Jerry Naylis, Pump Panel Pointers for Training and Operations Webcast presenter, has answered questions that we could not get to during the Q&A for the Webcast.

Question: Any way to get the most water from a 500 gpm pump.

Answer: The answer is it all depends. Is this an apparatus mounted pump or a portable pump?  And have you looked at the pump curve for that model pump?

Question: We are a very rural department. We have a lake nearby. For suctioning from the lake, anything special so that we can deliver water more efficiently?

Answer: Obviously it would help if I knew more about your drafting set up. I am hoping that you have regular maintenance to keep the suction strainer clean. Waterborne vegetation will significantly reduce the water conveyed into the pump. The suction strainer should also be kept 24-inches below the surface if at all possible. Otherwise, you will create a whirlpool effect and pull air into the pump. The size and type of suction strainer will also impact the volume of water you are able to draft.

Question: I have a TFT 1,500-gpm automatic deck gun. It has different psi settings from 70 to 120. Without a flow meter on the truck, how do I know my gpm without trying to figure the pitot tube equation?

Answer: First you need to know what pressure the nozzle is set at. Then you need to know what pressure you are pumping into the nozzle and what the tip pressure is. I suggest that you go to the TFT Web site and look at the specs for this particular nozzle for the flow characteristic.

Question: We are usually already flowing from tank once we receive hydrant water. Is there a way to tell how what gpm the hydrant is flowing besides shutting down discharges and using the percentage method with static and residual pressures?

Answer: The easiest way is to determine the tip pressure and calculate the flow using the formula acd²√p where a is the constant 29.83, c is the coefficient of discharge (suggest using 0.90), d is the diameter of the tip pressure squared, and p is the square root of the tip pressure.  This formula works for all smooth bore tips.  For fog nozzles, you can estimate 175 gpm for 1¾-inch lines and 250 gpm for 2½-inch lines. The total flow is what you are getting from the hydrant.

More information on Pump Panel Pointers for Training and Operations

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City of Beacon (NY) Fire Department pumper. Enforcer cab and chassis; Cummins L9 450-hp engine; Waterous CSU 1,500-gpm pump; UPF Poly 750-gallon tank.

Article and Photos by Lindsay Dye

Engine 791 began as a demonstrator unit for Rosenbauer until September, 2017. Princeton (TX) Fire Rescue contracted to purchase the apparatus at that time, and the engine was configured to meet the needs of the department. Engine 791 was officially placed into service on June 1, 2018.

The cab (65 inch with 11 inch roof)/chassis are the RBM Commander R611 model with cab seating for five provided. An EMS cabinet is centered along the rear cab wall. An auxiliary A/C mounted on the roof provides additional climate control. Both cab and the Crossfire EXT Model body are mounted on the Commander chassis with extruded aluminum construction. Roll-up compartment doors are part of the body package. Rescue style compartments are mounted on top of each body side.

Power is provided by a 450-hp Cummins ISL9 engine and an Allison EVS 3000 six-speed transmission with pushbutton shifter. A 7.9-kW generator featuring Rosenbauer’s Green Star Idle Reduction technology is mounted at the front of the body. A Weldon V-MUX® electrical system with a Vista IV display is also featured. 

The apparatus features a Rosenbauer N1500 1,500-gpm, single-stage pump (midship) and a UPF 700-gallon tank. The front bumper tray carries 100 feet of 1¾-inch preconnected hose along with an additional 150 feet of 1¾-inch hose. Two speedlays of 1¾-inch Hose (200 feet each) and one speedlay with 200 feet of 2-inch hose are located in an enclosed compartment adjacent to the pump panel. The hosebed carries 800 feet of 4-inch LDH hose and 500 feet of 3-inch hose. An Akron Model 3440 DeckMaster monitor is mounted on top of the right side of the body. A Hannay booster reel with 150 feet of ¾-inch hose is located in the right rear compartment. Foam capabilities are provided by an FRC Turbo Foam TFC system with a 50-gallon (20 A and 30 B) foam cell. Foam is plumbed to the front jump line, the speedlays, and the booster reel. Ground ladders are mounted to a hydraulic ladder rack on the right side of the body.

The warning lights include a Whelen Ultra Freedom light bar (72 inch) and Whelen M6, M7, and M9 lights on the body perimeter. A Roto Ray is mounted on the cab face, and a Whelen Model #TANF85 Traffic Advisor is mounted on the rear of the body. Scene lighting is provided by FRC Spectra lights on the brow and body sides. Audio warning devices include a flush-mounted Federal Q2B and a Whelen Model 295HFS2 electronic siren module with 2 Federal Dynamax ES100 speakers mounted through the front bumper.

This unit is Princeton’s first in the newly adopted dark blue over red livery.

Dealer:   DACO Fire Equipment, Inc.-Ft. Worth, TX

Representative:  David Edwards