0. Essentials of Fire Fighting, 5th Edition
Chapter 12 — Water Supply
Firefighter I

1. Chapter 12 Lesson Goal
After completing this lesson, the student shall be able to make hydrant connections and draft from a static water source according to the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ).
Firefighter I

2. Specific Objectives 1. Describe dry-barrel and wet-barrel hydrants.
2. Discuss fire hydrant marking and location.
3. Summarize potential problems to look for when inspecting fire hydrants.
(Continued)
Firefighter I

3. Specific Objectives 4. Explain the process of fire hydrant testing.
5. Discuss alternative water supplies.
6. Discuss rural water supply operations.
7. Operate a hydrant. (Skill Sheet 12-I-1)
(Continued)
Firefighter I

4. Specific Objectives
8. Make soft-sleeve and hard-suction hydrant connections. (Skill Sheet 12-I-2)
9. Connect and place a hard-suction hose for drafting from a static water source. (Skill Sheet 12-I-3)
10. Deploy a portable water tank. (Skill Sheet 12-I-4)
Firefighter I

5. Hydrants Usually made of cast iron with bronze working parts
Must be opened and closed slowly to prevent damage
Firefighter I

6. Dry-Barrel Hydrants
Installed in areas where prolonged periods of subfreezing weather are common
Have main valve located below frost line that prevents water from entering hydrant barrel
(Continued)
Firefighter I

7. Dry-Barrel Hydrants Operation
Must be completely open or closed to prevent leaking
When shutting down, verify that water left in hydrant barrel is draining out
(Continued)
Firefighter I

8. Dry-Barrel Hydrants
In some areas, hydrants must be pumped out after each use to prevent water contamination
If water is bubbling out of ground, broken component in barrel is allowing water to get past drain opening
Firefighter I

9. Wet-Barrel Hydrants
Installed in warmer climates where prolonged periods of subfreezing weather uncommon
Horizontal compression-type valve at each outlet
Always filled with water
Firefighter I

10. Fire Hydrant Marking
Rate of flow from individual hydrants varies for several reasons
NFPA® has developed system of marking hydrants
Local color-coding may differ from NFPA®
Firefighter I

11. DISCUSSION QUESTION
What types of fire hydrant marking systems are used in your area?
Firefighter I

12. Fire Hydrant Locations
Decisions usually made by water department personnel based on recommendations from fire department
Should not be spaced more than 300 feet (100 m) apart in high-value districts
(Continued)
Firefighter I

13. Fire Hydrant Locations
Locate hydrant at every other intersection
Intermediate hydrants may be required where distances between intersections exceed 350 to 400 feet (105 to 120 m)
Other factors affect location/spacing
Firefighter I

14. Hydrant Testing and Inspections
Responsibility of fire department personnel
Firefighters should look for wide array of items
Firefighter I

15. Fire Hydrant Testing Process
Many departments no longer responsible for testing
Most basic test normally conducted is flow test
Firefighter I

16. Flow Test Steps Select hydrant Remove all outlet caps
Inspect outlet threads
Lubricate all outlet threads
Replace all caps except one 2½-inch (65 mm) cap
(Continued)
Firefighter I

17. Flow Test Steps
Connect cap-type pressure gauge to outlet on second hydrant nearby
Turn second hydrant on, record static pressure
Turn test hydrant on fully, allow water to flow briefly
(Continued)
Firefighter I

18. Flow Test Steps Use pitot tube, gauge to measure flow rate
Record pitot gauge reading
(Continued)
Firefighter I

19. Flow Test Steps
Take/record residual pressure reading from gauge connected to second hydrant before shutting test hydrant off
Turn off second hydrant, remove gauge, replace cap
Turn off test hydrant
(Continued)
Firefighter I

20. Flow Test Steps
Test for vacuum created by operating drain valve (dry barrel)
Replace cap on outlet
Repeat procedure with each hydrant
Firefighter I

21. DISCUSSION QUESTION
What types of situations or areas would require an alternative source of water?
Firefighter I

22. Alternative Water Supply Sources
Lakes
Ponds
Rivers
Ocean
Swimming pools
Farm stock tanks
Underground cisterns
Firefighter I

23. DISCUSSION QUESTION
Can you think of any other types of alternative water supplies?
Firefighter I

24. Drafting From Alternative Water Supplies
Process of drawing water from static source to pumper
Can use almost any static source of water if sufficient in quantity, not contaminated
(Continued)
Firefighter I

25. Drafting From Alternative Water Supplies
Depth of water from which to draft
Firefighter I

26. Dry Hydrants
Installed at static water sources to increase water supply available
Usually constructed of steel or PVC pipe with strainers at water source, steamer ports to connect to pumper
Designed to supply at least 1,000 gpm (4 000 L/min)
(Continued)
Firefighter I

27. Water Shuttles
Involve hauling water from supply source to portable tanks from which water may be drawn to fight fire
Recommended for distances greater than ½ mile (0.8 km) or greater than the fire department’s capability of laying supply hoselines
(Continued)
Firefighter I

28. Water Shuttles Critical elements Fast-fill, fast-dump capabilities
Water supply officers at fill/dump sites
Traffic control
Hydrant operations
Hookups
Tank venting
Firefighter I

29. Water Shuttles Key components Dump site Portable tanks (Continued)
Firefighter I

30. Water Shuttles Ways in which water tenders unload Gravity dumping
Jet dumps that increase flow rate
Apparatus-mounted pumps
Combination of these methods
(Continued)
Firefighter I

31. Water Shuttles
According to NFPA® 1901, water tenders on level ground should be capable of dumping/filling at rates of at least 1,000 gpm (4 000 L/min)
(Continued)
Firefighter I

32. Water Shuttles
To fill water tenders quickly, use best fill site, large hoselines, multiple hoselines
Multiple portable pumps may be necessary
Firefighter I

33. DISCUSSION QUESTION
What are the advantages and disadvantages of a water shuttle operation?
Firefighter I

34. Relay Pumping
Can be used in situations where water source is close enough to fire scene to render water shuttles unnecessary
Factors to consider
Water supply must be capable of maintaining desired volume of water
Relay must be established quickly
(Continued)
Firefighter I

35. Relay Pumping
Determining number of pumpers needed and distance between them
Several factors to take into account
Apparatus with greatest pumping capacity should be at water source
(Continued)
Firefighter I

36. Relay Pumping
Determining number of pumpers needed and distance between them
Large-diameter hose or multiple hoselines increase distance, volume a relay can supply
Water supply officer should consider all factors and determine correct distance
Firefighter I

37. Summary
Because water is still the primary fire extinguishing agent used by firefighters in North America, and because fires often occur considerable distances from major water sources, fire departments must develop ways to transport available water from its source to where it is needed.
(Continued)
Firefighter I

38. Summary
Firefighters must know what water supply systems have been developed and what their responsibilities are when these systems are used.
Firefighter I

39. Review Questions
1. What is the difference between dry-barrel and wet-barrel hydrants?
2. How are fire hydrants marked?
3. What factors affect hydrant location and spacing?
(Continued)
Firefighter I

40. Review Questions 4. List alternative water supplies.
5. What are three key components of a water shuttle operation?
Firefighter I