Firefighting Articles and News

CFJ Staff | 04/21/2013

Explain the new changes to NFPA 1962 for hose testing that will impact fire departments. I will defer to John Carbo, FF/EMT for the Thorndale FD, PA. He has reviewed the NFPA 1962 and written an extensive report on updates at: http://thorndalefirecompany.com/apps/public/news/newsView.cfm?News_ID=536 Read More...

Relevant Tags: ASK ERNIE, pump, apparatus, fire, ernie, reflective, testing, retro reflective, ask ernie, fire apparatus, volume/parallel mode, timing standards, pressure/series mode

| 01/10/2013

What was the new EPA ruling with emergency apparatus for emmision systems? The Federal EPA, at the request of FAMA and emergency services agencies across North America, have listened to the complaints and issues related to the current 2007 and newer EPA certified compression ignition (diesel) engines. The simple explanation is that the emissions controls on “Emergency Vehicles” are going to allow some exemptions from those of “Over the Road” (OTR) vehicle engines, which are the core of our emergency vehicles. The changes are incorporated in the Federal Register of June 8, 2012 ( http://gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2012-06-08/pdf/2012-13088.pdf ) and... Read More...

Relevant Tags: ASK ERNIE, apparatus, vehicle, air, fluid, testing, ask ernie, fire service, iso certification, parasitic load, fire apparatus, nfpa 191, pump mode, air dryer, fire protection

| 10/05/2012

Why are some fire trucks not red? Fire apparatus can be any color of the rainbow. The decision usually revolves around local historical values. For example, a pumper in Coalville might be expected to be black with maybe silver leaf trim; a pumper in Grapeville might be expected to be purple or a purple/leaf green two-tone. FAA requirements point to fire ARFF/CFR units to be lime green color. Read More...

Relevant Tags: ASK ERNIE, apparatus, pumper, ask ernie, fall 2012, disc brakes

| 08/01/2012

What is the correct pump testing procedure for my annual pump test? Test procedures can be found in chapter 18 of the “NFPA 1911, 2012 Edition.” This includes conditions of the test site, environmental conditions, and equipment required to perform the test. If it is impractical to perform the test at a standard test pit or water source, alternative methods may be used as authorized by the AHJ (Authority Having Jurisdiction) (NFPA 1911, 18.6.2). As an example, new style portable above ground test pit services can be used to test the pump. If this procedure is utilized, it is recommended that it be repetitively used each year so that equal com... Read More...

Relevant Tags: ASK ERNIE, test, pump, apparatus, procedure, air, flow psi, rated flow, nfpa 1911, test rated, ask ernie, testing procedurevernie summer

| 04/23/2012

What is the required in service testing for engines in service for yearly certifications? You must perform an annual safety inspection of the chassis. You must perform annual inspections of the aerial device, up to but not including the five year Non-Destructive Testing (NDT). However, after the first or second five year aerial NDT inspection testing, it is my recommendation to perform a five year inspection as wear and tear becomes accelerated as time and mileage accumulate. Remember that you must also maintain the chassis to each component’s manufacturer’s recommendations. If the apparatus has a tank and pump, the pump must be tested to th... Read More...

Relevant Tags: Ask Ernie, apparatus, system, electrical, starter, ask ernie, circuit breaker, oil level, charging system, vehicle weight, weight rating, touch pad

| 01/11/2012

What are the pros and cons of adding zincs to my apparatus and why aren’t they installed from the factory? Sacrificial anodes are a long established corrective measure to slow or eliminate galvanic action within the apparatus plumbing system. Back in my day — when I was a puppy in this industry — all apparatus water tanks were made of steel and coated with some type of inner coating to prevent ‘corrosion.’ Tanks sprung leaks on an all too regular basis. Tank warranties required that the tanks be disassembled annually to restore corrosion protections and assure that none was occuring — like we were going to take the tanks apart annually, ya r... Read More...

Relevant Tags: Ask Ernie, apparatus, system, pump, service, coolant, cooling system, ask ernie, galvanic action, reserve apparatus, pros cons, attained maximum, nfpa 1911

| 10/14/2011

What is the difference in mechanical seals and pump packing? Pros and cons of each? Prior to mechanical seals, every pump had a mechanical seal of some style. Early centrifugal and positive displacement pumps had a rope style packing with a grease fitting of one of may types to keep the packing lubed and resilient. Today, we have a pump packing of newer and more resilient composites that require no lubrication. Read More...

Relevant Tags: ASK ERNIE, pump, packing, mechanical, water, aerial, ask ernie, relief valve, mechanical seal, pump mode, road mode, drip rate, pump packing, drift test

| 07/05/2011

Should pump transmission fluid be changed every six months in a reserve engine as in the busy rigs? Commonly, we utilize the manufacturer’s recommended procedures. Every six months is overkill to the old seasoned EVT unless you have issues with high humidity that indicates a need to change more often. If the pumps are run for long periods of time, the heat generated in the gearcase will cook off moisture in the pump transmission. If water from the firefighting pump is entering the pump transmission, corrective action MUST be taken to prevent further intrusion of water into the gearcase. Utilizing spectrochemical analysis of the gear oil on a... Read More...

Relevant Tags: Ask Ernie, tire, fire, ernie, ask ernie, rotor drum, rear mount, mid mount, fire apparatus, practice practice, properly trained, seasoned evt, pump transmission

| 04/29/2011

“Ask Ernie” is a meeting place for “You” our readers, who have questions about vehicles / apparatus and safety concerns. We have a well trained board of technicians (members of EVT TechTalk) to field questions as they come in. Eventually “Ask Ernie” will add sections which can include equipment and the challenges you face. This means the answers can come from the person who created the part or a particular brand of vehicle. We want to hear from you! To submit your questions for Ernie, e-mail: askernie@carolinafirejournal.com . Read More...

Relevant Tags: ASK ERNIE, algae, ernie, fuel, ask, water, fuel tank, removed steam, steam cleaned, apparatus maintenance, apparatus repair