Pumper OperationsPumper Operations

Why do we need to be concerned Why do we need to be concerned about being good pump operators? about being good pump operators?

When we are good pump operators When we are good pump operators the personnel working the hand lines the personnel working the hand lines are getting the right pressures to fight are getting the right pressures to fight the fire and protecting us for legal the fire and protecting us for legal reason.reason.

The truck is being used to its proper The truck is being used to its proper flows and not exceeding the flows and not exceeding the maximummaximum rating on the ULC label rating on the ULC label 100%75%50%100%75%50%

Types of gages found on a truckTypes of gages found on a truck Knowing on how to put the pump into Knowing on how to put the pump into

operation operation Different types of pumps Different types of pumps Different types of priming devices Different types of priming devices What is the main purpose of a pumperWhat is the main purpose of a pumper The immediate need for waterThe immediate need for water Influence on the positioning the Influence on the positioning the

pumperpumper

Items we will be reviewing in this lesson

Water supply sourcesWater supply sources Types of hookups to supply a pumper Types of hookups to supply a pumper

What is the Difference between What is the Difference between pumping and relay pumpingpumping and relay pumping

Friction loss Friction loss Flows of Nozzles Flows of Nozzles Fire ground calculation for hydraulics Fire ground calculation for hydraulics The use of relief valve and how it worksThe use of relief valve and how it works The differences between a relief valve The differences between a relief valve

and a governorand a governor

Discharge gages for the lines

Stop the truck in the place that you Stop the truck in the place that you need, put in neutral, put the brakes on, need, put in neutral, put the brakes on, take the transmission out of gear and take the transmission out of gear and place the pump in gear by way of a place the pump in gear by way of a transfer valve, then put the transfer valve, then put the transmission into gear - i.e. 5transmission into gear - i.e. 5thth/4th gear /4th gear or drive depending on the unit and way or drive depending on the unit and way it is manufacturedit is manufactured

KNOWING HOW TO PUT THE PUMP INTO GEAR

Oil pressure Oil pressure Tach RPM - you should check it with Tach RPM - you should check it with

the cab to see if they match or close the cab to see if they match or close Engine coolantEngine coolant Water tank levelWater tank level Voltage Voltage

Types of Gages found

Compound\Vacuum - this gage is found on Compound\Vacuum - this gage is found on the pump panel and reads on the intake the pump panel and reads on the intake side of the pump. This gage is capable of side of the pump. This gage is capable of reading a negative & positive pressure reading a negative & positive pressure vacuum vacuum

Compound and Pressure Gauges

This gage when working shows you This gage when working shows you how much water pressure being how much water pressure being pulled at a draft in negative pressure. pulled at a draft in negative pressure. Once you have a flow of water coming Once you have a flow of water coming in it shows you a Residual pressure in it shows you a Residual pressure that is water for you to use. You do that is water for you to use. You do not want to go below 140kpa residual not want to go below 140kpa residual pressure as you may cause pump pressure as you may cause pump damage or cavitation of the pumpdamage or cavitation of the pump

Gages continued

Pressure gage on the discharge side of Pressure gage on the discharge side of the pump shows you the water the pump shows you the water pressure on the output side of the pressure on the output side of the pump.pump.

Centrifugal PumpsCentrifugal Pumps

Positive Displacement Pumps ie: Piston Positive Displacement Pumps ie: Piston Pumps or Rotary PumpsPumps or Rotary Pumps

The pumps on this depart are Centrifugal The pumps on this depart are Centrifugal The Operation of a centrifugal is water The Operation of a centrifugal is water

enters the the eye or center of the pump enters the the eye or center of the pump and the impeller rotates with the vanes and the impeller rotates with the vanes on the impeller and forces the water out on the impeller and forces the water out the volute making pressure the faster it the volute making pressure the faster it turns. turns.

Different Types of Pumps

The volute casing is shaped smaller on The volute casing is shaped smaller on one side and then gets larger at the one side and then gets larger at the discharge side - this is how it makes it discharge side - this is how it makes it pressure.pressure.

Centrifugal Pumps can’t pump air so Centrifugal Pumps can’t pump air so these types of pumps need a priming these types of pumps need a priming device.device.

We didn't talk about the other types of We didn't talk about the other types of pumps hear because we don’t have any pumps hear because we don’t have any of themof them

Pumps continued

Successful drafting depends the ability to create a Successful drafting depends the ability to create a lower pressure within the pump.lower pressure within the pump.

This results in water being forced up the intake hose This results in water being forced up the intake hose into the pump by atmospheric pressure. As stated into the pump by atmospheric pressure. As stated earlier centrifugal can’t pump air this is why we earlier centrifugal can’t pump air this is why we need primers.need primers.

When pulling a prime pull it for maximum 30sec a When pulling a prime pull it for maximum 30sec a good prime is 10-15 sec good prime is 10-15 sec

With a RPM of 900-1200With a RPM of 900-1200 Draft sites options 3,meters of lift vs. 6, meters of lift Draft sites options 3,meters of lift vs. 6, meters of lift

for best water delivery to pump is 3,meters for best water delivery to pump is 3,meters

Priming Devices

Positive displacement, exhaust, vacuumPositive displacement, exhaust, vacuum Positive Displacement primers are rotary Positive Displacement primers are rotary

gear or vane pumps driven by small gear or vane pumps driven by small electric motor or other mechanical electric motor or other mechanical means from the pump transfer gear means from the pump transfer gear case.case.

Possible now are Air primers low Possible now are Air primers low maintenance maintenance

Different types

Exhaust primers are found on portable Exhaust primers are found on portable pumps - they work by diverting the pumps - they work by diverting the exhaust gases to a chamber where the exhaust gases to a chamber where the velocity of the gases pass through a velocity of the gases pass through a venturi creating a vacuum and venturi creating a vacuum and discharging it to the atmosphere.discharging it to the atmosphere.

Exhaust primers must be kept in good Exhaust primers must be kept in good shape to work.shape to work.

Exhaust Primers

Vacuum primers are the simplest type of Vacuum primers are the simplest type of primer it use - the vacuum already present primer it use - the vacuum already present in the intake of any gas powered motor. in the intake of any gas powered motor.

These types of primers are not used as These types of primers are not used as much anymore much anymore

Danger of this was pulling water back into Danger of this was pulling water back into the motor and killing the motor found on the motor and killing the motor found on older trucks older trucks

Vacuum Primers

Vacuum primers create 2 dangers, 1st Vacuum primers create 2 dangers, 1st the intake manifold contains explosive the intake manifold contains explosive gases that could be drawn into the gases that could be drawn into the pump and cause damage. 2nd when pump and cause damage. 2nd when prime has been made, water could be prime has been made, water could be drawn through the pump into the drawn through the pump into the intake manifold causing engine intake manifold causing engine damagedamage

Vacuum Primers Continued

Provide water at adequate pressure for Provide water at adequate pressure for firefighting streamsfirefighting streams

What is the immediate need for waterWhat is the immediate need for water Where are the water sources going to Where are the water sources going to

come fromcome from

What is the Main purpose of a Pumper

Knowing how much water you have on Knowing how much water you have on the truck and where to find other water the truck and where to find other water sources that can be used. If you need sources that can be used. If you need a water supply from the other source a water supply from the other source lay the line to the side of the road or lay the line to the side of the road or driveway to allow other units in.driveway to allow other units in.

Purpose of Pumper Continued

Should stop the unit short of the building Should stop the unit short of the building on fire and find the best spot to place the on fire and find the best spot to place the truck. Such as keeping the truck upwind truck. Such as keeping the truck upwind and away from a collapse zone of a and away from a collapse zone of a building.building.

Exposures – watch for any to protect and Exposures – watch for any to protect and being able to deploy lines to look after being able to deploy lines to look after this.this.

This gives you ideas where you would This gives you ideas where you would place equipment.place equipment.

Influence on positioning the Pumper

Watch for the terrain you might have Watch for the terrain you might have to work in - look for hard packed to work in - look for hard packed ground. If fighting any brush or grass ground. If fighting any brush or grass fire, try to get into the burned area fire, try to get into the burned area with the equipment as the fire will not with the equipment as the fire will not burn back on you. Then work from burn back on you. Then work from inside to out to put this type of fire out. inside to out to put this type of fire out. Watch the ground and remember Watch the ground and remember what the weather has been before.what the weather has been before.

Position Pumper Continued

Water Supply SourcesWater Supply Sources Water Supply TankersWater Supply Tankers Pressurized sources, hydrants,Pressurized sources, hydrants, Static sources, lakes, Static sources, lakes,

ponds,creeks,portable tanks,pools, ponds,creeks,portable tanks,pools, On the fire ground the pumper could On the fire ground the pumper could

be fed by the way of supply line be fed by the way of supply line running up the side of the laneway running up the side of the laneway from water tankers road from water tankers road

Water Sources

Or another pumper could be placed at Or another pumper could be placed at the water source and the water the water source and the water pushed up the supply lines to the pushed up the supply lines to the pumper at the scene.pumper at the scene.

Drafting with a suction hose from a Drafting with a suction hose from a static source static source

Hooking a 2-1\2 or 4 inch supply line to Hooking a 2-1\2 or 4 inch supply line to a pressured source i:e hydrant,a pressured source i:e hydrant,

Or as mentioned just before - from Or as mentioned just before - from water tankers hauling water to the fire water tankers hauling water to the fire by the way of lines or dumping into a by the way of lines or dumping into a portatank. portatank.

Types of hookups

Dual pumping is when more than one Dual pumping is when more than one truck can pump off the same hydrant truck can pump off the same hydrant because it is strong and high flow of because it is strong and high flow of water. The advantages - shorter hose water. The advantages - shorter hose lays - better use of the water lays - better use of the water available. Dual units are usually close available. Dual units are usually close together and intake to intake bring together and intake to intake bring water into the first truck and then out water into the first truck and then out to the 2 truck intake port.to the 2 truck intake port.

The difference between tandem and dual pumping is:

Relay pumping is when one truck is at Relay pumping is when one truck is at the hydrant and feeds the other truck the hydrant and feeds the other truck with the lines a distance away, so the with the lines a distance away, so the way this works is the 1st truck takes the way this works is the 1st truck takes the hydrant into its intake and pushes it hydrant into its intake and pushes it through the pump and discharges through the pump and discharges through its discharge outlets to the 2nd through its discharge outlets to the 2nd truck or so on from there. If greater truck or so on from there. If greater pressure is needed in a long lay you pressure is needed in a long lay you could have another truck involved. could have another truck involved.

Tandem Pumping

All hose has friction loss and the All hose has friction loss and the numbers we will show you are easy for numbers we will show you are easy for figuring out the friction loss in the line figuring out the friction loss in the line lays. We will show you the friction loss lays. We will show you the friction loss numbers for 1-1\2 - 38mm and 2-1\2 – numbers for 1-1\2 - 38mm and 2-1\2 – 65mm inch hose on the next pages 65mm inch hose on the next pages coming up.coming up.

All handline nozzles have a setting of All handline nozzles have a setting of 700kpa to be added to your friction 700kpa to be added to your friction loss loss

Friction Loss:

So a hose flowing 500-L\m So a hose flowing 500-L\m ________30m \100ft_______________________30m \100ft_______________

The friction loss is 270 per 1-1\2 hose The friction loss is 270 per 1-1\2 hose per 30 m or 100ft per 30 m or 100ft

So for the right pump pressures on the So for the right pump pressures on the panel should be with the nozzles that panel should be with the nozzles that are flowing 700 n p. To figure this out are flowing 700 n p. To figure this out for the flow above, would be 700 n p + for the flow above, would be 700 n p + 270 fl = 970 kpa.270 fl = 970 kpa.

The Guideline for 38mm\1-1\2 hoseThe Guideline for 38mm\1-1\2 hose is is

500L\M @270, 500L\M @270, 375L\M @170375L\M @170

250L\M@70, 250L\M@70, 125L\M @20.125L\M @20. The guideline for 65mm\2-1\2 hose isThe guideline for 65mm\2-1\2 hose is 950L\M @ 90, 950L\M @ 90, 750L\M @ 60, 750L\M @ 60, 550L\M @ 30 550L\M @ 30 450L\M@ 20450L\M@ 20 You will need to have to remember these for You will need to have to remember these for

later we will help you with this later we will help you with this

So a hose of 38mm flowing @ N.P of 700 So a hose of 38mm flowing @ N.P of 700 flowing 500L\M and lay of 45m the flowing 500L\M and lay of 45m the pressurepressure

needed on the P.P = 1105 needed on the P.P = 1105 So a 65mm hose flowing @ N.P of 700 So a 65mm hose flowing @ N.P of 700

flowing 950L\M and lay of 60m the flowing 950L\M and lay of 60m the pressure needed on the P.P = 880pressure needed on the P.P = 880

We all will work through this on paper at We all will work through this on paper at the end of this learning part and you all the end of this learning part and you all will be given a card with the friction loss will be given a card with the friction loss on it.on it.

One thing to remember is that for One thing to remember is that for every meter of height change we must every meter of height change we must + or -- 10kpa+ or -- 10kpa

Most of our nozzle that are on the Most of our nozzle that are on the trucks right now, flow 700Kpa. We do trucks right now, flow 700Kpa. We do have some older steel nozzles found on have some older steel nozzles found on units and that have select flows on units and that have select flows on them. them.

In the most part when you plan out In the most part when you plan out your friction loss go with the higher your friction loss go with the higher flow.flow.

F.T 375L\MF.T 375L\M 60m of 38mm 700 N.P60m of 38mm 700 N.P PP needed is 1040PP needed is 1040

F.T 950L\MF.T 950L\M 120m of 65mm 700 N.P120m of 65mm 700 N.P PP needed is 1060PP needed is 1060

Fire Ground Hydraulics Calculation

F.T 250L\MF.T 250L\M 90m of 38mm 700 N.P90m of 38mm 700 N.P

PP needed is 910PP needed is 910

75m of 65mm 75m of 65mm 950l\m950l\m 700n.p700n.p with an elevation of 20meters with an elevation of 20meters PP needed is 1125PP needed is 1125

90m of 65mm 30m of 38mm90m of 65mm 30m of 38mm on both 500L\M on both 500L\M

700N.P700N.P PP needed is 1240PP needed is 1240

75m of 38mm 500L\M75m of 38mm 500L\M

with a drop in elevation of 25 m 700N.Pwith a drop in elevation of 25 m 700N.P PP needed is 1125PP needed is 1125

The feature of a relief valve is it The feature of a relief valve is it sensitivity to pressure change and its sensitivity to pressure change and its ability to relieve excessive pressure ability to relieve excessive pressure within the pump discharge. Protecting within the pump discharge. Protecting the firefighter hanging on the end of the firefighter hanging on the end of the hose lay if someone should shut the hose lay if someone should shut down a line; the relief valve notices down a line; the relief valve notices the change of pressure and opens.the change of pressure and opens.

Relief Valve and what it does

The most common relief valve are The most common relief valve are spring controlled and set by a turn spring controlled and set by a turn handlehandle

You have to set valve to the Pump You have to set valve to the Pump Pressure that is the highest you will be Pressure that is the highest you will be pumping at.pumping at.

To set the relief valve turn the handle To set the relief valve turn the handle all the way to the left to the lowest all the way to the left to the lowest setting and then turn it back right until setting and then turn it back right until the light goes out and then back a 1\4 the light goes out and then back a 1\4 turn - your truck is now protectedturn - your truck is now protected

So a pump pressure of 1000 kpa - the So a pump pressure of 1000 kpa - the relief valve is set to this - if you add relief valve is set to this - if you add another line and the pressure is going another line and the pressure is going to be greater than 1000 kpa. to be greater than 1000 kpa.

You will have to reset the relief valve to You will have to reset the relief valve to operate at the higher pressure or you operate at the higher pressure or you will not be able to get it on the panel as will not be able to get it on the panel as the valve will operate at the set the valve will operate at the set pressure from beforepressure from before

Relief valve continued

It would be a good idea to leave the It would be a good idea to leave the relief valve preset around 13 turns as relief valve preset around 13 turns as the truck will be protected in around the truck will be protected in around 1000-1300kpa of the unit. 1000-1300kpa of the unit.

As the Pump operator has lots to think As the Pump operator has lots to think about in the first few minutes of about in the first few minutes of pulling on a scenepulling on a scene

This shall be set as soon as the 1This shall be set as soon as the 1stst line line is flowing is flowing

Relief Valve continued

The pressure governor is regulated by The pressure governor is regulated by the engine throttle; it has a brain that the engine throttle; it has a brain that notices the flow and the engine speed notices the flow and the engine speed and controls the operationand controls the operation

As with the relief valve the operator As with the relief valve the operator has to set it and listen for any has to set it and listen for any changes and reset if any lines are changes and reset if any lines are added or taken away. added or taken away.

The difference between a Relief Valve and a Pressure Governor are

And the governor looks after this for And the governor looks after this for the operator once it has all been preset the operator once it has all been preset by department or the factory. by department or the factory.

Or the department has had preset Or the department has had preset values put in the pressure governor for values put in the pressure governor for there hose lays they most use at there hose lays they most use at scenesscenes

Relief and Pressure Continued

Pressure Governors Pressure Governors

To use a PG To use a PG When in draft mode set it in RPM When in draft mode set it in RPM

and get your draft as you need and get your draft as you need some engine RPM to get your prime some engine RPM to get your prime

Once you have your water and Once you have your water and flowing change the PG to the Press flowing change the PG to the Press mode you will have protection for mode you will have protection for your lines your lines

This has been just an outline in being a This has been just an outline in being a good pump operator.good pump operator.

We will also practice this out on the fire We will also practice this out on the fire ground using the things learned in this ground using the things learned in this lessonlesson

Happy and Safe Pump OperationHappy and Safe Pump Operation