Transcript Chapter12_PPT Water Supply

10
Water
Supply
10
Knowledge Objectives (1 of 3)
• Describe the mechanics of drafting.
• Describe how to verify the operational
readiness of the pump.
• Describe water supply management within
the Incident Management System.
• Describe the process for selecting a
suitable site for water drafting.
10
Knowledge Objectives (2 of 3)
• Describe how to position a fire pumper
for drafting.
• Describe the process for establishing a
pumping operation from a draft.
• Describe how to perform drafting
operations.
• Describe complications for drafting
operations.
10
Knowledge Objectives (3 of 3)
• Describe how to provide an uninterrupted
water supply.
• Describe relay pumping operations.
• Describe water shuttle operations.
• Describe dump site operations.
• Describe water shuttle operations in the
Incident Management System.
10
Skills Objectives
• Perform the vacuum test.
• Position the hard suction hose into the
water.
• Draft from a static water source.
• Provide water flow to handlines, master
streams, and supply lines.
10
Introduction (1 of 2)
• The driver/operator usually pumps water
from an onboard tank or pressurized water
source.
– In rural areas and other emergencies, usual
water supplies are not available or
inadequate.
– Drafting water from a static source makes the
apparatus a versatile resource.
10
Introduction (2 of 2)
• Driver/operator will be successful if:
– The apparatus pump is in good condition.
– He or she understands and applies drafting
principles.
– He or she can deliver water to the incident
from a static source.
10
The Mechanics of Drafting (1 of 7)
• Atmospheric pressure
– Caused by the weight of the atmosphere
– 14.7 psi (101 kPa) at sea level
– Increased elevation from sea level decreases
pressure
– The atmospheric pressure at the drafting site
is the maximum supply pressure for drafting.
– Without atmospheric pressure, drafting is not
possible.
10
The Mechanics of Drafting (2 of 7)
• The engaging primer starts pumping air
out of the fire pump.
– Creates a vacuum: any pressure less than the
atmospheric pressure
– Vacuum must be contained inside an airtight
vessel or air will rush in to refill the vacuum
– As the vacuum increases in the hose, the
atmospheric pressure decreases, resulting in
greater pressure outside the hose.
10
The Mechanics of Drafting (3 of 7)
• The engaging primer (continued)
– The pressure difference supports a column of
liquid measured in units of inches or
millimeters of Hg.
– Conversion factors used to convert inches
(mm) of Hg to feet (cm) of water or psi (kPa)
of pressure
10
The Mechanics of Drafting (4 of 7)
10
The Mechanics of Drafting (5 of 7)
• A fire pumper in good condition should
develop a vacuum of 22 in Hg (50.78 cm Hg).
– Equal to lifting water 24.8’ (7.59 m) at sea level
– It is possible to lift water 20+’ (6.10 m), but the
pump’s discharge capacity is restricted by the
vacuum created on the supply side of the pump.
– As water is lifted to a greater height, more
atmospheric pressure is required to support the
water weight, reducing the available pressure to
move it.
10
The Mechanics of Drafting (6 of 7)
10
The Mechanics of Drafting (7 of 7)
• Pumps on the apparatus have capacity
ratings established by pumping from draft.
– Class A pumper must lift water 10’ (3.05 m)
through 20’ (6.10 m) of hard-sided supply
hose and deliver a rated capacity at 150 psi
(1034.2 kPa), as measured at the pump
panel.
10
Inspections, Routine Maintenance,
and Operational Testing (1 of 5)
• Fire departments have a process for
inspections, routine maintenance, and
operational testing.
– Many departments have written a report form.
– Some items need special attention to ensure
operational readiness of apparatus for drafting
from a static water source.
10
Inspections, Routine Maintenance,
and Operational Testing (2 of 5)
10
Inspections, Routine Maintenance,
and Operational Testing (3 of 5)
• Inspecting the priming system
– Priming: the process of removing air from the
fire pump and replacing it with water
– When checking the primer oil level in the
reservoir, confirm that the anti-siphon hole is
not clogged.
– Check the operation of the primer valve
located on the pump panel and labeled
“Primer.”
10
Inspections, Routine Maintenance,
and Operational Testing (4 of 5)
• Performing a vacuum test
– Conducted periodically to assess the
readiness of the priming system
– Remove all the discharge caps and drain
booster tank before the vacuum test.
• A fire pump with damaged or leaking
valves in discharge or tank lines cannot
create a vacuum needed to the lift water
from the static source.
10
Inspections, Routine Maintenance,
and Operational Testing (5 of 5)
• Finding a vacuum leak
– A fire pump that retains the vacuum for 5
minutes should prime and draft water easily.
– Close all valves and possible vacuum leak
sources to find the suspected vacuum leak.
10
Water Supply Management
in ICS (1 of 4)
• Water supply management is a vital part of
a fire incident.
– Can become a major part of ICS when
reliable public or private water system is not
available
10
Water Supply Management
in ICS (2 of 4)
• Water supply officer takes on added
responsibilities
– Drafting operations
– Relay pumping
– Water shuttles
– Nurse tanker operations
10
Water Supply Management
in ICS (3 of 4)
• Water supply officer reports to operations
section chief
– Is responsible for ensuring adequate supply of
water available to mitigate the incident
– If no operations section chief is designated,
the water supply officer reports to the IC.
10
Water Supply Management
in ICS (4 of 4)
• Water supply officer reports to operations
section chief
– Water supply officers should be given priority
on any scene.
– Dump and fill sites will be incorporated into
the ICS organization.
10
Selecting a Drafting Site (1 of 10)
• Ensure the incident has a steady water
supply
– This is critical to the success and safety of the
incident response.
– When drafting water is chosen for the supply,
selecting the appropriate drafting site involves
determining the reliability of the static water
source.
• Accessibility
• Purpose of the site
• Positioning of the apparatus
10
Selecting a Drafting Site (2 of 10)
• Determining the reliability of static water
sources
– Evaluate the reliability of the static water
source before committing to draft from it.
– Factors to consider
• Accessibility
• Quantity of water available
• Quality of water
10
Selecting a Drafting Site (3 of 10)
• Estimating the water available
– When considering a lake, there is no question
that an adequate supply will be available.
• Calculate the available water in a
nonmoving source.
–LWDC=Q
• Calculate the available water from a
moving source.
–WDVC=Q
10
Selecting a Drafting Site (4 of 10)
• Evaluating the water quality of a static
source
– Water should be free of aquatic weeds, moss,
algae, and other trash or debris.
– Clean water is preferred over muddy or murky
water.
– Sand or silt can clog nozzles and cause pump
failure.
10
Selecting a Drafting Site (5 of 10)
10
Selecting a Drafting Site (6 of 10)
• Accessibility to static water sources
– Safely position the apparatus close enough to
the source to completely submerge the
strainer of a hard-sided supply hose once
connected to the fire pump.
– Check the soil near the source edges to make
sure it will support the apparatus, especially
for extended wet operations.
10
Selecting a Drafting Site (7 of 10)
• Accessibility to static water sources
(continued)
– Once it is determined that the soil will support
the apparatus, identify a level drafting site free
of trees, bushes, rocks, fences, and other
obstructions limiting access.
– Access to static sources is difficult during
winter.
10
Selecting a Drafting Site (8 of 10)
• Special accessibility
considerations
– Drafting from a bridge can help
with accessibility problems.
• Be sure the bridge is designed to
support the weight of the apparatus.
– Identify drafting sites during
preplanning.
– Consider installing dry hydrants
where there is difficult access or
when the location would be ideal.
10
Selecting a Drafting Site (9 of 10)
• Special accessibility considerations
(continued)
– Place portable pumps near static water sources
when accessibility with pumper is not possible.
– Use floating pumps when the water is not deep
enough to allow for hard-sided drafting supply
lines.
– Placing a dam in the streambed is an option for
drafting from shallow flowing water sources.
10
Selecting a Drafting Site (10 of 10)
• Operational considerations for site selection
– The best choice for a drafting site is determined
by the location and the purpose of operation.
– As the distance from an incident increases,
water supply options are limited.
– If drafting to a supply water shuttle or as source
pumper in relay, considerations apply to the
selection.
10
Pumping from a Draft (1 of 4)
• After finding a suitable location with an
adequate and close water source, set up a
pump to draft.
– This task requires teamwork; be assisted by
two or more fire fighters.
– Hard-sided supply hose is heavy and can be
awkward for fewer than two fire fighters.
10
Pumping from a Draft (2 of 4)
• Making the connection
– Decide when to connect the hard suction
hose and pump.
– Before connections are made, inspect
gaskets for proper placement, cracks, and
debris that might affect the vacuum and draft.
– Once the necessary hose length is
determined, put a strainer on the end.
10
Pumping from a Draft (3 of 4)
• Making the connection (continued)
– Barrel strainer: used for deep water sources
– Low-level strainer: designed for clean, shallow
water sources
Courtesy of Kochek Co., Inc.
Courtesy of Kochek Co., Inc.
10
Pumping from a Draft (4 of 4)
• Making the connection
(continued)
– Floating strainer: operates
below surface scum, and
above debris in water source
– Once all connections are
made, place a hard suction
hose and strainer into the
water.
– With connections made and
strainer secure, begin
drafting.
Courtesy of Kochek Co., Inc.
10
Preparing to Operate at Draft
by Priming the Pump (1 of 3)
• First step: Prime the pump
– Once the suction hose is connected and put
into the source, draw air from the pump using
a priming pump.
– Activating the priming pump reduces
atmospheric pressure inside the fire pump
and hard suction supply hose.
10
Preparing to Operate at Draft
by Priming the Pump (2 of 3)
• Priming the fire pump is similar to testing the
priming pump or conducting a vacuum test.
– Ensure all drains and valves are closed.
– Firmly pull the priming pump handle out until it
stops and hold it out.
– Water and air are discharged under the
apparatus.
– As handle is held out, the vacuum reading
appears on the supply master gauge, indicating
the start of draft.
10
Preparing to Operate at Draft
by Priming the Pump (3 of 3)
• Priming the fire pump (continued)
– More water flows out of the priming pump and
is discharged under the apparatus when air is
pumped out.
– Do not stop operating the priming pump until
pressure is noted on the discharge side.
10
Drafting Operations (1 of 3)
• Once the pump is primed, start drafting
water and producing discharge pressures.
– Before supplying water to handlines, master
streams, or relay pumping operation, you will
need to establish a dump line.
10
Drafting Operations (2 of 3)
• Discharge water from the dump line back
into the water source and away from the
strainer to avoid introducing air into the
hard suction hose.
– Air inflow leads to loss of the vacuum, ending
the pump’s draft.
– If the dump line cannot be discharged back
into the source, discharge water onto the
ground away from the drafting site.
10
Drafting Operations (3 of 3)
• Once a water flow is sustained through the
dump line, attach the hose lines that will
be supplied.
– Lines differ depending on the purpose of the
operation.
• They can speed up the operation if other crew
members make connections while driver/operator
establishes the draft and dump line.
– Once water is flowing from the dump line,
increase the amount of water that will flow.
10
Producing the Flow of Water (1 of 3)
• Whether supplying attack lines or water for
the attack pumper, make sure crews know
that water flow is ready before opening the
discharge valve.
– Notify via radio, face-to-face, or hand signals.
10
Producing the Flow of Water (2 of 3)
• Slowly open the corresponding discharge
valve for the hose line and begin flowing
water.
– As with the dump line, opening too fast
causes a loss of vacuum that ends the pump’s
draft.
– Increase the engine rpm to maintain draft and
provide adequate discharge pressure.
– Keep increasing the throttle until the desired
discharge pressure is reached.
10
Producing the Flow of Water (3 of 3)
• Once draft is accomplished, do not drop
draft until the operation is completed.
– The water supply officer or IC gives the order.
– Establishing the operation takes time.
– Do not leave the incident without the water
supply unless directed by incident command.
10
Complications during
Drafting Operations (1 of 11)
• Recognize problems that may come up
while attempting to draft or during
operation itself.
– It is the driver/operator’s responsibility to
know what the problem is and how to correct
it.
10
Complications during
Drafting Operations (2 of 11)
• Driver/operator must continuously observe
the intake pressure while drafting.
– If the pressure drops, check the strainer for
debris.
– Flowing large volumes of water may draw
debris from areas not visualized when setting
up.
– Wipe the strainer clean while it is underwater.
– Remove debris from the water source.
10
Complications during
Drafting Operations (3 of 11)
• Continuously observe engine and pump
temperature gauges.
– Drafting operations require components to
work hard.
– Not enough water flows to keep them cool.
– If supplying a dump line while waiting to fill a
tanker shuttle operation, flow less than 100
GPM.
10
Complications during
Drafting Operations (4 of 11)
• If not enough water covers the strainer or
if it is a strong draft, a whirlpool may form
as the vacuum draws in water.
– Whirlpool lets the pump suck in air, which
breaks the vacuum and causes a loss of
water supply.
10
Complications during
Drafting Operations (5 of 11)
• Cavitation occurs when water flows faster
than it is supplied to the pump.
– Cavitation during drafting is caused by a
vacuum leak, which introduces air into the
intake water supply.
– Air flowing through the pump creates small
water hammers along the path to the
discharge point.
– Correcting vacuum leak corrects cavitation.
10
Complications during
Drafting Operations (6 of 11)
• Cavitation affects the fire pump’s ability to
deliver water.
– Can damage the pump
– Easy to diagnose because it makes a
significant fluctuation on the discharge
pressure reading on the pump panel.
10
Complications during
Drafting Operations (7 of 11)
• If cavitation is suspected during drafting:
– Check the water around the intake screen on
the hard supply hose.
– Check the vacuum reading on the master
supply gauge.
– If the vacuum reading is near-normal, check
for vacuum leaks by confirming the tightness
of the supply hose couplings.
10
Complications during
Drafting Operations (8 of 11)
• If cavitation is suspected during drafting
(continued):
– If the vacuum reading is higher than normal,
check the intake screen.
– The second leading cause of cavitation is a
plugged intake screen.
10
Complications during
Drafting Operations (9 of 11)
• A pump’s failure to prime is a common
problem that occurs during drafting
operations.
– Cause is often a driver/operator error
– Double-check the steps required for priming
the pump.
– A fire pump should prime in 30 seconds or
less.
10
Complications during
Drafting Operations (10 of 11)
• Follow diagnostic steps to identify the
problem and find a solution:
– Note the vacuum reading on the supply master
gauge after holding the primer valve open for
20–30 seconds.
– If the vacuum reading is less than 12–15 in. Hg
(30.48–38.1 cm Hg), verify that all valves on
the pump control panel are closed.
10
Complications during
Drafting Operations (11 of 11)
• Follow diagnostic steps to identify the
problem and find a solution (continued):
– If the vacuum reading is less than 12–15 in.
Hg (30.48–38.1 cm Hg), make sure that the
intake screen is clean and water is not being
lifted too high.
10
Uninterrupted Water Supply
• Establishing an uninterrupted water supply
is an important objective for any IC.
• If municipal water supplies are not readily
available, the IC has to obtain an
uninterrupted water supply from a:
– Relay pumping operation
– Tanker shuttle
– Nurse tanker operation
10
Relay Pumping Operations (1 of 2)
• Requires two to four pumpers
– Water pumped from a water source through a
hose under pressure to an apparatus
engaged in a fire suppression.
– Relay can be as simple as one pumper at a
pond or lake and another pumper at the
scene.
– Can be as complex as multiple pumpers
needed to supply water over a long distance
10
Relay Pumping Operations (2 of 2)
© Steve Redick
10
Components of Relay Pumping
Operation (1 of 3)
• Minimum of two fire pumpers, hose lines,
and personnel
• Source pumper:
– Located at the water source
– Supplies water to the incident
• Attack pumper:
– First unit on the scene
– Supplies hose lines while operating from a
water tank
10
Components of Relay Pumping
Operation (2 of 3)
• Relay pumpers:
– Apparatus placed in the middle of a relay
pumping operation
– Obtain water from the source pumper and
increase the pressure to the next pumper in
the relay
10
Components of Relay Pumping
Operation (3 of 3)
10
Equipment for Relay Pumping
Operations (1 of 2)
• Fire hose
– Primary path to get water from one pumper to
another in relay
– Can be a single LDH 4” (102 mm) or 5” (127 mm)
in diameter or multiple medium-size hoses 2½”
(64 mm) or 3” (76 mm) in diameter
– Single lines of LDH have a low friction loss
variable.
– Overcome higher friction loss with medium-size
hose lines by using two hoses for water supply
10
Equipment for Relay Pumping
Operations (2 of 2)
• Relay operations may require other
equipment.
• No matter which hose supplies water from
the source pumper, each pumper in relay
and attack pumper must be equipped with
an intake relief valve.
– Most modern pumpers are equipped with
valves, but older pumpers may need to be
retrofitted.
10
Personnel for Relay Pumping
Operations
• Safe relay operation requires adequate
personnel.
• At least two crew members should be
assigned to each fire pumper.
– Driver/operator’s responsibility is to operate
the pump and manage intake and discharge
pressures.
– Second fire fighter is responsible for
managing the area around the apparatus to
ensure safety.
10
Preparing for Relay Pumping
Operation (1 of 2)
• Length of relay operation is determined by
the distance from the water source to the
incident
• Amount of water required by the attack
pumper and the size of the supply line
affect if and how many relay pumpers are
required.
• Supply hose is critical for successful relay
operation.
10
Preparing for Relay Pumping
Operation (2 of 2)
• Once the hose is in place for a relay,
determine whether the relay pumper is
needed.
– Calculate the amount of friction loss for the
length of hose lay
• Adapters, reducers, manifolds, and
appliances are used in a relay pumping
operation.
10
Types of Relay Pumping Operations
• Calculated flow relay:
– Requires the source pumper driver/operator
to obtain the required GPM from the attack
pumper
• Constant pressure relay:
– Source and relay pumpers supply a constant
pressure and flow for the operation regardless
of the flow discharged by the attack pumper.
10
Operating the Source Pumper (1 of 2)
• Relay pumping operation starts at the
source pumper, so it should be the largest
fire pump.
• When setting up the source pumper at a
static source, consider the maximum water
available for the operation.
10
Operating the Source Pumper (2 of 2)
• Whether supplying the next pumper or attack
pumper, the same steps apply:
– Open the discharge valve.
– Slowly flow the water while advancing the throttle
– When desired pressure is reached, set the
pressure relief valve to prevent pump damage.
• Establishing the relay pumping operation
from the hydrant is the same as using the
hydrant as a supply source.
10
Operating the Attack Pumper
• Getting water from the source pumper is critical
to continued operations and fire fighter safety.
• Slowly open the intake valve while backing down
the throttle until the valve for the supply line fully
open.
• Advise the source pumper of water needed and
indicate whether incoming pressure is sufficient
to maintain 20+ psi (138+ kPa) of residual
pressure.
10
Operating the Relay Pumper (1 of 2)
• Lay out the hose between yourself and the
next pumper and supply the required
pressure and volume to the next pumper
or attack pumper.
• The relay pumper is ready when the
supply hose to the pumper and the
discharge hose to the next pumper are
connected.
10
Operating the Relay Pumper (2 of 2)
• A relay pumper driver/operator monitors
the incoming residual pressure from the
source or other relay pumper.
• Once flow is stabilized, set the pressure
relief valve or governor to prevent damage
to the fire pump.
10
Water Relay Delivery Options
• The last pumper in the relay operation
may supply two attack pumpers.
• To use a manifold in a relay operation, the
last relay pumper provides a supply line to
the manifold via LDH from the discharge
port.
10
Joining an Existing Relay Pumping
Operation (1 of 2)
• Most relay operations are set up all at
once from the beginning of an incident.
• Many departments that use relay
operations because of limited water supply
use relay valves in long hose lays.
– Relay valve lets the apparatus hook into the
relay without shutting down the operation
10
Joining an Existing Relay Pumping
Operation (2 of 2)
• If a relay valve is not in use, hooking into
an existing relay operation is more
complex.
• Contact the source pumper that the
apparatus is ready for water.
10
Pressure Fluctuations
• Needs and capacity of the attack pumper
affect all others in the relay operation.
• Sometimes the driver/operator must
manually adjust the pump pressures.
– Pressure is not a concern unless it is greater
than 200 psi (1379 kPa).
10
Shutting Down a Relay Pumping
Operation
• Terminate a relay operation ordered by the
IC or water supply officer after careful
consideration.
• When shutting down, the attack pumper
acts first.
• The source pumper closes the hydrant to
stop water flow into the pump.
10
Safety (1 of 2)
• Safety cannot be overlooked when
conducting relay pumping operations.
• Incident safety improves when crew
members have appropriate training and
knowledge of equipment, and practice
using it.
• Address communication as part of the
relay operation.
10
Safety (2 of 2)
• Causes of safety concern:
– Fire hoses
– Personnel working around the relay pumping
operation
– Use of PPE
10
Water Shuttle (1 of 5)
• In rural and remote areas, water must be
carried to the scene in a water shuttle.
– Tanker or tender used for operation
• A water shuttle includes tankers, fill sites,
and dump sites.
– Fill site: where tankers get water tanks filled
– Dump site: where tanker offloads water
– Water shuttles can be large and complex
operations.
10
Water Shuttle (2 of 5)
• Establish a fill site using a hydrant.
– Can be simple if the hydrant has a flow
pressure of at least 50 psi (345 kPa)
• Establish a fill site at a static water source.
10
Water Shuttle (3 of 5)
• Fill sites in inaccessible areas
– May not be able to get close to a static water
source because the area is blocked
– Consider using portable pumps to get water to
the tankers.
– Once the area is ready, connect the hardsided suction lines to the pump and place the
strainer on the intake end of the hose.
– Portable floating pumps are popular.
10
Water Shuttle (4 of 5)
• Filling tankers
– Whether the fill site is supplied by a hydrant or
pumper, the same procedure is used.
– Fill one at a time when using medium-size
hose lines.
– Having two hose lines with control valves and
personnel at either ends ready to connect to
the tankers increases operation speed and
reduces turnaround times.
10
Water Shuttle (5 of 5)
• Filling tankers (continued)
– Once the tank is full on the tanker, close the
control point valve before closing the tank fill
valve on the tanker.
– This sequence allows for the disconnection of
the hose from the tanker since there is less
pressure.
10
Safety for Water Shuttle Operations
(1 of 2)
• Water shuttle operations present the same
risks encountered in relay operations.
• Steps to improve incident safety:
– Preplan locations for obtaining water.
– Be trained in use and operation of equipment.
– Know which equipment to use.
• Communication between tankers and fill
sites may require a separate radio
frequency.
10
Safety for Water Shuttle Operations
(2 of 2)
• Personnel at fill sites need the same level
of PPE as during relay operation to protect
from:
– Falling equipment
– Catastrophic equipment failures
– Traffic
• Extreme caution must be emphasized
while driving tankers because they handle
differently from standard pumpers.
10
Establishing Dump Site Operations
(1 of 3)
• Establishing a dump site location takes
practice and forethought.
– Site should be on firm, level ground and not
susceptible to significant changes from
apparatus movement or getting wet from
water.
– Location must be large and strong enough to
support the weight of the water and incoming
tankers.
10
Establishing Dump Site Operations
(2 of 3)
• Establishing dump site location
(continued)
– Location should provide enough room for the
movement of tankers in and out.
– Large parking lots and fields that are flat and
smooth make excellent dump sites.
10
Establishing Dump Site Operations
(3 of 3)
• In cases with no intersections or large
parking lots, do not obstruct the flow of
additional responding apparatus or tanker
shuttle by placing portable tanks in the
road.
– Give thought to which way the tanker will
offload.
– Once a good site is determined, set up
portable tanks and create a static source for
the source pumper.
10
Using Portable Tanks
• Portable tanks should hold as much water
as the capacity of the tanker allows.
• Before deploying the portable tank, cover
the ground where the tank will be with a
salvage cover or tarp to prevent damage
to the tank.
• The tank is filled by a tanker before
entering the water shuttle operation.
10
Offloading Tankers (1 of 3)
• Driver/operator reviews the dump site
characteristics on arrival to ensure that the
tanker can access the location.
– The driver/operator should know the vehicle
better than anyone.
• Once the tanker is positioned at the dump
site, it is easy to unload through the dump
valve.
10
Offloading Tankers (2 of 3)
10
Offloading Tankers (3 of 3)
• In older tankers, water is released
manually by personnel at the dump tank.
• Some tankers are equipped with a jet
dump to offload water.
10
Use of Multiple Portable Tanks
• Standard practice in rural firefighting
• Tanks are positioned at a high point of
ground, sloping downward.
– Many tanks are equipped with two drains so
they can be hooked together.
– Jet siphon adaptors use a hard suction hose
as a pathway for flowing water forced through
the hose by Venturi forces.
10
Source Pumper Considerations
• Main objective in moving water from one
tank to another when using multiple tanks:
– Keep main portable tank full.
• After the source pumper establishes draft
from a static water supply, prevent air from
being introduced into the pump.
• Main tank should not run low on water
during the operation if the tanker shuttle is
working as designed.
10
Traffic Flow (1 of 2)
• Movement of tankers into
and out of the dump site
can cause congestion.
• Most tankers can offload
from the sides and rear,
giving the driver/operator
more freedom in deciding a
travel direction into the
dump site and how to
approach the portable tank.
10
Traffic Flow (2 of 2)
• Once tanker offloading is known,
determine the best direction of approach
to the portable tanks.
– Place portable tanks in as open an area as
possible to allow easy maneuverability around the
site.
• All tankers should travel the same path to
enter and exit the dump site.
– Communicate the traffic plan to all tanker
driver/operators.
10
Nurse Tanker Operations (1 of 5)
• Offloading a tanker into another tanker or
pumper as a water source
– Operation eliminates portable tanks; the attack
pumper is supplied directly by the nurse tanker.
– Nurse tanker operation is set up when there is no
room to establish a dump site, relay operation, or
both.
– Performed at the start of an incident to provide
water to the attack pumper while relay or fill-anddump operation is established
10
Nurse Tanker Operations (2 of 5)
• Ideal nurse tanker is the largest tanker
available because it serves as the primary
water source for fire attack.
– Tractor-trailer tankers are good choices
because they can be supplied by smaller
tankers through a second nurse tank
operation.
– Nurse tanker must have a fire pump to supply
water to the attack pumper.
10
Nurse Tanker Operations (3 of 5)
• Most tractor-trailer tankers have a small
pump on the trailer to assist with
offloading.
– Larger pump on the tanker means more water
can be supplied with greater pressure.
– Nurse tanker can function like a combination
of a contained portable tank and source
pumper if positioned near the attack pumper.
10
Nurse Tanker Operations (4 of 5)
• Other tankers can supply a new “source.”
• When filling the nurse tanker, do not fill too
fast.
– Avoid or limit air in the water.
– Use two medium-size hose lines at 50 psi
(345 kPa) to fill the nurse tanker.
10
Nurse Tanker Operations (5 of 5)
• Communication for tanker operations
– Communication is vital on the fire ground.
– Tanker driver/operator must communicate
locations within shuttle flow and indicate
whether he or she is filling or returning to a
dump site.
– Staying in communication maintains
accountability for each tanker and personnel.
10
Water Shuttle Operations
in ICS (1 of 3)
• A sustainable water supply is a vital part of
the fire incident scene.
– Water supply officers are given top priority at
the scene.
– Once the water shuttle operation is
established, the water supply officer should be
established as part of ICS.
10
Water Shuttle Operations
in ICS (2 of 3)
• The dump site officer is responsible for
establishing the dump site, creating traffic
patterns, and ensuring the source pumper
at the site has a sustained supply.
– For a complex incident with multiple dump
sites, officers may be responsible for all of
them and have to coordinate larger flow
between the fill site and each dump site
depending on demands.
10
Water Shuttle Operations
in ICS (3 of 3)
• The fill site officer is responsible for
establishing fill site location(s), ensuring a
water source for filling tankers will meet
demand, and creating traffic patterns in
and out of the fill site.
– Filling two tankers at once requires a strong
source.
– Ultimate goal: to provide an uninterrupted
water supply to the fire incident
10
Summary (1 of 3)
• The ability to draft water from a static source
makes the apparatus a versatile resource.
• Fire departments have a process for
performing inspections, routine maintenance,
and operational testing of supply apparatus
and mechanisms.
• Water supply management is a vital part of
the fire incident and can be a major part of
ICS if reliable public or private water is not
available.
10
Summary (2 of 3)
• Drafting operations, relay pumping, water
shuttles, and nurse tanker operations
become the responsibility of the water
supply officer.
• Driver/operator should be assisted by two
or more fire fighters.
• Driver/operator must identify problems
with the drafting operation and know how
to correct them.
10
Summary (3 of 3)
• In a relay operation, water is pumped from
a source through a hose under pressure to
the apparatus engaged in fire suppression
efforts.
• Establishing a dump site location to create
a static source for a firefighting operation
takes practice and forethought.
• Having a sustainable water supply is a
vital part of a fire incident scene.