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HomeMy WebLinkAbout313.043 - Quint Elevated Master StreamsEffective Date: December 2018 Robert J Garcia, Engineer Current Revision Date: 8/03/2022 Section 313.043 Next Revision (1) Date: 8/03/2024 Page 1 of 4 300 Training and Equipment Manual SECTION 313.043 QUINT ELEVATED MASTER STREAMS PURPOSE Provide Fresno Fire Department (FFD or Department) members standard operating procedures for placing into service an elevated master stream on an aerial apparatus. APPLICATION The following is the standard process for placing an FFD quint into service supplying master streams. OPERATIONAL POLICY This section intentionally left blank. OPERATIONAL GUIDELINE Prior to charging the aerial waterway, the following principles should be understood: 1. When an FFD quint is used as a water tower, its water supply should be, as much as practical, an LDH attached to the pump intake. The on-board pump would provide the operating pressures for its operations. a. If the aerial is to be staffed, the aerial operator must remain at the pedestal. This requires an additional operator to staff the pump panel. b. The need for an additional operator at the quint pump panel can be avoided by using a source pumper pumping to the auxiliary aerial intake, bypassing the quint pump. This requires not only another operator and a source pumper, but it requires radio communication between the source pumper and the truck operator to determine pump operating pressures. Fresno City Fire Department Effective Date: December 2018 Robert J Garcia, Engineer Current Revision Date: 8/03/2022 Section 313.043 Next Revision (1) Date: 8/03/2024 Page 2 of 4 i. Source pumping is not usually needed for supplying a 1200 GPM elevated M/S. Friction loss per 100 feet of LDH is less than 6 psi. Typical hydrant pressure can supply up to 500 feet of LDH while maintaining 25 to 30 psi residual pressure at the truck pump panel compound gauge. 2. Most quint apparatus are equipped with an auxiliary aerial inlet, which allows the aerial waterway to be charged from an external water source. When the aerial waterway system is charged by the on-board pump, this auxiliary inlet cap is to always remain on the inlet. 3. When the master stream nozzle is changed (fog to solid stream or vise-versa), the process should be accomplished at ground level. 4. On aerial ladders, confirm the waterway carriage is pinned in the water tower position. (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. a. If equipped with an electric pinnable control, switch to water tower, if possible, before raising the aerial out of the cradle. This gives 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 the aerial prior to a complete actuation of this control. PROCESS Charging the Waterway: 1. Confirm the discharge valve at the master stream (M/S) nozzle is open (platform apparatus) and the fog nozzle is set to a fog pattern. A M/S set at a straight stream when initially charged may quickly cause unnecessary damage in its path. Direct the nozzle toward the desired general direction. 2. The operator at the pedestal (main control station) should now check the ladder position and conditions, confirm all people are clear, and authorize charging of the waterway. a. When opening and closing the waterway valve, the operator at the engineer’s panel should open the valve slowly. During waterway Effective Date: December 2018 Robert J Garcia, Engineer Current Revision Date: 8/03/2022 Section 313.043 Next Revision (1) Date: 8/03/2024 Page 3 of 4 operation, a slight deflection of the aerial structure is noticed due to nozzle reaction. 3. Discharge pressure can be set per the Training and Equipment Manual, Section 303.005, Pump Operator’s Guide. 4. With aerial ladders, after water is flowing, the operator at the pedestal should again check the ladder position and conditions before authorizing individuals to occupy the ladder sections. When authorization is provided, all occupants should be equipped with fall protection harnesses or safety belts. a. The operator should instruct ladder occupants not to use “leg lock” techniques while on the ladder sections. b. The operator at the secondary station (master stream controls) must use the fold-down foot holds to stand on. Shutting Down the Elevated M/S Operation: 1. The M/S nozzle should be returned to a fog position. 2. Occupants of an aerial ladder should descend from the aerial prior to shutting down the M/S discharge. 3. If the discharge is to be shut down while the aerial is occupied, confirm the occupant is sufficiently secured to the aerial (ladder belt attached). a. This requires a third operator because the pedestal operator must stay in position while a pump operator reduces pressure and closes the discharge valve. 4. The pump should be slowly throttled down to an idle. 5. The waterway discharge should be very slowly closed. 6. Disengage the pump and return to service. See Training and Equipment Manual, Section 313.005, Standard Pump Operation. a. The high-idle could now be enabled. 7. Return the M/S nozzle back to the stowed position. 8. Open the aerial drain and completely drain the aerial while the aerial is still fully elevated. This should be performed at an elevation of not less than 30º! 9. Bed the aerial. See Training and Equipment Manual, Section 313.042, Standard Aerial Deploy. Effective Date: December 2018 Robert J Garcia, Engineer Current Revision Date: 8/03/2022 Section 313.043 Next Revision (1) Date: 8/03/2024 Page 4 of 4 a. The primary operator should not allow the secondary operator of a platform apparatus to bed the aerial due to limited visibility. 10. Close the aerial drain. INFORMATION Cautions Regarding the Waterway on Platform Apparatus: Unlike FFD aerial ladders, platforms have a shut-off valve at the M/S nozzle. This is to be closed only when the aerial is being used as a stand-pipe supplying handlines from the 2-1/2” discharge, and the platform is in its final deployed location (window or balcony). The M/S valve is to be re-opened as soon as the handlines are not being used and the aerial discharge at the pump is closed. If the M/S nozzle valve remains shut and the aerial drain is shut off, the entire waterway is to be a closed system. If the operator retracts the aerial under this condition catastrophic damage could occur. Although the aerial waterway has its own relief valve set at 210-250 psi, it should not be relied upon. DEFINITIONS This section intentionally left blank. CROSS-REFERENCES Training and Equipment Manual Section 303.005, Pump Operator’s Guide Section 313.005, Standard Pump Operation Section 313.007, Change-Over from Tank to Hydrant Section 313.041, Standard Stabilizer Deploy Section 313.042, Standard Aerial Deploy IFSTA Aerial Apparatus Driver Operator, 2nd Edition IFSTA Pumping Apparatus Driver/Operator Handbook, 2nd Edition Smeal Elevating Aerial Platform Operations Manual, 2010