* TROUBLESHOOTING / EMERGENCY PROCEDURES Flashcards
Always Notify Command immediately for what of the following problems? (6)
- Engine overheating
- Pump Loss or it doesn’t have prime
- Loss of supply line
- Extreme fire event or unsafe condition
- Need for rescue
- Difficulty getting a supply
What are 4 things I can do when the engine overheats?
What could help but probably not?
What should I not do? (Use to be recommended in older apparatus. New apparatus are designed to cool down with cab closed.
- Ensure “Recirc-Valve” Or “Engine Cooler is open. [Both names are the same valve just labeled differently on different generations of our apparatus. This should NEVER be closed.]
- Open a small handline and spray water directly on the radiator
- Do not take apparatus out of pump if overheating. Keep water circulating through the pump to maintain cool water in pump manifold.
- Throttle down to idle if able
- Turn off loads inside CAB (AC, etc); turn on heater
- Tilt cab
[Note] When our apparatus’ pumps are engaged this by default engages the fan clutch and also allows the diesel engine to properly utilize the “Recirc Valve” or “Engine Cooler” this is a small radiator similar to a trans or oil cooler behind the pump panel that is attached in series to the diesel engine radiator and cooling system and utilizes water from the fire pump to circulate through this small radiator to assist in keeping the “Engine coolant or radiator fluid” cooler.
[Note] The “Recirc Valve” or “Engine Cooler” Does not provide any cooling benefit to the water inside the fire pump and will not be of any assistance when attempting to cool the fire pump during pumping operations.
If the overheating persists;
- Emergency Traffic
- Notify Command
- Consider having another truck pump through me with 2 1/2 or 5 inch (If I have a supply, I could also connect from my intake to their intake for dual pumping)
- Insure that all interior crews are out of the structure
- Shut down the truck
Pump Loses or Doesn’t Have Prime While attempting to operate or while operating on tank water, check the following: (4)
- Is the truck in pump gear?
- Is the tank to pump valve open?
- Is there water in the tank?
- Engage primer for 15+ seconds
While attempting to operate or operating on hydrant water the pump loses or doesn’t have a prime, check the following:
- Has the supply line been lost due to rupture?
- Is the Keystone valve open?
- Did someone shut off my hydrant or did it go dry
- Engage primer for 15+ seconds (as a last resort)
Loss of Supply Line (pt1)
[due to failure of or damage to the hose, the following must be done immediately.]
—The first three items must be done prior to notifying Command—
IF I HAVE NOT IDLED DOWN
1. Open the tank to pump valve
2. Close the keystone valve
3. Shut down any exterior or exposure lines
IF I HAVE IDLED DOWN
1. Close the keystone valve
2. Open the tank to pump valve
3. Shut down any exterior or exposure lines
4. Reestablish pumping pressures if necessary
Loss of Supply Line (pt2)
[due to failure of or damage to the hose, the following must be done immediately.]
- Notify Command via emergency traffic to notify the company (ies) on the lines inside the structure of the situation and to exit the structure.
- Shut down the hydrant or use hose clamp on supply line if hydrant is too far away
- Replace the damaged section(s) of hose.
- Restart pumping sequence.
What are common signs of cavitation?
- Rock or gravel noise inside pump
- Non-corresponding rise in pressure
- Pressure gauge on pump will fluctuate
What could happen with low intake pressure?
What should I do?
- It could look like I have lost my supply
- I might not notice for first line or two (or three)
- When I open a larger line or another apparatus flows more water from the supply
- I may start to cavitate
- Close down unnecessary lines, and notify command of my inability to flow more lines or need for another supply
What is one was to see if I have lost my supply or if my intake pressure is low…
What do I look for?
- Make sure to open the tank to pump, if not open already (but remember my tank can only supply 500gpm, so if I’m flowing more I will cavitate)
- Close my intake valve
- if the hose remains limp, then I have lost supply
- if the hose becomes firm, then I have low intake pressure
