Types of Fire Apparatus Equipped with a Fire Pump Sugar Land Fire Department Driver/Operator—Pumper Academy Spring 2003

Fire Department Pumpers

Types of Water Supply Sources

Pump Capacities NFPA 1901– Standard for Automotive Fire Apparatus NFPA 1901– Standard for Automotive Fire Apparatus Minimum pump capacity is 750 gpm Minimum pump capacity is 750 gpm Standard pump capacities are found in increments of 250 gpm. Standard pump capacities are found in increments of 250 gpm. Municipal pumpers rarely have capacities exceeding 2000 gpm as compared to industrial pumpers Municipal pumpers rarely have capacities exceeding 2000 gpm as compared to industrial pumpers

Basic Pumper Components Water pump Water pump Intake pump Intake pump Discharge pump Discharge pump Pump gauges and other instruments Pump gauges and other instruments Variety of hose types and sizes Variety of hose types and sizes Wide variety of portable equipment (as specified by NFPA 1901) Wide variety of portable equipment (as specified by NFPA 1901)

Types of Pumpers

Municipal Pumpers with Foam Capacity Municipal Pumpers with Foam Capacity –Should be equipped according to NFPA 1901 for municipal apparatus with foam systems –May use high-energy or low-energy system, but only a few discharge outlets are capable of flowing foam solution. –May require a sizable air compressor when equipped with a high-energy

–Are commonly equipped with foam tanks ranging from 20 to 100 gals. –Are commonly equipped with foam tanks designed to be refilled with 5 gallon pails when necessary

Types of Pumpers Pumpers with elevating water devices. Pumpers with elevating water devices. –Are equipped with elevating water devices that typically range in height from 50 to 75 feet. –Provide a means for discharge water or foam from elevated nozzles –May be used to apply water to the lower as well as upper floors of a building.

Types of Pumpers

Midipumpers Are used in the same types of situations as are mini-pumpers Are used in the same types of situations as are mini-pumpers Are well suited for small fires & service calls Are well suited for small fires & service calls Can be used to start an initial attack on larger fires Can be used to start an initial attack on larger fires Are built on a chassis usually over 12,000 lbs GVW Are built on a chassis usually over 12,000 lbs GVW

Are routinely equipped with pumps as large as 1,000 gpm Are routinely equipped with pumps as large as 1,000 gpm Typically carry the same type of equipment as a full-size pumper Typically carry the same type of equipment as a full-size pumper May carry emergency basic extrication and medical equipment. May carry emergency basic extrication and medical equipment.

Types of Pumpers

Wildland Apparatus

Moving Fire Attack Firefighters use short sections of attack hose and walk alongside the apparatus extinguishing fire as they walk Firefighters use short sections of attack hose and walk alongside the apparatus extinguishing fire as they walk Firefighters use nozzles that are remotely controlled from inside the cab. Firefighters use nozzles that are remotely controlled from inside the cab.

Aircraft Fire Fighting Apparatus

–Divided by NFPA 414 Standard for Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting Vehicles into three general classifications: »Major fire fighting vehicles »Rapid intervention vehicles (RIV) »Combined agent vehicles

Fire Boat Apparatus

Aerial Apparatus

Rescue Apparatus

Apparatus-Mounted Special Systems Electric Power Generation Equipment Electric Power Generation Equipment –Used to power floodlights and other electrical tools or equipment that may be required on the emergency scene.

Apparatus-Mounted Special Systems Characteristics of Inverters Characteristics of Inverters –Generate small amounts of power by converting the vehicle’s 12 or 24 volt DC current into 110 or 220 volt AC current –Generally capable of providing approximately 1500 watts of electric power –Fuel efficient

Apparatus-Mounted Special Systems –Operate quietly –Have limited mobility –Have small capacities

Apparatus-Mounted Special Systems Characteristics of Generators Characteristics of Generators –Most common power source used for emergency services –Noisy –May be portable or fixed to apparatus

Apparatus-Mounted Special Systems Portable generators Portable generators –Powered by small gasoline or diesel engines and generally have 110 and/or 220 volt capacities. –Maybe operated in the compartment of the apparatus, or carried to a remote location –Generally designed to be carried by either one or two people

Apparatus-Mounted Special Systems –Extremely useful when electrical power is needed in an area that is not accessible to the vehicle-mounted system –Designed with a variety of power capabilities, with 5000 watts of power being the largest

Apparatus-Mounted Special Systems Vehicle mounted generators Vehicle mounted generators –Usually have a larger capacity than portable units, with capacities of up to 50,000 watts common –May provide power for the vehicle floodlight system in addition to providing power for portable equipment

Apparatus-Mounted Special Systems –Can be powered by gasoline, diesel, or propane engines or by hydraulic or power take off (PTO) systems –If fixed floodlights, are usually wired directly to the unit through a switch, and outlets are provided for other equipment –Generally have 110 and 220 volt capabilities. –Usually larger on rescue vehicles than on pumpers

Apparatus-Mounted Special Systems Portable lighting equipment Portable lighting equipment –Used where fixed lights are not able to reach adequately or when additional lighting is necessary. –Generally range from 300 to 1000 watts –May be supplied by a cord from the power plant or may have a self-contained power unit –Usually have handles for safe carrying

Apparatus-Mounted Special Systems –Usually have large bases for stable setting and placement –May be connected to telescoping stands that eliminate the need for personnel to hold them or find something to set them on.

Apparatus-Mounted Special Systems Fixed lighting equipment Fixed lighting equipment –Mounted to the vehicle –Provide overall lighting of the emergency scene –Often mounted on telescoping poles so that they may be raised, lowered, or turned to provide the best possible lighting. –May include electrically, pneumatically, or hydraulically operated booms with a bank of lights

Apparatus-Mounted Special Systems –Generally have a light bank capacity of 500 to 1500 watts per light. –Should carefully match lighting capacity with amount of power available from power- generating device carried on vehicle.

Generator/lighting equipment –12 gauge, 3 wire cable/extension cord is used to conduct electric power to portable equipment. –Electrical cable must be adequately insulated, waterproof, and have no exposed wires. –Cord may be stored in coils, on portable cord reels, or fixed automatic rewind reels. –Twist-lock receptacles provide secure, safe connections

Generator/lighting equipment –Junction boxes may be used when multiple connections are needed –Junction boxes are commonly equipped with a small light on top to make them easier to find and plug into when it is dark –Adapters should be carried

Hydraulic Rescue Tool Systems Pumpers may carry a variety of extrication equipment. Pumpers may carry a variety of extrication equipment. Most common extrication equipment carried on a pumper are powered hydraulic extrication tools Most common extrication equipment carried on a pumper are powered hydraulic extrication tools There are four basic types of powered hydraulic tools: spreaders, shears, combination, rams. There are four basic types of powered hydraulic tools: spreaders, shears, combination, rams.

Hydraulic Rescue Tool Systems –Extrication tools receive their power from hydraulic fluid supplied through special hoses from a pump –Hydraulic tool pumps may receive their power from compressed air, electric motors, two or four cycle gas motors, or apparatus mounted power take off systems –Hydraulic tool pumps may be portable or mounted

Hydraulic Rescue Tool Systems –Most pumps are not capable of supplying full power to the tool when the hose length between the pump and tool exceeds 100 feet –Apparatus mounted power systems generally have a standard method of engaging the device. –The driver/operator should be familiar with the number of tools that may be hooked to the system.