Fixed Systems and Extinguishers

FP 202

Water Supply

Primary Functions of Water Supply

1. Water supply for domestic, commercial, agricultural, and industrial uses.

2. Water supply for fire protection.

Water Supply

Prior to the 1800s, firefighters had to use natural bodies of water for firefighting such as wells, ponds, rivers and streams.

First Fire Hydrants

Faucet Firefighters port

It had a faucet for drinking and a port for firefighters.

First Fire Hydrants

The New your system had a rock lined pit with a plug in the pipe.

First Fire Hydrants

Reasons for using water

Even though fire protection technology keeps advancing, water remains the number one extinguishing agent for two main reasons:

1. Abundance 2. Its ability to absorb heat

Basic components of a water supply system: 1. Source or supply of water 2. Processing or treatment facility 3. Mechanical or other means of moving water 4. A system of distribution

Water Sources

Rivers Lakes Impound reservoirs Wells

Processing or Treatment Facilities

These facilities are designed to remove sediment and inject chemicals.

Systems for moving water

There are three primary methods of moving water throughout the water supply system.

1. Gravity 2. Direct pumping 3. Combination

Gravity

Lakes and impound reservoirs are located above the level of the consumer and the force of gravity provides the necessary operating pressures.

Elevated water supply Dam

Gravity
For each foot of height of water, gravity generates .434 psi in pressure.
Elevated water supply

75 ft.

= 32.5 psi

Direct Pumping

Pumping station Water supply

Pumps are powered by liquid or gas fueled engines, electrical motors, or combination of fuel and electricity.

Combination
Elevated storage tank

Pumping station Water supply

Mechanical pumps are used to supplement pressures during peak demands and to refill elevated storage tanks.

Combination

Distribution System
Hydrant

Grid fed from two directions

16 inch

12 inch

8 inch

Distribution System
Dead-end Hydrant

Fire hydrants should also receive water from two different directions.

Water Pipes
There are three major components of a water piping system: 1. Primary feeders - water mains that are usually owned by a water company. Sizes - vary from 12 to 60 in diameter. 2. Secondary feeders - network of intermediate size pipes that interlaces a grid system. Sizes - no smaller than 12 in diameter. 3. Distributors - pipes serve consumer blocks and feed individual hydrants. Sizes - should be no less than 8 and 12 on principle streets.

Distributors
Typical size of distributors: industrial areas - 12 business areas - 8 residential areas - 8 You may still find 6 distributors in the older residential sections of town.

Water Main Valves Valves are used to control the flow of water.

Main Valve

Hydrant

Water Main Valves

Break in the main Break in the main Which valves need to be closed?

Main Valve

Hydrant

Water Main Valves

Break in the main Break in the main

These three

Main Valve

Hydrant

Water Main Valves

There are two primary types of valves:

1. Indicating valves

2. Non-indicating valves

Indicating valves give a visible indication for being open or closed.

Water Main Valves

Non-indicating valves:

Water Pipes

Water pipes can be made of: cast iron ductile iron steel plastic concrete (transite asbestos cement)

Water Pressure

Water pipes are constructed of various materials and they all offer a resistance to moving water. This resistance, in the fire service, is called friction loss.

Water Pressure

Water pressure determines the force and speed of available water.

Water Pressure Terms Terms that you will need to know for this course: 1. Static pressure 2. Normal Operating Pressure 3. Residual Pressure 4. Flow Pressure

Water Pressure Terms

Static Pressure: The amount of pressure within a system, pipes or hoses, when no water is flowing.
120 psi 120 psi

Water Pressure Terms

Normal Operating Pressure: The amount of pressure within a distribution system during normal consumption demands.

Water Pressure Terms

Residual Pressure: The amount of pressure within a distribution system, at a given location (fire hydrant), when a substantial quantity of water is flowing somewhere else in the system (at a major fire).

Water Pressure Terms Static Pressure

120 psi

120 psi

Water Pressure Terms Residual Pressure

100 psi

80 psi

Residual pressure is read at a specific location while a major flow of water is taking place somewhere else in the system (usually at a fire).

Water Pressure Terms Flow Pressure Residual Pressure

(Pitot tube)

100 psi

80 psi

70 psi

Flow pressure is the amount of pressure generated by the forward velocity of a water stream flowing from an opening.

Fire Hydrants

Two main types of fire hydrants: 1. Dry barrel 2. Wet barrel

Dry Barrel Hydrants Used in areas that are subject to freezing. Hydrants have only one valve and that valve keeps the water below the frost line. Hydrants are equipped with a drain valve that operates when the main hydrant vale is closed.

Wet Barrel Hydrants

Used in areas that are not subject to freezing. Hydrants have water in the riser up to the outlets. Hydrants have one valve per outlet.

Fire Hydrants Fire hydrants are usually made of cast iron and the working parts are made of bronze. Hydrants should have a minimum of two outlets, one being either 4 or 4 1/2 used for pumper suction.

Fire Hydrants NFPA recommends color coding hydrant tops, also coded on rum maps to indicate capacity (gpm). red - less than 500 gpm (substandard hydrant) orange or yellow - 500 to 999 gpm green 1000+ gpm

Fire Hydrants

Location, spacing, and distribution of fire hydrants is the responsibility of the fire chief. Actual instillation of fire hydrants is the responsibility of the water department.

Fire Hydrants

Generally hydrants are no more than 300 apart and are usually located at intersections. If blocks exceed 350 to 400, hydrants are also placed in the middle of the block.

Required flows (gpm) from hydrants:

The minimum capacity for hydrants in an area is determined by the amount of water needed to confine a major fire to the buildings within a block or other group complex. This amount varies with the size of the buildings, construction types, occupancy hazards (fire loads), and exposures.

Other sources of water for fire protection and extinguishment: Fire hydrants are the not the only source of water for fire protection and extinguishment. ocean lakes ponds rivers swimming pools irrigation ditches (using float pumps) portable folding tanks tenders (tanker trucks) water tanks on fire engines

Water Supply

REVIEW

What are the two primary functions of a water supply system?

1. Provides water for domestic, commercial, agricultural, and industrial uses.

2. Provides water for fire protection.

What are the two primary reasons for using water as an extinguishing agent?

1. Abundance 2. Its ability to absorb heat

What are the four basic components of a water supply system? 1. Source or supply of water 2. Processing or treatment facility 3. Mechanical or other means of moving water 4. A system of distribution

List and describe the primary methods for moving water:

1. Gravity 2. Direct pumping 3. Combination

List and describe the three basic piping systems for moving water:

1. Primary feeders 2. Secondary feeders 3. Distributors

What is the purpose for valves in a water distribution system?

Control the flow of water.

Describe the two primary types of valves:

1. Indicating valves

2. Non-indicating valves

Define Static Pressure

120 psi

120 psi

Define Static Pressure

Pressure in the system when NO water is flowing.

120 psi

120 psi

Define Normal Operating Pressure

The amount of pressure within a distribution system during normal consumption demands.

Define Residual Pressure Residual Pressure

100 psi

80 psi

Define Residual Pressure Residual Pressure

100 psi

80 psi

Residual pressure is read at a specific location while a major flow of water is taking place somewhere else in the system (usually at a fire).

Define Flow Pressure Flow Pressure

(Pitot tube)

100 psi

80 psi

70 psi

Define Flow Pressure Flow Pressure

(Pitot tube)

100 psi

80 psi

70 psi

Flow pressure is the amount of pressure generated by the forward velocity of a water stream flowing from an opening.

Describe Dry Barrel Hydrants 1. Used in areas that are subject to freezing. 2. Hydrants have only one valve and that valve keeps the water below the frost line. 3. Hydrants are equipped with a drain valve that operates when the main hydrant vale is closed.

Describe Wet Barrel Hydrants

1. Used in areas that are not subject to freezing. 2. Hydrants have water in the riser up to the outlets. 3. Hydrants have one valve per outlet.

Describe the N.F.P.A.s color code system for hydrants flows:

Red - less than 500 gpm Orange or Yellow - 500 to 999 gpm Green 1000+ gpm

List any four sources of water for firefighting purposes:

ocean lakes ponds rivers swimming pools irrigation ditches (using float pumps) portable folding tanks tenders (tanker trucks) water tanks on fire engines hydrants

THE END