Operating Fire Pumps

Question 1

What two items need to be done to make a fire pump operational?

Answer 1

Properly positioning and parking brake has been set.

Question 2

What actions should be taken by the driver when transitioning to an external water supply?

Answer 2

• Connect the supply line into an appropriate intake of the fire pump
• Make the connection to an intake with a closed gate valve
• Open the bleeder valve on the gated intake so that air can escape ahead of the water supply.

Question 3

What are the methods used to determine how much water more water a hydrant can supply?

Answer 3

Percentage method
First digit method
Squaring the lines method

Question 4

What factors should be considered when selecting a drafting site?

Answer 4

Amount of water
Type or quality of water
Accessibility of water

Question 5

What factors affect pump discharge pressure in hose lays for use in supplying a fire department connection for standpipes?

Answer 5

Pressure loss
Friction loss
Friction loss in the hose on the fire floor
Nozzle pressure for the type of nozzle in use
Elevation pressure due to height of building

Question 6

What are some problems that may need to be addressed if a supply line that was charged suddenly loses water?

Answer 6

The supply line may have burst
A vehicle may have parked on it
The source may be compromised
The hydrant hydrant or water main may have failed
A portable tank may need to be replenished