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HomeMy WebLinkAbout313.042 - Standard Aerial DeployEffective Date: March 2016 Robert J. Garcia, Engineer Current Revision Date: 8/17/2022 Section 313.042 Next Revision (1) Date: 8/17/2025 Page 1 of 9 300 Training and Equipment Manual SECTION 313.042 STANDARD AERIAL DEPLOY PURPOSE The purpose of this policy is to provide Fresno Fire Department (FFD or Department) members standard operating procedures for deploying an aerial ladder on an aerial apparatus. APPLICATION The following procedure is the standard process for deploying an FFD aerial ladder on an aerial apparatus. OPERATIONAL POLICY This section intentionally left blank. OPERATIONAL GUIDELINE Fresno Fire Department members should use the standard operating procedure for deploying an aerial ladder while operating FFD aerial apparatus. PROCESS 1. Spot Apparatus and Deploy the Stabilizers: Prior to operating the aerial controls, a thorough understanding of the following is necessary: a. SAFETY WARNING! At no time should any operator allow anyone to ride the aerial sections during placement for operations; the aerial sections should be climbed ONLY after placement. b. SAFETY WARNING! The operator should never allow any part of the aerial to be occupied without an operator at the main aerial control station (pedestal). Fresno City Fire Department Effective Date: March 2016 Robert J. Garcia, Engineer Current Revision Date: 8/17/2022 Section 313.042 Next Revision (1) Date: 8/17/2025 Page 2 of 9 c. SAFETY WARNING! Occupants at any secondary control station must activate the intercom system and carry a radio. d. SAFETY WARNING! Never rotate the aerial ladder on the side of the apparatus where the stabilizers are not fully extended and fully deployed. e. SAFETY WARNING! The aerial ladder is a cantilevered structure and designed only for operation in the “unsupported” configuration. This means the ladder is only designed to be supported by its elevation cylinders. The operator should NEVER allow the ladder or ladder sections to be placed resting on any type of support, such as a building ledge, or any other structure to attempt to “increase load capabilities”. This may cause an effect opposite of what is desired! f. SAFETY WARNING! The primary operator is responsible for keeping the apparatus and device a safe distance from power lines. Electricity can arc from power lines, so contact with the lines does not need to be made to become energized. Follow these guidelines when working in the vicinity of power lines. i. Do not work within 20 feet of power lines energized up to 350K. ii. Do not work within 50 feet of high-voltage transmission lines if the voltage is unknown. iii. Look Up and Live. Always check the operating area for power lines before driving into it. Tree branches can hide power lines or cables from view. If operating at night, use lights to search for power lines or poles. g. All occupants should be equipped with fall protection harnesses or safety belts. i. Ladder occupants should not use “leg-lock” techniques while on the ladder sections. At no time should any ladder occupant allow their arms or legs to become intertwined in the rungs, handrails, or ladder sections. h. The operator should NEVER lower the aerial without hydraulic power being supplied to the elevation system! The aerial master and PTO must be engaged with the main hydraulic pump or EPU supplying pressure when the “lower” function is engaged! Failure to follow these instructions can result in massive air introduction Effective Date: March 2016 Robert J. Garcia, Engineer Current Revision Date: 8/17/2022 Section 313.042 Next Revision (1) Date: 8/17/2025 Page 3 of 9 into the hydraulic system! 2. Aerial Load minder: a. Located at the pedestal and in the aerial platforms (baskets). b. The display is marked from 0% to 100% and represents the percent of rated capacity in loads and forces always acting on the aerial ladder. When the bar graph display reaches 100%, the ladder is loaded to full capacity. At this point, if a load greater than 50 pounds is placed on the ladder, the bar graph displays a flash and an audible alarm sound. This announces an overload condition. c. If equipped, amber strobe lights are wired to the aerial Load minder to strobe during an overload condition. They are located at the tip of the base section of the aerial – one on each side. 3. Cab Protection: Most FFD aerials are equipped with a rotational interlock, which stops rotation of the aerial at lower elevations, preventing the cab or the apparatus from accidental damage by allowing the aerial to be rotated into it. a. By design, this interlock also alerts the operator when he/she can bed the aerial by use of an indicator light on the pedestal labeled ‘BED ZONE”. The bed zone interlock area is slightly wider than that of the actual inside dimensions of the ladder bed support assembly (cradle). The operator must make the necessary adjustments to ensure the aerial is centered in the cradle prior to final bedding. 4. Secondary Control Stations: All FFD trucks are equipped with proportional type controls at the aerial tip and at the platforms. a. These “proportional controls” have an automatic "ramp" feature. This means if they are engaged or disengaged abruptly, the hydraulic pressure can "ramp" up to full speed, thus providing a smooth transition from start to stop, or vise-versa. When these types of controls are provided, the "ramp down" feature of the controls cause the aerial to keep moving for a very short period AFTER the control handle is disengaged. Effective Date: March 2016 Robert J. Garcia, Engineer Current Revision Date: 8/17/2022 Section 313.042 Next Revision (1) Date: 8/17/2025 Page 4 of 9 b. All aerial hydraulic function controls at any secondary control station are designed to be overridden at any time by the operator at the pedestal. c. SAFETY WARNING! “A SECONDARY CONTROL STATION should not be operated unless an operator is stationed at the TURNTABLE CONTROL STATION” (pedestal). There should be always an authorized operator at the primary controls (pedestal) during operation. The Primary control station (pedestal) should have an operator at it when the secondary controls are being used. Operation of secondary controls should be used for final placement. Having the primary operator at the pedestal to immediately override any unseen hazards from the secondary control station is vital. Clear radio communication or communication through the truck mounted communication system should be used between the two operators. Prior to climbing onto the turntable pedestal area, the driver/operator (D/O) should ensure the following: a. There are no overhead obstructions. i. Keep all aerial apparatus at a minimum of 20 feet away from power lines 350 kv, and 50 feet away from all high voltage transmission lines if voltage is unknown. b. The PTO and the Aerial Master (power) switches are activated. c. 110v lighting is activated as needed. d. The exterior radio speaker is activated as needed. e. The operator and/or anyone occupying the aerial has a portable radio. f. The operator has a flashlight, as needed. g. Confirm the turntable has been leveled to within the green on all bubble levels. h. Confirm all auxiliary stabilizer safety pins are in place. i. At the stabilizer control station: Effective Date: March 2016 Robert J. Garcia, Engineer Current Revision Date: 8/17/2022 Section 313.042 Next Revision (1) Date: 8/17/2025 Page 5 of 9 i. Confirm the High Idle is deactivated. ii. Confirm all the Stabilizer Deployed green lights are lit. iii. Confirm the PTO power indicator light is activated. iv. Place the diverter valve in the “Aerial” position. The primary operator should climb to the turntable and staff the pedestal control console. On platform apparatus the occupants should enter the platform fully equipped, secure the man-doors, and secure themselves with fall protection harnesses or safety belts. The primary operator should secure the turntable access safety chain. Check again for overhead and other obstructions in the aerial deployment area. Review, as necessary, all ladder safety placards as well as ALL operational limitations and abilities of apparatus in rescue and fire operations. The primary operator should ensure all occupants of the platform are aware of the aerial limitations and load limits. See (Figure 1). Effective Date: March 2016 Robert J. Garcia, Engineer Current Revision Date: 8/17/2022 Section 313.042 Next Revision (1) Date: 8/17/2025 Page 6 of 9 5. Deploying the Aerial: a. Move the red System Lock valve to the run position. b. On aerial ladders, confirm the waterway carriage is pinned in the correct position, Water Tower, or Rescue. (All FFD aerial ladders are stowed in the Rescue position.) It is important to assure the ladder is fully retracted prior to making the switch. i. If equipped, confirm the electric pinnable control is in the correct position, Water Tower, or Rescue. ii. If a change is necessary, switch over, if possible, before raising the aerial out of the cradle. This allows the mechanism plenty of time to make the change prior to extending the aerial. The operator should look at the actual lock to confirm a complete change. Note: Damage has occurred due to extending aerial prior to complete actuation of this control. c. If equipped, place a foot on the dead man switch. d. Activate the fast-idle switch. e. The operator should now use the raise/lower aerial function control lever to raise the ladder enough to clear the aerial bed and any other obstructions. Pedestal controls should be engaged and disengaged slowly to avoid "tip lash". f. Once the aerial is clear of obstructions, the operator at the pedestal may now use all three aerial function control levers to position the ladder as needed. It is generally recommended to initially use the raise and rotate functions prior to the extension function. This helps prevent unnecessary leverage causing tip lash. i. All three control levers may be operated one at a time or simultaneously. ii. The manufacturer strongly recommends the operator, operate only one control lever at a time until completely familiar with the characteristics and speed of the controls. iii. When a rapid deployment of the aerial is required, simultaneous operation of the controls is acceptable under the following conditions: Effective Date: March 2016 Robert J. Garcia, Engineer Current Revision Date: 8/17/2022 Section 313.042 Next Revision (1) Date: 8/17/2025 Page 7 of 9 The operator is thoroughly familiar and experienced with the truck being used. The aerial is not being deployed near any object. 6. Secondary Control Station: Once the initial placement of the aerial has taken place from the pedestal, it is now possible for the primary operator to allow another operator at the aerial tip (the secondary controls) to operate ladder functions. a. FFD aerial apparatus are equipped with proportional controls at the secondary control station. i. When the proportional secondary controls are operated, the controls will automatically "ramp up" so "tip lash" can be avoided, should the operator engage or disengage a control abruptly. Be aware: The aerial moves for approximately 2 seconds if the proportional control is released abruptly. ii. The aerial controls at secondary control stations are deliberately set at a slower speed than pedestal controls. iii. A three-position speed selector switch is located at the platform control stations and allows the secondary operator to set the maximum speed of the aerial functions. There is a low setting (25% speed), a medium setting, and a high setting (50% speed) for this speed selector switch. It is recommended this speed selector switch is moved to the slow-speed position when operating the platform at high elevations and when operating the platform near buildings and other types of obstructions. b. When an operator is using the secondary controls at the aerial tip, the primary operator should always remain at the pedestal. This allows the primary operator to override ladder control functions any time as necessary. i. Overriding the aerial controls may be done at any time by the primary operator at the pedestal by executing any one or all the following steps: Actuate a function control lever opposite of the one Effective Date: March 2016 Robert J. Garcia, Engineer Current Revision Date: 8/17/2022 Section 313.042 Next Revision (1) Date: 8/17/2025 Page 8 of 9 being actuated at a secondary control station. Move the System Lock Control lever to the off position, which shuts down ALL movement of the aerial from all control stations. Place the platform activation switch (“Platform Master”) in the off position. This switch is referred to as the “Creeper Master” on aerial ladders. This shuts down ALL power to the aerial controls in the platform. Once the aerial is in the final position, the operator should: a. Deactivate the fast-idle. b. Move the system lock valve into the locked position. 7. Bedding the Aerial: a. Move the system lock valve into the unlocked position. b. Activate the fast idle as needed. c. Raise the aerial clear of all obstructions. d. Retract the aerial. i. On Smeal apparatus, the operator is only able to retract the aerial sections until the folding steps on the fly section are near overlapping the top rung of the midsection. At this point, the ladder automatically stops retracting. If the folding steps of the fly section are free of personnel, the operator needs to activate the retract override switch at the pedestal to finish retracting the aerial ladder sections. e. Rotate the aerial over the bed zone. f. Confirm the master stream nozzle (with aerial ladders) is directed up and straight ahead. g. Lower the aerial. ii. After aligning the aerial over the bed and ensuring the bed zone indicator (if equipped) has lit, the operator should direct his/her attention to the aerial ladder cradle and the Effective Date: March 2016 Robert J. Garcia, Engineer Current Revision Date: 8/17/2022 Section 313.042 Next Revision (1) Date: 8/17/2025 Page 9 of 9 aerial as it enters the cradle smoothly and comes to rest. h. The operator should now power the aerial into the cradle for a period of two seconds. i. Deactivate the fast idle as necessary. j. On aerial ladders, if necessary, re-pin the waterway carriage or place the electric pinnable control back in the rescue position. k. Once the aerial is in the final position, the operator should move the system lock valve into the locked position. INFORMATION This section intentionally left blank. DEFINITIONS This section intentionally left blank. CROSS REFERENCES Training and Equipment Manual Section 313.041, Standard Stabilizer Deploy IFSTA Aerial Apparatus Driver Operator, 2nd Edition Smeal Elevating Aerial Platform Operations Manual, 2010 Smeal Fire Apparatus 105, Rear Mount Ladder Aerial Ladder Operations and Service Manual December 2017 Smeal Fire Apparatus 100’ Rear Mount Platform Operations and Service Manual December 2017