S-130 Wildland Water Use Exam
Questions and Answers
Types of Backpack Pumps ANSWERS Most collapsible backpack tanks carry 5
gallons (20 L) of water and consist of a rubber or neoprene bladder.
One slightly different design is a collapsible, bladder-type you wear as a vest rather than
on your back. Because the weight is more evenly distributed with the vest design than
with the backpack design, the vest type units may carry up to 8 gallons (32 L) of water.
Collapsible backpacks are usually stored empty.
Backpack Pump Components ANSWERS In addition to the collapsible tank,
backpack tanks are made up of the following parts:
Shoulder straps with clips
Filler cap
Flexible hose
Suction check valve
Trombone pump—includes combination nozzle with washer, handle, adjusting nut, and
barrel
Trombone clip
Ball-in-check valve
Lifting Backpack Pumps ANSWERS The water inside a full, 5-gallon (20 L)
backpack pump weighs about 45 pounds (20 k)—if you don't handle it safely you could
end up with a back injury.
Therefore, when using your backpack pump, follow these safety steps:
- Lift with your legs and keep your back straight
- Adjust the carrying straps to your body frame
- Do not climb over obstacles or run
Also, to keep the unit working properly, fill the tank with clean water only. Muddy water
will plug the water passages.
Backpack Pump Maintenance ANSWERS Keep the trombone pump lubricated
with powdered graphite or non-oil based lubricant. Never use oil or grease for this
purpose as it will collect dirt and grime.
Also, if your backpack pump stops working properly, on-site repairs may be necessary,
including:
, - Checking for adequate water in the tank
- Removing any blockages at the bottom outlet and the nozzle tip
- Disconnecting the hose from the tank and pump assembly and removing any
blockages inside the hose
- Making sure the ball-in-check valve is not stuck in the open or closed position
Noncollapsible Rubber Hose ANSWERS Noncollapsible rubber hose is more
commonly referred to as booster hose, hard line, or high-pressure hose. You'll use this
rubber-covered hose for mobile attack on very low-intensity fires and for mop-up.
Of course, fires of greater intensity require larger hoselines. Make sure there is
adequate water flow to match the intensity and size of the fire.
Length: Sections of booster hose are coupled in 100- to 200-foot (30 m to 60 m) lengths
wound on a reel mounted somewhere on your apparatus. Your wildland fire apparatus
may have a 6- to 20-foot (2 m to 6 m) section attached directly to a discharge for pump-
and-roll (mobile attack) operations and for use as a protection line.
Diameter: You most commonly find booster hose in 3/4 - and 1-inch (19 mm and 25
mm) diameters.
Water Delivery: Because of its relatively small diameter and high friction loss, booster
hose can only deliver a limited quantity of water. Generally, expect flows of less than 30
gpm (120 L/min) from booster lines
Jacketed Lined Fire Hose ANSWERS Cotton-synthetic jacketed rubber lined
(CSJRL), also known as jacketed, lined fire hose is intended for heavy fire fighting. It
consists of an internal rubber waterway protected on the outside by a single or double
layer of a woven fabric or an external rubber covering.
The most common diameters of this type of hose used for wildland applications are:
1-inch (25 mm)
1 1/2-inch (38 mm)
1 3/4-inch (45 mm)
2-inch (50 mm)
2 1/2-inch (65 mm)
The vast majority of wildland hose in the U.S. are lightweight versions of jacketed,
rubber-lined fire hose designed specifically for wildland fire fighting. Lightweight single-
jacketed and lined wildland fire hose are available in 1- and 1 1/2-inch (25 mm and 38
mm) sizes.
Unlined Fire Hose ANSWERS Use linen or unlined fire hose for fires in very light
fuels. Unlined hose, also referred to as weeping hose, is made of a woven linen fabric.
The weave allows some of the water to weep through to the outside to seal and protect
the hose against heat and flames during fire attack. Cheaper, but less durable.
Questions and Answers
Types of Backpack Pumps ANSWERS Most collapsible backpack tanks carry 5
gallons (20 L) of water and consist of a rubber or neoprene bladder.
One slightly different design is a collapsible, bladder-type you wear as a vest rather than
on your back. Because the weight is more evenly distributed with the vest design than
with the backpack design, the vest type units may carry up to 8 gallons (32 L) of water.
Collapsible backpacks are usually stored empty.
Backpack Pump Components ANSWERS In addition to the collapsible tank,
backpack tanks are made up of the following parts:
Shoulder straps with clips
Filler cap
Flexible hose
Suction check valve
Trombone pump—includes combination nozzle with washer, handle, adjusting nut, and
barrel
Trombone clip
Ball-in-check valve
Lifting Backpack Pumps ANSWERS The water inside a full, 5-gallon (20 L)
backpack pump weighs about 45 pounds (20 k)—if you don't handle it safely you could
end up with a back injury.
Therefore, when using your backpack pump, follow these safety steps:
- Lift with your legs and keep your back straight
- Adjust the carrying straps to your body frame
- Do not climb over obstacles or run
Also, to keep the unit working properly, fill the tank with clean water only. Muddy water
will plug the water passages.
Backpack Pump Maintenance ANSWERS Keep the trombone pump lubricated
with powdered graphite or non-oil based lubricant. Never use oil or grease for this
purpose as it will collect dirt and grime.
Also, if your backpack pump stops working properly, on-site repairs may be necessary,
including:
, - Checking for adequate water in the tank
- Removing any blockages at the bottom outlet and the nozzle tip
- Disconnecting the hose from the tank and pump assembly and removing any
blockages inside the hose
- Making sure the ball-in-check valve is not stuck in the open or closed position
Noncollapsible Rubber Hose ANSWERS Noncollapsible rubber hose is more
commonly referred to as booster hose, hard line, or high-pressure hose. You'll use this
rubber-covered hose for mobile attack on very low-intensity fires and for mop-up.
Of course, fires of greater intensity require larger hoselines. Make sure there is
adequate water flow to match the intensity and size of the fire.
Length: Sections of booster hose are coupled in 100- to 200-foot (30 m to 60 m) lengths
wound on a reel mounted somewhere on your apparatus. Your wildland fire apparatus
may have a 6- to 20-foot (2 m to 6 m) section attached directly to a discharge for pump-
and-roll (mobile attack) operations and for use as a protection line.
Diameter: You most commonly find booster hose in 3/4 - and 1-inch (19 mm and 25
mm) diameters.
Water Delivery: Because of its relatively small diameter and high friction loss, booster
hose can only deliver a limited quantity of water. Generally, expect flows of less than 30
gpm (120 L/min) from booster lines
Jacketed Lined Fire Hose ANSWERS Cotton-synthetic jacketed rubber lined
(CSJRL), also known as jacketed, lined fire hose is intended for heavy fire fighting. It
consists of an internal rubber waterway protected on the outside by a single or double
layer of a woven fabric or an external rubber covering.
The most common diameters of this type of hose used for wildland applications are:
1-inch (25 mm)
1 1/2-inch (38 mm)
1 3/4-inch (45 mm)
2-inch (50 mm)
2 1/2-inch (65 mm)
The vast majority of wildland hose in the U.S. are lightweight versions of jacketed,
rubber-lined fire hose designed specifically for wildland fire fighting. Lightweight single-
jacketed and lined wildland fire hose are available in 1- and 1 1/2-inch (25 mm and 38
mm) sizes.
Unlined Fire Hose ANSWERS Use linen or unlined fire hose for fires in very light
fuels. Unlined hose, also referred to as weeping hose, is made of a woven linen fabric.
The weave allows some of the water to weep through to the outside to seal and protect
the hose against heat and flames during fire attack. Cheaper, but less durable.
