Chapter 03

Aerial Apparatus Driver/Operator Handbook

2nd Edition

Chapter 3 — Types and Construction of Aerial

Apparatus

Learning Objective 1

Describe aerial ladder apparatus.

3–2

Aerial Apparatus Driver/Operator

DISCUSSION QUESTION

What are some other names for an aerial ladder apparatus?

3–3


• Power-operated ladder• Turntable — Provides continuous

rotation• Fully extended length

– Ranges from 50 to 135 feet (15 m to 41 m)

– Measured from ground to highest ladder rung

Aerial Ladder Apparatus

3–4


• Rescue • Ventilation • Elevated master stream

application• Gaining access to upper level of an

emergency scene• Exposure protection• Aboveground fire fighting

Uses of Aerial Ladder Apparatus

3–5


Two-Axle, Single Chassis

3–6


Photo by Ted Boothroyd

Three-Axle, Single Chassis

3–7


Courtesy of Ron Jeffers

Three-Axle Tractor-Trailer Type

3–8



• Tractor-drawn aerial apparatus• Equipped with steerable rear

wheels on trailer• Tiller operator

steers rear wheels• More maneuverable

Tillered Trucks

3–9



Discuss elevating platform apparatus.


3–10


• Platform leveling system• Minimum floor area of 14 square

feet (1.3 m2)• Rail completely enclosing floor

area with no opening under railing greater than 24 inches (610 mm)

• Two gates below top railing

Elevating Platform Requirements

(Continued)

3–11


• Kickplate at floor level (4 inches [100 mms] high)

• Drain openings• Two operator control stations• Backup hydraulic system• Heat protective shield


(Continued)

3–12


• Protective water fog curtain nozzle flowing at least 75 gpm (284 L/min)

• Load capacity of 750 pounds (340 kg) when device is fully extended

• Load capacity of 500 pounds (227 kg) when water delivery system is charged


(Continued)

3–13


• Water delivery system capable of discharging at least 1,000 gpm (3 785 L/min) when aerial is in any position

• Platforms 110 feet (34 m) or shorter should be raised to maximum elevation and extension and rotated 90 degrees in 150 seconds or less


3–14


Platform Equipment

3–15


• Similar to aerial ladder apparatus except that a working platform is attached to end of aerial ladder

• Combine safe work area with safe, climbable aerial ladder

• Commonly range in size from 85 to 100 feet (26 m to 34 m)

Aerial Ladder Platforms

(Continued)

3–16


Aerial Ladder Platforms

3–17


Telescoping Aerial Platforms

(Continued)

3–18


DISCUSSION QUESTION

What is the main difference between an aerial ladder platform and a telescoping aerial platform?

3–19


• Equipped with small ladder attached to boom

• Sizes range from 75 to 100 feet (23 m to 30 m)


(Continued)

3–20



• Two or more sections and are made of box-beam construction or tubular truss-beam construction


3–21


Box-Beam Construction

3–22



Tubular Truss Beam

3–23


• Boom sections connected by hinge; fold and unfold like an elbow

• Benefit — Platform can go “up and over”

• Range in height 55 to 85 feet (17 m to 26 m)

• Combination devices

Articulating Aerial Platforms

3–24


Articulating Aerial Platforms

3–25


Describe water towers.


3–26


• Telescoping or articulating devices

Water Towers

(Continued)

3–27


Courtesy of Ron JeffersCourtesy of Joel Woods, Maryland Fire and Rescue institute

• Movement of water and control of fire stream remotely controlled by driver/operator from ground level

• Fire streams deployed at a range of elevations from horizontal to 90 degrees from ground

Water Towers

(Continued)

3–28


• Sizes range from 50 to 130 feet (15 m to 40 m)

• Capable of maximum flows ranging from 1,000 to 5,000 gpm (4 000 L/min to 20 000 L/min)

• May be equipped with ladders

Water Towers

3–29


Describe the features and functions of a quint.


3–30


Quintuple Fire Apparatus

3–31


Criteria for a Quint

3–32


• Various sizes• Reasons for

equipping aerial apparatus with pumps

Quint

3–33


Identify the primary features of aerial devices.


3–34


• Must be constructed to perform safely and properly under a wide variety of fire and rescue emergencies

Ladder

3–35


• Used to create beams of ladder• Bars or rods that form rigid

framework• Constructed by several methods

and several materials• Triangles add strength• Permit tension and compression

Ladder Trusses

(Continued)

3–36


Ladder Trusses

3–37


Ladder Base

3–38


Ladder Fly

3–39


• Heat-treated aluminum alloy• Steel • Fastened by rivets, welded, or

heliarced

Ladder Construction

3–40


Ladder Base Rails

3–41


Ladder Rails

3–42


Ladder Rungs

3–43


Ladder Requirements

3–44


• Provide power for operating various hydraulic components needed to stabilize apparatus and operate aerial device

Aerial Device Hydraulic Systems

3–45


• Medium by which system transmits force

Hydraulic Fluid

3–46


• Creates force on hydraulic fluid• Powered by a power-take-off (PTO)• May be rotary vane or rotary gear

positive-displacement

Hydraulic Pump

3–47


• Supplies hydraulic fluid• Displaced fluid flows back into

reservoir• Supplies adequate amount of fluid• Supplemented by filters and

exchange-type oil coolers

Hydraulic Reservoir

3–48


• Supply hydraulic fluid• Steel tubing and aircraft-type,

steel-braided hose

Tubing and Hoses

3–49


• Control flow of hydraulic fluid• Start, stop, regulate, and direct

flow of fluid• Controlled manually, electrically,

hydraulically, mechanically, or by combination

Valves

(Continued)

3–50


• Check• Relief• Counterbalance• Selector • Actuator

Valves

(Continued)

3–51


• Monitor• Stack• Proportional directional control

Valves

3–52


• Used as actuators• Convert energy in system into

linear mechanical force or motion

Hydraulic Cylinders

3–53


DISCUSSION QUESTION

What types of cylinders are typically used on aerial devices?

3–54


Stabilizer Cylinders

3–55


Hoisting Cylinders

3–56


Photo by Pat McAuliff Photo by Pat McAuliff

DISCUSSION QUESTION

What is a trunnion?

3–57


Extension Cylinders

3–58


Photo by Pat McAuliff

Describe the cable systems, chains, slides, and rollers used by aerial apparatus.


3–59


• Rotational structural component• Continuous rotation on horizontal

plane• Constructed of rigid metal plates• Operator stands during operation• Contains lower control pedestal • Operates on large sheer ball-type

bearings

Turntable

(Continued)

3–60


Turntable

3–61


• Usually stand about 3½ feet (1.07 m) high

• Positioned on turntable• NFPA® 1901 requires a control

station in platforms• Sloping panel • Elevation, extension, and rotation

lever controls

Control Pedestals

3–62


DISCUSSION QUESTION

How are the control levers positioned on the pedestal?

3–63


• Engine speed switch• Light switch• Hydraulic oil pressure gauge• Hydraulic oil temperature gauge• Extension indicators• Stop and lock controls• Rung alignment indicator

Other Controls and Instruments

(Continued)

3–64


• Inclinometer• Engine starter switch• Communications equipment• Elevated master stream controls• Hydraulic lock valve• Switch for emergency operation

pump

Other Controls and Instruments

3–65


Discuss water delivery systems.


3–66


DISCUSSION QUESTION

What is the purpose of water delivery systems?

3–67


• Bed ladder systems• Telescoping waterway systems• Detachable ladder pipe systems

Pre-Piped Aerial Ladder Waterway

3–68


• Nontelescoping section of pipe• Usually 3 or 3½ inches (76 or 90

mm) diameter• Attached underside of bed section• Master stream nozzle attached to

end of pipe• Solid stream nozzles

Bed Ladder Systems

(Continued)

3–69


• Manually operated nozzles operated from tip of retracted aerial device or from the ground or turntable through the use of rope

• Gear-operated mechanism for raising and lowering fire stream

Bed Ladder Systems

(Continued)

3–70


Bed Ladder Systems

3–71


• Extend toward top of ladder• Consist of three or four sections

that reduce in diameter• Minimum internal diameter — 4

inches (100 mm)• Bottom end of piping connected to

additional piping through turntable

Telescoping Waterway Systems

(Continued)

3–72


• Swivel joint allows 360 degree rotation while flowing water

• Remote controlled fog nozzles operated by switches located near tip of fly section


(Continued)

3–73



3–74



• For aerials not equipped with pre-piped waterway systems

• Stored on truck• Attached only when needed• Main components• Designed to be clamped to top two

rungs of fly section

Detachable Ladder Pipe Systems

3–75


• Equipped with solid stream or fog nozzle

• Controlled at tip of ladder by firefighter

• Limited to flows of less than 750 gpm (3 000 L/min)

• Supplied by single 3- or 3½-inch (77 mm or 90 mm) hoseline


3–76


• Subject to excessive side twist due to backward thrust of solid or fog master stream

• Should not be operated from aerial positioned at 90 degree angle or vertical position


3–77


DISCUSSION QUESTION

At what degree should the ladder be placed to ensure the safest service and optimal stream penetration of a detachable ladder pipe?

3–78


• Similar to pre-piped ladder systems; difference - nozzle is located in platform

• Larger than aerial ladders due to greater load capacities of platforms

• Safer than aerial ladders• Two nozzles• Discharge

Elevating Platform Waterway Systems

3–79


• Designed specifically for deployment of elevated master streams

• Control of motion and nozzle from control panel

• Water most often comes from apparatus pump

• Equipped with number of options

Water Tower Systems

3–80


Identify communication systems.


3–81


• Used for firefighters at tip to communicate with driver/operator at turntable control station

• Consist of “hands-free” transmitter/receiver at tip of ladder in elevating platform and second transmitter/receiver at turntable

Communication Systems

(Continued)

3–82


• Have not always been required• Required by NFPA® 1901

Communication Systems

3–83



Describe breathing air systems.


3–84


• Allow one or more firefighters operating at tip to breath clean air without need to don SCBA

• Components• Not required by NFPA® 1901, does

contain requirements

Breathing Air Systems

3–85


Compare various apparatus-mounted special systems.


3–86


• Power floodlights and other electrical tools & equipment

• Portable generators• Vehicle-mounted

generators

Electric Power Generation Equipment

3–87



• Portable lights• Fixed lights

Scene Lighting

3–88


Photo by Pat McAuliff Photo by Pat McAuliff

• Electrical power cords• Junction boxes• Adapters

Power Distribution Equipment

3–89





Hydraulic Extrication Tool Systems

(Continued)

3–90




DISCUSSION QUESTION

What are the most common types of hydraulic powered tools?

3–91


• Primary tools used in extrication situations

• Receive power from hydraulic fluid supplied hoses from a pump

Hydraulic Extrication Tool Systems

3–92


Describe the portable equipment carried on aerial apparatus.


3–93


• Used when aerial ladder can’t reach, additional ladders are needed, or only ground ladders are needed

• Include — Attic, roof, and extension ladders

• Extension ladder 40 feet (12 m) or longer

Ground Ladders

3–94


• NFPA® 1901 minimum requirements– Flathead axes– Pickhead axes– Pike poles– Plaster hooks– Crowbars– Claw tools

Forcible Entry Equipment

(Continued)

3–95


• NFPA® 1901 minimum requirements– Sledgehammers – Hacksaws and keyhole saws– Wrenches– Hammers– Snipes and pliers– Screwdrivers


(Continued)

3–96


• May also be carried– Rotary, reciprocating,

and chain saws– Hydraulic door openers– Cutting torches


3–97


• Exhaust fans (smoke ejectors)

• Positive-pressure blowers

Ventilation Equipment

3–98


• Salvage and overhaul• Loss control• Additional equipment

Salvage, Overhaul, and Loss Control Equipment

3–99


• Portable hand lights• Portable fire extinguishers• Water extinguishers• Multiple SCBA units• Spare SCBA cylinders• Medical kit• Spanner wrenches

Additional Equipment

(Continued)

3–100


• Bolt cutters• Ladder belts• Light-use life safety rope• General-use life safety rope• Utility rope• Wheel chocks

Additional Equipment

3–101


Summary

• It is important that aerial apparatus driver/operators understand the various varieties of apparatus they may be required to operate.

• The aerial apparatus driver/operator should be familiar with the entire apparatus and its operation.

(Continued)

3–102


• The driver/operator should know his/her equipment, its proper operation, and regular equipment maintenance based on manufacturer’s recommendations.

Summary

3–103


Review Questions

1.What are the main uses of aerial ladders?2.How do aerial ladder platforms operate?3.What is a water tower?

(Continued)

3–104


Review Questions

4.To what three main portions of an aerial ladder do firefighters and driver/operators commonly refer?5.What is the purpose of an auxiliary hydraulic pump?6. What controls and instruments may be located on the control pedestal?

(Continued)

3–105


7. What is the purpose of a fixed breathing air system?

8. What advantages and disadvantages are presented by inverters?9. What ventilation equipment may be required on an aerial apparatus?

Review Questions

3–106


Education

Chapter 03