Drafting From Low Pressure Hydrants; P.3

Drafting From Low Pressure Hydrants Part Three

© 2001 Capt. Willis Lamm, Water Supply Officer, Moraga-Orinda (CA) Fire District

The following procedures are examples of low water pressure evolutions based on the procedures of the Moraga-Orinda Fire District, presented for illustrative purposes.

When a large volume of water is not required a hydrant connection using 3 inch drafting hose (with 2½" couplings) will provide approximately 500 GPM and can be established in less time than using 4½" hose.

3 INCH HOOKUP PROCEDURE

Remove the 3" hard suction
Remove the 3" hard suction which is stored inside the 4½" hard suction. Also remove a spanner, rubber mallet and if you are connecting to the steamer outlet of the hydrant, get a 4½" to 2½" reducer.
Connect to the hydrant
Make your connections to the hydrant and tighten them.
Spot the apparatus correctly
E642 must pull alongside about 8 feet from the hydrant. At the Sleepy Hollow Reservoir, this requires pulling inside the access gate. Since there is some flexibility with the 3 inch hose, the engine can be guided close to the hose and the hose positioned to make connection to the engine's 2½" gated pony suction.
Connect to the engine
Connect to the pony suction and tighten the connection.

Prepare to pump

Open the hydrant fully. If there is sufficient head, open the pony suction drain valve until the air in the hose has discharged. Close all drains and the tank to pump lines. Purge remaining air using the primer. There may still be trapped air in the suction hose so the pump may appear to have taken prime a couple of times before all air is expelled. Circulate water using the tank fill valve until ready to discharge into the supply line to the fire.

This layout yielded about 500 GPM through one length of 3 inch hard suction hose.

© 2001 Capt. Willis Lamm, Water Supply Officer, Moraga-Orinda (CA) Fire District

The following procedures are examples of low water pressure evolutions based on the procedures of the Moraga-Orinda Fire District, presented for illustrative purposes.

Return to Part 2

Drafting on Mulholland Ridge (Donald Drive)

Drafting at Canyon School Tank (Northern Railway)

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