Tanker fill time cut in half with Siamese and large diameter hose
DEPARTMENTS
Dispatches
In areas where water has to be carried to the fire, an efficient tanker operation is invaluable. One way of getting a longer, more continuous fire flow is with the use of a Siamese and large diameter hose, as outlined by Assistant Chief Don Curtis (“Rural Hitch,” FIRE ENGINEERING, December 1984).
Employing a somewhat similar technique, the Elora Fire Department, Elora, Ontario, devised a method of quickly getting the water from the source into the tanker.
Using a 2 1/2 * 2 1/2 * 4-inch Siamese and 4-inch diameter hose, the department is able to fill its 1,500-imperial-gallon (1,875 U.S. gallons) tanker in under three minutes. The normal tanker filling method involved a single pump and 2 1/2-inch hose.
Each end of the 2 1/2-inch Siamese is fitted with 15 feet of 3-inch hose (fitted with 2½inch couplings). Each of these hose lengths is connected to a high-volume portable pump. Extending from each of the pumps to the water source is 10 feet of 3-inch suction hose fitted with 2 1/2-inch couplings.
The Siamese is clappered on one side, enabling one pump to begin operating while the other pump is being set up. Having just one side clappered also reduces water turbulence.
The 4-inch side of the Siamese is connected to 400 feet of 4-inch hose. The other end of this hose is connected to a butterfly valve, which provides excellent flow control. The butterfly valve is left at the roadside.
A 4-inch hard suction hose (20 feet) runs from the butterfly valve to the tanker. The hard suction hose reduces kinks, aiding unrestricted water flow. A flush valve at the butterfly valve is used to drain the hard suction hose when the operation is completed.
An elbow fitting (spout) with a hook attaches to the hard suction hose and fits onto the lip of the tanker’s fill hole.
The pump holds from one to two gallons of water, making it much bigger than the normal size pump. This added water keeps the pump from overheating, preventing any possible seal damage and eliminating the need to have the pumps idled down between loading times. Even though the pumps are oversized, they weigh under 100 pounds each.
This fill system also works with shallow water sources by connecting a floating strainer to the hose leading from the pump to the water source.
Doug Rogers
Captain
Elora Fire Department
Elora, Ontario
