PUMP OPS Chap 14

Question 1

What caused the foam eductor to become plugged during the overturned tanker truck incident?

Answer 1

Different types of foam concentrate were substituted for the original supply, causing blockages.

Question 2

What should agencies coordinate to avoid eduction problems during mutual aid operations?

Answer 2

Agencies should coordinate the specifications of the foam concentrate they intend to use.

Question 3

What are major reasons for the increased use of foam agents in firefighting?

Answer 3

Magnitude of hazardous material incidents, easier foam use, improved systems, and water conservation.

Question 4

What is mechanical foam?

Answer 4

Produced by physical agitation of foam concentrate, water, and air.

Question 5

What is proportioning in foam firefighting?

Answer 5

Mixing water with an appropriate amount of foam concentrate to form a foam solution.

Question 6

What is aeration in foam production?

Answer 6

Introduction of air into a foam solution to create bubbles.

Question 7

Define eduction in relation to foam systems.

Answer 7

Process used to mix foam concentrate with water using the Venturi method.

Question 8

What is a foam concentrate?

Answer 8

Raw chemical compound solution mixed with water and air to produce finished foam.

Question 9

What is a foam proportioner?

Answer 9

Device injecting correct amount of foam concentrate into the water stream.

Question 10

What is a foam solution?

Answer 10

Result of mixing foam concentrate with water before adding air.

Question 11

What is finished foam?

Answer 11

Extinguishing agent formed by mixing foam concentrate, water, and air.

Question 12

What are the three elements needed to produce quality foam?

Answer 12

Foam concentrate, water, and air.

Question 13

What happens if any foam-making element is missing or misapplied?

Answer 13

Poor quality foam or no foam production.

Question 14

What type of fuels require alcohol-resistant foams?

Answer 14

Polar solvent fuels like alcohol, acetone, and esters.

Question 15

What category do crude oil and gasoline fall under?

Answer 15

Hydrocarbon fuels.

Question 16

How do hydrocarbon fuels behave in water?

Answer 16

They float on water (specific gravity less than 1).

Question 17

What is the specific gravity of hydrocarbon fuels compared to water?

Answer 17

Specific gravity less than 1.

Question 18

What foam types can be effective against polar solvents?

Answer 18

Alcohol-resistant foam may be effective if used per manufacturer’s instructions.

Question 19

What are the three main ways foam works to extinguish fires?

Answer 19

Separating, cooling, and suppressing/smothering.

Question 20

What is the definition of a polar solvent?

Answer 20

Liquids with positive and negative charges that ionize in solution.

Question 21

What is the typical proportioning percentage for Class A foam?

Answer 21

0.1% to 1%, depending on manufacturer and local SOP.

Question 22

What are the four methods of foam proportioning?

Answer 22

Induction, Injection, Batch Mixing, Premixing.

Question 23

Describe the induction method of foam proportioning.

Answer 23

Water stream pressure drafts foam concentrate into the stream via Venturi effect.

Question 24

What is injection method of foam proportioning?

Answer 24

External pump injects foam concentrate into the stream at the proper ratio.

Question 25

Explain batch mixing.

Answer 25

Pouring concentrate directly into a tank of water.

Question 26

What is premixing in foam systems?

Answer 26

Premeasured portions of water and foam mixed in a container.

Question 27

List two examples of portable foam storage containers.

Answer 27

Pails and barrels.

Question 28

What is the standard size of a foam pail?

Answer 28

5-gallon plastic pail.

Question 29

What is the capacity of a foam barrel?

Answer 29

55-gallon barrel.

Question 30

Where are totes typically used for foam storage?

Answer 30

ARFF, wildland, and industrial fire operations.

Question 31

How large can foam tanks on foam tenders be?

Answer 31

Up to 8,000 gallons or more.

Question 32

What principle does an in-line eductor use?

Answer 32

Uses Venturi principle to draft foam into the water stream.

Question 33

What happens if back pressure exceeds 70% of inlet pressure at an eductor?

Answer 33

Foam production will be inadequate or fail completely.

Question 34

What is a foam nozzle eductor?

Answer 34

Nozzle with built-in eductor introducing foam at the nozzle.

Question 35

What is the function of a self-educting master stream nozzle?

Answer 35

Draws foam concentrate through built-in pickup tube or metering valve.

Question 36

What is a balanced pressure proportioner?

Answer 36

Foam and water supplied at equal pressures using pressure control devices.

Question 37

How does a pressure proportioning tank system operate?

Answer 37

Tank pressure forces foam concentrate into venturi-type proportioner.

Question 38

What is an around-the-pump proportioner?

Answer 38

Introduces foam concentrate at pump intake side using small impeller or venturi.

Question 39

What is a direct injection system?

Answer 39

Electronic system controlling foam concentrate pump speed.

Question 40

What does CAFS stand for?

Answer 40

Compressed Air Foam System.

Question 41

What are two advantages of CAFS foam?

Answer 41

High-quality foam with excellent penetration and long drainage time.

Question 42

What is a medium-expansion foam generator typically used for?

Answer 42

Confined spaces, basements, shipboard fires, tunnels, and mines.

Question 43

What fuels can non-aspirating foam nozzles be used on?

Answer 43

Hydrocarbon fuels like gasoline and crude oil.

Question 44

What is the typical expansion ratio range for medium-expansion foam?

Answer 44

20:1 to 200:1 expansion ratio.

Question 45

What are the two foam types produced by mechanical blowers?

Answer 45

Medium and high expansion foams.

Question 46

What is the roll-on method of foam application?

Answer 46

Aim foam stream at ground near burning fuel's edge to roll across surface.

Question 47

What is the rain-down method of foam application?

Answer 47

Spray foam above the fire allowing it to fall gently onto the fuel surface.

Question 48

Why must foam application be continuous once started?

Answer 48

Foam blanket must not be interrupted to maintain vapor suppression and extinguishment.

Question 49

What can happen if different brands of foam concentrates are mixed?

Answer 49

They may be chemically incompatible, reducing foam effectiveness.

Question 50

What is the purpose of a Safety Data Sheet (SDS)?

Answer 50

Provides chemical composition, hazards, and safety handling procedures.

Question 51

What is a surfactant?

Answer 51

Chemical that lowers the surface tension of water.

Question 52

What is the shelf life of synthetic-based Class B foam?

Answer 52

20 to 25 years under proper storage conditions.

Question 53

What are characteristics of regular protein foam?

Answer 53

Good heat stability and burnback resistance but lower fluidity.

Question 54

What is the main purpose of alcohol-resistant AFFF (AR-AFFF)?

Answer 54

Forms a membrane over polar solvents, allowing effective suppression.

Question 55

What are the characteristics of fluoroprotein foam?

Answer 55

Flows readily and offers longer vapor suppression compared to protein foams.

Question 56

What should be done after using foam equipment to ensure readiness?

Answer 56

Thoroughly flush all foam equipment with clean water after use.

Question 57

What is the correct proportioning range for Class A foam used with standard fog nozzles?

Answer 57

0.2% to 0.5% for fire attack and overhaul.

Question 58

What effect does Class A foam have on water surface tension?

Answer 58

Reduces surface tension allowing better fuel penetration.

Question 59

Why should foam not be discharged into bodies of water?

Answer 59

It reduces oxygen levels and can harm aquatic life.

Question 60

What happens when finished foam decomposes in water?

Answer 60

Oxygen consumption and harm to aquatic life.

Question 61

What are durable agents used for?

Answer 61

Extinguishing fires, structure pretreatment, and fire line construction.

Question 62

What is the standard size of a foam pail in gallons?

Answer 62

5 gallons.

Question 63

What is the capacity of a standard foam barrel in gallons?

Answer 63

55 gallons.

Question 64

What is the capacity of a foam tote in gallons?

Answer 64

275 gallons.

Question 65

What is the foam tank capacity range for municipal fire apparatus in gallons?

Answer 65

20 to 200 gallons.

Question 66

What is the maximum acceptable height for a foam pickup tube above concentrate surface?

Answer 66

No more than 6 feet (2 meters).

Question 67

What should back pressure NOT exceed in relation to inlet pressure at an eductor?

Answer 67

70% of inlet pressure.

Question 68

What is the typical inlet pressure required for an in-line foam eductor in psi?

Answer 68

150–200 psi (1,050–1,400 kPa).

Question 69

What is the proportioning percentage range for Class A foam?

Answer 69

0.1% to 1%.

Question 70

What is the typical Class A foam proportion for exposure protection with fog nozzles?

Answer 70

0.5% to 1.0%.

Question 71

What percent foam solution is typical for fire attack and overhaul with standard fog nozzles?

Answer 71

0.2% to 0.5%.

Question 72

What percentage concentration is used for portable Class A foam applications with CAFS?

Answer 72

0.2% to 0.5%.

Question 73

What is the recommended Class B foam application proportion for hydrocarbon fuels?

Answer 73

1% or 3%.

Question 74

What proportion percentage is recommended for polar solvent fuels using Class B foam?

Answer 74

3% or 6%.

Question 75

What is the foam expansion ratio for low-expansion foam according to NFPA 11?

Answer 75

Up to 20:1 air to solution ratio.

Question 76

What is the expansion ratio range for medium-expansion foam?

Answer 76

20:1 to 200:1.

Question 77

What is the expansion ratio range for high-expansion foam?

Answer 77

200:1 to 1000:1.

Question 78

What is the shelf life of properly stored synthetic-based Class B foam in years?

Answer 78

20 to 25 years.

Question 79

How many gallons of foam concentrate are needed to make 100 gallons of 3% foam solution?

Answer 79

3 gallons of concentrate and 97 gallons of water.

Question 80

How many gallons of foam concentrate are needed to make 1000 gallons of 3% foam solution?

Answer 80

30 gallons of concentrate and 970 gallons of water.

Question 81

What is the flow rate from a handline nozzle typically below in gpm?

Answer 81

Less than 350 gpm.

Question 82

What is the maximum flow rate for a handline nozzle before being considered a master stream?

Answer 82

Greater than 350 gpm.

Question 83

At what rate must the flow through an eductor match its rated gpm capacity to produce proper foam?

Answer 83

Must match rated gpm flow exactly.

Question 84

What percentage overproportioned solution does a Jet Ratio Controller (JRC) produce?

Answer 84

66.5 percent.

Question 85

How far away can a Jet Ratio Controller supply foam concentrate from the nozzle?

Answer 85

Up to 3,000 feet (900 meters).

Question 86

What is the air-to-solution ratio for low-expansion foam?

Answer 86

Up to 20:1 ratio.