Chapter 10: Operating Fire Pumps test with verified solutions

The automatic water supply for a sprinkler system is designed to supply: a. a majority of the fire sprinklers at any given time. b. only a fraction of total fire sprinklers at any given time. c. all of the fire sprinklers at any given time. d. only one fire sprinkler at any given time. - answer b. only a fraction of total fire sprinklers at any given time. During drafting operations, what can occur when water is being discharged faster than it is coming into the pump? a. Cavitation b. Water hammer c. Pressure loss d. Pressure surge - answer a. Cavitation What should be done each time nonpotable water is pumped through an apparatus? a. Pump and piping should be thoroughly flushed with fresh water soon afterwards. b. Pump and piping should be drained and allowed to totally dry out before the next use. c. Pump and piping should be thoroughly flushed with special cleaning solution soon afterwards. d. Nothing needs to be done to the pump and piping system. - answer a. Pump and piping should be thoroughly flushed with fresh water soon afterwards. Which of the following statements about dry pipe systems is MOST accurate? a. It will take at least 5-10 minutes before water flows freely. b. They must be charged with water from a source such as the fire department pumper. c. They may be used as soon as the hoseline is stretched and the valve closed. d. They may be used as soon as the hoseline is stretched and the valve opened. - answer b. They must be charged with water from a source such as the fire department pumper. Which of the following statements about wet standpipe systems that contain water under pressure is MOST accurate? a. They may be used as soon as the hoseline is stretched and the valve closed. b. They may be used as soon as the hoseline is stretched and the valve opened. c. It will take at least 3-5 minutes before water flows freely. d. They still must be charged with water from the fire department pumper. - answer b. They may be used as soon as the hoseline is stretched and the valve opened. Which of the following BEST describes when it is recommended that wheels be chocked? a. When parked on a slope b. If parked more than ten minutes c. When the driver/operator will leave the parked apparatus d. Every time the driver/operator exits the cab - answer d. Every time the driver/operator exits the cab Which of the following is the MOST important factor in choosing a draft site? a. Type or quality of water b. Amount of water available c. Accessibility of water d. Weather conditions - answer b. Amount of water available The process of making a fire pump operational begins: a. approximately five minutes before arriving at the incident scene. b. when initiating parking maneuvers. c. after the apparatus is properly positioned and the parking brake is set. d. after the incident action plan has been put into place. - answer c. after the apparatus is properly positioned and the parking brake is set. When a pumper is connected to a hydrant and not discharging water, pressure shown on intake gauge is: a. static pressure. b. atmospheric pressure. c. residual pressure. d. the pressure from previous operations. - answer a. static pressure. When a dry standpipe system is charged, water will be discharged: a. at all points where caps are on and valve is closed. b. at all points where caps are off and valve is open. c. only in the area of the fire itself. d. at all points regardless of position of valves. - answer b. at all points where caps are off and valve is open. Which is the MOST likely scenario if a supply line that was charged suddenly loses water? a. The personnel operating the supply line are inexperienced. b. The supply line has burst. c. Vandals have turned off the water supply. d. It is just a momentary pressure change and water will return - answer b. The supply line has burst. Which is an indication that a pump is cavitating? a. An increase in the throttle will increase discharge pressure b. Lack of reaction on the pressure gauge to increases in the throttle c. Pump does not make any working noises d. A decrease in the throttle will decrease discharge pressure - answer b. Lack of reaction on the pressure gauge to increases in the throttle Which of the following consists of making a lay from the hydrant to the fire location? a. Source lay b. Simple lay c. Forward lay d. Reverse lay - answer c. Forward lay During drafting operations, the ability to overcome losses in pressure is: a. not limited by any factors. b. limited only by available equipment. c. limited to atmospheric pressure at sea level. d. limited to previous atmospheric pressures. - answer c. limited to atmospheric pressure at sea level. When shutting down the hydrant, why should all changes in flow be made smoothly? a. To ensure that attack lines don't suddenly lose pressure b. To avoid water hammer and pressure surges on water systems c. To limit the amount of water that is likely to be wasted d. To avoid surprising handline crews with sudden changes - answer b. To avoid water hammer and pressure surges on water systems The water supply from an onboard water tank is: a. not significant enough to be the sole source of supply. b. the sole source of supply for many incidents. c. used only for incipient fires. d. a backup supply in case of emergencies. - answer b. the sole source of supply for many incidents. When the pump is in operation, which of the following is a responsibility of the driver/operator? a. Monitor the cost involved in running the pump as well as possible water costs. b. Ensure all team members are wearing appropriate personal protective equipment. c. Ensure the incident action plan is being followed by all team members. d. Monitor all gauges associated with the engine as well as with the operation of the fire pump. - answer d. Monitor all gauges associated with the engine as well as with the operation of the fire pump. Which of the following is the most common cause of an inability to prime? a. Inexperience of personnel using the equipment b. An air leak that prevents primer from developing enough vacuum to successfully draft water c. Equipment used for priming is incompatible or outdated d. Engine speed (rpm) is too high - answer b. An air leak that prevents primer from developing enough vacuum to successfully draft water The two basic pressurized water supply sources are a fire hydrant and: a. a water tower. b. a supply hose from another pumper. c. an onboard water tank or trailered water tank. d. a portable water tank. - answer b. a supply hose from another pumper. Which is the MOST likely scenario if a supply line loses water but the supply line is intact? a. The hydrant or water main has failed. b. The personnel operating the supply line are inexperienced. c. It is just a momentary pressure change and water will return. d. Vandals have turned off the water supply. - answer a. The hydrant or water main has failed. After a drafting site has been selected, which of the following is a step in connecting to the pump? a. Engage pump as soon as initial connections are made. b. Reposition apparatus once all connections are made. c. Connect the intake hose while on the ground. d. Couple strainer and required lengths of intake hose and make them airtight. - answer d. Couple