Water Supply
Course
Firefighter II
Unit III
Water Supplies
Essential
Question
What is the
firefighter’s
responsibility
when it comes to
hydrant
recognition,
setting up relays
or shuttle
operations, and
other fire ground
operations?
TEKS
§130.300(c)
(7)(A–E)
Prior Student
Learning
Familiarity with
- hydrant
selection
- relay operations
- water shuttles
- NFPA hydrant
color code
- differences
between wet
barrel and dry
barrel hydrants
Estimated Time
4 hours total
Rationale
Understanding water distribution through the deployment of shuttle
operations and relays, and through the typical use of hydrants and static
sources is important for successful operations in urban and rural areas
where firefighters are expected to be efficient in fire control operations.
Hydrant operations and the use of associated tools to make connections
are important for firefighters to understand. Water flow and pressure in
relay and shuttle operations can be disastrous if miscalculated.
Objectives
The student will be able to:
1. Describe the operation of fire hydrants, such as fully opened and
closed hydrants.
2. Identify the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) hydrant
color code.
3. Describe making a hydrant-to-pumper connection.
4. Explain the hazards involved when the hydrant-to-pumper
connection is not properly sealed.
5. Describe the apparatus, equipment, and appliances required to
provide water at rural locations by relay pumping or water shuttle.
Engage
Discuss the following topics with your class:
 The different fire flow and pressure requirements for various
occupancy types within your city or town limits
 The special hazards within your community, as well as the
occupancies with the greatest potential for loss of life
Emphasize how failing to know a basic skill such as opening a valve on a
hydrant, or choosing a hydrant with sufficient flow can end with disastrous
results. Ask what the firefighter’s responsibility is when it comes to hydrant
recognition, setting up relays or shuttle operations, and other fire ground
operations. Use the Discussion Rubric for assessment.
Key Points
I. Fire Hydrants
A. Dry-barrel hydrants
1. Installed where hydrants are subject to prolonged freezing
temperatures
2. The main valve is located below the frost line to prevent
water from entering the hydrant barrel
3. The stem nut for the main valve is located at the top of the
hydrant
a) Turning the nut counter-clockwise opens the valve
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allowing water into the hydrant
b) Turning the nut clockwise direction closes the valve,
raising the drain valve plate which opens the drain
holes and causes the barrel to empty
4. There is a process to verify that the water is draining from
the hydrant
a) Close the main valve until resistance is met, and then
give it another ¼-turn
b) Cap all but one discharge
c) Place a hand over the open discharge – if the hydrant is
draining, a slight vacuum is felt; if not then repeat the
previous steps
B. Wet-barrel hydrants
1. Sometimes referred to as “frost free” or “California” hydrants
2. Installed in climates where prolonged freezing is uncommon
3. Have a compression valve on each outlet that needs to be
turned counterclockwise to open it
4. Do not drain when all of the valves are closed; the barrel
stays filled with water
II. NFPA Hydrant Color Code
A. Class AA/Light Blue/1500 gallons per minute (gpm) or greater
B. Class A/Green/1000–1499 gpm
C. Class B/Orange/500–999 gpm
D. Class C/Red/less than 500 gpm
III. Making Hydrant Connections
A. Associated tools
1. Combination spanner/hydrant wrench
2. Four-way hydrant valve (check local Standard Operating
Procedures (SOPs))
3. Items may be kept readily accessible in a tool pouch
4. The firefighter making the hydrant connection should
maintain radio communication with the pump operator as to
when to supply water from the hydrant (some departments
use an audio or a hand signal in addition, or in place of,
radio communication)
B. Hydrant connection procedure for a forward lay (hose laid from
the water source to the fire)
1. The firefighter
a) Takes the necessary tools to make the hydrant
connection
b) Removes sufficient hose from the supply bed to “wrap”
the hydrant
c) Wraps the hose around the base of the hydrant, and
effectively anchors the hose to it
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d) Signals the driver/operator to proceed to the fire
(forward lay)
e) Makes the proper hose connections to the hydrant
C. Using a four-way valve
1. Four-way valves allow
a) Forward laid supply lines to be charged immediately
b) Additional pumpers to connect to the hydrant
2. The second pumper either supplies more lines or boosts the
pressure of the original supply line
3. Typically, the four-way valve is pre-connected to the supply
line, to be readily connected to the hydrant
a) This allows the firefighter “catching” the hydrant to have
to complete only the one task of making the valve
connection to the hydrant
D. Reverse lay (hose laid from the fire to the water source)
1. The method used when firefighters
a) Take the apparatus to the fire location
b) Complete a size-up before laying a supply line
c) Leave the necessary equipment at the scene
d) Lay the supply line back to the water source
2. Used primarily when drafting, or when there is a need to
boost hydrant pressure for the supply lines
3. There is often an SOP for setting up relay operations with
2½- or 3-inch supply lines
4. Some disadvantages
a) Leaving essential equipment before laying the supply
lines can cause delays in the initial attack of a fire
b) One firefighter is obligated to remain with the pumper at
the water source as opposed to being at the fire scene
5. Does not require the employ of a four-way valve
6. Can be used when one pumper is alone for an extended
period of time and the hose used in the reverse lay becomes
the attack line (often used with a wye and a 1½- or 1¾-inch
attack assembly)
7. Reverse lays when using two pumpers
a) One arrives at the scene and begins extinguishment
operations
b) The second lays a supply line back to the water source
c) That line is connected to the intake side of the first
pumper at the scene
IV. Hydrant Connections with a Soft Intake Hose
A. A firefighter will assist the pump operator in making a soft intake
hydrant connection
B. Some hydrants are not capable of making a large soft intake hose
connection because they are not equipped with a steamer
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connection; therefore, only a smaller dimension supply hose can
be used
C. It is more efficient use of a hydrant if a connection can be made to
a large steamer connection with a 4½-inch or larger supply line
D. Because a hydrant is a pressurized water source, a soft intake
hose is appropriate and works effectively
V. Hydrant Connections with a Hard Intake Hose
A. If a hard intake hose is marked “For Vacuum Use Only,” do not
use it for hydrant connections; this type of hard intake hose is
meant for drafting operations only
B. This method may require the coordination of more people to
attach than the connection with a soft intake hose would
C. The positioning of the pumper prior to making the connection is
critical (depending on the apparatus, connections may be
possible from either the side, front, or rear of the apparatus)
D. It is good practice to stop the apparatus just short of the hydrant
and jockey the apparatus into position in order to make the
connection
E. Making this type of connection takes practice and precision
VI. Meeting Water Needs
A. Hydrant connections need to be made correctly for the following
reasons:
1. To sustain the fire flow requirements and pressure needs of
the systems and the appliances served
2. To effectively save lives and property from fire damage
3. To avoid tragedies caused by ineffective pumper-to-hydrant
connections
a) A poor or no water supply for extinguishment
endangers the building occupants and the firefighters
b) A poor or no water supply can result in poor exposure
protection and the extension of the fire beyond the
building of origin
B. Firefighters should know the normal and flow pressures of water
distribution systems, as well as their flow capacities
1. High flow/high pressure systems or areas can be an
advantage to firefighting operations
2. Low flow/low pressure systems or areas should be avoided if
possible
3. When pumping from a hydrant, the recommended low
residual pressure is 20 psi
4. Average pressures in water distribution systems in the
United States are between 65 and 80 psi, with a typical
minimum residual pressure of 20 psi
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VII. Rural Water Supply Operations
A. Water shuttles are recommended for distances greater than half a
mile, or distances greater than the supply line capability of the
department
B. Tools and/or equipment needed
1. Attack engine (pumper)
2. Supply line
3. Supply engine
4. Low level strainers
5. Portable tank(s)
6. Water tenders
7. Drafting engine (unless self-filling vacuum tenders are used)
8. Water source
C. Relay pumping
1. In some situations, the water source is close enough to the
scene (within supply line capability of the department, and
closer than ½ mile) that relay pumping can be used instead
of water shuttles
2. Two factors to consider
a) Is the water supply capable of maintaining the
necessary volume of water for the time required to
mitigate the incident?
b) Can the relay operation be set up quickly enough to be
effective?
3. Tools and/or equipment needed
a) Water supply
b) Apparatus with the greatest pumping capacity at the
water source
c) Large diameter supply hose
d) Attack pumper
Activities
1. Operating a Dry Barrel Fire Hydrant. Have the students correctly
connect to and operate a fire hydrant while wearing PPE. Use the
Operating a Dry Barrel Fire Hydrant Checklist for the activity and the
assessment.
Note: Set up the hydrant, hydrant tools, and supply hose before class.
2. Connect and Place a Hard Suction for Drafting. Have the students
correctly connect to the fire apparatus in preparation of drafting from a
static water source while wearing PPE. Use the Connect and Place a
Hard Suction for Drafting Checklist for the activity and the assessment.
Note: Set up the hydrant, hydrant tools, and hard suction supply hose
before class.
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Assessments
Water Supply Quiz
Operating a Dry Barrel Fire Hydrant Checklist
Connect and Place a Hard Suction for Drafting Checklist
Discussion Rubric
Individual Work Rubric
Research Rubric
Materials
Water Supply computer-based presentation
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Hydrant
Hard suction hose
Soft sleeve hose
Hydrant wrenches
Spanner wrenches
Strainer
Hose rope
Fire apparatus
Computers with Internet access
Resources
0135151112, Essentials of Firefighting (5th Edition), International Fire
Service Training Association (IFSTA), 2008
1428339825, Firefighter's Handbook: Firefighter I and Firefighter II (1st
Edition), Delmar Cengage Learning, 2008
Accommodations for Learning Differences
For reinforcement, students will work in teams and practice using the
hydrant tools and rolling hose segments. Use the Individual Work Rubric
for assessment.
For enrichment, students will research the history of fire hydrants and write
a short paper summarizing their findings. Use the Research Rubric for
assessment.
State Education Standards
Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Career and Technical Education
§130.300. Firefighter II (Two to Three Credits).
(7)
The student explains how to deploy portable water tanks as
well as equipment to transfer water between tanks. The
student is expected to:
(A)
describe the operation of fire hydrants such as fully
opened fire hydrants and closed fire hydrants;
(B)
identify the National Fire Protection Association
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(C)
(D)
(E)
hydrant color code;
describe making a hydrant-to-pumper connection;
explain the hazards involved when the hydrant-topumper connection is not properly sealed; and
describe the apparatus, equipment, and appliances
required to provide water at rural locations by relay
pumping or water shuttle.
College and Career Readiness Standards
Cross-Disciplinary Standards
I. Key Cognitive Skills
E. Work habits
1. Work independently.
2. Work collaboratively.
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Name________________________________ Date__________________________
Water Supply Quiz
1. _____ To flow water from a dry-barrel hydrant
a. Turn the stem nut counterclockwise to allow water into the hydrant
b. Turn the stem nut clockwise to allow water into the hydrant
c. Open the compression valve counterclockwise to fill the discharge
outlet
d. Open the compression valve clockwise to fill the discharge outlet
2. _____ Which of the following statements about wet-barrel hydrants is false?
a. Each outlet on a wet-barrel hydrant has its own compression valve
that needs to be turned (counterclockwise) to open it
b. The hydrant does not drain when all the valves are closed; the barrel
is always filled with water
c. They are sometimes referred to as “frost free” or “west coast”
hydrants
d. All of the above statements are true
3. _____ According to the NFPA Hydrant Color Code, Class A hydrants are:
a. Light blue with a 1500 or greater gpm flow
b. Green with a 1000 to 1499 gpm flow
c. Red with a gpm flow of less than 500
d. Yellow with a 500 to 999 gpm flow
4. _____ What does a four-way valve allow firefighters to do?
a. Allow forward laid supply lines to be charged immediately
b. Connect additional pumpers to the hydrant
c. Boost pressure in the original supply line
d. All of the above
5. _____ Hydrant connections with a soft intake hose are more efficient when the
connection can be made to a steamer connection using a ____ inch or
larger supply line.
a. 4
b. 4½
c. 5
d. 6½
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6. _____ A soft intake hose is appropriate to use to make a hydrant connection with
because
a. It comes in a larger diameter than a hard intake hose
b. Most hydrants have steamer connections
c. Hydrants are a pressurized water supply
d. None of the above
7. _____ A hard intake hose marked with “For Vacuum Use Only”
a. Is meant for pressurized water sources only
b. Is designed for relay operations only
c. Is designed for shuttle operations only
d. Is meant for drafting use only
8. _____ Hydrant connections need to be made correctly
a. To sustain the fire flow requirements and pressure needs of systems
and appliances served
b. To effectively save lives and property from fire damage
c. To provide adequate exposure protection and to stop the extension
of the fire beyond the building of origin
d. All of the above
9. _____ When pumping from a hydrant, the recommended low residual pressure is
how many psi?
a. 10
b. 15
c. 20
d. 25
10. _____ Water shuttles are recommended for distances greater than ___ mile(s) or
for distances greater than the supply line capability of the department.
a. ¾
b. ½
c. 1
d. 2
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Water Supply Quiz Key
1. A.
2. C
3. B
4. D
5. B
6. C
7. D
8. D
9. C
10. B
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Name: _________________________ Date: __________________________
Operating a Dry Barrel Fire Hydrant Checklist
Directions – Using the hydrant, hydrant tools, and supply hose you are given, correctly
connect to and operate the fire hydrant while wearing Personal Protective Equipment
(PPE). You will begin on my instructions to start. The skill will end when you state to me
that you have completed all of the identified steps. Do you understand these
instructions?
1 pt.
each
Performance Objectives
Wrap the hydrant with a sufficient amount of hose to secure the hose, as
the fire apparatus proceeds to the emergency scene (simulate)
Tighten the hydrant outlet caps that will not be utilized (this is a safety
precaution)
Turn the cap nut counterclockwise and remove the cap from
the hydrant
Connect the female coupling to the hydrant outlet
Wait for the water signal from the apparatus driver/engineer
Open the hydrant fully, turning the stem nut counterclockwise
Close the hydrant fully, turning the stem nut clockwise
Replace the cap back on the hydrant outlet, turning the outlet nut in a
clockwise direction
Drain the supply line
Roll the hose section that was used into a donut roll, and return it to the
apparatus
Total points possible - 10
Instructor’s Signature
Date
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Name: _________________________ Date: __________________________
Connect and Place a Hard Suction for Drafting Checklist
Directions – Using the hydrant, hydrant tools, and hard suction supply hose you are
given, correctly connect to the fire apparatus in preparation of drafting from a static
water source. Complete this while wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). You
will begin on my instructions to start. The skill will end when you state to me that you
have completed all of the identified steps. Do you understand these instructions?
1 pt.
each
Performance Objectives
Confirm with the company officer the command to connect the hose to
the apparatus for drafting from a static water source
Check the hard suction couplings for dirt, debris, and worn gaskets that
will impact an effective suction connection
Connect the two sections of hard suction hose together
Connect the strainer to the end of the hard suction assembly
Drop the strainer into the static water source, using a hose rope to
maintain inches of clearance around the strainer
Remove the pump intake cap and the keystone intake valve from the
intake (if applicable)
Connect the hard suction intake hose to the pump intake, hand tightening
in a clockwise direction
Tie the strainer support rope to the pumper or another stationary object
Dismantle the drafting equipment upon completion of the connection
Return the equipment to its proper storage compartments on the
apparatus
Total points possible - 10
Instructor’s Signature
Date
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Name_______________________________________
Date_______________________________
Discussion Rubric
Objectives
4 pts.
Excellent
3 pts.
Good
2 pts. Needs Some
Improvement
1 pt. Needs Much
Improvement
N/A
Pts.
Participates in group discussion
Encourages others to join the
conversation
Keeps the discussion progressing
to achieve goals
Shares thoughts actively while
offering helpful recommendations to
others
Gives credit to others for their ideas
Respects the opinions of others
Involves others by asking questions
or requesting input
Expresses thoughts and ideas
clearly and effectively
Total Points (32 pts.)
Comments:
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Name______________________________________
Date_______________________________________
Individual Work Rubric
4 pts.
Excellent
Objectives
3 pts.
Good
2 pts. Needs Some
Improvement
1 pt. Needs Much
Improvement
N/A
Pts.
Follows directions
Student completed the work as directed,
following the directions given, in order and to the
level of quality indicated
Time management
Student used time wisely and remained on task
100% of the time
Organization
Student kept notes and materials in a neat,
legible, and organized manner. Information was
readily retrieved
Evidence of learning
Student documented information in his or her
own words and can accurately answer questions
related to the information retrieved
*Research/Gathering information (if relevant)
Student used a variety of methods and sources
to gather information. Student took notes while
gathering information
Total Points (20 pts.)
Comments:
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Name______________________________________
Date_______________________________________
Research Rubric
4 pts.
Excellent
Objectives
3 pts.
Good
2 pts. Needs Some
Improvement
1 pt. Needs Much
Improvement
N/A
Pts.
Question/goal
Student identified and communicated a question
or goal of the research
Research/Gathering information (if relevant)
Student used a variety of methods and sources
to gather information. Student took notes while
gathering information
Conclusion/Summary
Student drew insightful conclusions and
observations from the information gathered.
Information is organized in a logical manner
Communication
Student communicated the information gathered
and summary or conclusions persuasively.
Student demonstrated skill in the use of media
used to communicate the results of research
Reflection
Student reflected on the importance of the
research and its potential application
Total Points (20 pts.)
Comments:
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