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FIRE SUPPRESSION 1 QUESTIONS WITH
DETAILED VERIFIED ANSWERS
Water Supply System Components Ans: 1. Water Supply Sources
2. Processing or treatment facilities
3. Means of Moving the water
4. Water Distribution
Water Supply Sources Ans: Supplied from natural fresh water sources
such as wells, springs, rivers, lakes, ponds, and the ocean.
Adequate Water Supply Sources Ans: Must be capable of supplying the
water needed for fire protection in addition to domestic requirements
Processing or Treatment Facilities Ans: 1. Water must be processed to
remove impurities and minerals.
2. Before water can enter distribution system, it must pass through these
facilities.
Means of moving the water Ans: 1. Gravity
2. Direct Pumping
3. Combination
Gravity Systems (Moving the water) Ans: Deliver water from the source
to the distribution systems without pumping equipment.
Direct Pumping Systems (Moving the water) Ans: Supplied directly by
system of pumps rather than elevated storage tanks.
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Combination Systems (Moving the water) Ans: Use a combination of
both gravity tanks and direct pumping process to provide adequate
pressure.
Water Distribution Ans: Consist of 3 different types of water mains.
1. Primary Feeders
2. Secondary Feeders
3. Distributers
Primary Feeders Ans: Large pipes that move large quantities of water
and supply smaller secondary feeders
Secondary Feeders Ans: Intermediate pipes that interconnect with he
primary feeder lines to create a grid.
Distributers Ans: Small water mains that serve individual fire hydrants
and commercial consumers.
Fire Hydrant Types Ans: 1. Dry Barrel
2. Wet Barrel
Dry Barrel Ans: -Installed where freezing conditions are expected.
-Main valve holding the water is below the frost line underground
preventing the water from entering the hydrant barrel
-When hydrant is closed, barrel is drained through a drain valve at the
bottom of the hydrant.
-Must be completely open or closed to avoid erosion around the barrel
from the leaking drain valve.
-When hydrant is shut down, verify the water left in the barrel is draining
out.
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Dry Barrel Test Draining Procedures Ans: -Flow water from hydrant then
close hydrant completely (until resistance, then back quarter turn)
-Cap all discharges except one 2 1/2 discharge
-Place palm over open discharge
-should be slight suction/vacuum from draining.
Wet Barrel Ans: -Installed in warmer climates
-always full of water to the valves near the discharge openings
-have horizontal compress type valve at each outlet
Water flow in a Hydrant may vary... Ans: Depending on the distance,
size,, and condition of the nearest water main.
Fire officers can make better decisions regarding fire attack by knowing...
Ans: the expected water flow from a hydrant. Hydrants can be color
coded to show available flow.
Location of Fire Hydrants Ans: -Should not be placed more than 300 feet
apart in high value districts.
-Locate a hydrant every other intersection. Intermediate hydrants may
be required if distances exceed 350 to 400 feet.
Hydrant Inspection and Maintenance Ans: -Check for obstructions
-outlets facing proper direction
-outlets have sufficient clearance from ground
-mechanical/physical damage
-rust or corrosion
-caps missing or stuck with paint
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-open hydrant, ensure operating stem turns easily
-obstructions inside discharge outlets
-drains properly and ground isn't eroded
-painted by property owners (miscolored)
Alternative Water Supplies Ans: Should be surveyed in case water
systems in area fail or a fire occurs that requires more water than system
can supply.
1. Lakes, ponds, rivers, oceans
2. Swimming pools
3. Rain water collection cisterns and detention ponds
Depth of water needed when drafting Ans: All hard intake hoses should
have strainers and a minimum of 24 inches of water around them.
Drafting Ans: Process of drawing water from a static source to supply a
pumper. Alternative water source can be used if sufficient in quantity and
not contaminated to the point of creating health hazard or damaging fire
pumps.
Water supply sources (During Pre-incident planning) Ans: Fire
departments should make every effort to identify, mark, and record
alternative water supply sources.
Water Shuttles Operations Ans: Hauling water from a supply source to
portable tanks, and then drawing it to fight the fire.
Water Shuttle Operation Distances Ans: Recommended for greater than
1/2 mile or greater than the department's capability to lay supply lines.
3 Key components to Water Shuttle Operations Ans: 1. Attack Apparatus
at the fire (dumpsite)
2. Fill Apparatus at he fill site
FIRE SUPPRESSION 1 QUESTIONS WITH
DETAILED VERIFIED ANSWERS
Water Supply System Components Ans: 1. Water Supply Sources
2. Processing or treatment facilities
3. Means of Moving the water
4. Water Distribution
Water Supply Sources Ans: Supplied from natural fresh water sources
such as wells, springs, rivers, lakes, ponds, and the ocean.
Adequate Water Supply Sources Ans: Must be capable of supplying the
water needed for fire protection in addition to domestic requirements
Processing or Treatment Facilities Ans: 1. Water must be processed to
remove impurities and minerals.
2. Before water can enter distribution system, it must pass through these
facilities.
Means of moving the water Ans: 1. Gravity
2. Direct Pumping
3. Combination
Gravity Systems (Moving the water) Ans: Deliver water from the source
to the distribution systems without pumping equipment.
Direct Pumping Systems (Moving the water) Ans: Supplied directly by
system of pumps rather than elevated storage tanks.
, Page | 2
Combination Systems (Moving the water) Ans: Use a combination of
both gravity tanks and direct pumping process to provide adequate
pressure.
Water Distribution Ans: Consist of 3 different types of water mains.
1. Primary Feeders
2. Secondary Feeders
3. Distributers
Primary Feeders Ans: Large pipes that move large quantities of water
and supply smaller secondary feeders
Secondary Feeders Ans: Intermediate pipes that interconnect with he
primary feeder lines to create a grid.
Distributers Ans: Small water mains that serve individual fire hydrants
and commercial consumers.
Fire Hydrant Types Ans: 1. Dry Barrel
2. Wet Barrel
Dry Barrel Ans: -Installed where freezing conditions are expected.
-Main valve holding the water is below the frost line underground
preventing the water from entering the hydrant barrel
-When hydrant is closed, barrel is drained through a drain valve at the
bottom of the hydrant.
-Must be completely open or closed to avoid erosion around the barrel
from the leaking drain valve.
-When hydrant is shut down, verify the water left in the barrel is draining
out.
, Page | 3
Dry Barrel Test Draining Procedures Ans: -Flow water from hydrant then
close hydrant completely (until resistance, then back quarter turn)
-Cap all discharges except one 2 1/2 discharge
-Place palm over open discharge
-should be slight suction/vacuum from draining.
Wet Barrel Ans: -Installed in warmer climates
-always full of water to the valves near the discharge openings
-have horizontal compress type valve at each outlet
Water flow in a Hydrant may vary... Ans: Depending on the distance,
size,, and condition of the nearest water main.
Fire officers can make better decisions regarding fire attack by knowing...
Ans: the expected water flow from a hydrant. Hydrants can be color
coded to show available flow.
Location of Fire Hydrants Ans: -Should not be placed more than 300 feet
apart in high value districts.
-Locate a hydrant every other intersection. Intermediate hydrants may
be required if distances exceed 350 to 400 feet.
Hydrant Inspection and Maintenance Ans: -Check for obstructions
-outlets facing proper direction
-outlets have sufficient clearance from ground
-mechanical/physical damage
-rust or corrosion
-caps missing or stuck with paint
, Page | 4
-open hydrant, ensure operating stem turns easily
-obstructions inside discharge outlets
-drains properly and ground isn't eroded
-painted by property owners (miscolored)
Alternative Water Supplies Ans: Should be surveyed in case water
systems in area fail or a fire occurs that requires more water than system
can supply.
1. Lakes, ponds, rivers, oceans
2. Swimming pools
3. Rain water collection cisterns and detention ponds
Depth of water needed when drafting Ans: All hard intake hoses should
have strainers and a minimum of 24 inches of water around them.
Drafting Ans: Process of drawing water from a static source to supply a
pumper. Alternative water source can be used if sufficient in quantity and
not contaminated to the point of creating health hazard or damaging fire
pumps.
Water supply sources (During Pre-incident planning) Ans: Fire
departments should make every effort to identify, mark, and record
alternative water supply sources.
Water Shuttles Operations Ans: Hauling water from a supply source to
portable tanks, and then drawing it to fight the fire.
Water Shuttle Operation Distances Ans: Recommended for greater than
1/2 mile or greater than the department's capability to lay supply lines.
3 Key components to Water Shuttle Operations Ans: 1. Attack Apparatus
at the fire (dumpsite)
2. Fill Apparatus at he fill site
