1. CHAPTER 9 Copyright © 2007 Thomson Delmar Learning 9.1 Water Supply

2. CHAPTER 9 Copyright © 2007 Thomson Delmar Learning 9.2 Objectives (1 of 3) Explain the value of proper water supply to other goals of firefighters. Identify sources of water supply for drinking and firefighting. Explain the difference between ground water and surface water. Explain the purpose of mobile water supply apparatus.

3. CHAPTER 9 Copyright © 2007 Thomson Delmar Learning 9.3 Objectives (2 of 3) Explain the features of water distribution systems. Identify types of fire hydrants and their uses. Identify valves associated with water distribution systems. Explain how to operate a rural water supply. Explain a portable water tank operation. Explain tender operations. 9.1

4. CHAPTER 9 Copyright © 2007 Thomson Delmar Learning 9.4 Objectives (3 of 3) Identify the proper pressures associated with water distribution systems. Conduct a test of the operability and flow of fire hydrants. Determine the static, residual, and flow pressures of water sources. Identify the cause of obstructions and damage to fire hydrants and mains.

5. CHAPTER 9 Copyright © 2007 Thomson Delmar Learning 9.5 Introduction (1 of 2) Water supply is one of the most critical elements of firefighting. Water supply is important in areas with a water distribution system. Water supply is even more important in areas without a water supply system. Firefighters must know how to establish a water supply.

6. CHAPTER 9 Copyright © 2007 Thomson Delmar Learning 9.6 Introduction (2 of 2) Water source, quantity, and how it is delivered are key questions. Fire flow capacity is dictated by the water supply. Fire flow requirement is the amount of water required for putting out the fire. Water availability will dictate the strategy, tactics, appliances, and fire streams used.

7. CHAPTER 9 Copyright © 2007 Thomson Delmar Learning 9.7 Sources of Water Supply You need to know where water comes from and how it gets from that point to the fire scene. Many natural and man-made factors affect water sources. –Weather is the greatest factor. Some areas have abundant water supply while others have none.

8. CHAPTER 9 Copyright © 2007 Thomson Delmar Learning 9.8 Groundwater (1 of 2) Most of the earth’s freshwater supply is groundwater. –Usually results from rain –May collect in pockets called aquifers, and rise as springs Water may reach surface through drilling and pumping. Water must have enough pressure for firefighting.

9. CHAPTER 9 Copyright © 2007 Thomson Delmar Learning 9.9 Groundwater (2 of 2) Well pump with storage tanks

10. CHAPTER 9 Copyright © 2007 Thomson Delmar Learning 9.10 Surface Water (1 of 2) Surface water is the world’s most common source. Natural water sources used for firefighting are rivers, lakes, and ponds. Man-made sources include lakes, ponds, reservoirs, swimming pools, and tanks. Tidal changes may affect water sources.

11. CHAPTER 9 Copyright © 2007 Thomson Delmar Learning 9.11 Surface Water (2 of 2)

12. CHAPTER 9 Copyright © 2007 Thomson Delmar Learning 9.12 Mobile Water Supply Apparatus Most engines today have at least a 500 gallon tank. Tenders have tanks from 1,000 to 8,000 gallons. –Some tenders may have a pump.

13. CHAPTER 9 Copyright © 2007 Thomson Delmar Learning 9.13 Tanks, Ponds, and Cisterns Other developed sources are water tanks, ponds, and cisterns. Water tanks may be underground, ground level, or elevated. A cistern can hold large quantities of water (30,000 gallons or more). Connections for tanks or cisterns include dry hydrants, drafting pits, or other type.

14. CHAPTER 9 Copyright © 2007 Thomson Delmar Learning 9.14 Water Distribution Systems (1 of 2) Include a method of getting water, treatment processes, storage, supply, and distribution Supplied by three means –Gravity fed –Pumped system –Combination pumped-gravity system

15. CHAPTER 9 Copyright © 2007 Thomson Delmar Learning 9.15 Water Distribution Systems (2 of 2) After treatment, water goes into the distribution system. Water mains are divided into feeders. –Primary feeders divide into secondary feeders and distribution lines. Good systems are interconnected into loops and grids.

16. CHAPTER 9 Copyright © 2007 Thomson Delmar Learning 9.16 Fire Hydrants There are two major types of hydrants. –Wet barrel –Dry barrel A dry hydrant is a piping system for drafting from a static water source.

17. CHAPTER 9 Copyright © 2007 Thomson Delmar Learning 9.17 Wet Barrel Hydrant Have water in the barrel Used in non- freezing temperature areas Each outlet controlled by separate valve

18. CHAPTER 9 Copyright © 2007 Thomson Delmar Learning 9.18 Dry Barrel Hydrant They are used in areas that have freezing temperatures. Valve at base of hydrant controls water flow to all outlets. –Valve should be all the way open or all the way closed.

19. CHAPTER 9 Copyright © 2007 Thomson Delmar Learning 9.19 Dry Hydrant Serves as connection point for drafting A pipe system with a pumper suction at one end and a strainer at the other end Used primarily in rural areas

20. CHAPTER 9 Copyright © 2007 Thomson Delmar Learning 9.20 Specialty Hydrants Wall hydrants mounted on side of building for direct connection to water supply system Flush-type hydrants High-pressure hydrants

21. CHAPTER 9 Copyright © 2007 Thomson Delmar Learning 9.21 Valves Associated with Water Distribution Systems (1 of 2) Usually these are non-indicating type gate valves and check valves found in public water system. Gate valves are butterfly valves. Check valves control water flow in one direction. Backflow preventers are check valves or a pair of check valves.

22. CHAPTER 9 Copyright © 2007 Thomson Delmar Learning 9.22 Valves Associated with Water Distribution Systems (2 of 2) Private water valves are of the indicating type. –Post indicator valve (PIV) –Wall indicator valve (WIV) –Outside stem and yoke (OS&Y)

23. CHAPTER 9 Copyright © 2007 Thomson Delmar Learning 9.23 Rural Water Supply Operation can occur anywhere. Should be understood by all. Operations require careful coordination and control. Water supply officer should be part of ICS.

24. CHAPTER 9 Copyright © 2007 Thomson Delmar Learning 9.24 Portable Water Tanks (1 of 2) Tenders are designed to transport water. –Must be able to quickly drop off water and return to the fill site. Each tender should have a portable water tank. Tank is usually set up next to attack or supply engine.

25. CHAPTER 9 Copyright © 2007 Thomson Delmar Learning 9.25 Portable Water Tanks (2 of 2)

26. CHAPTER 9 Copyright © 2007 Thomson Delmar Learning 9.26 Tender Operations (1 of 4) A tender operation is a shuttle operation. Dump site is where water is delivered. –Site should be able to unload multiple tenders. –Site should have a turnaround area, operational area, and access to fireground. –Site should allow for safety of personnel.

27. CHAPTER 9 Copyright © 2007 Thomson Delmar Learning 9.27 Tender Operations (2 of 4) Fill site should be properly staffed. Shuttle operations control fire flow capacity. Increased efficiency, more tenders, or larger tanks can help increase flow rate. Increasing vehicle speed will not speed up tender operations.

28. CHAPTER 9 Copyright © 2007 Thomson Delmar Learning 9.28 Fire Flow Rate = Time to fill tender + Time to drop water + Travel time to and from dump site Quantity of Water Carried Tender Operations (3 of 4)

29. CHAPTER 9 Copyright © 2007 Thomson Delmar Learning 9.29 Tender Operations (4 of 4)

30. CHAPTER 9 Copyright © 2007 Thomson Delmar Learning 9.30 Summary (1 of 2) Water is the most common extinguishing agent. Understand the relationship between water supplied and amount needed. Supplying water requires an understanding of the components of a water distribution system. Distribution systems have valves and hydrants to be operated.

31. CHAPTER 9 Copyright © 2007 Thomson Delmar Learning 9.31 Summary (2 of 2) Firefighters must be able to use mobile supply apparatus, portable water tanks, and conduct shuttle operations. Firefighters need to be familiar with testing operability and the flow of hydrants.