Part 2. Pumping a Modern Fire Engine

Like everything else, fire engines have evolved to use electronics. This video shows the basics of volume and pressure and how a modern truck controls both in a way that protects the firefighters on the hoselines from too much pressure on the discharge and the pump itself on the intake.
I was not working from a script, so I made some minor mistakes. If you caught them; then we both know. If not, it doesn't matter.

[@sahmuleadams5270]

Cool demo!

[@johngunter4057]

Thank you for the video very helpful

[@canadianguy8772]

It would be awesome if you could do a quick lesson on transitioning from a draft to a pressurize Source while still having water flowing

[@JasperFromMS]

I'm sorry, I'm just now seeing this. Sadly, I can't show that. Our dept is rural and while we have a few hydrants, we don't have any in a location where we can safely do training. That said, the secret is to work the valves SLOWLY and bleed the air in the supply line BEFORE opening the intake.

[@engineerk34k7]

All of these new trucks are great, the pump theory is still the same as it has been for years. I was brought up that you operate the pump, computers are fine but it is taking things away from the Engineer, if the computer goes haywire it puts the operation right back in the hands of the operator so why not just leave it in the operators hands anyway..

[@HWill-iq9sl]

Good stuff

[@kevinswinyer3176]

That's all well, and good until your Computerized System goes down. I would much rather deal with the older set ups with the Relief Valves, and Standard Vernier Throttle Control. Less chance of failure on both.

[@lizrosales1037]

0apq010

[@JasperFromMS]

(just now seeing this)I quite agree. I prefer to control the truck myself, rather than have the truck control itself. But that ship has sailed. The truck is controlled by the computer so you really don't lose anything by having it control the pump as well. If the voltage drops, you are losing the motor, the transmission and the pump as well.

[@williamgibb5557]

That is my fear! Anything mechanical usually gives a warning before failure. Electrical goes without warning. Usually it is a sensor or a wire connection that that faults! Of course ,if the computer is watching pressure and fails then just go with rpm mode.

[@rodharris7114]

You don't have a hope anyway, manual throttle cables don't exist anymore. Even the EPG with a vernier style knob has three wires that run to the engine throttle and aren't relief valves notorious for sticking ?

[@kevinswinyer3176]

@ Rod Harris, I have never had any Relief Valve stick on me. Not saying they don't stick, just saying it has never happened to me. As for the throttles, this is exactly why I could, and would never want to be a Driver/Engineer in any Fire Dept today. The powers that be have destroyed the simplicity of Pump Controls, and complicated everything with any, and every possible electronically operated gadgets they can come up with, and eventually, these electronic gadgets will fail, and when they do, they render the entire Rig out of service for something that did not have to be and did not have to happen.

[@fireandmore123]

What is the max psi

[@JasperFromMS]

It depends on the amount of water available. If you are flowing from a hydrant, you will get much higher pressure before the pump starts to cavitate.

[@monkeyoperator1360]

anything over 1000GPM from what research i've done requires dual 5 inch intakes

[@kevinswinyer3176]

This may be a good thing until that Computer decides to take a shit, then what ?

[@JasperFromMS]

That ship has sailed, the whole truck is controlled by the computer. The accelerator isn't connected to the throttle. The transmission is controlled by the computer. It's much more likely that if you run out of DEF, which will throw the truck into Limp Mode. I don't like it, but that's the way it is. The days of control by mechanical linkages are over.

[@DouglasKamphuis]

Your some what knowledgeable, its called a presure governor. Your not sucking water, your removing air then atmosphere pressure pushes water up the hose like a straw. Every pump operator needs to use basic lose. 7 lb. Per 50' etc Very easy I say before you do youtube videos brush up on your knowledge more.

[@JasperFromMS]

Umm, no. I'm pumping from the tank. The pump is already primed. But feel free to make you own video with your own fire engine where you sant point out that I'm wrong.

[@randybennett7643]

Best thing to do with the international fire trucks.dont buy one..even if given to ya lol