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What Is A Fire Pump System?A portable fire pump system is firefighting apparatus that can be easily transported to a fire scene and quickly made operational to deliver large quantities of water onto the fire. For home fire fighting purposes, equipment classed as "forestry" is commonly used due to its portability and light weight. The following components are needed for a typical system: Fire PumpThis is the heart of your system. The pump has several requirements to make it appropriate for this type of duty:
The pump is the most critical part of your system. Your situation will determine which pump is appropriate. The amount
of transport required will point you toward or away from certain units. Be wary of trash pumps or transfer pumps that you may find locally. These are not designed, tested or approved for fire fighting -- and do not provide the performance and reliability for safe, effective fire fighting operations. Discharge FirehoseThis hose will deliver the water from the pump to the fire. Typical size is 1½" (38 mm) in diameter
-- same as that used by the fire department -- and in lengths of 100'. Sometimes, 1" hose is used where large
quantities of water are not required. The 1½" will provide a lot Note ... You can never have too much firehose. Remember that when the hose is charged, it does not like sharp turns. Long gradual turns will prevent kinking and the cutting off of water flow. Also, you need the ability to change positions at the nozzle end. Being able to get to the side or back of a fire is invaluable. Also, it saves the operator from 'eating' a lot of smoke. Good advice -- have three times the amount of hose that you think you need. NozzleThis is the business end of the fire hose. Think of your garden hose. Generally, there are 2 types of nozzles:
Suction HoseThis is the hose that goes from the water supply to the pump. It is different from the discharge firehose in that it must be of a rigid structure to prevent it from collapsing from the suction generated by the pump. You want the length to be a short as possible -- 10' to 15'. Realistically, it must be long enough to go from the pump and extend into the water supply a short distance with a bit to spare. Be sure to allow for various water levels that occur at different times of the year. Care must be taken in handling and storage to prevent this hose from kinking or being damaged. If it is run over by a vehicle or is kinked, it can no longer be used. FootvalveThis attaches to the end of the suction hose that exetends into the water supply. Under no circumstances should the pump draw from an open water supply without one. It prevents larger foreign objects and debris from being drawn into the system as well as helping to maintain water flow into the pump. Ingesting something could stop the water flow if you are lucky. Drawing in debris could cost you your expensive pump! Even if drawing water from a swimming pool, failure to use one could result in your pump eating your pool toys or even the pool liner. It is suggested that an optional slip-on filter should be used where sand, grit or other small contaminents might be present.
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One Stop Fire Products Inc. Markham, Ontario L3P 7H9 Canada Tel: (905) 946-1033 |
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