MCCCD Program Description

Fire Hydraulics

Course: FSC118

First Term: 1998 Fall

Lecture 3 Credit(s) 3 Period(s) 3 Load
Subject Type: Occupational
Load Formula: S

Description: Review of basic mathematics. Hydraulic laws and formulas as applied to the fire service. Application of formulas and mental calculations to hydraulic problems, water supply variables, and discharge requirements for pumpers

MCCCD Official Course Competencies
1. Solve mathematical problems involving basic mathematics, fractions, decimals, and square roots. (I) 2. Describe the principles and characteristics of water and pressure as they relate to fire streams. (II) 3. Explain pounds per square inch and the formula for computing friction loss. (II) 4. Describe the types of fire streams and the general uses of each. (III,IV) 5. Explain nozzle pressure and compute related hydraulics problems. (IV) 6. Explain gallons per minute and compute related hydraulics problems. (IV) 7. Compute hydraulics problems relating to friction loss in various sizes of hose and types of appliances. (IV) 8. Describe the rules of thumb for fireground hydraulics. (IV) 9. Explain the relationship between residual and static pressure. (V) 10. Explain engine pressure and compute related hydraulic problems. (V) 11. Describe water supply and explain related hydraulic formulas. (V)
MCCCD Official Course Competencies must be coordinated with the content outline so that each major point in the outline serves one or more competencies. MCCCD faculty retains authority in determining the pedagogical approach, methodology, content sequencing, and assessment metrics for student work. Please see individual course syllabi for additional information, including specific course requirements.

MCCCD Official Course Outline
I. Mathematics review A. Basic mathematics B. Fractions and decimals C. Calculating square roots II. Principles and characteristics of fire streams A. Water 1. Composition 2. Heat absorbing ability a. Law of heat b. Law of specific heat c. Law of latent heat of vaporization 3. Expansion when converted to steam 4. Extinguishing capability a. Building fires b. Flammable liquid fires c. Fires involving energized electrical equipment B. Principles of pressure 1. Reaction of fluids to pressure 2. Kinds of pressure 3. Determining pounds per square inch (PSI) 4. Friction loss 5. Reaction of pressure to elevation losses or gains 6. Water hammer III. Effectiveness of fire streams A. Influencing factors B. Types of fire streams 1. Solid 2. Fog C. Nozzles D. Flow capacities E. Reach of fire streams F. Master streams IV. Developing fire streams A. Nozzle pressure 1. Formulas 2. Symbols 3. Constants B. Computing gallons per minute C. Relationship between flow and hose D. Calculating streams 1. Friction loss in 2 1/2 hose 2. Friction loss in other hose 3. Supplying more than one hose line 4. Wyed and preconnected lines 5. Siamese lines E. Rules of thumb F. Producing master streams G. Relaying water H. Supplying private fire protection equipment V. Applying fire streams A. Selecting the stream B. Water application 1. Rate 2. Type of nozzle and stream C. Problems at the nozzle 1. Nozzle reaction 2. Types of valves D. Residual pressure E. Static pressure F. In-line gauges G. Engine pressure H. Supplying forward pumpers I. Computing capacities of tanks J. Computing available water in a specific area

MCCCD Governing Board Approval Date: 5/26/1998

All information published is subject to change without notice. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information presented, but based on the dynamic nature of the curricular process, course and program information is subject to change in order to reflect the most current information available.