1. Essentials of Fire Fighting Maintenance and Testing Responsibilities
Seventh Edition
Chapter 21
Maintenance and Testing Responsibilities

2. Learning Objective 1
Describe equipment maintenance procedures.

3. Equipment Maintenance
Equipment must be ready to perform at its optimal level
Established maintenance program will ensure equipment is fully operational
Cleaning some tools requires different solvents
Some equipment only requires mild soap
Refer to manufacturer’s user manual and safety data sheets for solvents and follow policies and procedures

4. Maintaining Power Plants And Electrical Generators
Inspect and maintain generators and lighting equipment regularly
Review manufacturer’s service manual for specific directions
(Cont.)

5. Maintaining Power Plants And Electrical Generators
Inspect for damage, corrosion, carbon accumulation, and cracks
Make sure wire has a tight connection
Replace if damaged, if service manual recommends replacement, or if there are signs of arcing
Ensure proper gap prior to installing
Spark plugs
Check and identify signs of fuel leaks
Carburetor
(Cont.)

6. Maintaining Power Plants And Electrical Generators
Make sure fuel is fresh
Fuel mixture may separate or degrade over time
Check level and fill as needed
Inspect to ensure it is not contaminated
Discard contaminated fuel in approved manner
Fuel
Oil
(Cont.)

7. Maintaining Power Plants And Electrical Generators
Start and run required tests
Consult manual if a problem is found
Only qualified personnel should perform repair work
Avoid starting under a load
Do not run for a long time without a load
Power plant/generator
(Cont.)

8. Maintaining Power Plants And Electrical Generators
Clean work area and return all tools and equipment to the proper area
Document maintenance on appropriate forms or records
(Cont.)

9. CAUTION
Always start and operate all gas- or diesel-powered equipment in a well-ventilated area.

10. Maintaining Power Plants And Electrical Generators
Some types of equipment and maintenance are not your responsibility
Driver/operator typically inspects and maintains apparatus electrical systems and apparatus-mounted lights and generators
Detailed maintenance and modification of lighting equipment must be performed by qualified technicians

11. REVIEW QUESTION
What are three of the items that firefighters should check when maintaining power plants and electrical generators?

12. Maintaining Power Rescue Tools
Review manufacturer’s service manual for specific directions
Inspect at the beginning of each shift and make sure they start
(Cont.)

13. Maintaining Power Rescue Tools
Make sure all parts and support items are easily accessible
Keep battery packs fully charged
Keep pneumatic air cylinders fully charged
Check all fluid levels
Use only recommended types of lubricants, hydraulic fluids, and fuel grades
Inspect saw, chisel, and cutter blades regularly; replace blades that are worn or damaged
Check all electrical components for cuts or other damage
Make sure all protective guards are functional and in place
(Cont.)

14. Maintaining Power Rescue Tools
Inspect hydraulic supply hoses for damage
Inspect hydraulic hose couplings to ensure they are clean and functional
Inspect pneumatic supply hoses for damage
Inspect pneumatic hose couplings to ensure they are clean and functional
Clean the work area and return all tools and equipment to the proper areas
Document maintenance on appropriate forms or records

15. REVIEW QUESTION
What are three of the general guidelines for maintaining power rescue tools?

16. Maintaining Portable Lighting Equipment
Inspect cords for
Damaged insulation
Exposed wiring
Missing or bent prongs
(Cont.)

17. Maintaining Portable Lighting Equipment
Test equipment operation
Connect one light at a time to prevent overloading
Avoid looking directly into lights when they are powered
Replace bulbs as necessary
Shut off power and allow bulb to cool before replacing
Wear leather gloves if bulbs must be replaced immediately after shutoff
Discard faulty bulbs in an approved manner

18. REVIEW QUESTION
When inspecting electrical cords, what characteristics should be noted?

19. Learning Objective 2
Explain the process of service testing fire hose.

20. Service Testing Fire Hose
NFPA 1962 provides testing guidelines
Tests performed
Annually
After repairs
After a vehicle runs over the hose
(Cont.)

21. Service Testing Fire Hose
Excessive wear or damage to the jacket
Coupling damage
Defective or missing gaskets
Before testing, examine the hose for
Tag hose for repair
Remove from service if damage is not repairable
If defects are found

22. Test Site Preparation Test site area should Be paved
Have enough room to lay the hose in straight lines and free of kinks, bends, or twists
Be protected from vehicular traffic
Be well lit, if testing is done at night
Be smooth and free from rocks and debris
Have a slight grade to aid in water drainage
Have a water source sufficient for charging the hose

23. Service Testing Equipment
Hose-testing machine, portable pump, or pumper equipped with pressure gauges calibrated in the last 12 months
Hose-test gate valve
Belt tie-in or rope hose tool
(Cont.)

24. Service Testing Equipment
Means of recording hose numbers and test results
Tags or other means to identify sections that fail
Nozzles with shutoff valves or a test cap with a bleeder valve
Means of marking each length with the year of the test

25. REVIEW QUESTIONS
What type of location should be used to service test fire hose?
What equipment or tools are needed to service test fire hose?

26. Service Test Procedure
Exercise care, especially when hose is under pressure
Pressurized hose tends to whip back and forth if a rupture occurs or coupling pulls loose
To prevent this, use a specially designed hose test gate valve
Stand or walk near pressurized hose only as necessary
Hose test gate valve
(Cont.)

27. CAUTION
All personnel operating in the area of the pressurized hose should wear at least a helmet as a safety precaution.

28. Service Test Procedure
When using a pumper, connect hoses to discharges on the side opposite the pump panel
Close all valves slowly
Test lengths should not exceed 300 feet (100 m)
Laying large-diameter hose flat before charging helps prevent unnecessary wear
Stand away from the discharge valve connection when charging
Keep area as dry as possible when filling and discharging air from the hose

29. Indicators Of Removal From Service
Leaks
Hose rupturing/bursting
Couplings loosening or separating from the hose

30. NOTE
Some damage to fire hose may not require its removal from service. If a coupling has loosened or a leak occurs close to a coupling, the hose may be cut to remove the damaged location and a new coupling attached (also called recoupling).

31. Recording Procedures Can be kept on cards, logs, sheets, or computers
Should include
Information on the date of purchase
Name of manufacturer
Date and results of periodic testing
Remarks concerning testing
Date and type of repairs performed
Unusual features
Causes of failure if any
(Cont.)

32. Recording Procedures
Records kept as part of the complete equipment inventory
Records indicate
Disposition of the hose
Assigned location
Engine
Engine compartment
Rack storage
(Cont.)

33. Recording Procedures Document according to SOPs Test results Damage
Repairs made
If hose is removed from service

34. REVIEW QUESTIONS
What are some general guidelines for effective service testing of fire hose?
What information should fire hose service testing records include?

35. QUESTIONS
Are there any questions about this content?