Operate Pumps Flashcards
Label the seven (7) components of a centrifugal pump:
- Water inlet
- Eye
- Vane
- Impeller
- Water outlet
- Casing
- Volute
What are some of the water supplies available to a firefighter:
Fire truck/appliance - limited
Reticulated - water mains, pressurised. ie. hydrants
Static - open water supply, unpressurised ie. lakes, dams, rivers
What are the measurement units of pressure:
Kilopascal (kPa)
Air pressure = bar
State the pressure capacity loss based on the lift in meters:
- 3 metre lift - rated
- 4.5 meter lift - loses approx. 20%
- 6 meter lift - loses approx. 40%
- 7.5 meter lift (practical lift limit) - loses approx. 66%
- 10 meter lift - maximum theoretical lift
What is a pump?
A mechanical device that pushes or moves fluid or air from one place to another. When pumping there is a source (supply) and destination (delivery).
List the considerations for positioning the appliance (10):
- Visible to other road users
- Hard surface or even ground
- Park brakes/wheel chocks
- Uphill / Upwind of the incident
- Possibility of fire escalation, explosion and building collapse
- Clear of power lines/trees
- Incident visible from the pump panel
- Access clear - other E/S
- Avoid the ‘candle moth’ syndrome
- Make best use of the water source
Pump considerations:
- How much water am I using/how much do I have
- Don’t over commit the supply
- Where can I get more water
- Communicate
- Monitor instruments
- Back fill
- Water ON / Water OFF calls
- Monitor/adjust/pressure relief
Describe two (2) different types of pump installations:
Mid-mounted pump:
The pumps fitted to FRV Division A appliances are mid-mounted on pumper and pumper tankers (and all telebooms). They are located behind the crew cabin and fixed to vehicle chassis.
Rear-mounted pump:
Pumps on Division B appliances and all water tankers are rear-mounted.
Explain automatic impeller cooling provided to appliance-mounted pumps:
Automatic Impeller cooling is required when the pump is operated at high speed with all delivery outlets closed.
- A provision of constant bleed lines from the main pump discharge and second stage discharge, to bleed a small quantity of water from the pumps back into the tank supply.
- Additionally, should the main pump assembly overheat, a thermostatically controlled valve will open and dump water.
- The recirculation valve in Heavy Pumpers allows a small flow of water to pass through the Godiva pumps for cooling purposes.
Pumps gauges:
Main pump pressure gauge
- Always orange and linked to main deliveries
- Shows the water pressure in the main pump or low pressure pump casing in kPa
- For most pumping operations, the main pump will ideally run at approximately 1000 kPa.
2nd stage gauge
- Always red and linked to the hose reels and high pressure lever on the number 2 delivery
- Show the higher pressure being supplied to the high pressure hose reels and booster delivery outlet
- For high pressure hose reels, the 2nd stage pump will ideally run between 2000 and 3000 kPa, irrespective of the main pump pressure.
Compound gauge
- The compound gauge shows above (black - more water coming in) and below (red - more water going out) atmospheric pressure.
Describe and explain relay pumping and multi-stage pumps:
Relay pumping is used where a source of water, sufficient for firefighting operations, is a long distance from the incident.
Relay pumping consists of a number of pumps spaced at intervals between a water source and the incident.
What is the rated capacity of a pump?
1000kPa from a 3 metre lift
List the four (4) strict procedures to be adhered to if there is a fault in the transmission:
- DO NOT select or change ANY gear on the gear selector
- Notify the workshops (MES) immediately via FIRECOM and place vehicle out of commission
- Drive the vehicle to the nearest Fire Station or as directed by workshops
- Apply the hand brake and leave the engine running. DO NOT SELECT (‘N’) NEUTRAL.
What are the capacities of the DeckMaster electric remote monitor:
- Water capacity of 3800 L/min at 1000 kPa
- Foam capacity of 3800 L/min at 1000 kPa (3% induction)
- Foam capacity of 2650 L/min at 1000 kPa (6% induction)
List the four (4) precautions which must be adhered to when using a Blitzfire portable ground monitor:
- The monitor must be manned at All times
- The monitor should not exceed 1200 kPa
- The monitor should be tied off whenever possible
- Before operating ensure that the monitor’s legs are fully extended
