Advanced Drafting Operations: Getting Greedy with Your Water in the Rural Environment
In today’s fire service, it is common to see fire departments that purchase pumping apparatus with 1,500- to 2,000-gpm rated pumps. NFPA 1900 states that apparatus with pump capacities greater than 1,500 gpm must be capable of doing so using no more than two separate suction lines. This may seem like a trivial piece of information; however, it is often overlooked and results in less-than-ideal flow rates in the real world. This class is designed to teach students fireground proven methods for maximizing their flow capability while operating from a static source. Students will be introduced to several alternative drafting techniques that don’t require the use of a primer. Methods for expanding the initial system to incorporate multiple intakes will then be discussed. This setup will yield higher fire flows and reduce the amount of work required by the pumper during rural water supply operations. The instructor will also discuss options and methods for accessing water from challenging water sources.