Code of practice for selection, operation and maintenance of trailer fire pumps, portable pumps, water tenders and motor fire engines

IS 6070: Scope - Key Specifications and Tables

1. Scope of Operations (Clause 9.1 & Table 3)

Table 3 defines operations possible for various fire appliances:

*Foam operations require portable foam equipment and compound.

**Water level must be within specified depth and retentivity satisfactory.

2. Scale of Pumping Units (Clause 3.2, Table 2)

IS 6070: General Requirements Summary

IS 6070 (1983) covers selection, operation, and maintenance of trailer fire pumps, portable pumps, water tenders, and motor fire engines.

Key Points:

• Water Supply: Requirements per IS 9668-1980.
• Ancillary Equipment: Must be tested as per relevant IS standards.
• Applicability: Guidelines apply to fire pumps and engines ensuring readiness and proper maintenance.
• Selection Principles: Equipment suitability depends on specific fire risk and operational needs.
• Manpower & Media: Adequate trained personnel and extinguishing media are mandatory.
• Rounding Off: Follow IS 2-1960 for numerical values.

Typical Parameters for Fire Pumps (from IS 6070 & related codes):

Formula for Pump Power (approximate):

[ P = \frac{\rho \times g \times Q \times H}{\eta \times 1000} ]

Where:

• (P) = Power (kW)
• (\rho) = Density of water (1000 kg/m³)
• (g) = Gravity (9.81 m/s²)
• (Q) = Flow rate (m³/s)
• (H) = Total head (m)
• (\eta) = Pump efficiency (decimal)

Maintenance & Testing:

• Follow IS specified tests for ancillary equipment.
• Regular functional checks to ensure immediate readiness.
• Maintain water supply as per IS 9668.

flowchart LR
    A[Fire Risk] --> B[Select Suitable Pump]
    B --> C{Pump Type}
    C --> D[Trailer Fire Pump]
    C --> E[Portable Pump]
    C --> F[Motor Fire Engine]
    B --> G[Check Water Supply (IS 9668)]
    B --> H[Ensure Manpower & Media]
    B --> I[Regular

IS 6070: Scale and Location of Pumping Units

Key Definitions (Clause 3.1)

• Pumping Unit: Appliance with capacity ≥ 1800 l/min at 0.7 MN/m² (7 kgf/cm²) pressure and 3 m lift.

Scale of Pumping Units (Clause 3.2, Table 2)

• Note: For populations with only one authorized unit, provide an additional reserve unit.
• One extra pumping unit for every additional lakh population or part thereof.
• Provide at least one water tender (~9000 liters) and portable pump.

Location & Spacing (Clause 9.11.2)

• Spacing depends on:
  • Pump capacity
  • Number of hose lines
  • Hose diameter & type

Summary:

• Minimum pump capacity: 1800 l/min at 7 kgf/cm², 3 m lift.
• Number of units: Based on population per Table 2.
• Reserve units: Always keep at least one reserve.
• Additional units: One per extra lakh population.
• Water tender: Minimum 9000 liters capacity.

flowchart LR
    A[Population] --> B[Determine No. of Pumping Units]
    B --> C[Calculate Aggregate Capacity]
    C --> D[Deploy Pumping Units]
    D --> E[Ensure Reserve Unit]
    E --> F[Provide Water Tender & Portable Pump]

This ensures adequate fire-fighting capacity per urban population scale as per IS 6070.

IS 6070: Housing and Facilities for Pumping Units – Key Points

1. Pumping Unit Definition (Clause 3.1)

• Capacity: ≥ 1800 l/min at 0.7 MN/m² (7 kgf/cm²) pressure
• Lift: 3 m
• Used to calculate number of fire appliances required.

2. Housing Requirements (Clause 4.1)

• Protection from weather.
• Facilities for in-service maintenance.
• Unobstructed, speedy turnout (clear road access).

3. Number of Pumping Units (Clause 3.2 & Table 2)

• *For populations > 0.5 lakh, add 1 pumping unit per additional lakh or fraction.
• Extra water tender (~9,000 liters) + portable pump recommended.

Summary Formula for Number of Pumping Units:

[ \text{No. of Units} = \begin{cases} 2 & \text{for } P \leq 0.5 \text{ lakh (1 reserve)} \ 2 + \lceil P - 1 \rceil & \text{for } P > 0.5 \text{ lakh} \end{cases} ]

where (P) = population in lakhs.

This ensures adequate firefighting capacity and operational readiness.

IS 6070: Crew Requirements and Duties - Key Points

Crew Requirements (Clause 5.1 & 5.1.1)

• Number of men per appliance: Determined by
  • Appliance size & design
  • Function(s) performed
  • Accessibility to water sources
  • Total appliances at station
  • Fire advisory council recommendations
• Standard crew size: Normally 6 firemen per pumping unit (Clause 5.1.1)

Daily Checks by Crew (Clause 9.2)

• Water tank/hose-reel tank: Keep full
• Engine radiator & auxiliary tanks: Keep full
• Fuel tank: Keep full
• Tyres: Check correct inflation; pressure marked on mudguards
• Engine oil level: Check dip-stick mark
• Battery: Top up distilled water, check electrolyte specific gravity, ensure tight connections
• First-aid hose-reel: Ensure free rotation, tubing filled and nozzle shut
• Ancillary equipment: Verify inventory and stowage

Weekly Routine (Clause 11.2)

• Refer to Table 4 for detailed weekly tasks (not provided here)
• Includes inspections beyond daily routine

Summary Table for Crew Size

flowchart TD
    A[Determine Crew Size] --> B{Consider Factors}
    B --> C[Appliance Size]
    B --> D[Design & Function]
    B --> E[Water Supply Access]
    B --> F[Total Appliances]
    B --> G[Fire Advisory Recommendations]
    A --> H[Assign Crew - Normally 6 Men]

This ensures safe, efficient appliance operation and maintenance per IS 6070.

IS 6070: Water Supply Key Points

1. Pumping Units Scale (Clause 3.2, Table 2)

• Note: One additional pumping unit per 1 lakh population or part thereof.
• Reserve pump mandatory if only one unit authorized.
• Water tender with ~9,000 liters capacity and portable pump required (minimum one unit).

2. Water Delivery Methods for Firefighting (Clauses 9.6, 9.8, 9.10)

• From Hydrants (9.6): Used for class A fires, cooling, or wet drills; dependent on external hydrant supply.
• From Open Static or Natural Sources (9.8): Used when water tender's tank capacity is exceeded; excludes wells.
• From Wells (9.10): Allowed if water level is adequate.

Summary Diagram of Water Supply Sources for Firefighting

graph LR
A[Fire Fighting Operations] --> B[Water Tender Tank]
B --> C{External Water Source?}
C -->|Yes| D[Hydrant Supply]
C -->|Yes| E[Open Static/Natural Source (except wells)]
C -->|Yes| F[Wells (if water level adequate)]
C -->|No| B

Use IS 6070 Table 2 for pump sizing based on population, and follow Clauses 9.6-9.10 for source-specific water delivery during firefighting.

IS 6070: Foam Compound & Portable Foam Making Equipment

Key Specifications (Clause 7.1)

• Foam Compound: Must conform to IS 4989-1974.
• Portable Foam Making Equipment: Must conform to IS 2097-1983.
• Foam compound supply: Max 500 litres, stored in 20 litres polythene jerrycans.
• Used for fighting Class B fires (flammable liquids) as per IS 2190-1979.

Operating Pressure (Clauses 9.5.1 & 9.7.1)

• Pump pressure: 0.7 MN/m² (7 kgf/cm²) + friction loss compensation before delivery.
• Portable foam equipment connected in place of water jet/spray nozzle on hose line.
• Fog nozzles can be connected simultaneously if foam fog is needed.

Post-operation Maintenance

• Thoroughly flush all hoses and foam equipment after use to prevent clogging and damage.

Summary Table

flowchart LR
    Pump -->|Pressure 0.7 MN/m² + losses| Hose_Line
    Hose_Line -->|Foam Equipment (IS 2097)| Foam_Making_Unit
    Hose_Line -->|Fog Nozzle (optional)| Fog_Unit
    Foam_Making_Unit --> Fire
    Fog_Unit --> Fire
    Fire -->|Extinguishing| Outcome

This setup ensures effective foam generation for flammable liquid fires with proper equipment and pressure as per IS 6070.

IS 6070: Spare Parts & Ancillary Equipment - Key Points

1. Spare Parts (Clause 8.1)

• Provide adequate spare parts for chassis, engine, and pump at each station.
• Essential where parts are not readily available.
• Ensures quick maintenance and operational readiness.

2. Ancillary Equipment (Clause 12.1.1)

• Must be tested per relevant Indian Standards.
• Testing includes vacuum and pressure tests (see Clause 12.1.3).

3. Maintenance & Testing (Clause 11.3 & 12.1.3)

4. Nozzle Sizes for Pumps (Table 7, Clause 12.1.2(c))

Summary Diagram: Spare Parts & Ancillary Equipment Flow

flowchart TD
    A[Provision of Spare Parts] --> B[Maintenance at Stations]
    B --> C{Parts Availability?}
    C -- Yes --> D[Routine Maintenance]
    C -- No --> E[Stock Adequate Spares]
    D --> F[Testing Ancillary Equipment]
    F --> G[Vacuum & Pressure Tests]
    E --> F

Ensure:

• Spare parts stock based on pump size & usage.
• Ancillary equipment tested as per IS standards.
• Regular maintenance schedule followed for reliability.

IS 6070: Operation of Fire Pumps and Appliances — Key Points

1. Pumping Unit Definition (Clause 3.1)

• Capacity: ≥ 1800 l/min at 0.7 MN/m² (7 kgf/cm²)
• Lift: 3 m minimum
• Used to calculate required number of fire appliances.

2. Operation Possibilities (Table 3, Clause 7.1 & 9)

* Requires portable foam-making equipment and foam compound.

3. Pump Testing & Maintenance (Clause 12.1.2)

• Pumps must sustain 0.7 MN/m² (7 kgf/cm²) pressure for 15 minutes.
• Pump gland adjustment: Allow drip of ~30 drops/min under pressure.

IS 6070: Pump Faults and Troubleshooting - Key Points & Formulas

1. Pump Gauge Interpretation (Clause 10.2.1)

2. Pump Priming Faults (Clause 10.2.3)

• Zero vacuum on compound gauge (Leak on suction side):
  • Check suction strainer submerged 450 mm below water surface
  • Check valves, by-pass valves, primer engagement, engine speed, pump gland leaks, air leaks in suction hose
• High vacuum on compound gauge (Obstruction on suction side):
  • Clean basket/metal strainers
  • Replace suction hose if internal collapse suspected

3. Vacuum Gauge Reading Changes

• Increase: Drop in water level, increased pump delivery, partial strainer blockage
• Decrease: Rise in water level, decreased pump delivery

4. Pump Gland Adjustment (Clause 12.1.2)

• Maintain pump gland drip rate: ~30 drops/min at 0.7 MN/m² (7 kgf/cm²) pressure
• Ensure gland is not overtightened to stop drip

Troubleshooting Flow (Simplified)

flowchart TD
    A[Pump Fails to Prime] --> B{Compound Gauge Reading}
    B -->|Zero Vacuum| C[Check for leaks in suction line]
    B -->|High Vacuum| D[Check for obstruction in suction line]
    C --> E[Check suction strainer submerged 450mm]
    C --> F[Check valves & primer engagement]
    D --> G[Clean strainers]
    D --> H[Replace suction hose]

Summary:

• Suction strainer depth: 450 mm

IS 6070: Maintenance Key Points & Tables

1. Daily Routine Maintenance (Clause 11.1)

• Clean and polish all painted, unpainted, chromium, and steel parts.
• Retouch scratched paint; revarnish wooden ladders.
• Sharpen cutting edges of tools.
• Check locker doors, hinges, locks, lids, and covers.
• Inspect plumbing in hose-reel tanks for leaks.
• Clean and polish portable fire extinguishers.
• Check drain cocks and valves for proper function.
• Lubricate centrifugal pump, valve spindles, linkages, auxiliary throttle, and rotary primers.

2. Weekly Maintenance Tasks (Clause 11.2) - Sample from TABLE 4

3. Periodic Maintenance (Clause 11.3)

IS 6070: Testing of Pumps and Ancillary Equipment – Key Points

1. Pump Testing (Clause 12.1.2)

• Pressure Test: Pump must sustain pressure of 0.7 MN/m² (7 kgf/cm²) for 15 minutes without failure.
• Pump Gland Leakage: Allow a drip rate of 30 drops/min at 0.7 MN/m² pressure; gland adjusted accordingly.
• Check for Leakage:
  • Pump glands (loose/defective)
  • Gauge connections
  • Delivery outlet valves
  • Heat exchanger valves

2. Pump Capacity (Clause 3.1)

• Minimum pumping capacity for a fire appliance:
  • 1,800 l/min at 0.7 MN/m² (7 kgf/cm²) pressure
  • Lift: 3 m

3. Ancillary Equipment Testing (Clause 12.1.1)

• Tested as per relevant IS standards (e.g., hoses, valves).

Summary Table: Pump Test Parameters

flowchart TD
    A[Start Pump Test] --> B[Apply 0.7 MN/m² Pressure]
    B --> C{Sustain Pressure for 15 min?}
    C -->|Yes| D[Check Gland Leakage]
    C -->|No| E[Investigate & Repair]
    D --> F{Leakage ≤ 30 drops/min?}
    F -->|Yes| G[Test Passed]
    F -->|No| E

This ensures pump reliability and safety in firefighting operations.