Fire Apparatus
Driver / Operator - Engine
Qualification Handbook
Engines 2801 & 2811
General;
• All East Dover Fire Company and Toms River Township Guidelines, Policies,
and Requirements shall be met prior to qualifying as a fire company
driver/operator – Engine.
•
Prior to operating Fire Company vehicles, the prospective fire apparatus driver /
operator shall meet the performance requirements as it relates to all hand tools
and equipment of that vehicle. This shall include the ability to know, use,
recognize, and to correct and/or report deficiencies found on all hand tools and
equipment.
•
All Danger, Warning, and Caution placards and indications will be heeded in all
cases. These situations will be marked by the placards below:
Requisite Knowledge – The apparatus operator must know how to:
• Hydraulic calculations for friction loss and flow using estimation methods to
determine pump discharge pressures for safe operations of handlines, fixed
suppression systems, relay pumping and supplying master streams .
•
Equipment assembly procedures for all hose, nozzles, and appliances including
foam devices.
•
A thorough understanding of the streets and neighborhoods in the East Dover
area, as well as an operational knowledge of the main primary and secondary
streets in the remainder of Toms River and our primary mutual aid areas (Island
Heights, Seaside Heights, Lavallette, and Seaside Park).
•
A thorough understanding of firefighting strategies and tactics as it relates to
proper apparatus positioning at the incident scene.
•
All hose capacities, bed layouts, deployment methods, strengths, and limitations.
•
Perform the routine tests, inspections, and servicing functions specified in the
Driver / Operator Qualification Handbook as set up by this Fire Company by the
Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ), so that the operational status of your
qualification is verified.
•
Know the proper forms to document inspection and maintenance of Fire
Company vehicles.
Requisite Skills – The apparatus operator must demonstrate his/her ability to:
• Safely and efficiently navigate to, and position an engine at an incident scene in
a location that will enable efficient suppression/rescue operations as directed.
•
Power transfer from vehicle engine from road to pump.
•
Draft from a standing water source.
•
Smoothly transition between internal and external water sources.
•
Assemble hose lines, nozzles, valves, and appliances.
•
Produce a foam fire stream at proper proportion for the product being applied.
•
Supply water to fire sprinkler system and standpipe systems, given specific
system information so the water supplied to the system is at the correct volume
and pressure.
INTRODUCTION:
• This information is designed to give pump operators a quick and fairly easy
process for determining fire ground hydraulics in the field.
•
Supplying water is a critical part of the control of the fire ground, and the efficient
use of this water requires us to maintain appropriate pressures and flow rates.
•
Remember, like everything else there is an acceptable margin of error. This is
because fire service hydraulics is not an exact science. If pressures are within 5
or 10 psi of the required psi, little of the effectiveness is lost.
•
Gauges are not precise. They vibrate with the engine and two people reading
the same gauge will probably read slightly different pressures along with a
combination of hose, adaptors and nozzles that are used in departments.
•
The objective is to enable the pump operator to solve any hydraulic problem
within one minute. This, together with fire-ground experience and training, will
enable the operator to supply a continuous flow of water at the desired pressure.
General Knowledge
Run Assignments
Pump Type / Size
Water Tank
Foam Tank
Use of Equipment
Generator
Cab Tilt
Knowledge of Equipment on Truck
Apparatus Operation
Weekly/Check-Out Procedure
Engine Start-Up
Emergency Lights
Cab Controls
Driving Capability / Hours Completed
Laying of Supply Line(s)
Hydraulics
Nozzle Types
Tip Sizes / GPM
Hose Size & Amount
Friction Loss Calculations
Pump Controls
Pumping Pre-Connects
Foam Operations
Hydrant Operations
Drafting Operations
Standpipe Operations
Sprinkler System Operations
Pumping to Ladder
Pumping to Another Engine (Relay)
Positioning of Apparatus
Structure Fires
Vehicle Fires
Hydrant Spotting
Hydrant Spotting Front Suction
Hydrant Spotting Side Suction
Signatures
Fire Fighter:____________________
Officer/Qualifier:_________________
Complete
Comments
Date(s)
Comments
ENGINE – 2801/11 INFORMATION SHEET
General
Manufacture
Model
Cab
Seating
Pierce (2801-2010 / 2811-2005)
Quantum
8 persons
FIREFIGHTING SYSTEM
Water Tank
Capacity
Fill Connection
2801-750 / 2811-1000 Gallons
1 – 2 ½” Left Side
Foam Tank (2801 Only)
Capacity
30 Gallons
Water Pump
Type
Pump Size/Capacity
Waterous - Centrifugal
2000 GPM
Foam Proportioning System
Type
Metering Percentage
Husky – Direct Injection
Variable
Hose
5”
2.5””
2 ½” Preconnect
2 – 1 ¾” Preconnects
1 – 1 ¾” Bumper Line
1 – 1 ¾” High Rise Pack
1 – 1 ¾” Dead Load
1000’
500’
200’ (2801 only)
200’ ea.
100’
100’
500’ (2801) / 250’ (2811)
Generator
Make
Rating
Harrison
8KW
Ladders
Construction
Extension Ladder
Roof Ladder
Attic Ladder
Aluminum
35’ (2811) / 28’ (2801)
14’
10’
Command Lite (2801 Only)
Model
Watts of Light
SAFETY SYSTEMS:
Both 2811 and 2801 are equipped with numerous safety systems and interlocks to
prevent dangerous situations from occurring where possible. These systems include:
•
Anti-lock brakes
•
Auxiliary Braking System (Compression or Jake Brake)
•
Command Zone
•
Hand and Grab Rails
•
SCBA Securing Systems
•
Vehicle Data Recorder (2801 Only)
•
Seatbelt Indicator (2801 Only)
CAB CONTROLS:
The following section details the controls inside the cab:
Battery Switch (on/off position)
Ignition Switch (transmission in neutral
, parking brake set to operate)
Transmission Control
To check oil level depress both arrows once
and release. OLOK is full OLTL is not up to
temperature.
Load Manager
• Load manager control – the load manager monitors voltage and turns off loads
that are not necessary to maintain adequate voltage on scene.
• Load manager takes over at 12.9 volts and will shed loads as needed.
• Load manager will turn loads back on if voltage increases.
The remaining switch and pump panels are similar on both engines, however the
operator / operator in training should get familiar with the location of various control
switches in each vehicle on their own. Specific switch panels will not be detailed here,
but can be found either by viewing the actual apparatus or the training PowerPoint
which goes into more detail.
DETERMINING PUMP PRESSURE:
In fire ground hydraulics the basic pump pressure formula for a level lay is:
Pump Pressure = Nozzle Pressure + Total Friction Loss. This equation is: PP = NP + TFL
The pressure registering on the pump pressure gauge will not be the same at the nozzle
because energy (pressure) is being used up overcoming friction within the hose.
Friction loss is determined by recognizing that water, as a non-compressible fluid,
exerts pressure equally against its confining material. Therefore, fluid pressure must be
determined as a rate of water flow versus the friction index of the substance it is flowing
through. Fortunately, in the case of fire hose, the friction loss rate (FLR) is a simple
function of the square of the amount of water flowing. Specifically, the total gallons per
minute (gpm) divided by 100 and then squared and then doubled, have been found to
be an adequate fire ground formula for computing the friction loss rate in 2 ½” Hose.
Similar rules of thumb for field calculation of friction loss in 1 ¾” and 5” hose have been
provided during your pump school training.
FL = 2Q2 L
Where Q = gpm
100
As a pump operator, you must have certain facts to determine pump pressure (PP).
These facts are listed in order of importance for calculating the pump pressure:
 Nozzle Pressure
 GPM flowing or Size of the nozzles tip
 Size of hose
 Length of hose in lay
 Elevation differential between pump and nozzle
 Appliance Loss
 Sprinkler System or Stand Pipe Loss,
The first five facts are needed, in all cases, to solve pump pressure.
NOZZLE PRESSURE:
The next step in the simplification of fire ground hydraulics is to establish nozzle
pressures for all nozzle streams. The Fire Service has established the following as the
desired Nozzle Pressures (NP):
NOZZLE PRESSURE
NOZZLE TYPE
50 psi
Hand lines with smooth bore nozzles
80 psi
Deluge sets, monitor nozzles, or water tower equipped with
a smooth bore tip
100 psi
All adjustable or fog nozzles
100-200 psi
Foam application (Depending on system)
50 psi
Low Pressure Fog nozzles
SIZE OF HOSE:
Fire hose is limited in the amount of pressure it can sustain. Because of this, the
maximum pressure we can pump to any given hose is its annual service test pressure.
Today there are approximately fourteen different hose sizes used in the fire service.
The maximum Pump Pressure for fire hose is:
TYPE
SIZE
COLOR
SERVICE PRESSURE &
MAXIMUM PUMP
PRESSURE
Cotton/Rubber Jacket (Wild land)
1 ½”
RED/WHITE
300 PSI / 275 PSI
RED
Synthetic Double Jacket (Attack Line)
1 ¾”,
2 ½”
YELLOW
WHITE
400 PSI / 250 PSI
Rubber Jacket hose (Supply Line)
5”
Yellow
200 PSI / 150 PSI
Hard Suction
6”
CLEAR
150 PSI
REMEMBER:
When pumping through a combination of hoses, the lowest pressure hose is the
determining factor for maximum pump pressure.
Tip Sizes / Nozzle Pressures / GPM:
SMOOTH BORE TIPS - Hand Lines
NP
GPM
3/16"
TIPS FOR
50 psi
7
1/4"
WILDLAND
50 psi
13
3/8"
USE
50 psi
30
1/2"
50 psi
50
5/8"
50 psi
80
3/4"
50 psi
120
7/8"
50 psi
160
1"
50 psi
210
1 1/8”
50 psi
270
NP
GPM
1 1/8"
80 psi
300
1 1/4"
80 psi
400
1 3/8"
80 psi
500
1 1/2"
80 psi
600
1 3/4"
80 psi
800
2"
80 psi
1000
SMOOTH BORE TIPS - Appliances
When calculating
gpm round off to
the nearest 1 gpm.
When calculating
gpm round off to
the nearest 10 gpm.
When calculating
gpm round off to the
nearest 100 gpm.
Hand lines – Multiple 1 ¾” Hose lines:
PUMP TO THE HIGHEST LINE AND GATE DOWN THE SECOND LINE *
Example: Two 1 ¾” hand lines, one 200’ and 175 gpm, the second is 150’ and 150 gpm.
Initial pump pressure - NP = 100
PP = NP + FL
(a) PP = 100 + 50
(b) PP = 100 + 27
* PP = 150 psi
2nd or GP = 127
(a) Pump Pressure = 150
(b) Gated Pressure = 127 psi
EXAMPLE OF FIRE GROUND HYDRAULICS:
DROP 10 METHOD FOR 2 ½ FIRE GROUND CALUCLATIONS
The following example will show how fire ground hydraulics is tied directly to written
hydraulics:
250 gpm nozzle, 250 gpm setting, 450' of 2 ½" hose, PP =?
Initial pump pressure = 100 psi
In fire ground hydraulics the pump pressure formula for a level lay using the Drop 10
Method
Working this out step-by-step would look like this:
 Step One: Determine the Nozzle Pressure (NP) for a fog nozzle. NP = 100 psi
 Step Two: Determine the GPM Flow = 250 gpm
 Step Three: Drop the last number off = 25gpm
 Step Four: Subtract 10 from the number = 15 psi per 100 ft
GPM = 250
-10
FL = 15 psi
PP = NP + TF
PP = 100 + 60
PP = 160 psi
AFTER 400 GPM THE FORMULA IS NOT ACCURATE
EXAMPLE OF FIRE GROUND HYDRAULICS:
CONVERTING 3” HOSE RULE OF THUMB METHOD
If 300 gpm is flowing from a nozzle. What is the total friction loss for the hose with 2 ½
couplings at 200ft.
When using 3“ hose we must know three things We need to know the length of the hose
lay, size of the hose and the GPM we wish to flow. To use the 3” Rule of Thumb we
take the GPM, drop off the last two digits and square the remaining number.
 Step 1 : GPM is 300 gpm
 Step 2 : our new number is now 3
 Step 3 : Take 3 and times it by itself gives us 9.
So if we flow the 300 gpm through one 3 ” line the our friction loss be 9 psi
per 100ft
PP= NP + FL
PP = 100 + 18
PP = 118 PSI ROUND
UP
PP = 120 PSI
AFETR 800 GPM THIS FORMULA IS NOT ACCURATE
EXAMPLE OF FIRE GROUND HYDRAULICS:
CONVERTING 5” SUPPLY HOSE RULE OF THUMB METHOD
Again we need to know three basic things to supply 5” hose. We need to know length of
hose, hose size and gpm to be flowed. We know we can calculate the friction loss for
the hose using the formula FL = CQ2 L but we may not know the coefficient to be used
and there is a easier way to calculate the friction loss.
To calculate the friction loss all you need to do is drop the last two numbers for the
desired gpm to be flowed starting at 500 gpm.
GPM = Friction loss
500 gpm = 5 psi
1000 gpm = 10 psi
1500 gpm = 15 psi
EXAMPLE OF FIRE GROUND HYDRAULICS:
Appliances (Heavy Stream) – Apparatus Deck Gun
Example: 2” tip from apparatus mounted deck gun, PP =?
Initial pump pressure = 80
*ALLOW 15 PSI APPLIANCE LOSS WHEN USING A DELUGE SET OR MONITOR NOZZLE*
 Step One: Flow = 1000 gpm
HINT
 Nozzle Pressure = 80
DISCHARGE IS DIRECTLY OFF THE PUMP.
 *Appliance Loss = 15
NO HOSE FRICTION LOSS CALCULATIONS
NEED TO BE MADE.
PP = NP + AL
PP = 80 + 15
PP = 95 psi
EXAMPLE OF FIRE GROUND HYDRAULICS:
Siamese Lines (Equal Length) Using the Rules of Thumb
Example: 1 1/8" tip, 50 psi NP, One 100' lines of 5" hose into two 100' line of 2 ½"
hose.
PP = ?
Initial pump pressure = 50 psi
If I know my 1-1/8 tip flows 266 gpm round the number up to 270 gpm. Then take that
number to figure out your 2 ½ inch lines by dropping the zero on the gpm and subtract
10 from the number giving me 17 psi per 100 ft for friction loss for the 2 ½ . Now I can
calculate the loss for my 5” hose which is 1 after dropping the two zeros. Now all I have
to do is add 10 psi for the appliance which gives me my pump pressure.
PP = NP + FL in 2 1/2 +
FL in 5” hose + Appliance
PP = 50 + 17 psi for 2 ½ hose + 1 psi for 5” + 10 psi appliance
PP = 71 psi round it up to 80 psi pump pressure
ELEVATED MASTER STREAMS:
One of the most important uses of an aerial unit is to provide an elevated stream for fire
attack and exposure protection. Elevated streams can be effectively directed into or
onto the upper portions of tall buildings, which are beyond the reach of ground mounted
devices. The ground or apparatus mounted devices are usually only effective to about
the third floor. Heavy streams from aerial devices (especially tower ladders) can also be
very effective in controlling volume fires on the lower or ground floors. When setting up
aerial devices, consideration must be given to wind direction and exposure protection.
Officers should anticipate the need for elevated master streams during escalating fires.
Consideration should be given to initial truck placement for rescue, ventilation, etc., and
the potential need to relocate for master stream operations. If possible, spot the
apparatus for current tactical assignments, and future needs. Building collapse may be
a possibility, so the truck and personnel should be placed outside the potential collapse
zone.
Aerial units should be provided with their own supply engine not more than 100 feet
from the vehicle. If a hydrant is not available within that distance, another engine should
be used to relay water to the unit supplying the aerial. When requesting a truck for
master stream operations, consideration should be given to requesting an additional
engine to be dedicated to the truck for water supply. At least two 21/2” supply lines or
one 5 inch supply line should be used to supply the aerial device. A spotter remote from
the turntable may be necessary to ensure the stream is hitting the desired target or
opening. When using fog streams, the nozzle should be placed at the center of a
window opening and set at a 30 degree pattern. It should be aimed first at the upper
part of the room where the concentration of heat is the greatest and then swept
downward. When using solid streams, the stream should be placed so that it enters the
windows at an upward angle. This will allow the stream to strike the ceiling, break up
and spread water over a wide area. An improper entry angle will result in loss of
penetration into the building. An incorrectly used aerial stream can cause unnecessary
property loss and injury to firefighters and possible collapse of the fire building.
The 2 most common errors are directing streams through roof ventilation holes and
directing them toward firefighters advancing interior handlines.
There are 5 factors that will determine the correct pump pressure when pumping a
ladder pipe.
1. Nozzle Pressure (depending on type of nozzle used)
2. Friction Loss in hose going to aerial ladder
3. Friction Loss in ladder and siamese
4. Elevation Loss due to height of ladder
5. Friction Loss in hose between siamese and pumper.
For fireground operations, 150 psi as the siamese can be used as a starting pressure;
however, the proper operating pressure should be determined as soon as possible, to
ensure adequate nozzle pressure and reach and if the engine supplying the aerial will
be doing the work or will be using the aerial ladders pump.
Collapse Zone
Or
1 ½ x’s the height of the building
APPLIANCES (HEAVY STREAM):
Example: 1 ¾" tip, ladder pipe elevation, 70' up, 200' of 5" hose line is supplying the
ladder. What is the pump pressure to feed the ladder ?
 Step One: 1 ¾” tip @ 80 psi
Flow = 800 gpm
Rule of Thumb
FL = through 5" hose = 8psi per 100 ft
 Step Two : PP = NP + FL + EL
PP = 80 + 16 + 35
PP =
96 + 35
PP = 131 psi or 130 psi
Standpipe Operations;
Standpipe operations involve many factors, to include the friction loss in the standpipe.
In layouts involving hose lines and building systems, the pump pressure must be
sufficient to:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Overcome friction loss in the attack line
Provide the proper nozzle pressure
Overcome the elevation loss in the standpipe
Overcome the friction loss in hoselines to the siamese
Overcome the friction loss in the siamese, standpipe, and riser valve
There are long hydraulic formulas for figuring friction loss in risers, siamese connections
and hose outlets but they are not practical for fireground operations. Therefore, a quick
and easy method can be adopted as follows:
Standard Pump Pressure for standpipes is 150 psi + 5 psi/floor above the siamese
+ the friction loss in the hose lines to the siamese (which is usually very minimal).
Maximum pump pressure is 200 psi.
DO NOT COUNT THE FIRST FLOOR!
EXAMPLE: Fire Reported on 5th Floor
150 + 20 (4 floors above siamese x 5) = 170 psi Pump Pressure
EXAMPLE: Fire Reported on the 9th Floor
150 + 40 (8 floors above siamese x 5) = 190 psi Pump Pressure
EXAMPLE: Fire Reported on the 18th Floor
150 + 85 (17 floors above the siamese x 5) = *235 Pump Pressure
*Pump Pressure above 200 psi is unsafe operating pressure.*
This procedure will ensure proper NP for the various high-rise packs used.
EXAMPLE 1:
150' of 1 ¾ " Hose flowing with 15/16 tip
185 gpm
50 psi NP
50 FL in Hose
10 FL in Standpipe & Gated Wye
150 psi plus 5 psi/floor above the
Siamese
EXAMPLE 2:
150' of 1¾" Hose with TFT flowing
150 gpm
100 psi NP
50 FL
10 FL in Standpipe & Gated Wye
150 psi plus 5 psi/floor above the
Siamese
Sprinkler System:
Example:
Twenty heads are fused on the 8th floor; sprinkler system is supplied by
two 500' lengths of 2 1/2" hose. PP = ?
Initial pump pressure = Maintain 150 psi at the pump until proper pump pressure can be
determined.
IN RAPID METHOD HYDRAULICS ALLOW 30 GPM PER SPRINKLER HEAD.*
IN RAPID METHOD HYDRAULICS 25 PSI CAN BE CONSIDERED AS EFFECTIVE
SPRINKLER NOZZLE PRESSURE.**
ALLOW 25 PSI LOSS FOR SPRINKLER SYSTEM (SPR. L)***
ALLOW 5 PSI PER FLOOR FOR GRAVITY LOSS, INCLUDING THE FIRST
FLOOR.***
Sprinkler System:
Step One: Flow = 30* x 20
Flow = 600 gpm
Flow through one line = 600
2
Flow through one line = 300 gpm

 Step Two: FLR = 2Q2
FLR = 2 (gpm)2
100
FLR = 2 (300)2 = 3
100
FLR = 2(3)2
FLR = 2 x 9 = 18
FLR = 18 psi
 Step Three: L = total feet
100
L = 500
100
L=5
 Step Four: TFL = FLR x L
TFL = 18 x 5
TFL = 90 psi
 Step Five: **GL = 5 x 8
GL = 40 psi
PP = NP** + TFL + Spr. L*** + GL****
PP = 25 + 90 + 25 + 40
PP = 180 psi
WATER HAMMER