Winterize Your Pumper Engineering Operations
MAINTENANCE
The importance of the apparatus engineer is underscored during normal fire company operations, but as winter snows begin to fall, his true capabilities are really put to the test.
Photo by Alexander C. Black
Many departments throughout require highly skilled fire control technicians, or engineers, to operate their apparatus in emergency situations. These firefighters must meet specific criteria in practical fireground application and, during the warmer months, are frequently tested under the controlled conditions of the outdoor drill exercises. Nearly all training classes are emphasized during this time due to environmental compatibility.
Let’s face it. Nobody likes working outside when temperatures are below freezing. But does all of this fair-weather training make truly competent engineers?
The intensity of the demands placed on apparatus and engineers during the winter are multiplied compared to those during the summer. Summer apparatus management techniques just can’t cut it on the fireground at — 30°F. These sub-zero temperatures have a definite adverse effect on firefighter endurance, driving conditions, equipment operation, water supplies, and environmental interference.
The majority of firefighters are familiar with the fair-weather demands because they fall into normal training routines. The following are tips to consider when operating under extremely cold and icy weather conditions:
En route
Because bad weather affects traction, visibility, and vehicle control, response times will definitely increase. Icy road conditions necessitate slower and more defensive driving.
Prepare yourself in advance so you will be able to reach that portion of your response area that is the least accessible in the ice and snow. Attach chains to your tires, if it becomes necessary, in order to reach these areas. The most effective way is to chain the drive wheels by using the outside rear duals on pumper trucks and the tractor duals on tractor drawn aerial ladders. On four-wheel drive vehicles, chain the front wheels. This provides for steering control as well as traction.
Chained vehicles must be driven at slow speeds (usually under 25 mph) to prevent tire chains from being thrown off. Maintain a distance of at least 300 feet between responding apparatus. This additional space will allow for extended braking distances and prevent a thrown tire chain from striking windshields on following vehicles.
Pump brakes when stopping to avoid skids. It is very difficult to regain control of a 28,000-pound pumper when it is hydroplaning on water or ice. Pumping the brakes with short, hard jabs helps maintain wheel motion while slowing down, and reduces the risk of a skid.
The intensity of demands placed on apparatus and engineers during the winter are multiplied compared to the summer. Summer apparatus management techniques can t cut it at -30°F.
Locating water sources
Finding hydrants in deep, drifted snow can be extremely difficult, even if district maps indicate exact locations. This is also true at airports where underground hydrants are covered with ice.
Home metal detectors are ideal to use for rapid hydrant location. They can also locate water shut-off valves on those hydrants in colder climates that are frequently left in the off position.
Once the hydrant is located, clear away all snow and ice so you have room to work. Axes and pry bars are handy for breaking ice away from the metal lids. Snow, scoop, or coal shovels are effective in clearing away any snow.
Most important, make sure that the hydrant is functioning before you lay out supply lines! Frozen valve stems or ice-plugged barrels can render a normally operative hydrant useless.
Equipment operation
The biggest problem experienced by fair-weather engineers is equipment failures. Fire equipment is just not designed to perform in extremely cold temperatures.
One of the first things to fail on a pumper is the pressure gauges. Backed by V4-inch copper tubing and little water circulation, they freeze often before even reaching the fire scene. Winterizing your pumpers beforehand can prevent costly repairs. Heat tape applied to the copper lines eliminates most freeze-ups and allows the engineer to effectively utilize his pump gauges. Piping that tends to freeze should be replumbed nearer to warm exhaust pipes.
Another problem area is partially frozen intake and discharge pump valves. These valves are usually against a standing water source from the booster tank and often freeze and expand to a partially open position. Failure to notice this can result in charged hose beds, excessive water loss beneath the pumper creating dangerous, slippery conditions for the operators, and inadequate fire streams.
A good way to avoid these errors is to keep the tank-to-pump valves closed and your pumps drained until you need them. Keep all drain valves open in the fire station and close them at the fire scene to avoid ice buildups.
If your pumpers are not equipped with tank-to-pump valves or you are already involved in a pumping operation, take a length of rubber booster hose, insert it into the hatch or top of the booster tank, and pump water through it to circulate. This will eliminate many freeze-up problems caused by the standing water in the booster-line system.
At the fire scene
Once pumpers are spotted in their working positions, additional problems arise. Regardless of the age or dependability of the apparatus, all pumps leak water and are subjected to water overspray. They leak beneath the pumps, through valves, and at hose connections. This in itself creates a problem. Ice is formed and pools around the working area and tires.
This creates a slippery and hazardous situation for the firefighters carrying equipment to and from the vehicle. The apparatus also becomes frozen to the street. This delays relocating in case of an emergency or strategy changes. Other equipment, such as ladders and nozzles fastened to the pumper’s sides, freezes to the truck making them useless.
As an engineer, you won’t be able to stop all water leaks, but you can control ice buildups. In winter, all apparatus should carry buckets or coffee cans full of sand, slag (ground-up gravel), or salt. Spread in the work areas, they provide traction for the men’s footing and for the fires. Call for a sanding truck to handle the larger runoff problems.
Anticipate when and where pumping operations will affect other equipment and relocate them to sheltered or unexposed locations. This will prevent them from freezing prior to their use.
Firefighter endurance
During the relatively warmer months of the year, the job of engineer is one of the most desired positions in the fire service. However, in winter quite the opposite is true. The engineer’s hands are full constantly keeping everything in workable order. While the other firefighters are busy combatting intense flames and heat, the engineer is busy combatting frostbite and hypothermia.
Firefighting turnout gear is not designed to withstand extreme cold, and it is not uncommon for the engineer to be exposed to wind chill temperatures of — 60°F for hours at a time. Even insulated turnout boots provide warmth only for a few minutes before chilling feet to the bone.
Relief crews often take the moth-to-the-fire syndrome, relieving those firefighters in the midst of all the action while forgetting the cold engineer who is vigilantly standing guard at the pump panel.
It is essential that as an engineer you protect yourself from the elements. Take a little extra time to prepare yourself to operate in the colder areas of the fire scene. Use multiple layers of light clothing under turnout gear. Seek refuge in the pumper cab when possible. If relief is necessary on a more frequent basis, notify the commanding officer. Keep an extra supply of hats, gloves, etc., on the apparatus in the event you become wet during the operation.
Although there is no easy way to function in below zero temperatures, these few tips will certainly add to engineer competence. Even in the milder weather, training sessions should be directed to prepare firefighters for the worst possible weather conditions.
