HYDRAULICS
OBJECTIVES
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CHARACTERISTICS OF WATER
TYPES OF PRESSURES
WFRD PUMPERS
DIFFERENT TYPES OF PUMPS
DIFFERENT TYPES OF RELIEF VALVES
DRAFTING
FOAM
WFRD HYDRAULIC SOG
HYDRAULIC CALUCATION PROBLEMS
CHARACTERISTICS OF WATER
Water is a compound of hydrogen and
oxygen. (2 parts Hydrogen 1 part oxygen)
 One gallon of water weighs 8.35
pounds
 Cubic foot of water weighs 62.5 pounds
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ADVANTAGES OF WATER
Greater heat absorption than other
common extinguishing agents.
 A relatively large amount of heat is
required to change extinguishing agents.
 Greater the surface area of water
exposed, the more rapidly heat is
absorbed.
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ADVANTAGES OF WATER
Water converted into steam occupies
1,700 times its original volume.
 Water is plentiful and readily available.
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DISADVANTAGES OF WATER
Water has a high surface tension and does
not readily soak into dense material.
 Water may be reactive with certain fuels,
such as combustible metals.
 Water freezes at 32o F.
 Water readily conducts electricity.
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HEAD PRESSURE
Head pressure refers to the height of
water supply above the discharge orifice.
 If the water supply is 100 feet above the
discharge opening, this is referred to as 100 feet
of head. To convert feet of head to head
pressure, multiply by .434 per foot.
=
(Head Pressure is 43.4PSI)
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STATIC PRESSURE
Static Pressure exists when no water
is moving (potential energy).
 Static pressure normally is never found in
a municipal system, because water is
flowing somewhere in the system.
 The pressure found in a hydrant prior to
the hydrant flowing is considered to be
static pressure.
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Normal Operation Pressure
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The pressure found on a water
distribution system during normal
consumption demands.
RESIDUAL PRESSURE
Residual pressure is that part of the
total available pressure not used to
overcome friction loss or gravity
while forcing water through pipe,
fittings, fire hose and adapters
 WATER LEFT OVER
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FLOW PRESSURE
Flow Pressure is the forward velocity
pressure at a discharge opening where
water is flowing.
 GPM can be calculated from the flow
pressure if the size of the opening is
known.
 Flow pressure can be measured with a
pitot gauge.
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FRICTION LOSS
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Friction loss : the loss of pressure
created by the turbulence of water
moving against the interior walls of
hose or pipe.
WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS
3 Types
Gravity System: Water source is located
at a higher elevation than the distribution
system.
 Direct Pumping System: Water is
mechanically pumped.
 Combination System: Water is pumped
to elevated storage tanks and gravity
provides distribution pressure.
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FREINDSHIP FIRE & RESCUE
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RESCUE ENGINE
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2002 Spartan/Marion
1500 gal pump
Single Stage Pump
500 Gal Booster Tank
40 Gal Foam Tank
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WAGON
1997 Seagrave
 1500 gal Pump
 Single Stage Pump
 750 Gal Booster Tank
SOUTH END FIRE & RESCUE
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WAGON 5
1987 Seagrave
1500 GPM Pump
Two Stage Pump
500 Gal Tank
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ENGINE 5
2002 Pierce Dash
1500 GPM Pump
Two Stage Pump
750 Gal Tank
40 Gal Foam Tank
SHAWNEE FIRE & RESCUE
WAGON 4
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1996 Seagrave
 1500 GPM Pump
 Two Stage Pump
 Tank 500 gal
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ENGINE 4
2006 Pierce Lance
1500 GPM Pump
Two Stage Pump
500 Gal Tank
40 Gal Foam Tank
CLASS A PUMPER
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A NFPA rating test for pumpers that
indicates the pumper can pump
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100% rated capacity @ 150 PSI
70% capacity @ 200PSI
50% capacity @ 250 PSI
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CENTRIFUGAL PUMP
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Nearly all fire apparatus today utilize the
centrifugal pump.
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Centrifugal pumps are classified as a
nonpositive displacement pump because
it does not pump a definite amount of
water with each revolution.
CENTRIFUGAL PUMP
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Centrifugal force pushes water from the
center to the outer edge of the pump.
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Water is thrown further as rotation speed
increases.
CENTRIFUGAL FIRE PUMPS
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Single Stage Pump: A pump with one
shaft and one impeller
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Two Stage Pump: A pump with one shaft
and two impellers in separate chambers.
Positive Displacement Pumps
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Positive Displacement Pump: Mainly
used as primer pumps to displace air
from Centrifugal pumps. Positive
displacement pumps are either
piston, rotary gear or rotary vane
pumps.
Transfer Valve
Parallel Position or Volume: Each of the
impellers takes water from the source and
delivers it to the discharge. Each impeller
flows 50% of the total flow.
 Pressure Position or Series: All the water
from the intake manifold is directed into
the eye of the first impeller and then into
the eye of the second impeller.
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Transfer Valve
Transfer valve needs to be in the Parallel
or Volume position when it is necessary to
supply more than one half the rated
capacity of the pump.
 In most cases the transfer valve
should not be operated with a
discharge pressure exceeding 75 PSI.
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Transfer Valve
If there is any question as to the proper
operation of the transfer valve, it is better
to be in parallel or volume than in series
or pressure.
 To raise your RPM place the transfer
valve in Parallel or volume.
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Pressure Control Devices
Purpose of a pressure control device is
to protect the Firefighter’s hand line
against undue pressure rise. It helps
prevent a burst line and mechanical
damage to the pump from a water
hammer.
There are two types of pressure control
devices: Relief Valve and Engine Governor.
Pressure Governor
Pressure governor controls the
pressure of the pump by varying the
speed of the engine rather than
controlling the flow of water.
 Pressure control devices should be used
when more than one discharge line is
being used and during relay operations.
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RELIEF VALVE
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Relief valve is installed in a line which
connects from the suction side of the
pump to the discharge side. When
pressure on the discharge side of the
pump exceeds the preset value pressure,
the relief valve opens and permits the
water to flow directly from the discharge
manifold back into the intake manifold.
Relief Valve
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When setting the relief valve, the pressure
on the pump should be adjusted with all
the desired lines open and flowing the full
amount of water. The relief valve controls
the pressure of the pump by changing the
amount of water flowing through the
pump.
RELIEF VALVE
PUMP GAUGES
MASTER INTAKE
The master intake gauge ( Vacuum or
Compound gauge) is capable of
measuring either positive or negative
pressure.
 This gauge is calibrated from 0 to 600 PSI
positive pressure and from 0 to 30 inches
of vacuum on the negative side.
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PUMP GAUGES
Discharge Gauge
The pump discharge pressure gauge
registers the pressure as it leaves the
pump, but before it reaches the gauges
for each individual discharge line.
 It must be calibrated to measure 600 PSI,
unless the pumper is equipped to supply
high pressure fog streams, in which case
the gauge may be calibrated up to 1000
PSI
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Pump Drains
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Most connections to the pump are
equipped with drain valve on the line side
of the control valve. On the discharge
fitting, these drain provide a way for the
driver operator to relieve the pressure
from the hose line after the discharge
valve and nozzle have both been closed.
SAFETY REMINDER
DRAFTING
To draft you need to create a pressure
differential which allows atmospheric
pressure acting on the surface of the
water to force water into the fire pump.
 When enough air has been evacuated to
reduce the atmospheric pressure inside
the fire pump and intake hose a negative
vacuum is created causing the water to
rise into the intake hose and pump.
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DRAFTING
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The most important factor in choosing a draft
site is the amount of water available at that site.
Always use a strainer when drafting
There should be minimum of 24” of water
over the strainer and around the strainer
In most circumstance, the maximum lift is no
more than 25 feet.
Maximum theoretical lift 33.8 feet
DRAFTING
Lift is the distance between the fire pump
and source of the water. ( from center of
the pump to the top of the water)
 AS the lift or length of intake hose
increases, the capacity of the pump
decreases.
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DRAFTING
If operating a two stage pump, the
transfer valve should be in the volume or
parallel position during priming.
 Most priming pumps are intended to work
best when engine RPM are set between
1000 and 1200
 Priming time is typically 10 to 15
seconds, but should not prime more than
30 seconds for pumps of 1000 GPM and
no more than 45 seconds for pumps
over 1250 GPM
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DRAFTING
After the pump has been successfully
primed, increase the throttle before
attempting to open any discharges.
 Open discharge valve slowly while
watching the discharge pressure.
 If the discharge pressure continues to
drop, momentarily operating the primer
may eliminate the air still trapped in the
pump.
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DRAFTING
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A gradual increase in the vacuum
reading may be noted with no
change in the flow rate. This is an
indication that a blockage is
developing
STRAINERS
LOW LIFT STRAINER
DRY HYDRANT
Priming problems
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B.
C.
D.
E.
Air leaks
Loose hard sleeve/flex sleeve connection
Loose discharge caps
Open drains or open bleeders valves
Worn gaskets
Priming Problems
1.
2.
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6.
7.
Clogged Strainers
No oil in Primer Reservoir
Primer not activated in required time
End of suction hose not submerged
High Suction Lift (20’)
High point in suction line
Improper Engine Speed
Cavitations
Is when water is being discharged
from the pump faster than it is
coming into the pump.
Indications that a pump is cavitating
 The hose stream will fluctuate
 Pressure gauge will fluctuate
 The pump will be noisy, sounding like
gravel is passing through the pump
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FOAM
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Most foam concentrates are intended to
be mixed with 94% to 99% water. ( when
using 3% foam concentration, 97 parts
water mixed with 3 parts foam
concentrate equals 100 parts foam
solution)
HYDROCARBON FUELS
Hydrocarbon fuels are petroleum
based and have a specific gravity
that is less than one, therefore they
float on Water.
 Hydrocarbon fuels are immiscible,
that is they will not mix with water.
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POLAR SOLVENT FUELS
Polar Solvents are
flammable/combustible liquids that
have an attraction for water.
 Polar Solvents are miscible, that is
they dissolve in water.
 Polar Solvents are alcohol, acetone,
ketones, ethers, and acid.
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FOAM INDUCTION
Induction: Uses the pressure energy in the
stream of water to induct foam
concentration into the stream.
 This is companioned by using a In-Line
educator. The In-Line educator has a hose
that goes down into the foam and when
the water passes through the orifice of the
hose it creates a suction that draws the
foam out of the pail.
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WFRD APPARATUS FOAM TANKS
Rescue Engine 1 and Engine 5 use
Universal Gold AFFF 1%/3%
 Hydrocarbon and Polar Solvent fire in
depth use 3%
 Hydrocarbon spill fire use 1%
 Engine 4 uses Class A foam only
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WFRD FOAM
Light Water AFFF Foam
 Hydrocarbon Fuels 3% concentrate 97%
water’
 Polar Fuel 6% concentrate 94% water.
 WFRD foam is stored at the Sludge
building in 5 gal pails and 55 gal drums.
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SOG-06-06
Standardized Hydraulic Practices
Factors That Influence Friction Loss
A. Diameter of the hose
B. Length of the hose line
C. Quantity of GPM of water flow
D. Type of nozzle
E. Elevation
F. Appliances used ( Wyes and Siamese )
G. Master Stream devices
Standardized Hydraulic Practices
Other Less Significant Factors
A. Snaked hose lines
B. Protruding gaskets
C. Poor inner lining of hose
Standardized Hydraulic Practices
FORMULA FOR FRICTION LOSS
FL=CQ2L
FL : Friction loss in the entire hose line.
C : Coefficient determined by the size of the
hose.
Q : GPM flow divided by 100
L : Length of hose divided by 100
Standardized Hydraulic Practices
Coefficient of Friction
Size of Hose
3/4 “ Booster Line
1” Booster Line
1 ½ “ Hose
1 ¾ Hose
2 ½ Hose
Single 3” Hose
Dual 3” Hose
Single 4” Hose
(1) 4” & (1) 3” Hose
Coefficient
1000
150
24
15.5
2
.8
.2
.2
.1
Standardized Hydraulic Practices
Nozzle
Nozzle Pressure GPM
1 ¾ Fog
100 PSI
200
2 ½ Fog
100 PSI
250
2” Master Stream 100 PSI
500-1000
1” tip Hand line 50 PSI
200
1 1/8 Hand line 50 PSI
250
1 ¼ Hand line
50 PSI
300
Standardized Hydraulic Practices
Nozzle
Nozzle Pressure GPM
1 ¼ Master Tip
80 PSI
400
1 3/8 Master Tip 80 PSI
500
1 ½ Master Tip
80 PSI
600
1 5/8 Master Tip
8o PSI
700
1 ¾ Master Tip
80 PSI
800
1 7/8 Master Tip
80 PSI
900
2” Master Tip
80 PSI
1000
Standardized Hydraulic Practices
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NOZZLE PRESSURES
Handheld smooth bore nozzle : 50
PSI
Maser Stream (smooth bore) : 80
PSI
All Fog Nozzles : 100 PSI
Except Chief nozzles are 75 PSI
( for test purpose all Fog nozzles are
calculated at 100 PSI )
Standardized Hydraulic Practices
Calculating Friction Loss
A. Wyes and Siamese: Add 10 PSI
B. Master Streams : Add 20 PSI
C. Elevation : add 5 PSI per floor or ½
PSI per foot. Descending elevation
subtract 5 PSI or ½ PSI per foot.
D. Pre-Piped Waterways 20 PSI
Standardized Hydraulic Practices
To Calculate Friction Loss:
FORMULA FOR ATTACK PUMPER
FL=CQ2L + Nozzle Pressure
FORMULA FOR SUPPLY PUMPER
FL=CQ2L and add 40 PSI for residual
Pressure
Standardized Hydraulic Practices
1.
2.
3.
Supplying protective sprinkler and
standpipe system shall be at 150
PSI at the Siamese.
If a high rise pack is employed
charge the system at 175 PSI
Start out pressure for Truck 2 and
Ladder 2 will be 150 PSI
Standardized Hydraulic Practices
Supply Operations
1.
2.
3.
Supply hose load shall be finished off so
that the lead coupling is visible and
secured when line is pulled.
A minimum of 25’ of hose is to
accompany the coupling when the
line is pulled.
3’’ or 4’’ supply lines are to be filled with
water before the throttle is advanced.
Standardized Hydraulic Practices
Supply Operations
Starting pressure for 3” hose is 100 PSI and
Max targeted Pressure is 200 PSI
2. Starting Pressure for 4” hose is 75 PSI
and Max targeted pressure is 175 PSI
3.
Supply pumper can make a one time 25 PSI
adjustment to either lower or raise the water
flow ( if requested by the attack pumper). If
the flow needs adjusted again the supply
pumper will need to calculate the flow.
1.
HYDRANT RESIDUAL
To calculate how much water is left in a hydrant.
 Percent Drop= Static minus Residual X100
Static
 0-10% Drop= 3 times amount being used
 11-15% Drop = 2 times
 16-25% Drop = Same amount being used
 25 + % Drop = More water might be
available, but not as much as is being used
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Hydraulic Problems
C (X) Q2 (X) L (+) NP (+) E (+) SA
C : Coefficient
Q : GPM flow divided by 100
L : Length of hose
NP : Nozzle Pressure
E : Elevation
SA : Special Appliances
TEST QUESTIONS
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ARE IN BOLD PRINT AND GOLD
WRITING