ESCONDIDO FIRE DEPT TRAINING MANUAL Section DRIVER OPERATOR Page 1 of Sutphen Elevating Platform Revised

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Claire Crawford
5 years ago
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DRIVER OPERATOR Page 1 of 5 ELEVATING PLATFORM The platform is suspended in the yoke, anchored on each side with

The SPH 100 has a rated capacity of 1000lbs with the stabilizers at their maximum extension.

During water operation the capacity is de-rated to 500lbs and two firefighters.

1 DRIVER OPERATOR Page 1 of 5 ELEVATING PLATFORM The platform is suspended in the yoke, anchored on each side with special self- aligning bearings and special high-tensile steel bolts. The SPH 100 has a rated capacity of 1000lbs with the stabilizers at their maximum extension. That capacity is good for maximum extension at any elevation. During water operation the capacity is de-rated to 500lbs and two firefighters. The aerial has been designed to operate in level conditions up to 5 side to side and 20 front to rear. The aerial will also operate in winds as high as 50 mph. The tower can be elevated from minus 6 to plus 80 from the horizontal while in any position of extension and any position of rotation

Air is piped from the regulator by a heavy-duty air hose through a cable track located in the boom to the platform. In the platform, there is an air filter, and three air connections are provided.

2 DRIVER OPERATOR Page 2 of 5 Air Masks in Platform A life support breathing system is installed on the aerial platform. This consists of a 4500-psi air cylinder mounted in brackets on the ladder, a shutoff valve, and a constant flow air regulator. Air is piped from the regulator by a heavy-duty air hose through a cable track located in the boom to the platform. In the platform, there is an air filter, and three air connections are provided. Air to the mask can be regulated from the air supply cylinder by presetting the regulator at approximately 120 psi. Once the air pressure regulator has been set, all that is required to provide air to the platform is to turn air on at the air cylinder valve. The air valve should always be turned off when not in use. An air drain valve is provided on the bottom of the filter and should be opened briefly and periodically to expel any moisture which may be captured in the filter. This should be done with the air system turned on. Located at the pedestal and platform are low air warning devices. They will sound an audible alarm when breathing air pressure is low. Personnel using the air should move to a nonhazardous area when the alarm sounds. There is a silence button located on the platform control station and one located on the pedestal control station that will temporarily silence the platform alarm or the pedestal alarm. The alarm will activate below 900 PSI but can be silenced. Once the pressure reaches 300 PSI it can no longer be silenced. The alarm will automatically sound after two minutes, when silenced, if the air is still low.

DRIVER OPERATOR Page 3 of 5 Floodlights in Platform and Pedestal Lighting is important for safe operation of the truck.

As mentioned previously in the Elevating Platform section, the platform lights, both 12- volt and 120-volt are stored in the On position.

The 12-volt light on the basket will illuminate only when both the Upper Power and boom light switches are on.

3 DRIVER OPERATOR Page 3 of 5 Floodlights in Platform and Pedestal Lighting is important for safe operation of the truck. The two lighting systems, the unit and the generator powered lights, should be used simultaneously to provide maximum illumination. As mentioned previously in the Elevating Platform section, the platform lights, both 12- volt and 120-volt are stored in the On position. The 120-volt lights will illuminate when the generator is engaged. The 12-volt lights will illuminate when the Upper Power switch is turned on. The 12-volt light on the basket will illuminate only when both the Upper Power and boom light switches are on. If the 120-volt lights do not illuminate, check the following items: generator PTO engaged, individual light switches on, and circuit breakers in the generator compartment in the On position. Platform Mounting and Leveling System The platform is maintained in a level position relative to the turntable at all times. This is accomplished by a self-contained electro-hydraulic system, eliminating any hydraulic lines up the tower. This system operates the hydraulic leveling motor. The pivot point of the platform is above the centerline of the platform, providing a pendulum effect, reducing the energy required to level the platform. The system is electrically activated and kept level during any function of the tower. The pendulum effect of the platform will keep the platform level. This is an exclusive safety feature of this aerial. Leveling System Override In case of failure, there is one needle valve (1) located on the left side on the inside wall of the platform (1). Open this valve 1/4 of a turn and the hydraulic cylinder will operate with the weight in the platform, thus keeping the platform level.

DRIVER OPERATOR Page 4 of 5 Leveling System Disable & Emergency Stop In the platform also, is a toggle switch under a red cover. This is a two-minute momentary disable for the leveling system.

This appears similar to the Platform Control Emergency Stop on the pedestal. It does not affect any other platform control besides the leveling system.

Platform Water System The waterway, through which water from the intake is transferred to the platform, is a five section telescopic aluminum waterway designed for dependable service.

4 DRIVER OPERATOR Page 4 of 5 Leveling System Disable & Emergency Stop In the platform also, is a toggle switch under a red cover. This is a two-minute momentary disable for the leveling system. It can be useful when flowing and adjusting master streams. The red knob in the same area is an Emergency Stop knob for the leveling system only. This appears similar to the Platform Control Emergency Stop on the pedestal. It does not affect any other platform control besides the leveling system. It is also different in that it illuminates when activated (by pressing it in). To release depress and lift until released. Platform Water System The waterway, through which water from the intake is transferred to the platform, is a five section telescopic aluminum waterway designed for dependable service. It is located within the aerial sections, mounted and cushioned, to eliminate any undue stress under normal operations. Water passes from the turntable area into the ladder way through a large stainless steel flex tube, which is directly attached to the waterway. Special packing gland seals are provided on each section of the waterway to assure proper sealing. There are two turrets with nozzles provided on each side of the platform. Gear-driven butterfly valves are installed ahead of the turrets to allow smooth control of the water coming to the turrets, eliminating the possibility of surges (water hammer) through the waterway system. The combination nozzle, GPM, is stored with the gate valve open in a fog pattern pointed down. The smooth bore nozzle is always stored with the gate valve in the closed position and has tip sizes 2, 1 ¾, 1 ½ and 1 3/8. The water system is rated for up to 2000 GPM. The rating in the bucket, while waterway is charged or flowing water, is 500 lbs. Both nozzles may be operated simultaneously or individually. The nozzles are rated to deliver the capacity of the turrets.

5 DRIVER OPERATOR Page 5 of 5 The nozzles can be operated simultaneously or one at a time. If both nozzles are being operated simultaneously at maximum gallonage, the degree of the turret stream angle relative to the platform must not exceed 45. If only one turret is being operated, it is permissible to operate at a 90 angle relative to the platform. There are auxiliary connections on the water system at the platform for standpipe operations. They are 2 ½ inches with a 1 ½-inch reducer and cap. They are controlled by closing the butterfly valve on the turret; then controlling the water flow of these connections with the gate valve ahead of the hose connection. Before retracting the tower, make sure that the nozzles and the waterway drain are open to avoid compressing the water in the waterway. Failure to do so can result in serious damage to the waterway. Should the operator fail to open the drain valve, two relief valves are installed in the waterway system. One set at 250 PSI is located lower section of the piping and an upper relief valve set at 165 PSI. The Escondido Fire Department policy is that the waterway drain is always open unless you are flowing water through the tower. Water Curtain Affixed to the underside of the basket is a small nozzle. This nozzle acts as a water curtain. It is operated by a hand valve inside the platform. It is designed to flow 75 GPM to a 25 ft. diameter circle below the platform. While a part of the truck, the crews are strongly discouraged in placing themselves over a thermal column or fire. This should be thought of as an emergency device and may help until the basket can be moved to a safe location.

ESCONDIDO FIRE DEPT TRAINING MANUAL Section DRIVER OPERATOR Page 1 of Sutphen Aerial Operations Revised

ESCONDIDO FIRE DEPT TRAINING MANUAL Section DRIVER OPERATOR Page 1 of Sutphen Aerial Operations Revised DRIVER OPERATOR Page 1 of 12 2014 Sutphen Aerial Operations Revised 12-11-17 PROCEDURES FOR ELEVATING THE PLATFORM Placing the aerial platform into service requires qualified personnel trained in the proper