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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 Ben Waller on
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Leaving the tank-to-pump or tank filler valves open after you establish a positive water supply is a mistake.
As long as you're flowing water, the pump should stay cool.
If you're drafting and leave an unused valve open, you're just leaving an extra hole into the pump.
Every extra hole into the pump increases the chance that you'll lose the pump prime, especially if any of the tank to pump piping or valve has an air leak.
If you're using a hydrant, extra open valves and water movement steal residual pressure from the intake for water that's not being applied to the fire. Most hydrant systems don't have the residual pressure to waste, especially if you're flowing more than one or two small-caliber hand lines.
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Permalink Reply by Tony P on
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I'll mention a problem I've seen with pump operators who insist on leaving open the tank to pump and the tank fill or recycle valves while they're at an incident. Because they do it all the time (because I've always done it that way...) when foam is used they end up with a tank full of foam. Ever tried to clean that out of a tank? I had to at a recent incident - the pump operator before me has now done it twice.
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Permalink Reply by Jeffrey Sparks on
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They point was that keeping it open, prevented to primer from running dry and the it kept the pump cooler by circulating water
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Permalink Reply by Dennis Brown on
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Always close the valve and if your still pulling water from tank check your valve it may be bad
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In the fantasy world the "Tank to Pump" valve is perfect and does not leak, however if you study the mechanics and desigen of the valves on a fire apparatus you will find that they are rarely perfect. The discharge valves are supposed to withstand a draft vaccum without being capped, but if you look at it the vaccum basicly pulls the ball away from the seal. The same can be said for the "Tank to Pump valve". We teach pump operators to leave the "Tank Fill" valve opened slightly when pumping from a source, this assures that the tank will ALWAYS be full in an emergency. Remember, if you are pumping anywhere near the capacity of the hydrant the pump will naturaly try to get a little through the tank to pump, which can drain your without you realizing it.
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Permalink Reply by Reg Mathis on
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Once water supply is established, we always open the T-P valve to circulate a little water through the pump to keep it cool.
TCSS
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Permalink Reply by Captain 46 on
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I'm not getting why you are all worried about keeping your tank to pump open with an established supply in place. It's all clapper valves. If your outside supply is good no water should be lost from your tank at all and if it goes bad whether momentarily or longer there's no reaction time lost, your tank water kicks in while you deal with the problem and communicate what's going on if you can't get it fixed. Always keep your tank full and close the fill valve when it is so you don't dump water all over the place.
What's it hurt to keep your tank to pump open and know the guys on the line are protected no matter what?
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