LESSON 11

DEFINITIONS

Pumper (also called “pumping engine): Motor fire truck carrying pump, and usually a
supply of hose. (When truck is not equipped to carry hose it is usually called a
“straight pumper’).
Hose Wagon (also called a “hose truck): Fire truck carrying hose.
Combination Chemical and Hose Wagon: Fire truck carrying chemical tanks with
chemical hose, and a supply of water hose.
Water Tower: Fire apparatus carrying water mast with nozzle for operating on high
fires. Mast usually extends to a height of 65 feet. Deck gun is also provided on
this piece of apparatus.

QUESTIONS

1. What is the meaning of each of the following terms when used in connection with oils,
etc.: A.) volatile, inflammable liquid; B.) flash point; C.) fire test. Name five
volatile, inflammable liquids.
2. Assume a 4-story factory building, slow burning mill construction used for wood and
metal working in which 200 persons are employed:
a. What are the fire hazards in such a plant?
b. What auxiliary fire appliances should be installed?
c. Explain in detail how the lives of the employees should be safeguarded.
3. When a person jumps into a life net there is possibility of injury. How would such
injury likely be caused.

FALSE AND TRUE

(Is the statement False or true?)

4. T F—Quick closing hydrants and nozzles may cause water hammer in the hose line,
hydrant or water main.
5. T F—a conflagration hazard is an exposure hazard considered from the standpoint of a
large group of buildings.
6. T F—The pressure on a line reaches the highest point when the nozzle is closed
gradually.
7. T F—The water tower can be efficiently used for throwing a water curtain between
buildings.
8. T F—Sudden shutting off of nozzle, especially on short lines, may cause serious
damage even back through the pump as far as the water main (where centrifugal
pump is used).
9. T F—Exposure hazard is the danger of one building becoming ignited by fire burning
in an adjoining or neighboring structure.
10. T F—Two one-inch nozzles are the equivalent of a two-inch nozzle under identical
 conditions.
11. T F—Unprotected vertical openings are among the greatest causes contributing to the
loss of life and property from fire.
12. T F—The area and capacity of a nozzle is increased by three if its diameter is
doubled.
13. T F—Fire doors are sometimes found to be off their tracks, or are not equipped with
the necessary fusible link.
14. T F—Plate glass is a better fire retardant than is ordinary wired glass.
15. T F—Some materials have a tendency to add excess weight to floors when fire
involving them is being extinguished
16. T F—A two-inch stream from a 300-gallon pump is of little value in fire fighting.
17. T F—Streams from water towers can be used with effect as high as the eight floor.
18. T F—Distance between ceiling and top of goods stored is of no importance when
building is properly equipped with sprinklers.
19. T F—Fire streams using nozzle tips of greater diameter than 1 ¼ inch and discharging
water at a greater pressure than 90 lbs. per sq. inch are not considered safe to
handle without special appliances or without anchoring.
20. T F—A 1 3/8 inch nozzle is the approximate equivalent of two one-inch nozzles.
21. T F—Fire walls always extend from the bottom to the extreme top of the building.

COMPLETION STATEMENTS

22 Members of the Fire department are forbidden to contract debts which…………

23. When an engine company is laying hose in toward a fire, the hose should be laid on
the………………side of the street.
24. When holding life net for persons jumping at a fire the net should be held with
hands……………..
25. Should damage result through a fireman carrying out improper orders given him by a
superior officer the…………….
26. If it is necessary to couple a line of 2 ½ inch hose to a 3-inch siamese connection on
a standpipe a (an) ……………. is used.
 ANSWERS TO LESSON 11

1. (a) By volatile inflammable liquid is meant a liquid which vaporizes readily

and which is highly combustible.
(b) By flash point is meant the temperature at which a vapor over a liquid is
sufficiently dense to produce a momentary flash or fire.
(c) By fire test is meant test which is applied in determining the flash point and
burning point of an inflammable liquid. Five volatile inflammable liquids are: benzine,
gasoline, carbon bisulphide (disulphide), ether, alcohol.
2. (a). Fire hazards include possibility of dust explosion, inflammable vapors
thrown off by lacquer, varnish, or other liquid used in finishing articles; highly
combustible wastes produced in processes of manufacturing; presence of volatile
inflammables; stock of raw materials, finished and unfinished articles made of wood;
boiler, dry kiln and cal boxes, blower system and shaving vaults, rapidly moving
machinery and bearings, glue pots; sanding, filling , painting, varnishing, and upholstery
work.
In connection with the metal work, explosive metallic dusts may be produced. In
addition, the weight of the metal stock is a serious factor in the event of fire.
(B) Auxiliary fire appliances should include sprinkler system, and if the area is
large, standpipe system for operation by Fire Department; foam, carbon dioxide gas
extinguishers, or sawdust and soda should be provided where paint and varnish are used
in quantities. If metallic powders are produced, and are present in containers, sand
should be provided as an extinguishing medium.
(C) Lives of employees should be safeguarded by providing the above
appliances, and maintaining good housekeeping within the plant. Aisles leading to exits
should always be kept clear, doors unlocked, and the proper fire escapes or fire stairways
(properly closed) must be provided; exists plainly marked. An automatic alarm system,
in connection with the sprinkler system, is essential in giving the employees the
maximum of protection. Proce3ss must be carried on along lines which have been
proven safe, and ordinances with regard to safety in such establishment should be rigidly
adhered to.
3. There is a possibility of injury due either to striking the rim of the net, striking
the ground where the net is held too low (the give of the net permitting this), or landing
improperly. By the latter is meant the striking of the net in an improper position by the
person jumping.

FALSE AND TRUE ANSWERS

4. T 10. F 16. T
5. T 11. T 17. T
6. F 12. F 18. F
7. T 13. T 19. T
8. T 14. F 20. T
9. T 15. T 21. F
 ANSWERS TO COMPLETION STATEMENTS

22. ………………they cannot pay.

23. ………………hydrant.
24. ………………grasping the rim, with palm upward.
25. ………………a 2 ½ to 3-inch increaser………..