Solutions Graded A+
What are the sources of natural water? - Answer: 1. Wells
2. Springs
3. Rivers
4. Lakes
5. Ponds
How are streams and springs fed? - Answer: By groundwater or snowmelt at higher elevations.
To be considered adequate, a system must be capable of what? - Answer: Supplying the water needed
for fire protection in addition to domestic requirements.
In order for water to be used, what needs to happen to it? - Answer: It needs to be processed by a
Water Treatment Facility to remove impurities and minerals.
What can impurities and minerials harm? - Answer: Humans, animals, and plants.
Before water can enter the distribution system, it needs to pass through what? - Answer: Water
treatment facility
What are the three methods of moving water? - Answer: 1. Gravity
2. Direct pumping
3. Combination, using both gravity and direct pumping
Whats gravity system? - Answer: Moving water from the source to the facility without using pumping
equipment.
,Whats direct pumping system? - Answer: A pump is placed near the water source and moves it to the
facility.
Whats a combination system? - Answer: A combination of using both gravity and direct pump system.
What does the water distribution system consist of? - Answer: 1. A network of pipes
2. Storage tanks
3. Isolation
4. Control valves
5. Hydrants
Whats piping? - Answer: A system that delivers adequate pressure water to the desire location.
Whats another name for underground pipes? - Answer: Water Mains
What can underground water mains be made of? - Answer: Cast iron, ductile iron, asbestos cement,
steel, PVC Pipe, or Concrete.
When water travels through pipes, what does the movement cause? - Answer: The movement causes
friction which leads to pressure reduction.
What are the three water mains that a water distribution consist of? - Answer: 1. Primary Feeders
2. Secondary Feeders
3. Distributors
Whats a Primary Feeder? - Answer: large pipes, with relatively widespread spacing.
Whats secondary feeders? - Answer: Intermediate pipes that interconnect with the primary feeder liners
to create a grid.
,Whats a distributor? - Answer: Smaller than water mains in diameter that serve individual fire hydrants.
What factors can cause fire hydrants to fail or reduce pressure? - Answer: 1. Damaged hydrant valves
and connections
2. Broken water mains
3. Greater demand than the system can provide
What should firefighters know about the fire hydrant? - Answer: 1. Types of fire hydrant
2. Markings
3. Use
4. Inspections
5. Maintenance
Who can test fire hydrants? - Answer: 1. Firefighters
2. Inspectors
3. Water department personnel
4. Private Contractors
Whats a Dry-Barrel Hydrant - Answer: Its designed to be used in climates that are expected to have
freezing temperatures.
Where is the main control valve of a dry barrel hydrant found? - Answer: At the base or foot of the
hydrant, below the frost line.
How do you test that a dry barrel hydrant is draining properly? - Answer: Theres a slight suction/vacuum
from the discharge opening.
If a dry barrel is not completely open or closed, what can it cause? - Answer: It can cause the ground to
erode.
, Whats a wet barrel hydrant? - Answer: Are designed to be used in warmer climates and have water in
the hydrant all the time.
How are the compression valves placed on wet barrel hydrant? - Answer: Horizontal
What can fire hydrant markings be used for? - Answer: They can be used to designate flow capacity.
Why are fire hydrants painted? - Answer: So they can be readily visible.
Who can make better decisions regarding the fire attack by knowing the expected water flow from a
hydrant? - Answer: Fire Officers (Crew Chiefs)
Fire hydrants should NOT be placed how many feet apart? - Answer: 300 feet
Intermediate hydrants may be required if distances between intersections exceed how many feet? -
Answer: 350 to 400 feet
Who may be assigned the task of inspecting and flow testing fire hydrants and performing limited
maintenance? - Answer: Fire department personnel
When inspecting a fire hydrant, what are some potential problems to look for? - Answer: 1. Obstructions
2. Outlets that face the wrong direction
3. insufficient clearing between outlets and the ground
4. Hydrant damage
5. Rusting and corrosion
6. Outlets missing or stuck in place with paint
7. Painted by property owners (miscolored)
When testing a fire hydrant, how long should the water flow? - Answer: Until clear water is visible