Engine Operations and Pump Operation Procedures PDF

Once all screens and caps are removed, connect the engine to the hydrant. discharge on the officer side. The goal is to connect the water source high on the pump to let water enter backward (discharge side of the pump housing). This will help the water flush debris out of the lower pump openings. A...

Once all screens and caps are removed, connect the engine to the hydrant. discharge on the officer side. The goal is to connect the water source high on the pump to let water enter backward (discharge side of the pump housing). This will help the water flush debris out of the lower pump openings. All drains can be opened for the associated intakes and discharges that will be flushed. Doing so opens the lowest possible hole in the piping of the pump and helps flush out fine sediment. The bumper line can also be disconnected to flush that discharge, since it sits below the pump (unlike the rear hose bed preconnects or the cross lay). Second Edition 01/31/22 113 Next, open up the large diameter discharge and allow water to enter the discharge side of the pump from the hydrant (flowing backward through the discharge). From there, begin opening the intake valves on both sides of the truck. This will allow water to back flow through the pump intakes and remove debris. This photo shows debris flushed out by back flushing the intake valve on E-15. (This is a relatively small amount as the pump was back flushed within the previous six months.) , proceed to the a officer and driver sides of the pump panel. (The bumper line is also flushed at this stage). Remember the hose bed pre-connects and cross lays are not flushed due to their location in relation to the pump. Second Edition 01/31/22 114 Once all discharges, intakes, and drains on the officer side and the driver side of the pump panel have been flushed, close the large diameter discharge and shut down the hydrant. Once the hydrant is disconnected, service all the caps and connections. Inspect the gaskets for rips or tears. Depending on the time of year, service the caps and connections with antifreeze. If there is any loose rust or debris resting in the intakes or discharges after flushing, wipe them out and use a metal brush to remove any rust flakes that remain. Reinstall the intake screens and gaskets and reattach the main intake valves and fittings to return the truck to service. Second Edition 01/31/22 115 OVERVIEW The following information was pulled from Bulletin 09-062 and a winter safety alert released by the department of Health, Safety, and Innovation. These procedures shall be followed when the outside air temperature drops below freezing DAILY OPERATION AND MONDAY CHECKS Regardless of ambient temperature, all pumps are to be kept wet throughout the year Every Monday and after each use remove all intake and discharge caps, and spray Place the caps back on the intake and discharges; the intake and discharge caps should never be left off and hanging by the tether chains With the tank-to-pump closed and the engine off, open and close all intake and discharge valves. Exercising these valves weekly helps prevent them from seizing and becoming difficult to use. This is good practice for all weather conditions; it is especially helpful in winter road conditions that cause salt and road grime to accumulate around the pump The master drain should be kept closed, but every other drain should be left open during freezing weather. This helps keep any water from freezing that would otherwise sit in the low part of the pump piping past the control valves. Just recirculating the pump will not keep water in those locations from freezing since they are located past the valves When operating with all the drains open except for the master drain, the pump operator will need to close the drains for each line being used once pump operations are initiated. The pump operator shall also utilize the primer pump at the beginning of all pumping operations While parked on the scene of fire calls, EMS calls, or other prolonged incidents during cold weather, the pump operator shall engage the pump and recirculate water by opening the tank-to-pump and tank fill line LONG TERM STORAGE When an engine must be taken out of service during the winter months, the following precautionary steps shall be followed The pump, tank, and all drains shall be left open and all the water shall be drained before the apparatus is stored outside o Even with all the above completed, it is still nearly impossible to remove all water from the inner workings of a fire pump o Pump housing, pipes, and bushings can all hold small residual amounts of water If service is needed and the engine needs to sit outside for an extended period while waiting on parts or repairs, all efforts should be made to see if room is available across the street from the shop in supply by contacting fleet services. If no room is available, the above steps should be taken to best prevent damage to the pump and its components while the engine is sitting outside waiting for service Second Edition 01/31/22 116 discharge valve assembly. The engine was stored outside in cold weather while waiting for parts. Even though the tank, pump, and drains were all left open like they were supposed to be, the discharge housing still cracked. Water had leaked behind the ball valve, housing, and bushings; this water never drained and froze causing the metal to split. This emphasizes that a dry engine is never truly 100% dry. This issue was discovered when the engine was picked up from the shop. Crews did a morning check on the pump and noticed water leaking profusely from the discharge assembly. PUMP BOSS COLD WEATHER ALERT Pump Boss engines have had several issues with gauges failing in cold weather This issue occurs when the engine sits outside in cold weather at idle, and the transducers between the valves and pump panels freeze These transducers translate hydraulic pressure in the piping into an electronic signal that is then sent to the electronic computer module unit, which regulates the discharge pressure when the Pump Boss is operating in Pressure Mode If the transducers fail, the Pump Boss shows a fault code of FO6 and EO6 on the display This error code is indicating an issue with intake pressure from the frozen transducer Indications of this failure other than the fault code showing on the display are as follows: o Gauges showing pressure all the time o Pump operators must check the master pump intake and discharge gauges DAILY during winter months. A failure of either of these transducers will prevent the Pump Boss from operating above idle in Pressure Mode If this occurs on scene, switching to RPM Mode will allow for limited operations Following the cold weather maintenance procedures on the previous page will help limit issues with frozen transducers The photo on the left shows the pump transducers that translate hydraulic pressure in the piping into an electronic signal that is sent to the panel display gauges. Without these readings, the Pump Boss is unable to regulate pressure appropriately when operating in Pressure Mode. Limited operations are available by switching to RPM Mode. Second Edition 01/31/22 117