Water Shuttle Operations Sugar Land Fire Department Driver/Operator—Pumper Academy Spring 2003

Water shuttle operations, sometimes referred to as tender shuttle or tanker shuttle operations, are used to supply water to emergency scenes that are so remote from the water supply source that relay pumping is not practical. Water shuttles involve a process in which tenders (tankers) deliver their load of water to the emergency scene, travel to a filing site, reload with water, and then return to the emergency scene to dump again. During the course of a major emergency or large fire, each tender may make as many as a dozen or more round trips.

Pumpers Minimum of two used in shuttle: one at fill site and one at dump site. Must have a minimum pump capacity of 1,000gpm to conform to NFPA 1901

Tenders/Tankers Must have tank-to-pump line capable of supplying the pump 500 gpm until at least 80% of the tank is empty Must be equipped with at least one external connection to allow filling at the rate of 1,000 gpm Must have a discharge capable of discharging 90% of the tank volume at an average rate of 1,000gpm May empty the tank with a gravity or a jet-assisted dump

Gravity v.s. Jet-Assisted Relies on nature’s gravitational pull to empty water from the tank Usually employ 8” or larger piping with a valve that extends to the exterior of the apparatus Gravity dump valve may open manually from discharge location or remotely from cab Jet-assisted Dump (jet dump) Uses small diameter in-line discharge inserted into piping of large tank discharge Discharge is supplied by apparatus fire pump In-line discharge creates a venturi effect that increases water flow through the large tank discharge

Gravity v.s. Jet-Assisted

Disadvantage of Jet-assisted The apparatus must have a fire pump The pump must be engaged before dumping water Water can be discharged if the pump is not operating, but at a lower rate than it would in a gravity dump. The apparatus purchase cost is increased

Setting up a Water Shuttle Location of the dump site Location of the fill site

Positioning Fill Site Apparatus If possible, use a pumper to fill tenders, regardless of whether a hydrant or static water supply is used. Fill tenders at a rate of 1,000 gpm Use LDH on the hydrant steamer connection. If necessary, use multiple MDH in addition to the LDH if the hydrant is on a strong main. When positioning for drafting, seek a spot that requires a minimum amount of lift or hard intake hose.

Positioning Fill Site Apparatus If the static water supply is inaccessible and portable pumps are used, locate them no further than 100 feet from the pumper Regardless of whether a hydrant or static water source is used, ensure that a small discharge line continuously flows from the fill site pumper.

The Fill Site Determine where the tender driver/operator should park on arrival Mark where the tender should stop with a traffic cone opposite the driver/operator’s side door window. Make sure that each hoseline used should have a gate valve. Lay out hose according to the tender’s fill valves. Install a gate valve between the last and second to last sections of each hoseline Install Stortz adapters on hoses as necessary Assign a radio-equipped firefighter to supervise the manifold if used.

Fill Methods Fixed or portable overhead pipes at the static water source Permanent or portable manifolds

Operating & Shutting Down Keep the fill site pumper in gear with tender fill lines charged at all times. Continuously flow a waste line from fill site pumper to prevent loss of prime or pump overheating Assign make–and-break personnel: one firefighter to handle each laid out tender fill line, make fill connection when tender arrives, and disconnect hose when tank is full. Ensure that tender drivers remain in their apparatus cabs

Operating & Shutting Down Monitor the ground conditions and adjust fill site location if site becomes too soft because of spilled water. Once the incident commander orders the shuttle shut down, make sure all tenders are full before releasing them, unless the site is supplied by a static water source. Release apparatus based farthest from the scene first Once all tenders have been refilled and/or released, shut down the fill site pumper and prepare it for return to service. If water came from a static source, flush all pumps and equipment before storing.

Tender Discharge Methods Using a pump on the tender Using a dump valve Simultaneous pumping and dumping

Portable Tank Operations Single Portable Tank Operations Multiple Portable Tank Operations Shutting Down the Dump Site