Fire Pump: Engine Company Apparatus

General Information

• This manual provides information about the engine company apparatus fire pump, for Philadelphia Fire Department engine company members.
• Exercising appropriate control, as dictated by rank, is each member's responsibility when implementing this manual.
• A basic understanding of the apparatus, pump panel, and fire pump operations is required for all engine company members.
• Pumping apparatus can be simplified with the correct education and training.

The Pump

• The PFD engine fleet includes apparatus from 1995 to the present, equipped with One or Two-Stage 1500 Gallon per Minute Hale and Waterous pumps.
• The capacity rating reflects the pumps capability to discharge 1500 GPM at draft.
• With a constant static water supply, pumps can produce more than their rated capacity.
• Centrifugal fire pumps rotate water to achieve centrifugal force.
• Water enters the impeller's eye, moved through the impeller into the casing, enlarging near the discharge port.

Volume & Pressure

• Single-stage pumps operate in volume mode.
• Two-stage pumps operate in pressure or volume mode.
• In PRESSURE (series) mode, the output from the first impeller goes to the second, adding pressure and resulting in higher pressure but lower GPM.
• In VOLUME (parallel) mode, both impellers receive water from the pump intake, combining their flows and resulting in lower pressure but greater GPM.
• The manufacturer recommends the VOLUME setting for pumping more than 50% (750 GPMs) of the pumps max rated capacity of 1500 GPM, such as for master streams.

PFD Pump Panel

• Compound Gauge (intake): Located top left of pump panel displays available water pressure coming into pump from pressurized water source. Note static pressure before opening discharge. The pressure drop shows PSI loss from the opened discharge line.
• The remaining pressure to stay above 20 PSI, is the residual pressure, and gives a true reading when tip is open.
• Master Pressure Gauge (discharge): Located on the pump panel top right, displays the total pressure the pump is producing.
• Test Gauge Ports: Used during pump tests to verify accuracy of the compound gauge and master pressure gauge.
• Tachometer: Measures engine speed in RPMs. During pump operations monitor the RPMs to ensure they are at expected speeds consistent with the PSI on the Pressure gauges.
• Engine Water Temperature Gauge: Normal operating temperature for a diesel engine is 180 – 197 degrees.
• Engine Oil Pressure Gauge: Should not read below 10 PSI.
• Throttle: Controls the speed of the engine. As RPM’s increase, pressure increases. Whether the apparatus has a manual or electronic throttle control always increase and decrease the pressure slowly to prevent water hammer.
• Individual Discharge Gauges: Indicates pressure at the discharge gate.
• Individual Pressure Gauge: Displays pressure slightly different from the Master Pressure Gauge; critical for setting correct pressure when running multiple lines off the same engine.
• Flow Meter: Indicates water flow in GPMs typically on 5” discharge gates or some Deck-Gun Monitors, Squrts, Water-Towers, etc.
• Individual Discharge Gates: Ball valves control flow of water at each discharge, open and close, slowly.
• Tank-To-Pump Valve: Controls the flow of water between the tank and the pump.
• Tank Fill Valve: Allows water to pass from the pump into the water tank, refill your tank as soon as possible.
• Water Level Indicator: Displays water level in tank. PFD engines have 500-gallon tanks.
• Pump Cooler, Booster Cooler or Circulating Valve: Directs water from the discharge side of the pump back into the water tank and should be opened on EVERY pump operation.
• Engine Cooler: Keep closed redirecting water from the pump around the engine cooling system, only open when engine water gauge reads 205 degrees or greater, and consider taking additional measures when at risk of overheating.
• Discharge Relief Valve: Directs water from the discharge side of the pump back to the intake side. It must be used on all services other than booster line in order to act as a safety mechanism and prevent any unwanted increased pressure on any discharge line.
• Intake Relief Valves: There are three (one on the driver side and two on the officer side.) Relieves pressure from water coming into the pump (mostly used in a relay) should be left at highest level.
• Priming Pump Reservoir: Containing and using 30W oil (95-96 KME, 03-04 LaFrance). it supports priming systems and all pumpers 2009-Present have air actuated primers.
• Primer: Displaces air from the pump when activated and creates a negative pressure when drafting allowing atmospheric pressure to push water into the pump.
• Transfer Valve: Controls what stage the pump is in.
• Most PFD Pumpers are 2 stage pumps: Pressure and Volume. Only change modes when throttled down to idle. In “pressure” (series) setting, the output from the impeller being supplied by the pump intake is sent to the second impeller where additional pressure is added before being discharged, resulting in a higher pressure but lower GPM. In the “volume” (parallel) setting, both impellers receive water directly from the pump intake so the discharge flow is the sum of both impellers, generally use this setting when pumping more than 50 % of the pumps rated capacity (i.e., master streams.) Lower pressure, greater GPM.
• Main Suctions (two): All pumpers have two side 6” NST intakes, which allow water to flow directly into the pump.
• Auxiliary Suctions (two): Gated side 2 ½” NST intakes that allow water to flow into the pump. Intake connections when using 3” supply line (i.e., first-in situations or when adding a supplemental supply line).
• Strainers: Check regularly as they rust over time and prolong the life of the pump.
• Discharge Drains and Bleeders: Designed to bleed pressure from the hose line attached to the gate, located between the gate and the outlet, and may be opened up before you open the intake gate to dispel air.
• Master Pump Drain: Designed to drain the pump of water and never be opened under pressure, and to disconnect from the hydrant before opening you must take the apparatus out of pump.
• UL Plate: Lists the rated capacity of the pump.

Placing an Egine Into Pump

In Cab Procedures

• Properly place the apparatus and come to a complete stop.
• Place the transmission into neutral and set the parking brake.
• Slowly engage the pump, switching from road to pump,.
• Place transmission in DRIVE and check for green OK TO PUMP confirmation light and or rise in RPMs.

Out of Cab Procedures

• Ensure you are on the correct radio channel and wearing your helmet and appropriate gloves.
• Properly chock the rear wheel and check to ensure the green pump engaged light is lit.
• Ensure that the tank to pump valve is open, check the Master Pressure Gage to ensure you have the correct operating pressure at idle engine speed.
• Charge the correct hose line and throttle up to correctly calculated pressure (psi).
• Set the Pressure relief valve and establish a water supply.