Chapter 9: Fire Department Pumper Testing

Question 1

Tests conducted before the department accepts the truck is referred to as:

Answer 1

Pre-service tests

Question 2

Pre-service tests can be grouped into these 3 categories:

Answer 2

1. Manufacturer’s test
2. Pump certification tests
3. Acceptance tests

Question 3

Who typically will perform pre-service tests?

Answer 3

1. The manufacturer

2. The Underwriters Laboratories (UL)

Question 4

As a minimum, the manufacturer is required to perform what tests according to NFPA 1901?

Answer 4

1. Road test

2. Hydrostatic test

Question 5

When performing the road test, the test weights must be placed where?

Answer 5

Anywhere the real weight would be located

Question 6

During a road test, the apparatus must accelerate to ___ mph from a standing start within ____ seconds:

Answer 6

35 mph

25 seconds

Question 7

During a road test, the truck must achieve a minimum of ____ mph unless it is designed as a wildland truck to not be driven on public roads:

Answer 7

50 mph

Question 8

During road tests, the truck must come to a full stop from ___ mph within ____ feet:

Answer 8

20 mph

35 feet

Question 9

Which specifications are better to use, Performance-based or Engineering-based?

Answer 9

Performance-based

Question 10

The hydrostatic test ensures the pump and pump piping can withstand:

Answer 10

Normal operating pressures

Question 11

NFPA 1901 requires the pump to be hydrostatically tested at ____ psi for ____ minutes:

Answer 11

250 psi

3 minutes

Question 12

During a hydrostatic test, the discharges should be:

Answer 12

Opened and capped

Question 13

The results of pump certification tests must be:

Answer 13

Stamped into a plate and attached to the truck’s pump panel

Question 14

NFPA 1901 requires the following 6 pump certification test:

Answer 14

1. Pump testing
2. Pump engine overload test
3. Pressure control system test
4. Priming device test
5. Vacuum test
6. Water-tank-to-pump flow test

Question 15

The pumping engine overload test may be omitted for trucks equipped with a fire pump having a rated capacity less than ____ gpm:

Answer 15

750 gpm

Question 16

Pump certification tests must be carried out from what type of water source?

Answer 16

Static water source

Question 17

The static water supply used for pump certification testing must be at least ___ feet deep, and the strainer must be submerged at least ___ feet below the surface of the water. The surface of the water may be no more than ____ feet below the centerline of the pump intake, and ____ feet of hard intake hose should be used for drafting during testing:

Answer 17

4 feet
2 feet
10 feet
20 feet

Question 18

Requirements for the environmental conditions under which the tests must be conducted include:

Answer 18

1. Air temp between 0 and 110 degrees F
2. Water temp between 35 and 90 degrees F
3. Barometric pressure of at least 29 inches of mercury, corrected to sea level

Question 19

Of the 3 environmental conditions, which one will have the greatest effect on the pump test outcome?

Answer 19

Barometric pressure

Question 20

Each 1 inch drop in barometric pressure reduces a pumper’s maximum possible lift by about:

Answer 20

1 foot

Question 21

A pump’s ability to lift water from a static source decreases about ___ feet for every ____ foot of increase in elevation:

Answer 21

1 foot

1,000 feet

Question 22

On average, gasoline engines operate about ____ percent less efficient for every _____ feet of increase in elevation:

Answer 22

3.5 percent

1,000 feet

Question 23

For trucks equipped with a fire pump rating at 750 gpm, or greater, the entire pumping test takes ____ hours to complete:

Answer 23

3 hours

Question 24

During a pumping test on a 750 gpm or higher rated pump, the truck should continuously pump its rated volume capacity at ___ psi net pump discharge pressure for ____ hours:

Answer 24

150 psi

2 hours

Question 25

During a pumping test on a 750 gpm or higher rated pump, the truck should continuously pump 70 percent of its rated volume capacity at ___ psi net pump discharge pressure for ____ hours:

Answer 25

200 psi | 1/2 hour

Question 26

During a pumping test on a 750 gpm or higher rated pump, the truck should continuously pump 50 percent of its rated volume capacity at ___ psi net pump discharge pressure for ____ hours:

Answer 26

250 psi | 1/2 hour

Question 27

During the pump test on a 750 gpm or higher rated pump, what data should be recorded?

Answer 27

1. Volume 2. Discharge pressure 3. Intake pressure 4. Engine rpms

Question 28

During the pump test on a 750 gpm or higher rated pump, how often should data be recorded?

Answer 28

Every 15 minutes

Question 29

The pump testing process for trucks equipped with fire pump rated below 750 gpm are the same except for:

Answer 29

The time intervals

Question 30

During a pumping test on a pump rated less than 750 gpm, the truck should continuously pump its rated volume capacity at ___ psi net pump discharge pressure for ____ minutes:

Answer 30

150 psi | 30 minutes

Question 31

During a pumping test on a pump rated less than 750 gpm, the truck should continuously pump 70% of its rated volume capacity at ___ psi net pump discharge pressure for ____ minutes:

Answer 31

200 psi | 10 minutes

Question 32

During a pumping test on a pump rated less than 750 gpm, the truck should continuously pump 50% of its rated volume capacity at ___ psi net pump discharge pressure for ____ minutes:

Answer 32

250 psi | 10 minutes

Question 33

The pumping engine overload test is only performed on trucks equipped with fire pumps whose rated capacity is ____ gpm or greater:

Answer 33

750 gpm

Question 34

NFPA 1901 requires the pumping engine overload test to be performed immediately following the:

Answer 34

2 hour portion of the pumping test

Question 35

During the pumping engine overload test, the truck is required to pump _____ % of its rated capacity at a pressure of ____ psi net pump discharge pressure for at least ____ minutes:

Answer 35

100% 165 psi 10 minutes

Question 36

During the pumping engine overload test on a 750 gpm or higher rated pump, what data should be recorded?

Answer 36

1. Volume 2. Discharge pressure 3. Intake pressure 4. Engine rpms

Question 37

During the pumping engine overload test on a 750 gpm or higher rated pump, how often is the data recorded?

Answer 37

At least 3 times during the test period

Question 38

The priming device test checks the pump's ability to:

Answer 38

Evacuate water from the pump, pipping, and intake hose so that it may draw water from a static water supply source

Question 39

During a priming device test, pumps with a capacity of 1,250 gpm or less, the time required to achieve a prime should not exceed how long:

Answer 39

30 seconds

Question 40

During a priming device test, pumps with a capacity of 1,500 gpm or more, the time required to achieve a prime should not exceed how long:

Answer 40

45 seconds

Question 41

During a priming device test, an additional ___ seconds is allowed to achieve prime if the pump is equipped with a ____ inch or larger auxiliary intake that has a piping volume in excess of _____ cubic feet:

Answer 41

15 seconds 4 inch 1 cubic foot

Question 42

During a priming device test, the pump must obtain a maximum vacuum of at least ____ inches of mercury. The only exception to that rule is if the test is being conducted at an elevation greater than _____ feet. In that case, the maximum vacuum can be reduced by ___ inches of mercury for every ______ feet above the 2,000 feet elevation:

Answer 42

22 inches of mercury 2,000 feet 1 inch of mercury 1,000 feet

Question 43

The vacuum test is performed to ensure:

Answer 43

There are no air leaks in the pump, piping, or intake hoses when preparing to draft

Question 44

What are considered the bane (devil) of drafting?

Answer 44

Air leaks

Question 45

NFPA 1901 states that the tank-to-pump piping should be sized so that pumpers with a capacity of 500 gpm or less can flow ____ gpm from their booster tank, and pumps with a capacity of more than 500 gpm flow ____ gpm from their booster tank:

Answer 45

250 gpm | 500 gpm

Question 46

What tests are not required or outlined by the NFPA or any other standard?

Answer 46

Acceptance tests

Question 47

Who must be present during acceptance tests?

Answer 47

1. Manufacturer 2. Purchaser 3. The testing agency (if any)

Question 48

At a minimum, acceptance tests should include:

Answer 48

Another pumping test

Question 49

NFPA 1911 requires a pumper to be service tested at least once per year and anytime:

Answer 49

It has undergone extensive pump or power train repairs

Question 50

What service test does NFPA 1911 require to be performed?

Answer 50

1. Engine speed check 2. Vacuum test 3. Pumping test 4. Pressure control test 5. Gauge and flowmeter test 6. Tank-to-pump flow rate test

Question 51

What is the minimum sized hose that may be used for pumper service testing?

Answer 51

2 1/2 inches

Question 52

If the mark you made around the hose at the coupling moves more than _____ inch from the coupling, stop the test and replace the hose:

Answer 52

3/8-inch

Question 53

How do you determine the net pump discharge pressure when connected to a pressurized water source?

Answer 53

The total intake pressure minus the water source pressure

Question 54

The gauge that is used in service testing to measure intake pressure should have a range of ____ inches of mercury to ____ inches for a vacuum gauge or ___ inches of mercury vacuum to ____ psi for compound gauges:

Answer 54

30 inches zero inches 30 inches 150 psi

Question 55

The gauge that is used in service testing to measure discharge pressure should be capable of a range from _____ to _____ psi:

Answer 55

0 to 400 psi

Question 56

The pitot tube that is used in service testing should be rated from ____ to ____ psi:

Answer 56

0 to 160 psi

Question 57

During service testing, solid stream nozzles should be used instead of fog nozzles unless:

Answer 57

Flowmeters are used to measure the flow

Question 58

What may be used instead of the pitot tube in service testing to determine the flow out of the nozzles?

Answer 58

Flowmeters

Question 59

What protective gear should personnel wear at a minimum when performing service tests?

Answer 59

Helmet and hearing protection

Question 60

What is the first test to be performed when doing service testing?

Answer 60

Engine speed test

Question 61

During service testing, The engine speed test should be checked under what load condition?

Answer 61

No-load condition

Question 62

During vacuum testing, what will happen if the test gauge is mistakenly connected to the discharge test port?

Answer 62

It will be irreparably damaged

Question 63

When performing the vacuum test for service testing, run the priming device until the test gauge shows ____ inches of mercury:

Answer 63

22 inches of mercury

Question 64

When performing the vacuum test for service testing, after running the priming device to develop the desired pressure, shut off the engine and listen for air leaks. No more than ____ inches of vacuum should be lost in ___ minutes:

Answer 64

10 inches of vacuum | 5 minutes

Question 65

When setting the strainer in the static water source for service testing, it should be at least ___ feet below the water surface and have at least ____ feet of water surrounding the sides and bottom of the strainer:

Answer 65

2 feet | 2 feet

Question 66

What is the primary difference between the pump certification test and the pump test when service testing?

Answer 66

The duration of the steps

Question 67

When performing the pump test on an engine with a 2-stage pump, what position should the transfer valve be in when the net discharge pressure is 150 psi?

Answer 67

In the parallel (volume) position

Question 68

When performing the pump test on an engine with a 2-stage pump, what position should the transfer valve be in when the net discharge pressure is 200 psi?

Answer 68

In either the parallel (volume) or series (pressure) position

Question 69

When performing the pump test on an engine with a 2-stage pump, what position should the transfer valve be in when the net discharge pressure is 250 psi?

Answer 69

In the series (pressure) position

Question 70

When adjusting and readjusting the nozzles and engine speed to get the net discharge pressure of 150 psi during pump testing, the engine speed should not exceed ___ % of its peak:

Answer 70

80%

Question 71

When performing a pump test, the flow should be checked at the:

Answer 71

Nozzle

Question 72

How long should the capacity test during the pump test (service testing) be conducted at 150 psi?

Answer 72

20 minutes

Question 73

How long should the capacity test during the pump test (service testing) be conducted at 200 psi?

Answer 73

10 minutes

Question 74

How long should the capacity test during the pump test (service testing) be conducted at 250 psi?

Answer 74

10 minutes

Question 75

When performing a pump test (service testing) how often during the test should the data be logged?

Answer 75

Every 5 minutes

Question 76

When using a pitot gauge, the distance between the blade and the end of the nozzle should be about:

Answer 76

1/2 the diameter of the nozzle

Question 77

The pressure controls test follows a ____-part sequence:

Answer 77

3 part

Question 78

When closing discharge valves during the pressure control test, close the valves in no less than ___ seconds and no more than _____ seconds:

Answer 78

3 seconds | 10 seconds

Question 79

The pump discharge gauge should rise no more than ___ psi during all parts of the pressure control test:

Answer 79

30 psi

Question 80

Explain the steps of the 1st part of the pressure control testing:

Answer 80

1. Set net discharge pressure to 150 psi 2. Set pressure control device to maintain 150 psi 3. Close each of the flowing valves one at a time until all are closed 4. Observe the discharge gauge. It should not rise more than 30 psi

Question 81

Explain the steps of the 2nd part of the pressure control testing:

Answer 81

1. Set net discharge pressure to 150 psi 2. Reduce engine throttle until net discharge pressure drops to 90 psi 3. Set the pressure control device to 90 psi 4. Close each of the discharge valves one at a time 5. Observe the discharge gauge. It should not rise more than 30 psi

Question 82

Explain the steps of the 3rd part of the pressure control testing:

Answer 82

1. Set net discharge pressure to 250 psi 2. Set pressure control device to 250 psi 3. Close each discharge valve one at a time 4. Observe the discharge gauge. It should rise no more than 30 psi

Question 83

When performing discharge pressure gauge tests on individual discharges, how many psi off can they be before replacement?

Answer 83

10 psi

Question 84

What pressures should be used to check individual discharge pressure gauges for accuracy?

Answer 84

150 psi 200 psi 250 psi

Question 85

How do you test a flowmeter's accuracy on a discharge?

Answer 85

Flow to a solid stream nozzle and use a pitot gauge

Question 86

When testing a flowmeter's accuracy, the reading between the pitot gauge and the flowmeter should not differ by more than ___ % before considering recalibration of the flowmeter:

Answer 86

10 %

Question 87

What apparatus must perform a tank-to-pump test?

Answer 87

Any apparatus with a tank, regardless of size

Question 88

When performing a tank-to-pump flow test, the minimum flow rate should be discharged continuously until the tank has been ____ % emptied:

Answer 88

80%

Question 89

After performing the various tests, the pump should be repaired or given a lower rating when it tests less than ___ % of its rating when new:

Answer 89

90 %