Regular Maintenance and Upkeep of Fire Extinguishing Water Pump Systems Equipped on Fire Trucks

Regular maintenance of fire-fighting water pump systems equipped on fire trucks (Illustrative image)

Circular 52/2014/TT-BCA stipulates the regular maintenance of fire-fighting water pump systems equipped on fire trucks as follows:

- Check the operation of the water pump system, specifically: Check the operation, functioning, and tightness of water valves, foam valves, air valves, gauges, and indicator lights; check and add sealing grease and lubricate the pump shaft, rotational mechanisms; check the operation of the universal joint shaft that transmits power to the pump, if there are unusual noises, inspect and repair immediately;

- Check the tightness of the fire pump by closing all the pump valves and the suction cap, perform the vacuum suction operation for the pump to reach maximum vacuum (depending on the type of vehicle, the vacuum suction operation may differ), the vacuum suction time should not exceed 30 seconds. Stop vacuum suction, determine the tightness of the pump by observing the vacuum gauge, if the needle of the gauge returns within 2 minutes by no more than 1 mark (equivalent to 0.1 Bar), the pump ensures tightness; if the needle returns faster, the pump is leaking, and the cause must be identified and remedied;

- Check the working capability of the vacuum water priming pump by ensuring the centrifugal pump is sealed, perform the vacuum suction operation, the vacuum value must reach at least -0.6 bar (6/10 of the pressure gauge scale), if lower, maintain and repair the vacuum pump;

- Verify the functioning of the pump shaft and centrifugal impeller by rotating the centrifugal pump at low to medium speeds (absolutely do not rotate at high speed and throttle rapidly as the pump does not intake water); check the bolts and nuts securing the pump to the vehicle frame; check water and air foam spray valves, water tank open/close valves, high and low-pressure gauges, and rpm gauge to ensure they are good and meet standards;

- Suction hoses must be tight, not bent or punctured, sufficiently lined, and connectors should fit smoothly and tightly;

- Regularly check the fire-fighting water tank, foam agent tank, ensure they are always full of water, clean and free of leaks; foam agent tanks must be tightly sealed and leak-free;

- Inspect fire-fighting equipment and tools equipped on the truck such as nozzles, hoses, three-way connectors, ladders, etc., ensuring sufficient quantity and technical quality.

Details can be found at Circular 52/2014/TT-BCA effective from December 25, 2014.

Ty Na

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