Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout313.022 - Supplying Stand-Pipe SystemsEffective Date: April 2007 E. John Ross, Fire Captain Current Revision Date: 06/30/2022 Section 313.022 Next Revision (1) Date: 06/30/2024 Page 1 of 7 300 Training and Equipment Manual SECTION 313.022 SUPPLYING STAND-PIPE SYSTEMS PURPOSE The purpose of this policy is to provide Fresno Fire Department (FFD or Department) members with standard operating procedures for pumping to a stand-pipe system (SP). APPLICATION The extreme demands of a high-rise structure fire on firefighting crews require exceptional attention to supporting fire attack efforts with a confirmed reliable water supply. OPERATIONAL POLICY This section intentionally left blank. OPERATIONAL GUIDELINE This section intentionally left blank. PROCESS Evaluating the stand-pipe requires an inspection of a system’s FDC, drain, and visible related components and should be performed on any smoke or fire alarm call. Laying hose lines should occur once fire has been confirmed or appears probable. The quickest assessment of a dry (SP) system is achieved by simply charging the system. If appropriate static pressures can be generated, it is a closed system (no disabling leaks or open valves). If pressure cannot be generated easily, there is a significant leak, and the system may be out of service. Repairing the leak may be as simple as Fire Attack closing an open and uncapped (SP) discharge while still in Investigation Mode. If the problem cannot be corrected, the IC should be advised, allowing for an early change in supply tactics. An assessment of any system should follow the process: Fresno City Fire Department Effective Date: April 2007 E. John Ross, Fire Captain Current Revision Date: 06/30/2022 Section 313.022 Next Revision (1) Date: 06/30/2024 Page 2 of 7 1. Hydrant locations should be noted in route. 2. Consider assigning another rig to lay a feeder to the FDC Supply Pumper. a. If assigned to laying a feeder to or from a hydrant, flush the hydrant before beginning laying LDH. This is especially important with a dry (SP), where a rapid and uninterrupted supply to the attack pumper during the initial system assessment is required. It is crucial to identify an out of service hydrant before you lay LDH. 3. When pumping to a combination system, first determine if there is a fire pump in the system. Second, determine if the fire pump is operating and generating pressure. If the pump is running and generating pressure, it is safe to assume sprinkler head(s) are flowing and the stand-pipe is charged and available for use. 4. The FDC should be located and inspected as soon as possible. (See Figure 1.) Disabled Damaged Years of Paint, Broken Lug (Figure 1) a. Tools needed: hydrant wrench, spanner wrench, and a rubber mallet. b. Confirm the female swivel is operable. If it is frozen and the threads are good, attach a 2 ½” double male and a double female to end up with a working swivel. Effective Date: April 2007 E. John Ross, Fire Captain Current Revision Date: 06/30/2022 Section 313.022 Next Revision (1) Date: 06/30/2024 Page 3 of 7 c. Remove all FDC caps. Look for debris and for a functioning clapper valve. d. Check the function of clapper valve(s). i. Gravity or swinging type clapper valves should move easily by pushing on it with any tool. Do not use a bare hand; hazards like used needles may be present. (See Figure 2). Gravity or Swing Type Clapper Valve (Figure 2) ii. Spring loaded type clapper valves require using a hydrant wrench as a punch and striking it with the mallet to confirm it opens momentarily. (See Figure 3) Spring-Loaded Type (Figure 3) Effective Date: April 2007 E. John Ross, Fire Captain Current Revision Date: 06/30/2022 Section 313.022 Next Revision (1) Date: 06/30/2024 Page 4 of 7 e. If the FDC’s are out of service, recap them and try to use the 2-1/2” drain or the lowest level stand-pipe discharge available as an FDC. 5. If it is a dry (SP), the assessment must include charging the system. a. Connect your pumper to the FDC using LDH. b. A 2-1/2” hose to the FDC should not be used for the purpose of evaluating the (SP) system. If 2-½” is in place and there is a delay in laying LDH to the FDC, a rapid-fire attack could begin with inadequate pressure. If only one supply hose is to be used, it must be an LDH to ensure adequate flows for multiple fire attack lines. c. Supply the FDC with water pressure, slowly increasing to a momentary test pressure. The test pressure should be 15 psi higher than the prescribed pump pressure. Throttle down to the prescribed pressure (see Pump Operator’s Guide). d. If the test pressure cannot be achieved easily, a significant leak in the system exists. Throttle down and inform the IC. e. If pressure is easily achieved, adjust throttle to the prescribed pump pressure (see Pump Operator’s Guide) and set the relief valve accurately. f. To test for smaller leaks in a dry (SP) system, or to confirm whether water is flowing through a combination system, indicating the heads are flowing: g. Slowly close the discharge valve that is being pumped to. If water is flowing through the system, a corresponding drop in the discharge pressure gauge associated with that valve is seen. If pumping to a closed system (no water is flowing through sprinklers), the discharge should be able to be completely closed with little or no drop in the discharge pressure gauge associated with that valve. Reopen this discharge valve and lock the handle open. h. Be sure to allow some water to flow through the pump onto the ground to prevent the pump from overheating. Effective Date: April 2007 E. John Ross, Fire Captain Current Revision Date: 06/30/2022 Section 313.022 Next Revision (1) Date: 06/30/2024 Page 5 of 7 6. Redundant LDH should now be used to supply all other FDC connections. If there are only two FDC inlets available, a second pumper should be used for this redundant supply. Note: There are some FDC’s in alleys protected by collision guards, which may not leave room for LDH; in this case multiple 2-1/2” lines must be used. (See Figure 4) (Figure 4) 7. Guidelines for Spotting Pumping Apparatus: • To avoid falling debris, do not spot too close to the building. • When possible, spot apparatus diagonal to a corner of the structure. This is the preferred location outside of the collapse zone. However, always give the optimum corner location to a truck company; if needed, spot further away and lay more hose. • To protect oneself from falling debris, when possible, spot the engine with the pump panel away from the structure. • Depending on how tall the building is and how close to it spotted, the second (redundant) supply pumper may be placed next to the first pumper, facing the opposite direction (pump panel to pump panel) if access and space is available. Park apparatus close enough to span the rigs with a 24’ ladder and a salvage cover to protect against falling debris. Effective Date: April 2007 E. John Ross, Fire Captain Current Revision Date: 06/30/2022 Section 313.022 Next Revision (1) Date: 06/30/2024 Page 6 of 7 8. Hose Connections: • To limit personal exposure to burst hose lines, when possible, use discharges and inlets opposite the engineer’s panel or at the tailboard. • Always supply the FDC’s with at least one LDH from both pumpers in a redundant pumping operation. All remaining unused FDC’s should be supplied with LDH if space at the connection allows it. • All inlets on a FDC manifold should be utilized, if not for necessity, for redundancy. FDC’s can be supplied and pressurized one at a time. 9. Pumping Standards: • Refer to the Training and Equipment Manual, Pump Operator Guide for appropriate pressures. • Maintain pressures even when hose lines are in service and flowing water. This requires strict attention to the line discharge pressure gauges being used. As fire attack nozzles are opened, additional throttle may be needed to maintain the correct standard pressure. • While the initial fire attack hose lines are flowing, pressure adjustments are made at the (SP) discharge. There is radio communication between Fire Attack and Stand-Pipe Control (see Training and Equipment Manual, Stand-Pipe Valve Control). Pay attention to the radio traffic to maintain correct discharge pressures. Throttle up as necessary to maintain the prescribed pressure. • The Initial setting of the relief valve is critical. Throttling up to accommodate flowing lines may cause pressures to become excessive when nozzles are closed. The relief valve to a large degree, protect the firefighters and the (SP) system against these excess pressures. • Always be prepared to throttle down manually if pressure surges greater than 20 psi are seen if unchecked by the relief valve. Effective Date: April 2007 E. John Ross, Fire Captain Current Revision Date: 06/30/2022 Section 313.022 Next Revision (1) Date: 06/30/2024 Page 7 of 7 • If the relief valve opens, relieving excess pressure due to nozzles being closed, allow it to do so without adjusting the throttle. As nozzles are opened again, the relief valve should close automatically, allowing for more water to flow to the system without “chasing pressures” by adjusting the throttle. INFORMATION Dry stand-pipe systems are not self-checking in any way which makes them unreliable. Combination systems have a built-in assurance; already known to hold pressure. In a wet system, open and uncapped or damaged discharge valves usually leak water, which draws attention as a problem long before the need to use it. In a dry (SP) system, an open, uncapped discharge may go unnoticed for years. A rapid assessment of any (SP) system must be a high priority. With dry (SP) systems, it is common to encounter problems. Two pumpers should always be assigned to supply a (SP) system. After the first pumper is supplying the system, efforts should begin at the soonest reasonable opportunity to place a second pumper into operation in parallel to the first, for redundancy, in case of burst lines or apparatus failure. When practical, both pumpers should have their own dedicated hydrant supply. If only one hydrant is used, the second supply pumper should lay its own LDH from that hydrant. If that is not possible or practical, Dual Pumping should be employed to supply the second engine. DEFINITIONS This section intentionally left blank. CROSS REFERENCES FFD Hose Practices Guide Essentials of Fire Fighting 7th Edition: Ch. 14 National Fire Protection Association 1001, Standard for Fire Fighter Professional Qualifications (2019)