Salient Characteristics Draft Commander.pdf

Salient Characteristics for a Mobile Fire Pump Testing & Training Unit

1. General Description

The unit shall be a mobile fire pump testing and training system capable of performing true pump tests from draft, creating a suction lift requiring the use of a primer in accordance with NFPA 1911 (2017 Edition). The system must support pump testing up to 3,000 GPM and allow training operations using recycled water.

The document states the system “performs a true pump test from draft creating a suction lift requiring the use of a primer as per NFPA 1911-2017 Edition” and is designed for “flowing clean clear water… up to 3000 GPM.”

2. Transporter Requirements

The mobile transporter shall meet the following minimum characteristics:

2.1 Construction & Dimensions

• Purpose-built, heavy-duty aluminum transporter engineered for low profile, proper weight distribution, and safe towing.

• Minimum 80-inch wide heavy-duty main frame with ½-inch extruded bed railing.

• Overall dimensions (empty):

o Weight: ≤ 6,500 lbs o Height: ≤ 87 inches o Width: ≤ 102 inches o Length: ≤ 27 feet

2.2 Axles & Support

• Two 7,000-lb rubber torsion axles with electric brakes; mounted to a steel tube subframe.

• Four 7,000-lb screw-type stabilizing jacks (two per side).

• One 12,000-lb tongue jack.

2.3 Storage & Access

• Two front aluminum storage compartments, each approx. 30" W × 29" D × 44" H, with three-point latching doors.

• Minimum 24-inch space between compartments and reservoir front for spare tire and cooling access.

2.4 Lighting & Safety

• LED stop, tail, turn, ICC, and work lights.

• Rear crossbar with elevated LED lighting.

• DOT-approved reflective tape on all sides.

2.5 Flooring & Fenders

• 2-inch extruded aluminum tongue-and-groove flooring (wood or steel not acceptable).

• Aluminum tread-plate fenders with integrated steps.

2.6 Hitch

• Adjustable 2-5/16" ball or pintle-type towing connection.

3. Water Reservoir Requirements

A minimum 3,000-gallon capacity reservoir meeting the following:

3.1 Construction

• Heavy-duty poly material for all internal and external surfaces.

• “T-shaped” design, securely mounted to prevent shifting while allowing flex with transporter.

3.2 Drafting Pit & Internal Flow Control

• Integrated drafting pit with four anti-swirl plates.

• Internal cavitation-control baffles made of ½-inch or thicker poly, welded to withstand high-volume flow.

• System designed to eliminate air disturbance and maintain proper draft depth.

The document notes the reservoir includes a section that “removes cavitations/disturbance and air from the water… preventing water disturbance and air swirls causing the apparatus to lose prime.”

3.3 Cooling & Ventilation

• Integrated water-cooling system with:

o Two 2½-inch inlets o One 4-inch warm-water discharge with gate valve

• Front and rear ventilators with hinged polypropylene doors and hold-open devices.

3.4 Additional Features

• UV-rated net cover for open reservoir area.

• Removable inspection plates at all four corners.

• Rub rails on all sides.

• Rear sump drain with 2½-inch gate valve.

• Two liquid sight gauges at rear drafting pit.

4. Drafting System

4.1 Drafting Tubes & Swivels

• Two 6-inch drafting tubes with heavy-duty 45° aluminum 360° swivels (PVC not acceptable).

• Each swivel equipped with grease fittings and ¾-inch vacuum breaker controlled at rear.

4.2 Hard Suction Hose

• Two 17-ft sections of 6-inch clear hard suction hose, preconnected.

• Two 10-ft sections of 6-inch clear hard suction hose.

• Two 10-ft sections of 2½-inch clear hard suction hose.

• Aluminum hose trays with hold-down straps.

• Full-length aluminum support rails around reservoir perimeter.

• Fold-out support bars (left and right) for weight distribution during testing.

5. Flow Measurement & Discharge System

5.1 Inlet Manifolds

• Two 4-inch aluminum manifolds, one per side, color-coded.

• Each equipped with:

o 5-inch Storz male connection o Three 45° 2½-inch swivels o Quarter-turn drain valves

5.2 Pitot Compartments

• Two large pitot compartments with hinged poly doors, splash guards, diffuser tips, and quick-disconnect fittings.

• Chrome grab handles.

• Color-coded left/right.

5.3 Pressure Relief

• Two NFPA-compliant pressure relief valves (drip at 120 PSI, full discharge at 135

PSI).

6. Monitoring & Test Instrumentation

6.1 Master Monitor Station

• Portable monitoring station approx. 20" W × 18" H × 6" D.

• Aluminum tripod mount.

• Gauges (all glycerin-filled, freeze/clog resistant, calibrated with certificates):

o Two 0–160 PSI pitot gauges o One 0–30" vacuum gauge o One 0–400 PSI pressure gauge

• Color-coded bezels and hose fittings.

• Two 30-ft high-pressure pitot hoses.

• Two 10-ft high-pressure hoses for UL test ports.

• Integrated flow and conversion charts.

7. Hose Storage & Miscellaneous Equipment

• Rear storage compartment approx. 35½" W × 33¼" H × 28" D, ventilated, with three-point latch.

• Capacity for six 50-ft sections of 3-inch hose plus tools.

8. Integrated Fire Hose Tester

• Gas-powered hose tester with minimum 5.5-HP engine.

• Capable of testing hoses up to 6-inch diameter.

• Stainless steel manifold with four independently controlled ¼-turn valves.

• Master gauge (0–600 PSI) and four individual 0–600 PSI gauges.

• Includes NST caps with bleeder valves and Storz adapters.

• Permanently mounted and preconnected to reservoir.

9. Included Accessories

The system shall include, at minimum:

• Mounted spare tire with UV-rated cover

• Full-size UV-rated protective cover for entire unit

• Gauge test kit (pitot, pressure, vacuum gauges with fittings)

• High-pressure pump test kit for high-pressure apparatus

• Six 50-ft sections of 3-inch double-jacket hose (600-PSI test)

• Multiple NST adapters (6"→5", 6"→4½", 6"→4", 5" Storz→2½")

• 30° 6-inch waterway elbow for strain relief

• Rubber mallet, T-handle wrench, spanner wrenches, hydrant wrench

10. Other Equipment

• Handline nozzle tester (30–500 GPM range)

• Gauge calibration services