Lifting from open water

Question 1

What is the maximum theoretical lift when lifting from open water?

Answer 1

In theory, the water can rise or lift to a height of 10 metres

Question 2

What is the actual maximum left achievable when lifting from open water?

Answer 2

8 metres

Question 3

What factors prevent maximum theoretical lift being achieved?

Answer 3

• overcoming inertia
• frictional loss
• imperfect vacuum
• temperature
• atmospheric pressure

Question 4

What equipment is used when lifting from open water?

Answer 4

• hard suction hose
• suction strainers
• strainer basket
• 140-100mm adaptor
• short line
• salvage sheets

Question 5

How is hard suction hose secured when lifting from open water?

Answer 5

Double the short line into equal halves and lie it alongside the suction hose, with the middle of the line nearest the strainer.
• Place the running end of the line clear of operations.
• Tie a clove-hitch either side of the neck of the strainer.
• Tie a half-hitch below each hard suction coupling.
• Tie off the line at the pump using the available eyelet with a round turn and two half-hitches.

Question 6

Centrifugal pumps can only pump liquids, what is the device called used to remove the air?

Answer 6

A primer !

Which is designed to pump air.

Question 7

What type of primer is fitted to the our appliances?

Answer 7

Priming is achieved by a piston primer system.

Question 8

How is the primer activated & deactivated?

Answer 8

The primer automatically activates & deactivates as the PTO is engaged & disengaged.

Question 9

Why does the engine idle speed increase when the PTO is engaged?

Answer 9

This is to ensure that the minimum engine speed required to prime is achieved automatically.

Question 10

What engine speed can the primer operate between?

Answer 10

The primer operates between 1200rpm & 2500rpm.

Question 11

If suction lift is taking in excess of 30 seconds, what should you check for?

Answer 11

Check suction hose for entrained air bubbles which could indicate leaky suction hose connections.

Question 12

What are the safety consirations when lifting from open water?

Answer 12

firefighters to wear life jackets

appliance to be sighted on safe ground

if water source is tidal, make allowances for flow

use floodlights in poor lighting

flush pump & equipment thoroughly with clean water after use

Question 13

What will the compound gauge show when lifting from open water?

Answer 13

The compound gauge will show a reading on the vacuum side.

For each -0.1 on the gauge = 1 metre of lift.

Question 14

What will the compound gauge show when the deliveries are opened and the pump is working harder?

Answer 14

The compound gauge will show an increased vacuum reading.

Question 15

What can a decrease in the vacuum gauge reading indicate?

Answer 15

A decrease in the compound vacuum gauge reading can indicate:

• branches being shut down
• slight air leak on te suction side of the pump
• level of supply raised ( tide come in)

Question 16

What can a increase in the vacuum (compound) gauge reading indicate?

Answer 16

An increase on the vacuum (compound) gauge reading can indicate:

• suction strainer blocked
• branches opened
• burst delivery hose
• level of supply dropped (tide gone out)

Question 17

What are the possible causes of the pump failing to prime ( compound gauge showing no vacuum reading)?

Answer 17

• suction strainer not adequately submerged
• loose/faulty suction joints
• open drain cock or loose drain plug in pump casing
• air leak in suction hose
• defective seal (should not rise suddenly)
• serious leak in pipes/connections to gauges
• defective primer
• compound gauge damper closed

Question 18

What are the possible causes of the pump failing to prime ( compound gauge showing very high vacuum reading)?

Answer 18

blocked suction strainer

faulty suction hose (collapsed)