Pump Operations 1 Study Guide
2nd Edition
Chapter 6
1. How does water have the ability to extinguish fire? (P136)
a. Cooling
i. Absorbing heat from fire
b. Smothering
i. Excluding oxygen
2. What is specific heat? (P136)
a. The measure of heat absorbing capacity of a substance
3. What is the latent heat of vaporization? (P137)
a. The quantity of heat absorbed by a substance when it changes from a liquid to a vapor
4. How does water smother fire? (P138-139)
a. Expanding steam helps cool the fire area by displacing smoke and gases
5. What is specific gravity? (P139)
a. The density in relation to water
6. What are the advantages of water as an extinguishing agent? (P139-140)
a. Greater heat-absorbing capacity
b. Large amount of heat is needed to change water to steam
c. Greater exposed surface area
d. Expansion ratio of 1,700:1 thus cooling when it condenses
e. Plentiful and readily available in most places
7. What are the disadvantages of water as an extinguishing agent? (P140)
a. Water has a high surface tension and does not soak into dense materials easily
b. Reactive with certain fuels
i. Combustible metals
Pump Operations 1 Study Guide
2nd Edition
c. Freezes at 32OF making it dangerous
d. Conducts electricity
8. What is pressure? (P140)
a. Force per unit area
b. May be expressed in pounds per square foot (psf), or
c. Pounds per square inch (psi)
9. What is force? (P140)
a. A simple measure of weight
i. Directly related to gravity
b. Expressed in pounds
10. How is force determined? (P141)
a. One cubic foot of water weights 62.5 pounds
i. square foot contains 144 square inches
ii. 1 inch square column of water, 1 foot high equals 0.434 psi
b. The height required for a 1-square inch column of water to produce 1 psi at the base is
2.304 feet.
c. Gravity determines force.
11. What are the principles of fluid pressure? (P141-143)
a. Fluid pressure is perpendicular to any surface on which it acts
b. Fluid pressure at a point in a fluid at rest is the same intensity in all directions (has no
direction)
c. Pressure applied to a confined fluid from without is transmitted equally in all directions
d. The pressure of a liquid in an open vessel is proportional to its depth
e. The pressure of a liquid in an open vessel is proportional to the density of the liquid
f. The pressure of a liquid on the bottom of a vessel is independent of the shape of the
vessel
Pump Operations 1 Study Guide
2nd Edition
12. How do you measure atmospheric pressure? (P143-144)
a. Pressure exerted by atmosphere at sea level
b. 14.7 psi
13. What are some causes of friction loss in fire hose? (P147)
a. Movement of water molecules against each other
b. Lining in fire hose
c. Hose couplings
d. Bends, particularly sharp bends
e. Change in hose size (diameter) or orifice by adapters
f. Improper gasket size
14. What are some causes of friction loss in piping systems? (P147)
a. Movement of water molecules against each other
b. Inside surfaces of piping
c. Pipe fittings
d. Bends
e. Control valves
15. What are the principles of friction loss? (P147-148)
a. If all other conditions are the same, friction loss varies directly with the length of the
hose or pipe
i. The longer the water has to travel, the more friction loss of the hose
b. When hoses are the same size, friction loss varies approximately with the square of
increase in the velocity of the flow
i. The faster the water is moving through the hose, the greater the friction loss
1 A length of 3” hose flowing 200 gpm has a friction loss of 3.2 psi
2 If you double the flow from 200 to 400 gpm
3 The friction loss will increase 4 times (22 = 4) to 12.8 psi
Pump Operations 1 Study Guide
2nd Edition
c. For the same discharge, friction loss varies inversely as the fifth power to the diameter
of the hose
i. Example
1 Compare a 2 ½” and a 3” hose
2 The friction loss in the 3” hose is:
a. (2 ½)5 / (3)5 =
b. 98/243 =
c. 0.4 that of the 2 ½” hose
d. For a given flow velocity, friction loss is approximately the same, regardless of the
pressure on the water.
16. Name ways to reduce friction loss. (P150)
a. Hose length
i. Reduce the length of hose
ii. Remove any access hose not needed
b. Hose diameter
i. Increase hose diameter
ii. Maintain a maximum of 3” for handlines
c. Sharp bends in hose
i. Remove kinks
ii. Maintain proper hose handling techniques
17. What is water hammer? (P151)
a. Water moving through hose or pipes has weight and velocity
b. The weight increases as the pipe or hose size increases
c. Larger diameter hose such as 5” hose can cause more damage than smaller diameter
hose due the larger volume of water moved.
Pump Operations 1 Study Guide
2nd Edition
d. The sudden stopping of movement results in the transmission of any energy surge
being transmitted in the opposite direction.
i. Water hammer
1 Can damage pump, hose, appliances, and the water system
ii. To stop or reduce this damage
1 Open and close nozzles and valves slowly
2 Equip apparatus inlets and remote outlets with pressure relief devices
18. Name the four primary components of a municipal water system. (P151-152)
a. Source of water
i. Ground water wells and springs
ii. Surface lakes and rivers
b. Means of moving water
i. Direct pumping
ii. Gravity
iii. Combination
c. Water processing or treatment facilities
d. Water distribution system, including storage
Chapter 7
1. What is a fire stream? (P165)
a. A stream of water or other extinguishing agent after it leaves the fire hose and nozzle
until it reaches the desired point
Pump Operations 1 Study Guide
2nd Edition
2. What factors influence a fire stream? (P165)
a. Velocity (most correct)
b. Gravity (most correct)
c. Wind (most correct)
d. Friction with the air (most correct)
e. Operating pressures
f. Nozzle design
g. Nozzle adjustment
h. Condition of nozzle orifice
3. What is the equation for determining the flow from a solid stream nozzle? (P165-166)
a. GPM = 29.7 x d2 x √NP
i. GPM – discharge in gallons per minute
ii. 29.7 – constant
iii. D – diameter of the orifice in inches
iv. NP – nozzle pressure
1. Solid Stream handline – 50 psi
2. Master Stream – 80 psi
4. Name the types of fog stream nozzles. (P168-170)
a. Constant flow nozzles
i. Use periphery-deflected stream
ii. Equipped with an adjustable pattern setting
iii. Discharge the same volume of water at a specific nozzle discharge regardless of
pattern setting
iv. Most intended to be operated at 100 psi nozzle pressure or lower for low
pressure nozzles
Pump Operations 1 Study Guide
2nd Edition
b. Manually adjustable nozzles
i. Number of constant flow settings
ii. Supply the selected flow at the rated nozzle pressures
iii. Designed to supply the gallonage marked on each setting
iv. Pump operator must know the setting in order to properly supply hoseline and
nozzle and adjust calculations for change
c. Automatic nozzles
i. Known as constant pressure nozzles
ii. Basically variable flow nozzles with pattern change capabilities and the ability to
maintain the same pressure.
iii. As the pump discharge pressure is increased, the nozzle automatically enlarges
its size, which will increase the flow
iv. Most designed for 100 psi but adjusting will increase or decrease flow
d. High pressure fog nozzles
i. Operate at pressures up to 800 psi
ii. High velocity with low volume of water
iii. Best used for wildland firefighting
iv. Not recommended for structural firefighting – flow only 8 to 15 gpm
5. When are master stream nozzles used? (P171)
a. Deliver large volumes of water (350 gpm or greater and have greater reach than a
handline
i. Solid streams – 80 psi
ii. Fog stream – usually 100 psi
Pump Operations 1 Study Guide
2nd Edition
6. What are the types of master stream nozzles? (P172)
a. Monitors
i. Stream and angle can be changed while water is being flowed
ii. Could be fixed, portable or a combination
b. Turret pipe
i. Turret pipe is mounted on a fire apparatus deck and connected directly to the
pump
ii. Called deck gun or deck pipe
c. Deluge set
i. Consists of a large nozzle and a short section of hose, supported by a tripod
ii. Siamese connection at the supply end
iii. Cannot change the direction or angle while discharging water
iv. Used primarily in the industrial setting
7. What is nozzle reaction? (P178)
a. Force counter to the velocity of water being discharged from a nozzle directed against
the person or device holding the nozzle
8. What is the equation for determining nozzle reaction? (P178-179)
a. Solid streams
NR = 1.57 x d2 x NP
1.57 = constant
d = diameter of nozzle
NP = Nozzle pressure in psi
b. Fog Streams
NR = 0.0505 x Q x √NP
0.0505 = constant
Q* = total flow through nozzle in gpm
NP = Nozzle pressure in psi
A fireground rough rule for fog stream is to divide the flowing GPM by 2 and this is an approximate
nozzle reaction for the firefighters on the line
Pump Operations 1 Study Guide
2nd Edition
Chapter 8
1. What four things can cause friction loss? (P184)
a. Hose condition
b. Coupling condition
c. Kinks
d. Volume of water flowing per minute
2. What is total pressure loss (TPL)? (P184)
a. friction loss and elevation pressure loss are referred to as total pressure loss
3. What is the equation for determining friction loss? (P185-186)
a. FL = CQ2L
i. FL = Friction loss in psi
ii. C = Friction loss coefficient (from Table 8.3)
iii. Q = Flow rate in hundreds of gpm (flow/100)
iv. L = Hose length in hundreds of feet (length/100)
4. What are the equations for determining elevation pressure? (P190-191)
Elevation pressure is created by elevation differences between the nozzle and the pump.
a. EP = 0.5H
i.
EP = Elevation pressure in psi
ii.
0.5 = A constant
iii.
H = Height in feet
Or
a. EP = 5 psi x (number of stories – 1)
5. What are the four types of simple hose layouts? (P194-199)
a. Single hoseline
b. Multiple hoselines (equal length)
c. Wyed hoselines (equal length)
d. Siamesed hoselines (equal length)
Pump Operations 1 Study Guide
2nd Edition
6. What are the four types of complex hose layouts? (P199-209)
a. Standpipe operations
b. Multiple hoselines (unequal length)
c. Wyed hoselines (unequal length) and manifold hoselines
d. Master streams
7. What is the equation for determining pump discharge pressure? (P209-212)
a. PDP = NP + TPL
i. PDP = Pump discharge pressure in psi
ii. NP = Nozzle pressure in psi
iii. TPL = Total pressure loss in psi (appliance, friction, and elevation losses)
8. What is the equation for determining net pump discharge pressure (NPDP)? (P212-213)
a. NPDPPPS = PDP – Intake reading
i. NPDPPPS = Net pump discharge pressure from a positive pressure source
ii. PDP = Pump discharge pressure
Chapter 9
1. What are the two types of flowmeters? (P252)
a. Paddlewheel
i.
Works by measuring the speed at which the paddlewheel is spinning and translates
that information into a flow measurement
b. Spring probe
i.
Uses a stainless steel spring probe to sense water movement in the discharge
piping; the greater the flow of water through the piping, the more the spring probe is
forced to bend
Pump Operations 1 Study Guide
2nd Edition
2. What are the two types of hydraulic calculators? (P254)
a. Manual or mechanical
i.
Operate by moving a slide or dial in which the water flow, size of hose, and length of
the hose lay are indicated
b. Electronic
i.
Allow the driver/operator to input the known information: the water flow, size of hose,
length of hose lay, and any elevation change
3. How many columns are there on a pump chart? Name each column. (P254-257)
a. 4
i.
Nozzle column
ii.
GPM (L/min) column
iii.
NP column (100, 200, etc.)
iv.
Indicates the number of feet of hose being used to supply a given nozzle or layout
4. Describe the hand method for determining friction loss. (P258-259)
The answers provided by this method give a reasonable estimate of the friction loss that can
be expected in that hoseline. If more accurate figures are required, one of the other methods
previously discussed in this curriculum needs to be employed.
5. State the equations for determining friction loss using the Condensed “Q” formula (P258-259)
a. FL per 100 feet = Q2
i.
FL = Friction loss in 100 feet
ii.
Q = Number of hundreds of gpm
b. Refer to page 259
Pump Operations 1 Study Guide
2nd Edition
Chapter 10
1. Explain how a piston pump operates. (P266-267)
a. Piston removes air trapped in pump
b. Water is forced into pump by atmospheric pressure
c. Forced out by piston movement
2. Explain how a rotary pump operates. (P268-269)
a. Rotors remove air trapped in the pump
b. Water is forced into the pump by atmospheric pressure
c. Forced out of the pump by rotor rotation
3. Name the three parts of a centrifugal pump. (P270-273)
a. Volute
i.
Water passage that gradually increases in cross-sectional area as it nears the pump
discharge outlet
b. Impeller
i.
Disk that transmits energy in the form of velocity to the water in the pump
c. Vane
i.
Impeller blade that rotates about the hub and directs water flow
d. Shroud
i.
Space between vanes that confines the water in its travel
e. Casing
i.
Container that collects the water and confines it, in order to convert velocity to
pressure, and directs it to the discharge outlet
f. Hub
i.
Center of the impeller, encompasses eye and supports vane
g. Eye
i.
Place where water enters the pump
h. Discharge
i.
Place where water exits pump
Pump Operations 1 Study Guide
2nd Edition
4. Explain how a centrifugal pump operates. (P270)
a. A rapidly moving disc throws water introduced at its center (eye) toward outer edge
b. The faster the disc is turned, the farther the water is thrown
c. Water velocity is converted to pressure by being confined within the container (pump
casing)
d. Water, limited by the walls of the container, moves upward to the pump discharge in the
path of least resistance
5. What is changeover? (P274)
a. Change-over is the process of switching the transfer valve on the pump between pressure
and volume
6. Explain the operation of auxiliary engine-driven pumps and PTO driven pumps. (P280)
a. Auxiliary engine-driven pumps
i.
The pump is powered by gasoline or diesel engines independent of the apparatus
engine
b. Power take-off (PTO) drive
i.
Pump is driven by a driveshaft connected to the Power take-off (PTO) on the chassis
transmission
7. Name the two types of actuators used in balltype valves. (P290-291)
a. Push-pull handle (T-handle)
b. Quarter-turn handle
c. Toggle switch
d. Hand wheel
8. What is the primary function of an auxiliary cooler? (P307-309)
a. Used to control the temperature of the apparatus engine during pumping operations
Pump Operations 1 Study Guide
2nd Edition
Chapter 11
1. What are the two basic pressurized water supply sources used to supply a fire pump? (P323-325)
a. Hydrant
b. A supply hose from another fire pump
2. What are some of the dangers of operating at a vacuum from a pressurized water source? (P324)
a. From a fire hydrant
i.
Increases the possibility of damage to the fire pump due to cavitation
ii.
Can cause damage to the pump and water system due to water hammer if the flow
is stopped suddenly
iii.
May damage water heaters or other domestic appliances on a municipal water
supply system
b. From another pumper
i.
Can cause supply hose to collapse, resulting in interruption of water supply
ii.
Can damage the pump through cavitation
3. Describe both a forward lay and a reverse lay. (P325-329)
a. Making a forward lay
i.
A forward lay involves stopping at the hydrant, dropping the end of one or more
supply lines at the hydrant, and proceeding to the fire location.
b. Making a reverse lay
i.
In a reverse lay, hose is laid from the fire to the water source.
4. What checks should be made after making hydrant connections but before opening the hydrant?
(P329-331)
a. Certain preliminary checks should be performed before opening the hydrant.
i.
The tank-to-pump valve must be closed if the intake is not equipped with a shutoff
valve.
ii.
A dry barrel hydrant must be opened all the way.
Pump Operations 1 Study Guide
2nd Edition
b. After the pump is full of water and the pressure in the system has stabilized with no water
flowing, a reading of the pressure on the master intake gauge indicates the static pressure
in the water supply system.
c. It may be desirable for the pump operator to record or remember the static pressure before
the operation begins. Some departments use a grease pencil to mark the static pressure on
the intake gauge.
5. Name methods for preventing the pump from overheating. (P331-332)
a. Pull some of the booster line off the reel and securely tie off the nozzle to a solid object.
b. Open a discharge drain valve.
c. Partially open the tank fill valve or pump-to-tank line.
d. Use a bypass or circulator valve if the apparatus is so equipped.
6. Discuss the three methods for determining how much more water a hydrant can supply. (P332)
When a pumper is connected to a hydrant and is not discharging water, the pressure shown on
the intake gauge is the static pressure. When the pumper is discharging water, the intake
gauge reading is the residual pressure. The difference between these two pressures is used to
determine how much more water the hydrant can supply:
a. Percentage method (page 332)
b. First-digit method (page 333)
c. Squaring the lines method (page 333-334)
7. Name the steps for shutting down a hydrant operation. (P334)
a. Gradually slow the engine rpm to idle to reduce the discharge pressure.
b. Take the pressure control device out of service if in use.
c. Slowly and smoothly close the discharge valves.
d. Place the drive transmission into neutral, and disengage the pump control device.
8. Name some indications that the pump is cavitating. (P337)
a. Hose streams will pulsate, and the pressure gauge on the pump will fluctuate
b. A popping or sputtering may be heard as the water leaves the nozzle
Pump Operations 1 Study Guide
2nd Edition
c. The pump will be noisy, sounding like gravel is passing through it
d. A lack of reaction on the pressure gauge to changes in the setting of the throttle
9. What three things dictate the selection of a drafting site? (P338)
a. Amount of water
b. Type of water
c. Accessibility of water
10. Name some common causes of an inability to prime the pump. (P344)
If a prime has not been achieved in 30 seconds, stop priming and find out what the problem is.
Causes of inability to prime:
a. An air leak that prevents the primer from developing enough vacuum to successfully draft
water
b. Insufficient fluid in the priming reservoir
c. Engine speed (rpm) is too low
d. Lift is too high
e. A high point in the hard intake hose is creating an air pocket
Chapter 12
1. What is the equation for determining maximum lift? (P378-379)
a. L = 1.13 Hg
i.
L = Height of lift in feet
ii.
1.13 = A constant
iii.
Hg = Inches of mercury
2. What is the equation for determining pressure correction? (P379-381)
Pressure correction = Lift + Total intake hose friction loss
2.3
Pump Operations 1 Study Guide
3. What is the equation for determining net pump discharge pressure? (P381)
NPDPDraft = PDP + Intake pressure correction
NPDPDraft = Net pump discharge pressure at draft
PDP = Pump discharge pressure in psi or kPa
4. Name types of natural static water supply sources. (P382)
a. Lakes
b. Ponds
c. Rivers
d. Oceans
5. What is the equation for determining the adequacy of a natural stream? (P383)
Q = A x V x 7.5
Q = Flow in gpm
A = Area in ft2 (width x depth)
V = Velocity in ft/min
7.5 = A constant (the number of gallons per ft3)
6. Name some common types of man-made static water supply sources. (P388)
a. Cisterns
b. Private water storage tanks
c. Ground reservoirs
d. Swimming pools
e. Agricultural irrigation systems
2nd Edition
Pump Operations 1 Study Guide
2nd Edition
7. What is the equation for determining the capacity of a square/rectangular swimming pool? (P391)
Capacity in gallons = L x W x D x 7.5
L = Length in feet
W = Width in feet
D = Average depth in feet
7.5 = Number of gallons per cubic foot
8. What is the equation for determining the capacity of a round swimming pool? (P391)
Capacity in gallons = π x r2 x D x 7.5
π (Pi) = 3.14
r = Radius or ½ the diameter in feet
D = Average depth in feet
7.5 = Number of gallons per cubic foot