Pumping Apparatus Driver/Operator Handbook Definitions Flashcards
Batch mixing
Production of foam solution by adding an appropriate amount of foam concentrate to a water tank before application; the resulting solution must be used or discarded following the incident
Bed Ladder Pipe
Nontelescoping section of pipe, usually 3 or 3 1/2 inches (77 or 90 mm) in diameter, attached to the underside of the bed section of the aerial ladder for the purpose of deploying an elevated master stream
Biodegradable
Capable of being broken down into innocuous products by the actions of living things, such as microorganisms
Bleed
Process of releasing a liquid or gas under pressure, such as releasing air from the regulator or cylinder of a self-contained breathing apparatus; or allowing air to escape from a hoseline before or during operations
Blitz Attack
Attack a fire aggressively from the exterior with a large diameter (2 1/2 inch [65mm] of larger) fire stream
Body Substance Isolation (BSI)
Comprehensive method of infection control in which every patient is assumed to be infected; personal protective equipment is worn to prevent exposure to bodily fluids and bloodborne and airborne pathogens
Box Stabilizer
2-piece aerial apparatus stabilization device consisting of an extension arm that extends directly out from the vehicle and a lifting jack that extends from the end of the extension arm to the ground
Braking Distance
Distance the vehicle travels from the time the brakes are applied until it comes to a complete stop
Burnback Resistance
Ability of a foam blanket to resist direct flame impingement such as in a partially extinguished petroleum fire
Cavitation
Condition in which vacuum pockets form, due to localized regions of low pressure at the vanes in the impeller of a centrifugal pump causing vibrations, loss of efficiency, and possibly damage to the impeller
Centrifugal Pump
Pump with one or more impellers that rotate and utilize centrifugal force to more the water. Most modern fire pumps are of this type
Chassis Lubrication
Applying grease and other lubricants to specific parts of a chassis to reduce wear, noise, and binding
Check Valves
Automatic valve that permits liquid flow in only one direction. For example, the inline valve that prevents water from flowing into a foam concentrate container when the nozzle is turned OFF or there is a kink in the hoseline
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
term for several diseases that result in obstructive problems in the airways
Circle or Walk-Around Method
Inspection method in which the driver or inspector starts at one point of the apparatus and continues in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction inspecting the entire apparatus
Cistern
Water storage receptacle that is usually underground and may be supplied by a well or rainwater runoff
Class A Foam Concentrate
Foam specially designed for use on Class A combustibles. Class A foams, hydrocarbon-based surfactants are essentially welting agents that reduce the surface tension of water and allow it to soak into combustible materials more easily then plain water. Class A foams are becoming increasingly popular for use in wildland and structural fire fighting
Class B Foam Concentrate
Foam fire suppression agent designed for use on ignited or unignited class B flammable or combustible liquids
Cold Zone
Safe area outside of the warm zone, where equipment and personnel are not expected to become contaminated and special protective clothing is not required; the incident command post and other support functions are typically located in this zone
Commercial Drivers’ License (CDL)
A driver’s license that is issued to individuals who demonstrate competence inspecting and driving vehicles with a gross vehicle rating of 26,001 pounds or more
Battalion
Fire department organizational subdivision consisting of several fire service companies in a designated geographical area. A battalion is usually the first organizational level above individual companies or stations
Base
Location at which the primary incident management logistics functions are coordinated and administered; the incident command post may be co-located with the base. There is only one base per incident
Back Flushing
Cleaning a fire pump or piping by flowing water through it in the opposite direction or normal flow
Atypically Stressful Event
Term used in National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards to describe incidents that have a likelihood of causing critical incident stress
Articulating Aerial Platform
Aerial device that consists of two or more booms that are attached with hinges and operate in a folding manner. A passenger-carrying platform is attached to the working end of the device
Around-The-Pump Proportioner
Apparatus-mounted foam proportioner in which a small quantity of water is diverted from the apparatus pump through an inline proportioner; there it picks up the foam concentrate and carries it to the intake side of the pump. It is the most common apparatus-mounted foam proportioner in service.
Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF)
Synthetic foam concentrate that, when combined with water, can form a complete vapor barrier over fuel spills and fires and is a highly effective extinguishing and blanketing agent on hydrocarbon fuels
Dump Line
Secured hoseline that is used to handle excess water during a relay operation
Culture
The shared assumptions, beliefs, and valves of a group or organizations
Collapse Zone
Area beneath a wall in which the wall is likely to land if it loses structural integrity
Clapper Valves
Hinged valve that permits the flow of water in one direction only
Chronic
Long-term and reoccurring
Chain of Command
Order of rank and authority in the fire and emergency services
Carcinogen
cancer-producing substance
Brake Fade
Loss of braking function that occurs due to excessive use of the brakes
Baffle
Intermediate partial bulkhead that reduces the surge effect in a partially loaded liquid tank
Back Pressure
Pressure loss or gain created by changes in elevation between the nozzle and pump
Auger
Tool for boring (drilling) holes in floors and other solid barriers including ice
Application Rate
Minimum amount of foam solution that must be applied to an unignited fire, spill, or spill fire to either control vapor emission or extinguish the fire; measured per minute per square foot (or square meter) of area to be covered
Apparatus Typing
Categorization and description of apparatus commonly exchanged in disasters via mutual aid by capacity and/or capabilities
Anti-lock Braking Systems
An electric system that monitors wheel spin. When braking and a wheel are sensed to begin locking up, the brake on that wheel is temporarily released to prevent skidding
Anchor Point
Point from which a fire line is begun; Usually a natural or man-made barrier that prevents fire spread and the possibility of the crew being “flanked” while constructing the fire line, examples include lakes, ponds, streams, roads, earlier burns, rockslides, and cliffs
Ammeter
Gauge that indicated both the amount of electrical current being drawn from and provided to the vehicle’s battery
Altitude
Geographic position of a location or object in relation to sea level. The location may be either above, below, or at sea level
All-Hazard Concept
A coordinated approach to a wide variety of incidents; all responders use a similar, coordinated approach with a common set of authorities, protections, and resources
Alcohol-Resistant Aqueous Film Forming Foam Concentrate (AR-AFFF)
Aqueous film forming foam that is designed for use with polar solvent fuels
Air Drop
Process of dropping water, short-term fire retardant, or long-term fire retardant from an air tanker or helicopter onto a wildland fire
Air Brake Test
Series of tests used to ensure the serviceability of an air braking system. Tests include air loss, air compressor buildup, air warning, and emergency parking brake activation
Air-Actuated Braking Systems
Braking system that uses compressed air to hold off a spring brake (parking brake) and applies air pressure to a service brake for vehicle stopping
Aerial Ladder Truss
Assembly of bracing bars or rods in triangular shapes that form a rigid framework for the aerial device
Aerial ladder
power-operated ladder, usually employing hydraulics, that is mounted on a special truck chassis
Aerial Device
General term used to describe the hydraulically operated ladder or elevating platform attached to a specially designed fire apparatus
Aerial Apparatus
Fire fighting vehicle equipped with a hydraulically operated ladder, elevating platform, or other similar device for the purpose of placing personnel and/or water streams in elevated positions
Aeration
Introduction of air into a foam solution to create bubbles that result in finished foam
Acute
Sharp or severe; having a rapid onset and short duration
Acceptance Testing
Preservice tests on fire apparatus or equipment, performed at the factory or after delivery, to assure the purchaser that the apparatus or equipment meets bid specifications
Acceleration skids
sliding and loss of control caused by applying a vehicles gas pedal too quickly
Fireboat
Vessel or watercraft designed and constructed for the purpose of fighting fires; provides a specified level of pumping capacity and personnel for the extinguishment of fires in the marine environment
Film Forming Fluoroprotein Foam (FFFP)
foam concentrate that combines the qualities of fluoroprotein foam with those of aqueous film forming foam
Fill Site
Location at which tankers/tenders will be loaded during a water shittle operation
Engine Compression Brake
Any device that uses the engine and transmission to impede the forward motion of the motor vehicle by compression of the engine
Elevation Pressure
Gain or loss of pressure in a hoseline due to a change in elevation
Elevation
Height of a point above sea level or some other reference point
Elevating Platform
Work platform attached to the end of an articulating or telescoping aerial device
Eductor
- portable proportioning device that injects a liquid, such as foam concentrate, into the water flowing through a hoseline or pipe
- Venturi device that uses water pressure to draw foam concentrate into a water stream for mixing; also enables a pump to draw water from an auxiliary source
Eduction
Process used to mix foam concentrate with water in a nozzle or proportioner; concentrate is drawn into the water stream by the venturi method
Dynamic Load
Loads that involve motion. They include the forces arising from wind, moving vehicles, earthquakes, vibration, or falling objects, as well as the addition of a moving load force to an aerial device or structure
Dump Site
Location approved for water shuttle apparatus to discharge their water for other apparatus to draw during incident operations
Due Regard
Driver/operators drive with “due regard” for the safety of others using the highways. State vehicle codes provide and give special privileges to the operators or emergency vehicles; however, this does not relieve the operator from the duty and responsibility to drive with “due regard” for the safety of others
Dual pumping
Operation where a strong hydrant is used to supply 2 pumpers by connecting the pumpers intake-to-intake. The second pumper receives the excess water not being pumped by the first pumper, which is directly connected to the water supply source
Dry Hydrant
Permanently installed pipe that has pumper suction connections installed at static water sources to spree drafting operations
dry-Barrel Hydrant
Fire hydrant that has its operating valve at the water main rather than in the barrel of the hydrant. when operating properly, there is no water in the barrel of the hydrant when it is not in used. These hydrants are used in areas where freezing may occur
Drafting
Process of acquiring water from a static source and transferring it into a pump that is above the source’s level; Atmospheric pressure on the water surface forces the water into the pump where a partial vacuum was created
Distribution Systems
Part of an overall water supply system that receives the water from the pumping station and delivers it throughout the area to be served
Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF)
Device designed to remove diesel particulate matter or soot from the exhaust gas of a diesel engine
Dependable Lift
Height a column of water may be lifted in sufficient quantity to provide a reliable fire flow. Lift may be raised through a hard suction hose to a pump, taking into consideration the atmospheric pressure and friction loss within the hard suction hose; dependable lift is usually considered to be 14.7 feet (4.48m)
Defensive Attack
Exterior fire attack that is limited to controlling the spread of a fire, with an emphasis on exposure protection
Decomposition
Chemical change in which a substance breaks down into 2 or more simpler substances. Results of oxygen acting on a material that result in a change in the material’s composition; oxidation occurs slowly, sometimes resulting in the rusting of metals
Deadheading
Operating a hydraulic pump without allowing flow through the system, which generates tremendous heat and pressure and can damage components
Compressed Air Foam System (CAFS)
Generic term used to describe a high-energy foam-generation system consisting of a water pump, a foam proportioning system, and an air compressor (or other air source) that injects air into the foam solution before it enters a hoseline
Company
Basic fire fighting organizational unit consisting of firefighters and apparatus; headed by a company officer
Fire Department Connection (FDC)
Point at which the fire department can connect into a sprinkler or standpipe system to boost the water pressure and flow in the system. This connection consist of a clappered siamese with 2 or more 2 1/2 inch (64mm) intakes or one large diameter (4 inch [102mm] or larger) intake
Fire fighting Boots
Protective footwear meeting the design requirements of NFPA, OSHA, & CAN/CSA Z195-02
Fire Flow Testing
Procedure used to determine the rate of water flow available for fire fighting at various points within the distribution system
Flowmeter
Mechanical device installed in a discharge line that senses the amount of water flowing and provides a readout in units of gallons per minute (or liters per minute)
Fly Section
Extendable section of ground extensor or aerial ladder
Foam
Extinguishing agent formed by mixing foam concentrate with water and aerating the solution for expansion; for use on Class A and Class B fires. Foam may be protein, fluoroprotein, film forming fluoroprotein, synthetic, aqueous film forming, high expansion, alcohol type, or alcohol-resistant type
Foam Concentrate
- Raw chemical compound solution that is mixed with water and air to produce finished foam; may be protein, synthetic, aqueous film forming, high expansion, or alcohol types
- Raw foam liquid as it rests in its storage container before the introduction of water and air
Overload
Operation of equipment or a conductor in excess of its rated ampacity; continuous overload may result in overheating that damages the equipment
Outside Screw and Yoke (OS&Y) Valve
Outside stem and yoke valve; a type of control valve for a sprinkler system in which the position of the center screw indicates whether the valve is open or closed
Operational Readiness Inspection
Inspecting an apparatus and equipment on the apparatus to ensure that all equipment is in place, clean, and ready for service
Overthrottling
Process of injecting or supplying the diesel engine with ore fuel than be burned
Nurse Tanker
Very large water tanker (generally 4,000 gallons [16,000 L] or larger) that is stationed at the fire scene and serves as a portable reservoir rather than as a shuttle tanker
Nozzle Reaction
Counterforce directed against a person holding a nozzle or a device holding a nozzle by the velocity of water being discharged
Nonpotable Water
Water that has not been examined, properly treated, or approved by appropriate authorities as being safe for consumption
Nondestructive Testing
Method of testing metal objects that does not subject them to stress-related damage
Open Butt
End of a charged hoseline that is flowing water without a nozzle or valve to control the flow
Net Pump Discharge Pressure (NPDP)
Actual amount of pressure being produced by the pump; difference between the intake pressure and the discharge pressure
National Incident Management System - Incident Command System (NIMS-ICS)
U.S. mandated incident management system that defines the roles, responsibilities, and standard operating procedures used to manage emergency operations; creates a unified incident response structure for federal, state, and local governments
Mop-Up
- overhaul of a fire or hazardous material scene
- In wildland fire fighting, the act of making a fire safe after it is controlled by extinguishing or removing burning material along or near the control line, felling dead trees (snags), and trenching logs to prevent rolling
Mitigate
To cause to become less harash or hostile; to make less severe, intense or painful; to alleviate
Negligence
Breach of duty in which a person or organization fails to perform at the standard required by law or that would be expected by a reasonable person under similar circumstances
Mini-Pumper
Small fire apparatus mounted on a pickup-truck-sized chassis, usually with a pump having a rated capacity less than 500 gpm (2,000 L/min). Its primary advantage is speed and mobility, which enables it to respond to fires more rapidly than larger apparatus
Military Specifications (Mil-Specs)
Specifications developed by the U.S. department of Defense (DoD) for the purchase of materials and equipment
Midi-Pumper
Apparatus sized between a mini-pumper and a full-sized fire department pumper, usually with a gross vehicle weight of 12,000 pounds (6,000 kg) or greater. the midi-pumper has a fire pump with a rated capacity generally not greater than 1,000 gpm (4,000 L/min)
Mechanical Foam
Foam produced by a physical agitation of a mixture of foam concentrate, water, and oil
Mechanical Blower
High-expansion foam generator that uses a fan to inject the air into the foam solution as it passes through the unit
Maximum Lift
Maximum height to which any amount of water may be raised through a hard suction hose to a pump; determined by the ability of the pump to create a vacuum
Miscible
Materials that are capable of being mixed in all proportions
Manhole
- hole through which a person may go to gain access to an underground or enclosed structure
- opening usually equipped with a removable, lockable cover, that is large enough to admit a person into a tank trailer or dry bulk trailer
Maintenance
Keeping equipment or apparatus in a state of usefulness or readiness
Manual Shift Transmission
Component of the power train that receives torque from the engine and converts it to rotation to the wheels. A Clutch is used to disengage the transmission from the engine to allow the apparatus to start, stop, or change gears to maximize engine performance
Load Shedding
When an overload condition occurs, the load monitor shuts down less important electrical equipment to prevent the overload