I recently had the opportunity to check out Jackson Fire Department's new Pierce 100' Platform. This is one good looking truck. Truck 28 will serve the south side of downtown Jackson, MS and the surrounding area. Truck 28 is a busy truck company in Jackson affectionately known as the "Hood Rats". Great group of guys and I wish them the best of luck with their new chariot! Check out the video of their truck here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjvbAOoEXj8
Over the last couple months we have been releasing a 5 part video series for Pump Operators. We hope these training videos will help you prepare for classes, tests and even more importantly the real world. This is the final summarizing video of the series. Below you will see all of the previous videos and a link to the Pump Operator Training Packet. We encourage you to print out the packet and train with your own crews. Pump Operations are an integral part of our operations that are often overlooked or taken for granted. If you have any questions or suggestions feel free to comment below and we will do our best to help you out. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXg5Bnqo9Q0
If you have not seen the previous videos in this training series you can click on the images below to take you to the previous articles. You can also CLICK HERE to download the Pump Operator Training Packet.
You can also find more training videos on our YouTube channel by CLICKING HERE.
This is the fourth video of our five part pump operator training series. In this video we focus on calculating elevation gain and loss and also appliance pressure losses. We have provided you with a Pump Operator Training Packet to follow along if you need a list of the formulas and abbreviations. You can view the video below and if you missed the previous videos we strongly suggest watching those to understand the concepts previously discussed. The links to the previous videos will be provided below. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l780NY875zs
You can click on the images below to take you to our previous pump operator training videos:
This is the third video of our five part pump operator training series. In this video we focus on calculating Friction Loss. Often times firefighters underestimate the importance of making these calculations. If we do not calculate the correct pressure loss due to friction and then deliver the appropriate pump discharge pressure we could be placing our fellow firefighters in dangerous situations. Take a look at the video below and use our Pump Operator Training Packet to follow along. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-wqKnUalEI
You can click on the images below to take you to our previous Pump Operator Training Videos:
This is the second video of our five part pump operator training series. We discuss nozzle pressure and how to calculate flow from a nozzle. To understand how to calculate friction loss and pump discharge pressure we must know the flow from our nozzles. This is a very important step for all pump operators. We also need to have a thorough understanding of nozzle pressure, without an understanding of nozzle pressure we will not be able to deliver the appropriate pump discharge pressure. Use this video and our Pump Operator Training Packet to check your nozzles and understand nozzle flow and operating pressures. If you missed Part 1 you can view it by clicking here.
We are happy to introduce to you our new five part video training series for driver operators. Over the next several weeks we will be releasing these videos for you to refresh, host training sessions or even prepare for tests or promotions. Take a look at Part 1 below and then continue reading the article to see what other topics we will be covering.
Here is the breakdown of the topics we will cover in our video series:
Part 1 - Understanding Pump Discharge Pressure and the Components within it.
Part 2 - Calculating Nozzle Flow.
Part 3 - Calculating Friction Loss
Part 4 - Calculating Elevation Gain/Loss and Appliance Pressure Losses
Part 5 - Summary
We have also put together a Pump Operator Training Resource Packet that will go along with this training video series. You can find this resource in the "Downloads" section of our website or by clicking here.
In my last article, I talked about memorization as a method for figuring friction loss on the fire scene. In this article we will talk about another fire ground method… the hand method. This method requires a little bit of arithmetic that can become confusing in stressful situations. However, it still is a simple method that can be easily mastered. There are a lot of extremely good pump operators out there that prefer this method. It is similar to the memorization method, in the sense that we will be talking about 1 ¾ diameter hose and all friction loss is figured in 100 feet hose lengths. One major difference between the two is the fact that the memorization method is exact and the hand method is not. It will be plus or minus a couple of psi every time you figure it, but differences will be minuscule and you will probably never find them on the pump panel. Keep in mind this is still just friction loss. You will still have to add your nozzle pressure in order to get your pump discharge pressure. We have provided a training video below but if you continue reading we will go into detail about how to use the Hand Method for calculating friction loss.
So, lets get started. Here again we will be talking about fog nozzles. Remember, most fog nozzles have four gallons per minute settings… 95gpm, 125gpm, 150gpm, and 200gpm. Now, hold up your left or right hand and spread your fingers. I’m right handed so I will be using my left hand for my descriptions. Imagine your fingers are the gallons per minute settings on the nozzle. Starting with your thumb. The thumb will be 95, index finger 125, middle finger 150, ring finger 175, and pinky finger 200. You can also use these GPM settings for rough estimates on smoothbore nozzle flows if you know them.
STEP 1
The first step is to imagine your GPM settings across your fingertips. This would start with the thumb (95 or 100 GPM) then continue across the remaining fingers. (125, 150, 175, 200 GPM).
STEP 2
The next step is to number your fingers 1-5. You start by placing the #1 on your thumb followed by 2, 3, 4, and 5 on the remaining fingers.
STEP 3
To finish setting up your hand method you will imagine the number 12 in the palm of your hand.
In order to figure the friction loss, all you have to do is multiply 12 by whatever number or finger you need to use. We will use the same scenarios as we did in the last article.
Lets say you are driving one day and you pull up to a car fire. Your officer and firefighter pull the 100ft jump line and you know you need to be flowing 95 GPM. So, you look at your hand and you notice 95 GPM is at the number 1 position. Multiply 1 x 12.
1 x12 = 12psi
That equals 12. Twelve is your friction loss. If you have a 100psi nozzle just add 100psi. 12psi friction loss plus 100psi nozzle pressure equals 112 pump discharge pressure.
12psi + 100psi = 112psi
You are probably thinking that this isn’t right because it doesn’t equal exactly 114 like the other method. And you are right, it doesn’t. However, I do not know a firefighter in America that can feel a 2psi difference on the end of the nozzle. Its not exact but it will work efficiently.
Next scenario, you are at a structure fire that requires a 200ft line flowing 200gpm. The 200gpm setting is at the number 5 position on your hand, just multiply 5 x 12. It equals 60.
5 x 12 = 60psi
That is 60psi friction loss per 100ft. We have a 200ft line so 60 plus 60 is 120psi total friction loss. Then add your nozzle pressure, 120 plus 100 equals 220psi.
60psi + 60psi + 100psi = 220psi
That is your pump discharge pressure. The exact pump discharge pressure for this scenario would be 224. Here again, I do not know any firefighter that can tell a 4psi difference on the nozzle. If you are using 75psi low-pressure nozzles, it works the same way; just add 75 instead of 100. In terms of friction loss and pump discharge pressure, there are several ways to figure it. On the scene, there are multiple ways to determine friction loss and only one wrong way; that is not getting a proper amount of water to your firefighters. Without it, they can’t put the fire out and could be put in some serious situations because of it. You, as a pump operator, have to figure out how you want to do it. It may be the hand method, memorization, or something else. It doesn’t matter as long as you get the right amount of water to the guys on the nozzle. I hope one of these methods will work for you and next time we will be discussing the Subtract 10 method for calculating friction loss in a 2.5" hose.
The National Fallen Firefighter's Foundation has just released it's newest Everyone Goes Home video with the Denver Fire Department. Take the time to watch this and share it with your crews. The National Fallen Firefighter's Foundation has produced some great content to help other departments learn from one another.
I am currently the Lead State Advocate for Everyone Goes Home in the State of Mississippi. If you are unfamiliar with Everyone Goes Home check out the links I have provided that will send you to your own Advocates. They can help you get training material and resources to use at your own fire department. You will find a tremendous amount of resources on the website www.EveryoneGoesHome.com
Here is the link to the Learning Media Center
Here is the link to the Firefighter Life Safety Toolbox Resources
Here is the link to the Video Resources
Here is the link to find your Local State Advocates
Here is a final video message from Chief Billy Goldfeder:
Friction loss is something that is stressed about and is made out to be very difficult for new pump operators. In reality it isn’t. This is how the definition is read: Friction is the force resisting the relative motion of solid surfaces, fluid layers, and material elements sliding against each other (Friction, 2013). Friction Loss is the pressure loss due to the friction. In this case, the friction is water sliding against the interior of the fire hose.
To overcome this, the pump operator must throttle up to ensure that the firefighter, on the nozzle, will have the appropriate amount of water to suppress the fire. Friction loss can be calculated using mathematical equations which is the Theoretical Method. You can also calculate friction loss using a series of easy to use methods that do not require a lot of math, these are called Fire-Ground Methods. For the purpose of this article we will focus on the fire-ground methods. I feel there is not enough emphasis put on fire-ground methods. All too often when a new pump operator is being taught friction loss the instructors jump straight to the equations because they are the hardest to grasp. No offense to the great pump operations instructors out there, but I haven’t seen too many calculators on the fire scene lately. How can a firefighter figure this stuff out on the scene? Theoretical calculations are generally used for pre-planning, spec'ing apparatus and calculating problems ahead of time; for instance making pump charts. You do not use theoretical calculations on fire scenes. There are multiple fire-ground methods for 1-¾ line, but I will talk about the one that works best for me… memorization. Yes, it sounds hard but its not. Its simple… just memorize the friction loss for the gallonage setting(s) on the nozzle. Most 100psi adjustable fog nozzles have four settings 95gpm, 125gpm, 150gpm, and 200gpm. So, all you have to remember is 14, 24, 35, and 62. These are the exact amounts of friction loss per 100 feet based on the gallonage above. There is 14psi friction loss per 100 feet when you are flowing 95 gallons per minute. If you have a 100-foot line your friction loss is 14, if you have a 200-foot line your friction loss is 28. It works the same way for the other gallonage settings. For example, if you are flowing 150gpm on a 100-foot line your friction loss is 35, if you are using a 200-foot line you friction loss is 70. Keep in mind this is just the friction loss; it is not the pressure you pump at the engine. In order to figure this, you have to take into account nozzle pressure.
Most fog nozzles require a pressure of 100psi or 75psi for it to function properly, this is called the Nozzle Pressure. So, all you have to do is add 100psi or 75psi (Depending on your nozzle) to whatever your friction loss is and that will be your required Pump Discharge Pressure. So, lets say you are driving one day and you pull up on a car fire that only requires a 100-foot line. Your department’s SOPs require you to flow 95gpm while fighting this fire. This means you have to figure the friction loss, which is 14, and then add it to the nozzle pressure, which is 100.
14 (Friction Loss)+ 100 (Nozzle Pressure) =114psi (Pump Discharge Pressure)
So, 114psi would be your pump discharge pressure. It works the same way with the 200gpm setting. If you are at a structure fire and you need to flow 200gpm out of a 200-foot line; first, figure the friction loss, which is 62 per 100. 62 for the first hundred plus 62 for the second hundred equals 124. After this is figured all you need to do is add the nozzle pressure, in this case it is 100.
124 (Friction Loss) + 100 (Nozzle Pressure) = 224psi (Pump Discharge Pressure)
So, 224psi is your required pump discharge pressure. This method works the same way on low-pressure fog nozzles. They usually have a nozzle pressure of 75psi. So, instead of adding 100psi just add 75psi. In no way, shape, or form do I claim to be a great pump operator or even a good one for that matter. I have just figured out what works for me and I can do it efficiently. You may want to try the hand method… It requires too much on scene math for me. However, in my next article I will explain it. Until then just click on this: The Pump Discharge Pressure Chart. You can make your own pump charts for your engine which will tell the pump operator what to pump for each line on your engine. You just find the gallonage and the length of hose you have, then the chart tells you what pressure to pump the truck.
You can also download a printable PDF version of this article by clicking here.
To read about our contributors including Wes Anderson click here.
Friction. In (2013). Wikipedia. Wikimedia. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friction
