Toronto Fire Services Training Note: 106.7 Catching a Hydrant PDF

Fire Services Training Division Training Note FROM: Fire Chief EFFECTIVE DATE: April 2020 FILE IN TFS TRAINING MANUAL UNDER: GROUP: 100 Firefighting Knowledge a...

Fire Services Training Division Training Note FROM: Fire Chief EFFECTIVE DATE: April 2020 FILE IN TFS TRAINING MANUAL UNDER: GROUP: 100 Firefighting Knowledge and Skills SECTION: 106 Fireground Operations SUB-SECTION: UNIT: 106.7 Catching a Hydrant TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION............................................................................... 2 2. HYDRANT KIT BAG......................................................................... 2 3. FORWARD LAY................................................................................ 2 4. REVERSE LAY................................................................................. 4 5. SPLIT LAY........................................................................................ 5 6. STATIC LAY..................................................................................... 6 7. FLUSHING THE HYDRANT.............................................................. 6 8. CONNECTING TO THE HYDRANT.................................................. 7 9. MAXIMIZING THE HYDRANT.......................................................... 8 10. SHUTTING DOWN THE HYDRANT................................................ 9 Toronto Fire Services Training Note: 106.7 – Catching a Hydrant Training Division Date Prepared: April 2020 Page 1 of 9 1. INTRODUCTION This Training Note describes the techniques and equipment Toronto Fire Services (TFS) uses to obtain water from a hydrant. 2. HYDRANT KIT BAG TFS equips apparatus with a hydrant kit bag to make securing a water supply more efficient by having all the tools needed, in one convenient location. The hydrant kit bag should be stored in the right (Captain’s side) rear compartment. The hydrant kit bag consists of: Two 65mm gate valves with 100mm Storz adapters attached One hydrant wrench Two spanner wrenches One dead blow hammer 3. FORWARD LAY In a forward hose lay, hose is deployed from the water source to the incident. Deploying hose for a forward lay consists of stopping the apparatus at the hydrant and allowing a firefighter to leave the apparatus, gather the necessary equipment and connect to the hydrant while the apparatus proceeds to the fire. This method has its disadvantages, specifically when flow rates increase due to multiple hand lines or master stream operations. The further the distance from the hydrant, the more friction loss becomes an issue in the supply line, as flow rates increase. Toronto Fire Services Training Note: 106.7 – Catching a Hydrant Training Division Date Prepared: April 2020 Page 2 of 9 Step 1: Apparatus stops at the hydrant location. A firefighter exits the apparatus, retrieves the hydrant kit bag and proceeds to the rear of the apparatus. The 100mm hose is loaded onto the shoulder closest to the hydrant. With the hydrant kit bag in the opposite hand, the firefighter proceeds towards the hydrant. Step 2: Once at the hydrant, place the hydrant kit bag down in front of the hydrant. Continue past the hydrant, on the street side, approximately 3 metres (10 feet). Step 3: Lay the hose down and fold it back onto itself, making a bight. The Storz coupling is placed on the street side, back towards the apparatus. The bight of hose is wrapped ¾ of the way around the barrel of the hydrant. This method of securing the hose to the hydrant is referred to as a ‘J-Wrap’. The hose is secured against the barrel of the hydrant with the toe of the firefighter’s boot. A signal is given to the apparatus driver to ‘LAY HOSE’ by gesturing forward with hand signals Step 4: The apparatus should proceed forward attempting to minimize the hose from blocking subsequent arriving apparatus. Once the apparatus arrives at the fire location, the firefighter at the hydrant may begin connecting to the hydrant and charging the supply line when indicated by the pump operator. The hydrant firefighter should move the supply hose so that subsequent arriving apparatus are not blocked, after the line is charged. Toronto Fire Services Training Note: 106.7 – Catching a Hydrant Training Division Date Prepared: April 2020 Page 3 of 9 4. REVERSE LAY In a reverse hose lay, hose is deployed from the incident scene to the water source. Firefighters remove tools and equipment, including attack hose lines, from the apparatus before it proceeds to the water source. The reverse lay allows the pump operator to secure their own water source, freeing up personnel for initial fire attack. The reverse lay is also beneficial as it decreases friction loss from the hydrant to the apparatus and is easier to connect multiple supply lines from the hydrant to the apparatus intakes. Step 1: Apparatus arrives on the scene of a fire and firefighters remove necessary equipment, tools and hose lines. Step 2: The apparatus proceeds to a hydrant. Step 3: The pump operator begins supplying attack lines at the fire scene. Step 4: The pump operator secures their own water source. Toronto Fire Services Training Note: 106.7 – Catching a Hydrant Training Division Date Prepared: April 2020 Page 4 of 9 5. SPLIT LAY In a split hose lay, supply hose is dropped by an apparatus at a certain point and is connected to by another apparatus. Ultimately, water is supplied to the initial apparatus via a relay operation. This hose lay is commonly used on dead end streets, when entering industrial/commercial complexes, that have a private water supply, or when long access roads/driveways make dragging hose back to a water source not practicable. Step 1: Apparatus stops at a designated location. A firefighter exits the apparatus, removes 15 metres of 100mm supply hose and signals to the driver of the apparatus to ‘LAY HOSE’. Step 2: The driver slowly proceeds towards the fire, as the firefighter outside follows behind the apparatus, ensuring hose is playing off the rear while attempting to keep it out of the way for subsequent arriving apparatus. Step 3: A second arriving apparatus arrives at the designated location where the supply hose was dropped. Firefighters exit the apparatus at this point and remove equipment/tools needed for the fire. Step 4: A firefighter connects the 100mm hose from their apparatus to the dropped supply line from the first apparatus and signals to the driver of their apparatus to ‘LAY HOSE’. Toronto Fire Services Training Note: 106.7 – Catching a Hydrant Training Division Date Prepared: April 2020 Page 5 of 9 Step 5: The driver slowly proceeds towards the water source, as the firefighter outside follows behind the apparatus, ensuring hose is playing off the rear and attempting to keep it out of the way for subsequent arriving apparatus. Step 6: The pump operator secures the water source and begins to co-ordinate relay pump operations with the pump operator of the first arriving apparatus. 6. STATIC LAY In a static hose lay, the apparatus arrives at the fire scene and supply hose is dragged by a firefighter from the apparatus towards the hydrant. Typically, this is the most common method used by TFS crews, as the hydrant spacing in Toronto allows for this. This method has its disadvantages due to distances from the hydrant, specifically when flow rates increase. Step 1: Apparatus arrives on the scene of a fire. A firefighter exits the apparatus, retrieves the hydrant kit bag and proceeds to the rear of the apparatus. The 100mm hose is loaded onto the shoulder closest to the hydrant. With the hydrant kit bag in the opposite hand, the firefighter proceeds towards the hydrant. Step 2: The firefighter drags the hose to the hydrant and may begin connecting to the hydrant. The supply line is charged when the pump operator signals the hydrant firefighter. 7. FLUSHING THE HYDRANT Flushing the hydrant allows firefighters to confirm a hydrant is operational before committing equipment to it. Flushing the hydrant also removes sediment and debris prior to connecting hose lines and prevents sediment and debris from entering the pump and attack hose lines. Flushing is done in a controlled method, utilizing a gate valve, in case of a hydrant failure. A hydrant failing in the open position, without a method of shutting down the water supply (gate valve), could compromise the entire fire scene water supply. Toronto Fire Services Training Note: 106.7 – Catching a Hydrant Training Division Date Prepared: April 2020 Page 6 of 9 Step 1: Remove the 65mm hydrant cap furthest from the fire scene and attach an open 65mm gate valve with 100mm Storz adapter. Ensure unused caps are tight. Step 2: Fully open the hydrant, with your body positioned away from hydrant outlets. Observe the water stream and ensure the water becomes clean and clear. Step 3: Shut down the hydrant until water stops flowing and close the gate valve. 8. CONNECTING TO THE HYDRANT TFS uses colour coded rings on 65mm hydrant ports to identify hydrant flow capabilities, as listed in G-HYDN – Hydrant Use. Main streets, especially at intersections, generally have higher flow capabilities due to larger water mains and the fact that they are fed from multiple directions. Step 1: Remove the remaining hydrant caps Step 2: Connect a second 65mm gate valve with 100mm Storz adapter to the 65mm hydrant port and ensure it is closed. Step 3: Connect the 100mm hose to the hydrant Storz connection. NOTE: If the hydrant being used does not have a 100mm Storz connection, the 100mm hose should be connected to the 65mm gate valve with 100mm Storz adapter and proceed to Step 4. Toronto Fire Services Training Note: 106.7 – Catching a Hydrant Training Division Date Prepared: April 2020 Page 7 of 9 Step 4: Signal or radio the pump operator to confirm the hydrant has been secured and ensure they are ready for water before opening the hydrant and charging the supply line. The hydrant should be fully opened, and any loose fittings should be tightened. 9. MAXIMIZING THE HYDRANT To maximize a hydrant’s water supply potential, all ports available should be used. At incidents where more than two hose lines are in operation, a minimum of two 100mm supply lines should be attached to the pumper from the hydrant. At incidents where master stream operations or relay pump operations are being conducted), three 100mm supply lines shall be attached to the pumper from the hydrant, if possible. When residual intake pressures are approaching 140 kPa, another 100mm supply line must be attached to the pumper from the hydrant. This practice shall be used until all ports of the hydrant are utilized. Pump operators must consider friction loss in the 100mm supply line from the hydrant to the pump. When flow rates increase, so does friction loss in the 100mm hose from the hydrant to the pump, affecting pump intake pressures. All attempts should be made to have pumpers located within 15-metres of a hydrant when water demands are high. Friction loss in the 100mm supply line from the hydrant to the pumper should be considered when flow rates are high. Attempts should be made to minimize the distance the apparatus is from the hydrant. Note: At no time should two apparatus be connected to the same hydrant. Apparatus shall secure their own water supply, independent from others. Apparatus should attempt to use separate water mains when possible. Toronto Fire Services Training Note: 106.7 – Catching a Hydrant Training Division Date Prepared: April 2020 Page 8 of 9 10. SHUTTING DOWN THE HYDRANT The following procedures should be done to return the hydrant to a ready state: Ensure pump operator no longer needs a hydrant and has closed the intake valve Close the hydrant operating stem (clockwise) Using either the gate valves on the hydrant, or bleed valve on the apparatus, release residual pressure and remove all hose lines and appliances Once hose lines and adapters are removed ensure the hydrant has no more water coming from it. To ensure the hydrant is draining properly, replace all hydrant caps except for one. Place the palm of the hand over the final open outlet and feel for suction, when it has stopped or there is no suction, draining is complete and the last cap may be put back on. Ensure all hydrant caps are tightened and secure. The Company Officer shall report, through TFS Communications, the location of the hydrant. Communications will contact the Works Department for hydrant servicing. The Company Officer shall also report the location of the hydrant in their Emergency Incident Report. In the event the hydrant cannot be shut down for any reason (e.g. broken spindle, frozen, etc.) the Works Department should be notified immediately. In the event the hydrant cannot be shut down, the apparatus is committed to the scene because the hose line from the 100mm Storz connection cannot be shut down. The Works Department shall be notified immediately, through TFS communications. In some cases, it may be appropriate to utilize the 100mm hose clamp available on all Air-Light apparatus. Toronto Fire Services Training Note: 106.7 – Catching a Hydrant Training Division Date Prepared: April 2020 Page 9 of 9