HomeMy WebLinkAbout313.014 - DraftingEffective Date: Match 2016 Robert J Garcia, Engineer
Current Revision Date: 8/1/2022 Section 313.014
Next Revision (1) Date: 8/1/2024 Page 1 of 8
300 Training and Equipment Manual
SECTION 313.014 DRAFTING
PURPOSE
The purpose of this policy is to define standard operating procedures for Fresno Fire
Department (FFD or Department) members using fire apparatus (pumper) to draft
from static water sources (i.e., pools, canals, ponds, etc.)
APPLICATION
In the event a pressurized water supply from a hydrant is not available, the following
drafting process may be used to obtain a water supply.
OPERATIONAL POLICY
This section intentionally left blank.
OPERATIONAL GUIDELINE
This section intentionally left blank.
PROCESS
1. Preliminary Tasks:
a. Choose the largest capacity pumper as the source when
supplying a relay operation.
b. Verify the source pumper does not have any significant leaks in
the pump and associated valves. Ensure all discharge valves are
closed.
c. Verify the water tank on the pumper is full to avoid drawing air
into the system while priming in the event the tank-to-pump and
or tank-fill valves leaks.
d. Verify the primer operates normally.
Fresno City Fire Department
Effective Date: March 2016 Robert J Garcia, Engineer
Current Revision Date: 8/1/2022 Section 313.014
Next Revision (1) Date: 8/1/2024 Page 2 of 8
i. Remember the primer activation valve is a two-phase lever.
When pulled, the primer motor activates first; then a
mechanical valve between the rotary vane pump and the
main fire pump opens. Older units may require extra effort
to open this valve after the primer motor is running.
Note: The primer pump should be tested on a regular basis
with the apparatus tank full. Rotary vane pumps
were never designed to operate completely dry. The
residual water trapped in a priming pump between
usage acts as a lubricant and sealant (like the use
of oil in older-style primers). Inefficiency, excessive
wear, and damage can occur to the primer if allowed
to dry out (i.e., during hot summer months) and then
put into service for a drafting operation.
2. Dry Vacuum Test:
If there is doubt as to whether the pumper can be used for a drafting
operation the following dry vacuum test can be done:
a. Close the Tank-to-Pump and the Tank Fill valves.
b. Drain the pump.
c. Close any open discharge valves and all drains.
d. Engage the pump but leave the transmission in neutral.
e. Activate the priming pump.
f. The intake and pump pressure gauges should quickly begin to
show a vacuum. Within five seconds, a measurable vacuum
should be present. Continue priming until a vacuum of
approximately 20 inches of Hg is achieved. Release the primer
control valve and push to ensure full shut-off.
g. If the vacuum holds steady, all valves and seals are tight, and an
efficient drafting operation is possible.
Note: The NFPA standard for the priming pump test allows for a
loss of vacuum not to exceed 10 inches Hg in 10 minutes.
h. To release the vacuum, open any 2-1/2” discharge or intake
valve.
Effective Date: March 2016 Robert J Garcia, Engineer
Current Revision Date: 8/1/2022 Section 313.014
Next Revision (1) Date: 8/1/2024 Page 3 of 8
3. Choosing a Drafting Site:
Consider the following:
a. Ground stability - Anticipate the impact of significant mud
accumulation.
b. Water Source - Make sure the water source is accessible and
reliable.
c. Shuttle operations - If supplying water for tender shuttle
operations, ensure there is enough room for ingress and egress.
d. Positioning - When possible, place the pump panel side toward
the water source.
e. Hard suction and strainer - Choose a location where the hard
suction strainer is clear of obstructions. Maintain two feet of
clearance from the bottom and top of the water source, and any
obstructions.
f. Set-up - Ensure there is safe workspace around the operation.
i. Ensure there is space for suction hose set up prior to
spotting in final drafting position.
ii. Address any traffic hazards.
iii. Address any trip and fall hazards.
g. Vertical lift - Ensure the vertical distance is within the range of the
desired GPM.
i. 10 feet of lift will yield the pump capacity.
ii. 20 feet of lift will yield approximately 60 percent of the pump
capacity.
iii. A drafting operation supplying less than half the rated
capacity of the pump can be done from lifts as great as 24
feet, but the following considerations must be considered:
1) Using three sections of hard suction presents a
challenge. Do you have room to safely set-up the
operation?
Effective Date: March 2016 Robert J Garcia, Engineer
Current Revision Date: 8/1/2022 Section 313.014
Next Revision (1) Date: 8/1/2024 Page 4 of 8
2) If 45 seconds of primer use does not complete the
draft on the first effort, consider filling the hard suction
with tank water just prior to activating the primer on a
second effort.
3) The use of the primer for longer than 30 seconds
must be done with great caution.
4. The Drafting Operation:
a. Stop the apparatus 20 to 30 feet in front of the final spot location,
leaving room to prepare the hard suction.
b. Prepare to attach hard suction:
i. Inspect the sections of hard suction for cracks, rubber
gasket condition, and smooth female swivel operation.
Note: Because a common source of a vacuum leak is at
the hard suction connections, using spray lube on
all gaskets and swivels is recommended.
i. Connect the hard suction together along with the strainer,
using a rubber mallet to ensure a tight connection.
ii. Attach a tag line to the strainer.
iii. Remove any adapters necessary to expose the appropriate
male end threads to the pump intake. If this requires
removing an accessory intake valve, the pump must be
drained.
c. Attach the hard suction to the pump intake; use a rubber mallet
to tighten.
5. Spotting the Apparatus:
a. Slowly move apparatus into the final drafting spot while the crew
moves the strainer and hard suction into place.
b. Place the transmission in neutral and set the parking brake.
c. Secure the strainer tag line ensuring adequate positioning of the
hard suction strainer; 2 feet from the bottom and top of the water
source, and any obstructions.
Effective Date: March 2016 Robert J Garcia, Engineer
Current Revision Date: 8/1/2022 Section 313.014
Next Revision (1) Date: 8/1/2024 Page 5 of 8
d. Use a Carryall to protect hard suction from chaffing as necessary.
6. Drafting Operation:
a. Prepare for standard pump operations. See Training and
Equipment Manual, Section 313.005, Standard Pump Operation.
Temporarily leave the transmission in neutral.
b. Place wheel chocks.
c. Confirm the following are closed:
i. The tank-to-pump valve.
ii. Discharge valves.
iii. Drains.
iv. The steamer bleed valve.
v. The auxiliary cooling valves.
d. Open the pump intake valve or the steamer valve if the valve was
not removed in previous steps.
e. Deploy a 1” reel line and staff it. Prepare to direct it back into the
water source.
f. Return to the cab.
g. Apply the brake pedal (for safety) and place the transmission in
Drive.
h. Confirm the green lights (if equipped) at the pump shift control
switch are lit.
i. Confirm the speedometer displays 5 to 15 MPH unless equipped
with a pump boss.
j. Depress the accelerator gently to ensure the apparatus
transmission is disengaged from the drive line. The brake pedal
can now be disregarded.
Effective Date: March 2016 Robert J Garcia, Engineer
Current Revision Date: 8/1/2022 Section 313.014
Next Revision (1) Date: 8/1/2024 Page 6 of 8
7. Establishing the Prime:
a. Use the pump panel throttle to maintain approximately 1000
RPM.
b. Activate the priming pump by pulling the control handle located
on the pump panel.
c. The Pump Intake Pressure Gauge begins to read below zero right
away.
d. Within 10 to 20 seconds, you see and feel the hard suction
stressing under the weight of water.
e. Within approximately 30 seconds the PDP begins to read slight
intermittent pressures and a broken stream of water begins to
discharge from the primer drain under the apparatus.
f. Continue priming until a constant stream of water discharges from
the primer drain and PDP becomes constant, approximately 5 to
10 seconds more.
Note: If signs of prime do not occur within 30 seconds, do not
continue to run the priming pump. Stop the pump and
check for air leaks or possible pump trouble.
i. Priming pumps overheat and become damaged if
operated longer than 45 seconds dry.
g. Turn the throttle up until pressure develops between 50 and 100
psi.
h. Open the reel line discharge valve slowly until a steady stream is
discharged and PDP is constant.
i. Once the drafting operation has been established the nozzle can
be gated down to a small stream and secured, unmanned.
Note: Use the reel line to allow water to always flow through the
pump. This is to keep pump water cool while maintaining
a good prime when not flowing to other discharge lines.
i. Confirm appropriate intake vacuum is present (not excessive).
Vacuum should read around 1 inch of vacuum per foot of lift while
flowing minimal water.
Effective Date: March 2016 Robert J Garcia, Engineer
Current Revision Date: 8/1/2022 Section 313.014
Next Revision (1) Date: 8/1/2024 Page 7 of 8
j. Additional discharge lines can now be deployed. Caution should
always be taken while opening discharge valves at draft.
Discharge valves must be opened slowly to maintain prime.
k. Set the pressure relief valve as needed per standard pump
operations. See Training and Equipment Manual, Section
303.004, Pressure Control Valves, and Section 313.006,
Supplying Small Hand Lines.
8. Monitor Continuously:
a. Intake and pump discharge pressures.
b. Ensure the relief valve is not constantly relieving excessive
pressure.
c. Normal / abnormal noises.
d. Water or other fluids leaking/dumping onto the ground.
e. Fuel level.
f. Water tank level.
g. Oil pressure gauge.
h. Engine coolant temperature gauge.
i. Engine RPM.
j. Pumps overheat light.
9. Shutting Down the Drafting Operation:
a. Return the engine RPM to idle.
b. Close all discharges.
c. Put the transmission in neutral.
d. Wait until the speedometer reads zero and move the pump switch
into the road position.
e. Open an unused discharge to allow the pump and hard suction to
lose prime.
Effective Date: March 2016 Robert J Garcia, Engineer
Current Revision Date: 8/1/2022 Section 313.014
Next Revision (1) Date: 8/1/2024 Page 8 of 8
f. Return the apparatus to available status by reversing order the set-
up order.
INFORMATION
If long periods of time pass without supplying hose lines (except the reel line), during
a shuttle operation for example, the engine can be allowed to idle without losing prime.
Note: The consideration for maintaining slightly higher RPM, 1000 to
1200, would be to keep the battery levels up while supplying
emergency lighting.
The tank water can be refilled as necessary but be aware some water sources may
be contaminated, and the tank will need to be flushed prior to returning to service.
Note: If the Tank-to-Pump valve leaks badly, you may need to
periodically refill the tank to maintain a prime over a long
operation.
When returning the apparatus back to available status, check the intake screen
for any debris from your drafting site. Also, back flushing may be required if the
water source was contaminated.
DEFINITIONS
This section intentionally left blank.
CROSS-REFERENCES
Training and Equipment Manual
Section 303.004, Pressure Control Valves
Section 313.005, Standard Pump Operation
IFSTA Pumping Apparatus Driver/Operator Handbook, 2nd Edition