Chapter 18 - Stabilizing the Apparatus

Question 1

Even if the device is only raised a few feet from the cradle to open a tilt cab, place the ___________ in position to minimize or eliminate stress on the ____________.

Answer 1

stabilizers / suspension

p 642

Question 2

By deploying the apparatus stabilizers, the base of stability for the aerial apparatus is effectively ___________.

Answer 2

increased

p 642

Question 3

Rotating the device 360 degrees will trace a ________ ________.

Answer 3

Gravity circle

p 642

Question 4

As long as this ________ ________ does not extend outside the base of stability, the apparatus should remain stable.

Answer 4

Gravity circle

p 642

Question 5

• Theoretical safety zone that surrounds the center of gravity on an aerial apparatus.

Answer 5

Gravity Circle

p 642

Question 6

Newer apparatus may be equipped with ________ switches that prevent the movement of the aerial device to the short jacked side.

Answer 6

limit (rotational interlocks)

p 643

Question 7

If the apparatus is parked on a ________ grade, the center of gravity (and theoretical gravity circle) will be shifted to the _______ side.

Answer 7

lateral grade / lower

p 643

Question 8

Lateral grades

If the aerial device is raised over the lower side, the Gravity circle may extend beyond the base of ____________.

Answer 8

stability

p 643

Question 9

______________ the aerial device can also have an adverse effect on the stability of the apparatus, even on a level surface with stabilizers fully deployed.

Answer 9

Overloading

p 643

Question 10

Excessive _________ on the aerial device will result in an expansion of the gravity circle.

Answer 10

loading

p 644

Question 11

Some of the more common stabilizers are:

• _______-______ stabilizers (also called downriggers) - Straight jacks that extend down from the chassis.
• ______ ______________ (also called H stabilizers) - Stabilizers that extend straight away from the truck and have jacks that extend straight down to the ground.
• ___-______, scissor, or ____-style stabilizers (also called fulcrum-type stabilizers) - Stabilizers that extend down and away from the chassis at an angle.

Answer 11

• Post-type
• Box stabilizers
• A-frame, scissor, or X-style

p 644

Question 12

To deploy the stabilizers and the aerial device, it will be necessary to engage the aerial ___________ system. In order to accomplish this, the D/O will have to activate the ________ ______-______ or other specialized hydraulic system.

Answer 12

hydraulic system / power take-off

p 644

Question 13

The ______ system provides the power to the hydraulic pump, which in turn creates a pressure on the ________ in the hydraulic system.

Answer 13

PTO / fluid

p 645

Question 14

The D/O should not engage the PTO until the aerial apparatus has been properly _____________ in accordance with the conditions on the scene.

Answer 14

positioned

p 645

Question 15

The engagement switch for the PTO or hydraulic system is usually located on the ____________ of the vehicle, between the __________ and __________/________ seats or in the ________ panel above the driver’s seat.

Answer 15

Dashboard / driver and passengers/officers / switch panel

p 645

Question 16

The type of PTO activation switch varies from manufacturer to manufacturer and be __________, __________, __________, or a combination of these three.

Answer 16

pneumatic, electric, hydraulic

p 645

Question 17

Pneumatic PTO systems require anywhere from _____ to _____ psi air pressure for the PTO to be operated depending on the manufacturer.

Answer 17

50 to 140

p 645-646

Question 18

Most new models of aerial apparatus are equipped with what is called a “_____-______” PTO system. It is acceptable to engage these systems when the main transmission is in ___________.

Answer 18

“hot-shift” / neutral

p 646

Question 19

Attempting to engage a PTO from neutral in a vehicle not equipped with a hot shift system could result in serious damage to the ______ and ______ _____________.

Answer 19

PTO / main transmission

p 646

Question 20

Whenever possible, position the aerial device before activating the _______.

Answer 20

pump

p 646

Question 21

When the fire pump is already activated and in use, and the hydraulic systems needs to be activated later, it is necessary to lower ________ speed to near idle prior to engaging the hydraulic system PTO or other device. This action will lower _______ supply to nozzles. The operator must notify personnel on __________ and other nozzles of what is taking place.

Answer 21

engine / water / handlines

p 646

Question 22

The process of setting up the stabilizers should begin with both the driver and officer assessing the _______ area.

Answer 22

setup area

p 646

Question 23

The goal of stabilizer deployment is to ensure one move and one setup without having to ____________.

Answer 23

reposition

p 651

Question 24

Conducting preliminary checks:

• If not automatically accomplished, activate the ______ ______ lock to minimize longitudinal movement of the chassis.
• Make sure the PTO engagement _______ is ____ before leaving the cab.
• ________ the wheels.

Answer 24

• front brake
• light is lit
• chock

p 651

Question 25

The wheels should have chocks placed both ___ _______ ___ and ________ the tire, on both sides of the apparatus, with approximately an _____ of extra space for the apparatus to move without causing a wheel chock to become stuck under a tire.

Answer 25

in front of / behind / inch p 651

Question 26

After any lifting of the apparatus has been preformed, the chocks should be _____________ to ensure that this space is still maintained before lowering the apparatus. If this space is not maintained, it will be necessary to _______ the apparatus to remove the chock blocks.

Answer 26

repositioned / relift p 651

Question 27

If there is any doubt as to whether or not there is room for the stabilizers to deploy, a short ______ ______, _______ hook, or ______ span can be used to estimate the travel path of the stabilizers.

Answer 27

like pole / closet hook / arm span p 652

Question 28

Whenever possible a ________ should assist the D/O with positioning the apparatus because a ________ can help avoid curbs, manholes, vehicles, and so forth.

Answer 28

spotter / spotter p 652

Question 29

When the stabilizers are in place, the D/O should check the __________ upon which they are resting to be certain the ground is _________ enough to continue operations.

Answer 29

surface / stable p 652

Question 30

- Flat metal plate attached to the bottom of the aerial apparatus stabilizer to provide firm footing on the stabilizing surface.

Answer 30

Stabilizer shoe also known as stabilizer boot or stabilizer foot p 652

Question 31

Follow departmental SOPs or manufacturers recommendations in situations when __________ is used to supplement stabilizer effectiveness. __________ should only be used as a last resort by those with proper instruction and training in its use.

Answer 31

cribbing / cribbing p 652

Question 32

Avoid placing stabilizers over ________ areas, ___________ tanks or vaults, and _________ access zones.

Answer 32

drainage / underground / utility p 653

Question 33

Once the D/O is assured that the ____________ activities are successfully completed and the ground is prepared for stabilization activities, the ___________ valve may be operated to provide hydraulic power to the stabilizing system.

Answer 33

preliminary / selector p 653

Question 34

Even _________ allows for the maximum stability of the apparatus and for the greatest range of safe movement of the aerial device.

Answer 34

terrain p 654

Question 35

General principles of stabilizer controls: * Many of these controls are ______-type valves that move up to about ____ degrees. * Operating these controls will automatically regulate _______ _____ speed. A fast-idle toggle switch or manual throttle control may also regulate _______ _____ speed. This provides the power necessary to perform the desired action. * When the D/O operates the control, an increase in _______ _______ (noticeable due to the increase in the sound level) occurs. * Operation of these valves also affects the vehicles engine speed. Avoid ________ or _______ operation of the valves.

Answer 35

* lever / 90 * engine idle / engine idle * engine speed * rough or jerky p 654

Question 36

_____ ____________ are the most common stabilizers used on newer apparatus.

Answer 36

Box stabilizers p 654

Question 37

- Two piece aerial apparatus stabilizing device consisting of an extension arm that extends directly out from the vehicle, and a lifting jack that extends from the end of the extension arm to the ground.

Answer 37

Box Stabilizer also known as H-jack or H-stabilizers p 654

Question 38

When the extension arms have been extended to their final positions, the portable ___________ ______ should be centered beneath the stabilizer shoes so that they will be in position when the jacks are lowered. The __________ ______ are usually provided by the manufacturer of the apparatus and are usually ____x____ inch with a built in handle.

Answer 38

stabilizer pads / stabilizer pads / 24x24 inch p 655

Question 39

Due to the potential for chassis and torque box damage, one ____________ should never be fully activated alone. Always activate in a multi-step, ______ to ______ or ______ to ______ process.

Answer 39

stabilizer / side to side / front to back p 656

Question 40

In a four-jack system operate the stabilizers in __________.

Answer 40

parallel p 656

Question 41

Stabilizing using ________-type stabilizers or those that extend straight down from the chassis is similar to the box-type stabilizer. The primary difference is that the D/O can only deploy __________-type stabilizers in the fully _________ position and not-at all if ______________ are present.

Answer 41

fulcrum / fulcrum / extended / obstructions p 657

Question 42

- Stabilizing device that extends at an angle down and away from the chassis of an aerial fire apparatus.

Answer 42

Fulcrum-type stabilizer also know as A-frame, scissor, or X-style stabilizer p 657

Question 43

The method of deploying fulcrum-type stabilizers is the same as described for box-type, with one exception. Fulcrum stabilizers should be lowered to within a few _______ of the ground prior to the placement of the ____________ ______.

Answer 43

inches / stabilizer pads p 657

Question 44

The design for some apparatus allow for partial extension of the stabilizer arms, sometimes called "_______-_________".

Answer 44

"short-jacking" p 658

Question 45

- Setting the stabilizers on one side of the apparatus shorter than the stabilizers on the other side; usually done when access for full stabilization is restricted.

Answer 45

Short-Jacking p 658

Question 46

When operating in restricted areas, fully extend the extension arms on the side that the aerial device is ?

Answer 46

going to be over p 658

Question 47

There are two ways that the truck can be uneven: ________ or ____________. Of the two the easiest to correct is ________ unevenness.

Answer 47

laterally (side to side) or longitudinally (end to end) / lateral p 658

Question 48

Correction of lateral unevenness is possible on grades of up to ___ degrees, although this can vary depending on the aerial device.

Answer 48

5 degrees p 658

Question 49

A slope of 5 degrees means that there is a rise in terrain height of ____ feet for every run of _____ feet of distance.

Answer 49

5 / 100 p 658

Question 50

Lateral unevenness: Most manufactures of aerial devices recommend lowering the stabilizers on the _________ side of the vehicle first making solid contact with the ground. Lower the __________ side stabilizers until they raise the __________ side of the truck level with the ________ side.

Answer 50

uphill / downhill / downhill / uphill p 658

Question 51

The D/O must make sure to raise the truck enough to activate the ____________, if the apparatus is so equipped. If the ___________ have not activated, it will be necessary to raise both sides of the truck until they do.

Answer 51

interlocks / interlocks p 658-659

Question 52

Lateral unevenness: After the apparatus is stabilized, it is preferable to operate the aerial device over the ________ side of the apparatus.

Answer 52

uphill side p 659

Question 53

When operating on a longitudinal grade, the aerial turntable will not be parallel to the ground if the device is operated over the ?

Answer 53

side of the apparatus p 660

Question 54

On longitudinal grades, operate the aerial device directly over the ______ or ______ of the apparatus to minimize stress on the device.

Answer 54

front or rear p 660

Question 55

On longitudinal grades, operate articulating aerial devices off the _______ of the vehicle if possible.

Answer 55

rear p 660

Question 56

Most aerial apparatus have restricted loads when operating on grades, some as much as ______-______ the normal load, and if in the ______ zone do not operate the aerial device.

Answer 56

one-half / red zone (unsafe load) p 660

Question 57

Rather than deploying the stabilizers on an unsafe or potentially unsafe surface, ____________ the apparatus.

Answer 57

reposition p 661

Question 58

One effect of ice melting is the creation of an _____ ______ between the stabilizer pad and the ground, compromising the stability of the apparatus.

Answer 58

air gap p 661

Question 59

When the ground is frozen solid and the surface is on an angle, the aerial device can move or _________ along the surface due to the combination of vibration and gravity; operators can prevent this through the use of wheel ________.

Answer 59

chatter / chocks p 661

Question 60

On most aerial apparatus, the combination of the __________ feature of the selector valve and the hydraulic system _________ valve provide automatic locking capabilities.

Answer 60

interlock / holding p 662

Question 61

The ___________ prevents the flow of hydraulic fluid into or out of the stabilization system while the aerial device is in use.

Answer 61

interlock p 662

Question 62

The __________ valves prevent the movement of fluid within the stabilization system. The D/O activates the __________ valves by moving the selector switch to the aerial position.

Answer 62

holding / holding p 662

Question 63

Box stabilizers commonly have holes designed for the insertion of ?

Answer 63

steel safety pins p 662

Question 64

When the use of the aerial device is complete and it is returned to the bed, the stabilization process is __________ in order to prepare the apparatus for departure from the scene.

Answer 64

reversed p 663

Question 65

The D/O should always raise the stabilizers following the _________ order by which they were deployed whether on level or uneven terrain. Following the ________ order avoids undue stress on any component of the aerial apparatus.

Answer 65

reverse / reverse p 663

Question 66

Older midship and tractor-drawn aerials are the most likely to have __________ stabilizers.

Answer 66

manual p 664

Question 67

Angles less than ____ degrees provide less stability, as do angles increasing from ____ to ____.

Answer 67

60 / 60 to 90 p 665

Question 68

The D/O should never position the vehicle with the tractor and trailer at an angle greater than _____ degrees as poor ________ is produced and damage to the truck may occur.

Answer 68

90 / stability p 665

Question 69

The best way to place the vehicle into this angled position is the following: * Approach the objective building until the ____________ is right next to it. * Turn the wheels of the _________ sharply toward the left or right of the parking area (_______ from the building) and pull the truck slightly forward. * Turn the _________ wheels sharply toward the building and back the truck slightly towards the building. This pushes the ________________ toward the desired object, and produces the desired _________ between the tractor and the trailer. * Set all _______ once in position, including the one for the trailer axle, and as described earlier further stabilization may be employed.

Answer 69

* turntable * tractor / away * tiller / turntable / angle * brakes p 665

Question 70

True or False: The techniques for jackknifing tillered aerial apparatus are more important on older models of apparatus than on modern tillered aerial apparatus ?

Answer 70

True modern tillered aerial apparatus are usually equipped with stabilization systems that are perfectly capable of securely stabilizing the apparatus p 665