ideally a floating strainer will be used

21
Q

Negative of using a floating strainer

A

Since it only uses one side to allow water in, the pump may not be used at its highest capacity due to receiving lower water amount

22
Q

Low-Level strainers can be used in water as low as _______ but will not allow the pump to

A

2 inches approx and will not allow the pump to operate at rated capacity due to drafting lower quantities

23
Q

What sources can expose the pump to (when drafting) to corrosion from salt contents, or caustic chemicals that may be present in the water

A

Using non-potable (untreated) water sources such as that from a salt water source or ground water in the vicinity of mining operations

24
Q

When debris passes through the pump what does the abrasive effect damage?

A

As water passes through the eye of the impeller, the area between the clearance rings and the hub of the impeller. It creates spacing that causes slippage from discharge back into intake ultimately reducing the capacity of the pump

25
Q

All Fire Pumps meeting NFPA and UL requirements are rated to pump their capacity at what height of lift

A

10ft of lift.

a pumper in good condition can lift water a maximum of 25ft

26
Q

To create an effective fire stream a lift no greater than this height is recommended

A

20ft

27
Q

at 20 feet lift at what capacity is the pump able to work at (percent)

A

60% of its rated capacity

28
Q

Prelem actions to connecting to the pump during draft

A

Engage the pump once all connections have been made and its ready to be put into operation

Park vehicle short of final drafting spot if area is limited, drive closer once all connections are made

Inspect gaskets, then connect strainer

If needed use a rubber mallet to make connections tighter

avoid placing intake hose on the ground (debris)

Fasten a rope to the end of strainer for handling

29
Q

When priming a pump for draft what will the mercury reading represent in height

A

1” of Hg for 1 Foot of lift required

Vacuum is measured from the surface of the water to the eye of the pump

30
Q

When lift is not able to be achieved during priming what is the most common reason

A

Air Leaks around the pump possibly from an open drain or valve

Intake relief valves may also prevent lift

31
Q

Other than loose gaskets, opened valves what else can create issues when drafting

A

Insufficient fluid in the priming reservoir

Engine Speed (rpm) too low

Lift is Too High

High point in the intake hose creating an air pocket

32
Q

Increasing the throttle setting is required to raise the pressure between _____ and ______ psi

A

50 and 100 psi

33
Q

When should you set desired discharge pressures while drafting

A

Wait until water is flowing and the discharge gauge has stabilized

34
Q

Discharge pressure gauge begins to fluctuate with loss of vacuum on the intake gauge indicates?

A

air is coming into the pump

35
Q

What indicates a gradual increase in vacuum with no change to flow rate

A

A blockage is developing

usually caused after a pump has been operating at a high rate of discharge increasing the max velocity of water entering the strainer

36
Q

Common place for blockages during draft

A

in the strainer

if reached easily leaves or other debris may be removed by hand or using a booster line

Pump may have to be backflushed.

37
Q

Shutting down a drafting operation and what to do after for proper readiness of primer and fire pump

A

Deacrease engine speed to idle

take pump out of gear

allow the pump to drain

remove all connections and operate the primer pump and operate for a few seconds until primer oil or fluid comes out

Pump should be thoroughly flushed with a supply of fresh water

38
Q

During stand pipe operations encountering a Pressure reducing valve what leads to inadequate pressure for hose lines

A

The pressure set for standpipe must match the total height where the hose is being connected to. The pressure must match that to which the valve was set to.

39
Q

Standpipe frozen connection fix

A

double male to a double female adapter can be added to provide movement

40
Q

If there isn’t enough water above the strainer?

A

Whirlpool can be formed allowing air into the pump

41
Q

This may cause the tank-to-pump line to be a source of pressure/water leaks.

A

an empty onboard water tank

42
Q

When drafting and opening a discharge under what pressure shall the opening be slowed down

A

if pressure drops below 50 psi while slowly opening a discharge, pause for a brief time to allow stabilization to prevent air entering the pump