Standard

R State Standard £ Institutionally Developed College: n/a

FSC 210 - Fire Service Hydraulics
Course Description This course begins with the history and theories of the use of water for fire extinguishment then moves to practical application of the principles of hydraulics in water systems and on the fire ground. Topics include: water at rest and in motion, velocity and discharge, water distribution systems, fire service pumps, friction loss, engine and nozzle pressures, fire streams, standpipe systems, automatic sprinkler systems, firefighting foams, and the clip board friction loss system.
Competency Areas	Hours
Water – At Rest and in Motion	Class	5
Velocity and Discharge	D. Lab	0
Water Distribution Systems	P. Lab/O.B.I.	0
Fire Service Pumps	Credit	5
Pump Theory
Friction Loss Calculations
Engine and Nozzle Pressures
Fire Streams
Standpipe Systems
Automatic Sprinkler Systems
Firefighting Foams and Foam Systems

Prerequisite:	Program Admission
Corequisite:	n/a

Course Guide

Competency	After completing this section, the student will be able to:	Hours
		Class	D.Lab	P.Lab/ O.B.I.
Water – At Rest and in Motion		5	0	0
	Define hydraulics.
	Define pressure and force.
	Identify properties of water.
	Explain hydrostatics.
	Explain pressure and hydraulics.
	Identify devices for measuring static pressure.
	Explain hydrokinetics.
	Explain the flow of water – Bernoulli’s Theorem.
	Explain the nature of kinetics.
	Explain the properties of water – density, viscosity, surface tension, and specific heat.
	Identify the different natures of water.
	Define volume.
	Define weight.
	Review area and volume mathematic computations.
	Identify the importance of mathematical formula to determine capacity.
	Calculate capacities in cubic fee, gallons, or pounds of water, weights of tank, full and empty.
	Analyze the volume size of a square, round, oblong, and other tank.
	Calculate the container capacity based on its size.
	Identify the different types of tanks.
	Identify the different types of hoses.
	Describe how to draft from a static source.
	Identify the most effective way to pump from a specific tank construction.
	Develop strategies to remove water from a tank.
Velocity and Discharge		5	0	0
	Explain the operation of a centrifugal pump.
	Explain the operation of priming pumps.
	Review explanation of atmospheric pressure.
	Explain how water temperature effects pumping.
	Explain flow velocity and nozzle discharge.
	Review Bernoulli’s theory.
	Review discharge coefficients.
	Explain nozzle reaction.
	Identify effects of turbulence on water flow.
	Identify coefficients for 1.5, 1.75, 2.5 and 3.0 inch hose.
	Analyze and work with common friction loss formulas.
	Analyze and work with coefficients for common hose sizes.
Water Distribution Systems		5	0	0
	Explain early day water distribution systems.
	Identify the operation of a dry and wet hydrant.
	Identify the parts of a dry and wet hydrant.
	Explain the connection of a hydrant to the water main system.
	Explain the breakable hydrant.
	Identify private yard hydrant and high pressure hydrants.
	Identify the types of water supplies.
	Identify the capacity and distribution of water supply systems.
	Explain how the various hydraulic formulas are used with later supply systems.
	Identify the types of capacity and distribution systems.
	Explain the use of the Water Pressure Conversion Chart.
	Explain the test procedure for a water flow test.
	Identify equipment needed for a fire flow test.
	Define the testing procedures of a fire hydrant.
	Review adjustments to formulas to adapt hose to pipe problems.
Fire Service Pumps		5	0	0
	Explain the various sizes of pumps used in the fire service.
	Explain the reason for midship pumps.
	Identify the parts of a centrifugal pump.
	Explain the operation of a centrifugal fire pump.
	Explain the step by step flow of water through a centrifugal pump.
	Explain the capabilities and limits.
	Define cavitations.
	Explain why cavitations occur, how they occur and what can be done to prevent them.
	Explain the formula for suction lift.
	Explain the operation of a single stage centrifugal pump.
	Define seal leakage.
	Explain how seal leakage can be prevented.
	Describe the different types of pumps.
	Describe the operating design of pumps.
	Explain the use of a transfer valve.
	Explain series and parallel pump operation.
	Explain the operation of a piston pump.
	Explain the operation of a rotary vane pump.
	Explain the use of a booster pump.
	Explain the types of priming systems.
	Explain pressure control devices.
	Identify the different type of fire streams.
	Identify the various fire stream patterns.
	Differentiate between the types of fire streams.
	Explain how best to use the type of stream.
	Explain problems with reach and penetration.
	Identify ways to increase efficiency.
Pump Theory		4	0	0
	Describe the standard ratings used by the fire service.
	Describe four methods by which problems are solved.
	Apply your knowledge to pump operations.
	Explain testing procedures used for annual evaluation.
	Discuss the operations for relay pumping.
	Discuss the operations for tankers and drafting pumping.
	Identify pumping pressure controls, transfer valves, and priming devices.
	Review operating characteristics and limitations.
	Explain operation under special conditions.
	Identify common problems with pumping operations.
	Describe how to overcome problems in pumping.
	Describe pumping of foam, standpipes and automatic sprinklers systems.
Friction Loss Calculations		5	0	0
	Define friction loss.
	Principles of friction loss.
	Review of fundamentals principles.
	Review 4 hydraulics laws governing friction in hose and pipes.
	Review the calculations for effect of hose diameter – conversion factors.
	Determine how friction loss can be calculated.
	Identify the rules and formulas.
	Identify ways to overcome friction loss.
	Calculate loss in hose lines and appliances.
	Calculate how to reduce friction loss.
	Utilize a variety of formulas to calculate friction loss.
Engine and Nozzle Pressures		5	0	0
	Explain the engine pressure formula.
	Describe knowledge of the engine pressure formula.
	Define the abbreviations: NP, EP, EL and FL.
	Define back pressure.
	Demonstrate knowledge of the rule-of-thumb.
	Explain how parallel lines affect water flow and friction loss.
	Describe how elevation and declination effects engine pressures.
	Identify ways to reduce engine pressure.
	Differentiate between the types of nozzles.
	Identify the reaction of nozzles effects its operations.
	Identify how adjusting the flow effects its operations.
	Explain nozzle reaction and water hammer.
	Calculate formulas using the exact and rule of thumb methods.
Fire Streams		4	0	0
	Explain how the following effects the fire stream: air resistance, effects of wind and limits of reach.
	Discuss what effects nozzle performance.
	Explain the method used to direct a stream into an upper floor window.
	Explain the use of master streams vs. heavy steams.
	Explain what effects nozzle size and pressure.
	Define flow.
	Identify how to estimate the flow discharge.
	Identify the formulas used to determine fire flows.
	Explain the effect of altitude, weather and temperature and how it affects flow.
	Explain the discharge formulas and coefficients for nozzles and orifices.
	Explain how to increase fire flow without loosing efficiency.
	Utilize practical scenarios to calculate the fire flows.
Standpipe Systems		4	0	0
	Define a standpipe system.
	Explain the components of a standpipe system.
	Explain the operation of a standpipe system.
	Explain the standpipe classifications.
	Discuss use of gravity tanks, pressure tanks and automatic fire pumps.
Automatic Sprinkler Systems		5	0	0
	Define a sprinkler system.
	Explain the components of a sprinkler system.
	Explain the operation of a sprinkler system.
	Explain the classifications of sprinkler systems.
	Describe the parts of a sprinkler head.
	Explain the following systems: preaction, deluge, combined, junior and antifreeze.
	Discuss the various automatic valves and their operation.
	Discuss the use of PIV, WPIV and OS &Y control valves.
	Discuss the precautions in shutting down a system.
Firefighting Foams and Foam Systems		3	0	0
	Explain the various classifications of foams.
	Explain the characteristics of foam.
	Discuss the uses of foams.
	Explain the foam generation methods.

Suggested Resources

Media (text/audio/ visual/www/ other)	Author	Title: Subtitle	Edition	Place of Publication	Year	Publisher/Publication	pp.
Text	Silva	Fire Service Hydraulics	2^nd Ed.			Fire Engineering, ISBN 0-9122-1205-5
Text		Standard for Service Tests of Pumps on Fire Department Apparatus			1997	NFPA 1911
Text		Hydraulics for Firefighting by Crapo				Delmar ISBN 0-7668-1905-1
Text		Fire Streams	7^th Ed.			IFSTA

Posted: 06/24/08