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Pump to tank lever
We are having a discussion as to which is best for the engine and operations when pumping at a fire. After establishing a positive water supply is it better to shut down the tank to pump valve (providing you have a full tank) or to leave it open. I had found during the operation even though we had a enough pressure from the hydrant it slowly drained the tank unless we engaged the fill tank and circulation valve which has to be watch as to not over fill the inboard tank. I find after refilling my tank shutting down the valve to the tank to pump keeps the tank full and I don't have to be concerned with monitoring the tank fill valve. Any thoughts out there??
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Smoke Eater on
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I always close the tank to pump valve if I'm pulling from a hydrant but only after my onboard tank is full.
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Permalink Reply by FF Nick on
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You shouldn't be taking any water from the tank when the tank to pump valve is shut, that points to a faulty valve or just needs to be adjusted. Look at the valve when you move the handle and make sure it moves all the way to the stop to make sure it closes all the way. If if does, then the valve possibly has bad seals in it. Personally, I close it anytime I'm using an outside water source. A good rule of thumb is if you're on an outside water source you should have your tank/pump valve closed and use your onboard water as backup for the guys to get out should you lose your hydrant or the dump tank runs dry.
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Permalink Reply by rfdjumper on
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I try and leave the tank fill valve cracked just a little bit when I'm hooked up to a hydrant. Tank to pump is usually pulled till I'm taking it out of pump. Hey I know guys that drive around town all day with tank to pump pulled.
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Permalink Reply by Rescue601 on
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Your tank water is your safety net should your water supply quickly go south. I always close my tank to pump once my tank is full and I am hooked to a water source.
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Permalink Reply by Chris Sterling on
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In rural firefighting, we don't have hydrants to rely on, natually, and on occasion, we run into that very distant water supply for tankers to shuttle from. Upon arrival with the engine, all we have is water from the booster tank(our engine carries 1250gal.) Our tanker is second due with 2500gal. We make the connection from the tanker to the engine via the dry fill in the rear of the engine, because one, I already have my Tank to pump valve open, and two, we're automatically topping off the booster tank on the engine by doing this. While this is being done, we set up a porta pond to be ready for the wave of incoming tankers from mutual aid. Between tanker drops, and if I have to go back to the booster tank water, when I recieve my next load, I sneak water back to the tank to keep it topped off. The tank to pump valve does remain closed while pumping from the porta pond. So not to loose a draft during mop up, or a lull in the action, we will set up a line to return water back to the pond, and run it in a cycle.
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Hey there, just a lil food for thought. Assuming that you primarily used the booster tank water for prior to establishing a positive water source and getting that first handline into operation, you might have used 1/2 a tank of water or so. Depending on the type of pump your using, once you get hydrant water to your pump you should have the tank to pump gate shut and the tank fill gate in the closed position as well. From this point monitor your main pump intake and pressure gauges... Establish your correct pressures and once you've established that, open only the tank fill valve to the point where the intake pressure will not diminish your water source (hydrant). Your tank will slowly fill up , you will notice your tank fill lights increasing pretty quick. Once full, close the tank fill and that there is your safety backup. Depending on your tank size always keep a full tank during an operation.
All it takes is a little plastic bag thats from every store in a neighborhood to get sucked up into your pump screen and then you lose your water (hydrant) source. Panic time will set in but you have a full booster tank to bail you out until you rectify your problem. Always expect the worst case scenario and its a simple and effective insurance policy for the guys on the inside operating the handline while your pulling your hair out due to a lil bullshit bag... KEEP THE TANK FULL..........BE SAFE.
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Permalink Reply by turk182 on
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If you have a water supply established you can close the tank to pump and open your tank fill valve until your tank is full then you can close the tank fill valve and run off the water supply.
This will let you keep the tank water incase the water supply fails and will be a emergency back-up.
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Permalink Reply by Tony P on
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Once you have a positive feed from a hydrant, what reasons do the people you were talking with give for keeping the tank to pump valve open? And once the tank is backfilled, what reasons can they give for keeping the recycle (or tank fill) valve open?
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Permalink Reply by Bill McCool on
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I have seen it done both ways but in my opinion I think it should be shut. As soon as I establish my water supply in, there is no reason to leave it open. Fill your tank and remember that water will be your emergency supply if you loose your supply line. As for the tank fill valve, I cant see leaving that open either after the tank is full.
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