Fire Apparatus Driver/Operator Exam
Review Questions With Well Elaborated
Solutions
Attack hose (attack line) - ANSWER -Hose designed to be used by trained fire
fighters and fire brigade members to combat fires beyond the incipient stage.
Attack pumper - ANSWER -An engine from which attack lines have been pulled>
Authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) - ANSWER -An organization, office, or
individual responsible for enforcing the requirements of a code or standard, or for
approving equipment, materials, and installation, or a procedure.
Automatic intake pressure relief device - ANSWER -A device installed on the
supply side of a valve to bleed off excessive pressure coming into the valve.
Automatic load management system - ANSWER -A system designed to protect
the electrical system from needless damage while maintaining the operation of
essential devices.
Automatic-adjusting fog nozzle - ANSWER -A nozzle that can deliver a wide
range of water stream flows. It operates by means of an internal spring-loaded
piston.
Auxilary appliance - ANSWER -A standpipe and/or sprinkler system.
Backlash - ANSWER -In the case of the aerial device, the motion that occurs
when rotating the aerial, and when the bull gear and turntable bearing have play in
the gear spacing. The aerial will rock slightly back and forth if there is excessive
end-play backlash.
Balanced0-pressure system - ANSWER -`A fire apparatus-mounted foam system
that uses a diaphragm-type pressure control valve to sense and balance the
pressures in the foam concentrate and water lines to the proportioner.
Ball valve - ANSWER -A type of valve used on nozzles, gated wyes, and engine
discharge gates. It consists of a ball with a hole in the middle of the ball.
, Bankshot (bankdown) method - ANSWER -A method that applies the foam
stream onto a nearby object, such as a wall, instead of directly at the fire.
Batch mixing - ANSWER -Pouring foam concentrate directly into the fire
apparatus water tank, thereby mixing a large amount of foam at one time.
Battery selector switch - ANSWER -A switch used to disconnect all electrical
power to the vehicle, thereby preventing discharge of the battery while the vehicle
is not in use.
Beam - ANSWER -The horizontal component of an H-style jack or outrigger
system. The jack is welded to the end of the beam
Big-box - ANSWER -A large, free-standing commercial structure generally in
excess of 100,000 square feet of floor space.
`Blind spots - ANSWER -Areas around the fire apparatus that are not visible to the
driver/operator.
Booster hose (booster line) - ANSWER -A non-collapsible hose that is used under
positive pressure and that consists of an elastomeric or thermoplastic tube, and
braided or spiraled reinforcement, and an outer protective cover.
Booster line - ANSWER -A rigid hose that is 3/4 inches (20mm) or 1 inch (25mm)
in diameter. Such a hose delivers water at a rate of only 30-60 gpm (115-225L) but
can do so at high pressure.
Booster pump - ANSWER -A water pump mounted on the fire apparatus in
addition to a fire pump and used for firefighting either in conjunction with or
independent of the fire pump.
Brake fade - ANSWER -Reduction in stopping power that can occur after repeated
application of the brakes, especially in high-load or high-speed conditions.
Braking distance - ANSWER -The distance that the fire apparatus travels from the
time the bakes are activated until the fire apparatus makes a complete stop.
Bresnan distributor nozzle - ANSWER -A nozzle that can be place in confined
spaces. The nozzle spins, spreading water over a large area.
, British thermal unit (Btu) - ANSWER -The quantity of heat required to raise the
temperature of one pound of water by 1*F at the pressure of 1 atmosphere and a
temperature of 60*F. A British thermal unit is equal to 1055 joules, 1.055
kilojoules, and 252.15 calories.
Bucket brigade - ANSWER -An early effort at fire protection that used leather
buckets filled with water to combat fires. In many communities, residents were
required to place a bucket filled with water, typically on their front steps, at night
in case of a fire in the community.
Buffer space - ANSWER -The lateral and/or longitudinal area that seperates traffic
flow from a work space or an unsafe area; it might also provide some recovery
space for an errant vehicle.
Burnback resistance - ANSWER -The ability of a foam blanket to resist direct
flam impingement.
Butterfly valve - ANSWER -A valve found on the large pump intake valve where
the hard suction of soft sleeve hose connects to it.
Bypass eductor - ANSWER -A foam eductor that is mounted to the pump and can
be used for application of either water or foam.
Cavitaion - ANSWER -A condition caused by attempting to move water faster
than it is being supplied to the pump.
Cellar nozzle - ANSWER -A nozzle use to fight fires in cellars and other
inaccessible places.
Centrifugal force - ANSWER -The outward force that is exerted away from the
center of rotation or the tendency for objects to be pulled outward when rotating
around a center.
Centrifugal pump - ANSWER -A pump in which the pressure is developed
principally by the action of the centrifugal force.
Changeover operation - ANSWER -The process of transferring from use of the
pumper's internal water tank to use of an external water source.
, Chart - ANSWER -A document summarizing the typical handline and master
stream calculations for the hoses, nozzles, and devices specific to the fire
apparatus. It lists the most commonly used or reasonably expected hose lays.
Chassis - ANSWER -The basic operating motor vehicle, including the engine,
frame, and other essential structural and mechanical parts, but exclusive of the
body and all appurtenances for the accommodation of driver, property, passengers,
appliances, or equipment related to other that control. Common usage might, but
need not, include a cab (or cowl).
Chemical foam - ANSWER -Foam produced by mixing powders and water, where
a chemical reaction of the materials creates the foam.
Chemical wagon - ANSWER -A small truck constructed with a large soda acid
extinguisher and 50ft (15m) or more of small hose (booster line size).
Class A foam - ANSWER -Foam intended for use on Class A fires.
Class B foam - ANSWER -Foam intended for use on Class B fires.
Code 1 response - ANSWER -Response in a fire apparatus in which no emergency
lights or sirens are activated.
Code 2 response - ANSWER -Response in a fire apparatus in which only the
emergency lights are activated, no audible devices are activated.
Code 3 response - ANSWER -Response in a fire apparatus in which both the
emergency lights and the sirens are activated.
Coefficient (C) - ANSWER -A numerical measure that is a constant for a specified
hose diameter.
Collapse zone - ANSWER -A distance away from a structure equal to or greater
than 1.5 times its height
Collector rings - ANSWER -The electric bands inside the swivel that allow two-
way contact with wires ring from the top of the swivel and wires exiting from the
bottom. The ring internal to the swivel, and its has two contact points for electric
transfer.
Review Questions With Well Elaborated
Solutions
Attack hose (attack line) - ANSWER -Hose designed to be used by trained fire
fighters and fire brigade members to combat fires beyond the incipient stage.
Attack pumper - ANSWER -An engine from which attack lines have been pulled>
Authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) - ANSWER -An organization, office, or
individual responsible for enforcing the requirements of a code or standard, or for
approving equipment, materials, and installation, or a procedure.
Automatic intake pressure relief device - ANSWER -A device installed on the
supply side of a valve to bleed off excessive pressure coming into the valve.
Automatic load management system - ANSWER -A system designed to protect
the electrical system from needless damage while maintaining the operation of
essential devices.
Automatic-adjusting fog nozzle - ANSWER -A nozzle that can deliver a wide
range of water stream flows. It operates by means of an internal spring-loaded
piston.
Auxilary appliance - ANSWER -A standpipe and/or sprinkler system.
Backlash - ANSWER -In the case of the aerial device, the motion that occurs
when rotating the aerial, and when the bull gear and turntable bearing have play in
the gear spacing. The aerial will rock slightly back and forth if there is excessive
end-play backlash.
Balanced0-pressure system - ANSWER -`A fire apparatus-mounted foam system
that uses a diaphragm-type pressure control valve to sense and balance the
pressures in the foam concentrate and water lines to the proportioner.
Ball valve - ANSWER -A type of valve used on nozzles, gated wyes, and engine
discharge gates. It consists of a ball with a hole in the middle of the ball.
, Bankshot (bankdown) method - ANSWER -A method that applies the foam
stream onto a nearby object, such as a wall, instead of directly at the fire.
Batch mixing - ANSWER -Pouring foam concentrate directly into the fire
apparatus water tank, thereby mixing a large amount of foam at one time.
Battery selector switch - ANSWER -A switch used to disconnect all electrical
power to the vehicle, thereby preventing discharge of the battery while the vehicle
is not in use.
Beam - ANSWER -The horizontal component of an H-style jack or outrigger
system. The jack is welded to the end of the beam
Big-box - ANSWER -A large, free-standing commercial structure generally in
excess of 100,000 square feet of floor space.
`Blind spots - ANSWER -Areas around the fire apparatus that are not visible to the
driver/operator.
Booster hose (booster line) - ANSWER -A non-collapsible hose that is used under
positive pressure and that consists of an elastomeric or thermoplastic tube, and
braided or spiraled reinforcement, and an outer protective cover.
Booster line - ANSWER -A rigid hose that is 3/4 inches (20mm) or 1 inch (25mm)
in diameter. Such a hose delivers water at a rate of only 30-60 gpm (115-225L) but
can do so at high pressure.
Booster pump - ANSWER -A water pump mounted on the fire apparatus in
addition to a fire pump and used for firefighting either in conjunction with or
independent of the fire pump.
Brake fade - ANSWER -Reduction in stopping power that can occur after repeated
application of the brakes, especially in high-load or high-speed conditions.
Braking distance - ANSWER -The distance that the fire apparatus travels from the
time the bakes are activated until the fire apparatus makes a complete stop.
Bresnan distributor nozzle - ANSWER -A nozzle that can be place in confined
spaces. The nozzle spins, spreading water over a large area.
, British thermal unit (Btu) - ANSWER -The quantity of heat required to raise the
temperature of one pound of water by 1*F at the pressure of 1 atmosphere and a
temperature of 60*F. A British thermal unit is equal to 1055 joules, 1.055
kilojoules, and 252.15 calories.
Bucket brigade - ANSWER -An early effort at fire protection that used leather
buckets filled with water to combat fires. In many communities, residents were
required to place a bucket filled with water, typically on their front steps, at night
in case of a fire in the community.
Buffer space - ANSWER -The lateral and/or longitudinal area that seperates traffic
flow from a work space or an unsafe area; it might also provide some recovery
space for an errant vehicle.
Burnback resistance - ANSWER -The ability of a foam blanket to resist direct
flam impingement.
Butterfly valve - ANSWER -A valve found on the large pump intake valve where
the hard suction of soft sleeve hose connects to it.
Bypass eductor - ANSWER -A foam eductor that is mounted to the pump and can
be used for application of either water or foam.
Cavitaion - ANSWER -A condition caused by attempting to move water faster
than it is being supplied to the pump.
Cellar nozzle - ANSWER -A nozzle use to fight fires in cellars and other
inaccessible places.
Centrifugal force - ANSWER -The outward force that is exerted away from the
center of rotation or the tendency for objects to be pulled outward when rotating
around a center.
Centrifugal pump - ANSWER -A pump in which the pressure is developed
principally by the action of the centrifugal force.
Changeover operation - ANSWER -The process of transferring from use of the
pumper's internal water tank to use of an external water source.
, Chart - ANSWER -A document summarizing the typical handline and master
stream calculations for the hoses, nozzles, and devices specific to the fire
apparatus. It lists the most commonly used or reasonably expected hose lays.
Chassis - ANSWER -The basic operating motor vehicle, including the engine,
frame, and other essential structural and mechanical parts, but exclusive of the
body and all appurtenances for the accommodation of driver, property, passengers,
appliances, or equipment related to other that control. Common usage might, but
need not, include a cab (or cowl).
Chemical foam - ANSWER -Foam produced by mixing powders and water, where
a chemical reaction of the materials creates the foam.
Chemical wagon - ANSWER -A small truck constructed with a large soda acid
extinguisher and 50ft (15m) or more of small hose (booster line size).
Class A foam - ANSWER -Foam intended for use on Class A fires.
Class B foam - ANSWER -Foam intended for use on Class B fires.
Code 1 response - ANSWER -Response in a fire apparatus in which no emergency
lights or sirens are activated.
Code 2 response - ANSWER -Response in a fire apparatus in which only the
emergency lights are activated, no audible devices are activated.
Code 3 response - ANSWER -Response in a fire apparatus in which both the
emergency lights and the sirens are activated.
Coefficient (C) - ANSWER -A numerical measure that is a constant for a specified
hose diameter.
Collapse zone - ANSWER -A distance away from a structure equal to or greater
than 1.5 times its height
Collector rings - ANSWER -The electric bands inside the swivel that allow two-
way contact with wires ring from the top of the swivel and wires exiting from the
bottom. The ring internal to the swivel, and its has two contact points for electric
transfer.
