1. Water Supply (Fire Fighter I)
CHAPTER 16
Water Supply
(Fire Fighter I) 1

2. Fire Fighter I Objectives
Describe the equipment and procedures that are used to access static sources of water.
Describe the characteristics of a mobile water supply apparatus.
Describe the advantages of a portable tank system. 2

3. Fire Fighter I Objectives
Describe how municipal water systems supply water to communities.
List the types of fire hydrants.
Describe the characteristics of wet- and dry- barrel hydrants.
Describe the common guidelines that govern the location of fire hydrants. 3

4. Fire Fighter I Objectives
Describe how to inspect and test a fire hydrant.
Explain the principles of fire hydraulics.
Describe how water flow and water pressure is measured.
Explain how friction loss and elevation pressure affects water pressure. 4

5. Fire Fighter I Objectives
Describe how to prevent water hammer.
List the two types of fire hose.
Describe the characteristics of small-, medium-, and large-diameter hose.
Explain how fire hose is constructed.
Describe the characteristics of double- and rubber-jacket hose. 5

6. Fire Fighter I Objectives
Describe the characteristics of couplings.
List the common types of couplings.
Describe the two types of supply hose.
List the common types of hose damage.
Describe how to clean and maintain hose.
Describe how to perform a hose inspection. 6

7. Fire Fighter I Objectives
List the common hose appliances used in conjunction with fire hoses.
Describe the characteristics of wyes, water thieves, Siamese connections, reducers, hose jackets, hose rollers, and hose clamps.
Describe the types of valves used to control water in pipes or hose lines. 7

8. Fire Fighter I Objectives
List the common types of hose rolls used to organize supply hose.
Describe the procedures used to connect supply lines to a fire hydrant.
Describe the common types of supply line evolutions. 8

9. Fire Fighter I Objectives
Describe the common techniques used to load supply hose.
Describe the common techniques used to carry and advance supply hose.
Describe the two types of standpipe systems.
Describe how to unload a fire hose. 9

10. Introduction Putting water on a fire cools and extinguishes it.
Water is obtained from:
Municipal water systems
Static water sources 10

11. Rural Water Supplies
Residents of rural areas usually depend on wells or cisterns to provide water.
No hydrants in these areas, so water must be obtained from other sources. 11

12. Static Water Sources Static sources include: Rivers or streams
Lakes, ponds, oceans
Canals or reservoirs
Swimming pools
Cisterns
© Will Powers/AP Photos 12

13. Static Water Sources
Must be accessible to a fire engine or portable pump
Road or hard surface within 20 ft (6 m) of the source
May have a dry hydrant permanently installed 13

14. Mobile Water Supply Apparatus
Designed to carry large volumes of water
Generally carry 1000–3500 gal
May be used to pump water directly into attack engine
© IAN MARLOW/Alamy Images 14

15. Portable Tanks Carried on fire apparatus
Typically hold 600– 5000 gal ( ,000 L) of water
Tankers are used to fill the portable tanks.
Courtesy of Captain David Jackson, Saginaw Township Fire Department 15

16. Portable Tanks The pump operator drafts from the tanks.
Dump valves on the tankers allow them to off-load up to gal (11,400 L) per minute. 16

17. Tanker Shuttles
Used to deliver a large volume of water in a long period of time
Number needed depends on:
Distance between fill site and fire scene
Time it takes to dump and to refill
Flow rate required at the fire scene 17

18. Municipal Water Systems
Provide clean water for public use and fire protection.
Systems includes water sources, treatment facilities, and a distribution system. 18

19. Water Sources Sources include:
Wells
Rivers or streams
Lakes
Reservoirs
Many systems draw water from several sources. 19

20. Water Treatment Facilities
Remove impurities
All water must be suitable for drinking.
Chemicals are used to kill bacteria and harmful organisms.
© Paul Glendell/Alamy Images 20

21. Water Distribution Systems
Deliver water from treatment facilities to end user
Include water mains, pumps, storage tanks, and reservoirs
Water pressure requirements differ.
Usually produced by pumps. 21

22. Water Distribution Systems
Water pressure may also be produced by gravity.
Gravity-feed system
Elevated water storage towers 22

23. Water Distribution Systems
Water mains typically follow a grid system.
May have dead-end mains
Water enters from only one direction.
Limited available water supply 23

24. Water Distribution Systems
Water main valves
Control valves: Located throughout system to shut down sections
Shut-off valves: Used to shut off water flow to individual customers or to hydrants 24

25. Fire Hydrants Provide water for firefighting purposes
Installed on both public and private water systems
Consist of an upright steel casing attached to the underground distribution system 25

26. Wet-Barrel Hydrants The barrel always has water in it.
Each outlet is individually controlled.
Additional lines can be added while water is flowing.
Courtesy of American AVK Company 26

27. Dry-Barrel Hydrants Used in cold climates
Hydrant valve is located at the base of the barrel.
Water flows into the hydrant only when it is needed. 27

28. Draining a Dry-Barrel Hydrant
After each use, water drains out through an opening in the bottom of the barrel.
When valve is open, drain hole is closed.
When valve is closed, drain hole is open.
Hydrants may not drain if they are clogged
A fully opened hydrant allows for maximum flow. 28

29. Fire Hydrants Locations
Located according to local standards and nationally recommended practices
Every 500 ft (150 m) in residential areas
Every 300 ft (90 m) in high-value areas
Every intersection
Based on occupancy, construction, and size of the building 29

30. Fire Hydrant Operation
Fire fighters must be proficient in operating a fire hydrant.
Individual fire departments may have their own variations on this procedure.
Always follow the standard operating procedures for your department. 30

31. Inspecting Fire Hydrants
Check for visibility and access.
Check for exterior damage.
Ensure barrel is dry and free of debris.
Ensure all caps in good working order.
Open valve for water flow.
Shut down and ensure proper draining.
Replace cap. 31

32. Testing Fire Hydrants
Fire-suppression companies are often assigned to test the flow from hydrants.
Testing procedures are simple, but an understanding of hydraulics and attention to detail are required. 32

33. Flow and Pressure
Flow: Quantity of water moving through a pipe, hose, or nozzle measured by its volume per minute
Water pressure: Energy level measured in pounds per square inch 33

34. Flow and Pressure Static pressure: Pressure when no water is moving
Normal operating pressure: Pressure during a period of normal consumption 34

35. Flow and Pressure
Residual pressure: Amount of pressure that remains in the system when water is flowing
Flow pressure: Measures quantity of water flowing through an opening during a hydrant test 35

36. Hydrant Testing Procedure
Requires:
Two adjacent hydrants
Pitot gauge
Outlet cap with a pressure gauge 36

37. Hydrant Testing Procedure
Place cap gauge on outlet of first hydrant.
Open hydrant valve and record pressure reading as the static pressure.
At second hydrant, remove cap and open valve. 37

38. Hydrant Testing Procedure
Place pitot gauge in stream.
At the same time, record residual pressure at the first hydrant.
Calculate or look up in tables to determine flow. 38

39. Fire Hydraulics
Deal with properties of energy, pressure, and water flow as related to fire suppression. 39

40. Flow Volume of water that is being moved
Measured in gallons per minute
Metric measured in liters per minute 40

41. Pressure Amount of energy in a body or stream of water
Measured in pounds per square inch (psi)
Required to push water through a hose or to lift water up to a higher level 41

42. Friction Loss Loss of pressure as water moves through a pipe or hose
Loss represents the energy required to push the water.
With any combination of flows and diameter, friction loss is proportional to the distance. 42

43. Elevation Pressure Elevation affects water pressure.
Elevated water tanks supply pressure to pipes due to elevation. 43

44. Water Hammer
Surge in pressure caused by sudden stop in the flow of water
Can damage hose, couplings, and plumbing
To prevent, open and close valves slowly. 44

45. Functions of Fire Hoses
Supply hose
Used to deliver water
Designed to carry large volumes of water at lower pressures
Attack hose
Used to discharge water
Operate at higher pressures than supply lines. 45

46. Sizes of Hose Range in size
Small-diameter hose (SDH) lines: 1" to 2" (2.54–5.08 cm)
Medium-diameter hose (MDH): 2½" to 3½" (6.25–7.62 cm)
Large-diameter hose (LDH): 3½" (8.89 cm) or more 46

47. Pressure Testing Attack hose Supply hose Tested annually
Tested to 300 psi (130.2 kPa)
Supply hose
Tested to 200 psi (86.8 kPa) 47

48. Hose Construction
Constructed of inner waterproof liner and one or two outer layers
Can be double-jacket hose or rubber-jacket hose 48

49. Hose Construction Inner waterproof liner Prevents water leakage
Provides smooth surface to reduce friction
Attached to outer covering 49

50. Hose Couplings Used to connect individual lengths of hose
Used to connect hose line to hydrants, valves, nozzles, fittings, and appliances 50

51. Threaded Couplings Used on most hose up to 3" (7.62 cm)
A set consists of male and female
Standardized hose threads are used by most fire departments. 51

52. Threaded Couplings
If there is any leakage, a spanner wrench can tighten the couplings until the leakage is stopped.
The couplings are constructed with either rocker lugs or rocker pins. 52

53. Storz-Type Couplings Has neither male nor female ends
Couplings are mated face-to-face.
Adapters are used to connect Storz-type couplings to threaded couplings. 53

54. Uncoupling
Charged hose lines should never be disconnected while the water inside the hose is under pressure.
Always shut off the water supply and bleed off the pressure before uncoupling. 54

55. Attack Hose Used for fire suppression
Carries water from the attack pumper to the fire
Commonly 1½" (3.81 cm) or 1¾" (4.45 cm) lines
1" (2.54 cm) booster lines
1" (2.54 cm) or 1½" (2.81 cm) forestry lines 55

56. Supply Hose
Used to deliver water to an attack engine from a pressurized source
Range from 2½" to 6" (6.35–15.24 cm) in diameter.
Large diameters are much more efficient for moving larger volumes of water over longer distances. 56

57. Supply Hose Soft suction hose Short section of large diameter hose
Used to connect a fire department engine directly to the steamer outlet on a hydrant 57

58. Supply Hose Hard suction hose Used to draft water from a static source
Water is drawn into the pump on a fire department engine or into a portable pump. 58

59. Causes of Hose Damage Mechanical damage Heat and cold Chemicals Mildew59

60. Hose Appliances Wyes Splits one hose stream into two
A gated wye is equipped so that the flow of water to each of the split lines can be controlled independently.
Courtesy of Akron Brass Company 60

61. Hose Appliances Water thief Similar to a gated wye
Has an additional 2½" (6.35 cm) outlet
Courtesy of Akron Brass Company 61

62. Hose Appliances Siamese connection Combines two hose lines into one
Often used on engine outlets, master streams, and fire department connections
Courtesy of Akron Brass Company 62

63. Hose Appliances Adapters
Used to connect same size hoses but with dissimilar threads
Are double-female or double-male 63

64. Hose Appliances Reducers Used to attach smaller hoses to larger hoses
Commonly used to reduce a 2½" (6.35 cm) hose to a 1½" (3.81 cm) hose
© 2003, Berta A. Daniels 64

65. Hose Appliances Hose jacket Used to stop a leaking section of hose
Consists of a split metal cylinder that fits tightly over the hose
© 2003, Berta A. Daniels 65

66. Hose Appliances Hose roller
Used to protect a line being hoisted over an edge
Prevents chafing and kinking
© 2003, Berta A. Daniels 66

67. Hose Appliances Hose clamp
Used to temporarily stop the flow of water in a hose
Can be used if a hose ruptures or it has to be connected to a different appliance 67

68. Hose Appliances Valves Control the flow of water in a hose or pipe
Different types:
Ball valve
Gate valve
Butterfly valve
Courtesy of Akron Brass Company 68

69. Hose Rolls Efficient way to transport a section of fire hose
Hose can be rolled in many different ways, depending on how it will be used.
Straight hose roll
Single-doughnut hose roll
Twin-doughnut hose roll
Self-locking twin-doughnut hose roll 69

70. Fire Hose Evolutions
Standard methods of working with fire hose to accomplish different objectives
Every fire fighter should know how to perform all of the standard evolutions.
Divided into supply line operations and attack line operations. 70

71. Supply Line Operations
The objective is to deliver water from a water source to an attack engine.
Can be done using either a:
Forward lay: starts at hydrant; proceeds toward fire
Reverse lay: starts at fire; proceeds toward hydrant 71

72. Supply Line Operations
Forward hose lay
Allows first engine to establish a water supply without assistance
Places the attack engine close to the fire
Can be used with medium- or large- diameter hose 72

73. Supply Line Operations
Four-way hydrant valve
Used when a supply engine may be needed at the hydrant
When four-way is placed on the hydrant, water initially flows.
A second engine can then hook to the four-way and boost pressure to the supply hose. 73

74. Supply Line Operations
Reverse hose lay
Hose is laid from the fire to the hydrant.
Used when attack engines begin attack without a supply line
Later arriving company stops at the attack engine and lays line to the hydrant. 74

75. Supply Line Operations
Split hose lay
Performed by two engines
Used when hose must be laid from two directions
Requires coordination by two-way radio
Courtesy of Scott Dornan, ConocoPhillips Alaska. 75

76. Loading Supply Hose Can be loaded in different ways
The hose must be easily removable from the hose bed.
Many hose beds are several feet above the ground. 76

77. Loading Supply Hose Flat hose load Easiest to load
Can be used for any size of hose
Hose should lay out flat without twists or kinks. 77

78. Loading Supply Hose Horseshoe hose load
Stand hose on edge and place it around the hose bed in a U-shape.
Contains fewer sharp bends than other loads
Cannot be used for large diameter hose
Causes more wear on the hose 78

79. Loading Supply Hose Accordion hose load
Hose is laid side-to-side in the hose bed.
Easy to load in the hose bed
Creates sharp bends and more wear on the hose
Not recommended for large diameter hose 79

80. Connecting an Engine to a Water Supply
Supply hose must be used to deliver water from the hydrant to the engine.
In most cases, soft suction hose is used to connect directly to a hydrant.
Connection can also be made with a hard suction hose. 80

81. Supply Hose Carries and Advances
Best technique for carrying and advancing fire hose depends on:
Size of hose
Distance it must be moved
Number of fire fighters available 81

82. Supply Hose Carries and Advances
Working hose drag
Used to deploy hose from a hose bed and advance the line a short distance
Several fire fighters may be needed for the task. 82

83. Supply Hose Carries and Advances
Shoulder carry
Used to transport full lengths of hose over a longer distance
Useful for advancing a hose line around obstructions
Requires practice and good teamwork 83

84. Connecting Supply Hose Lines to a Standpipe System
Fire department connections are provided so that the fire department can pump water into a standpipe or sprinkler system. 84

85. Connecting Supply Hose Lines to a Standpipe System
There are two types of standpipe systems:
A dry standpipe system depends on the fire department to provide all of the water.
A wet standpipe system has a built-in water supply 85

86. Replacing a Defective Section of Hose
A burst hose line should be shut down as soon as possible.
After the flow has been shut off, remove the damaged section of hose and replace it with two sections of hose. 86

87. Replacing a Defective Section of Hose
To put the hose back into service, the hose must be drained of water.
Hose should be unloaded and reloaded on a regular basis to place the bends in different portions of the hose. 87

88. Summary
In rural areas, fire departments depend on static sources for water supply.
Municipal water systems supply water via hydrants.
The water supplied in a municipal system is drawn from an outside source, treated, and carried through a distribution system.
The two types of fire hydrants are wet- and dry- barrel. 88

89. Summary
The locations of fire hydrants are determined by local standards and national practices.
Fire fighters must know how to operate fire hydrants.
Basic water terms must be known to understand fire hydrant testing procedures.
Fire hoses are used as supply and attack hoses and are available in different sizes. 89

90. Summary
Fire hoses are constructed with an inner liner surrounded by an outer layer.
Couplings connect fire hose together.
There are two types of couplings: threaded and Storz-type.
Supply hose can be soft or hard suction.
Fire hose should be inspected per NFPA standards. 90

91. Summary
Common causes of hose damage are mechanical, heat and cold, chemical, and mildew.
Several types of hose appliances are available.
Rolled hose is easy to manage.
A supply line delivers water from a hydrant or static source to an attack engine. 91

92. Summary Hose can be loaded in several different ways.
Many techniques are used to carry and advance supply hose.
A hose line should be laid out and positioned nearest the location where it will be operated before being charged with water. 92