Introduction to Apparatus
Inspection and Maintenance
Chapter 3

Fire Apparatus
• Fire Apparatus must always be ready to
respond.
• Regardless of whether the truck responds to
an emergency call once an hour or once a
month.
• It must also be capable of performing in the
manner for which it was designed at a
moment’s notice.

Maintenance
• Keeping apparatus in a state of usefulness
or readiness.
• The driver/operator should be able to
perform basic maintenance functions.

Repair
• Restoring or replacing that which has
become inoperable.
• Repair functions are carried out by qualified
mechanics.

Preventive Maintenance
• Ensures apparatus reliability
• Reduction in the frequency and cost of
repairs
• Cuts the out-of-service time

Purpose of Preventive
Maintenance
• To try to eliminate unexpected and
catastrophic apparatus failures that could be
life and/or property threatening.

FD Maintenance SOP’s
• Who should perform certain maintenance
functions
• When maintenance and inspection should
be performed
• How detected problems should be corrected

FD Maintenance SOP’s
• What items driver/operators are responsible
for checking and which conditions they are
allowed to correct on their own
• How the process should be documented and
transmitted to the proper person

Maintenance & Inspection
Records
• May be needed in a warranty claim to
document that the necessary maintenance
was performed
• Are likely to be scrutinized by accident
investigators in the event of an accident
• Can assist in the decision whether to
purchase new apparatus in lieu of continued
repairs

Keeping Your Apparatus
Clean
• Ensures good public relations
• Facilitates inspection
• Promotes a longer vehicle life
• Keeps the oncoming shift happy

Keeping Your Apparatus
Clean
• Over cleaning when using any combination
of degreasing agents, steam cleaners, and/or
pressure washing equipment on the
underside of the apparatus can remove
lubrication from the chassis, engine, pump,
and aerial device components and cause
unnecessary wear

Washing Your Apparatus
• Use only cold water during the first 6
months, this in effect hardens the paint &
keeps it from spotting
• Use a garden hose without a nozzle
• Set the pressure so that that the stream from
the end of the hose is no more than 1 foot in
length…

Washing Your Apparatus
• Never remove dust or grit by dry rubbing
• Use a good grade automotive shampoo,
while following the directions on the
container
• Never use extremely hot water or while the
surface of the vehicle is hot

Washing Your Apparatus
• Rinse as much of the loose dirt from the vehicle as
possible prior to washing with shampoo
• Try to wash mud, dirt, grease, and road salts off
the vehicle before they have a chance to dry
• Never use gasoline or other solvents to remove
grease or tar from the painted surfaces
• Dry with a clean chamois rinsed frequently with
clean water

Washing Your Apparatus
• Once a new vehicles finish is properly
cured (according to the owners
manual), you may then use garden hoses
with nozzles or pressure washers may be
used to speed the cleaning of the apparatus
• Always be sure to hand wash with soapy
water on a regular basis to ensure proper
cleanliness

Glass Care
• Use warm soapy water or commercial glass
cleaners with paper towels or cloth rags
• Never use dry rags or towels by their selves,
because they may allow grit to scratch the
surface
• Never use putty knives, razor blades, steel
wool or other metal objects to clean the
glass or remove deposits

Interior Cleaning
• Make sure the vehicle is well ventilated
when using any cleaning products inside the
cab or crew riding area
• Do not use volatile cleaning agents, such as
acetone, lacquer thinner, enamel reducer,
nail polish remover, laundry detergent,
bleach, gasoline, naphtha or tetrachloride to
clean interior surfaces

Waxing
• Follow the apparatus manufacturer’s
instructions regarding the application of
wax or similar polishes
• On many newer apparatus the application of
these products is no longer necessary, and
in fact may damage clear-coat protective-seal
finishes that are applied over paints

Waxing
• Do not apply waxes or polishes until the
paint is at least six months old
• Wash & dry the apparatus before applying
polish or wax
• Apply wax or polish with a soft cloth and
buff with a soft cloth or mechanical buffer

Specific Components
& Systems Maintenance

Clutch Free Play
• Is the distance that the pedal must be
pushed before the throw-out bearing
actually contacts the clutch release fingers
• Insufficient free play shortens the life of the
throw-out bearing and causes the clutch to
slip, overheat, and wear out sooner than
necessary

Clutch Free Play
• Excessive free play may result in the clutch
not releasing completely, which can cause
harsh shifting, gear clash, and damage to
the gear teeth

Steering Wheel Free Play
• Steering wheel play should be no more than
10 degrees in either direction

Steering Wheel Free Play
• On a steering wheel with a 20-inch
diameter,this will mean a play of about 20
inches in either direction
• Play that exceeds these parameters could
indicate a serious steering problem that
could result in the driver/operator losing
control of the apparatus under otherwise
reasonable driving conditions

Braking Systems
• Most modern large fire apparatus are
equipped with air-operated braking systems
• Smaller late-model and some older large
apparatus are equipped with hydraulic
braking systems
• Most newer apparatus regardless of the
brake system, are equipped with antilock
braking systems (ABS)

Braking Systems
• ABS reduces the possibility of the apparatus
being thrown into a skid when the brakes
are fully applied
• On apparatus equipped with air brakes, the
air pressure should build to sufficient level
to allow vehicle operations within 60
seconds of starting

Braking Systems
• New apparatus should be able to come to a
complete stop from a speed of 20 mph in a
distance not to exceed 35 feet
• The parking brake should hold the
apparatus in place on grades up to 20%

Braking Systems
• Apparatus with air brakes are to be
equipped with an air protection valve that
prevents the air horns from being operated
when the pressure in the air reservoir drops
below 80 psi

Electrical Load Management
System (ELMS)
• The purpose of the apparatus ELMS is to
prevent an overload of the vehicles
electrical generation system
• The ELMS load sequencer turns various
lights on at specified intervals so that the
start-up electrical load for all of the devices
does not occur at the same time

Electrical Load Management
System (ELMS)
• The ELMS monitor “watches” the system
for added electrical loads that threaten
threaten to overload the system
• If and when an overload condition occurs,
the ELMS monitor shuts down less
important electrical equipment to prevent
overloading. This process is called load
shedding

Chains
• During periods of inclement weather (ice,
snow, sleet & such forecast), it may be
desirable to activate the chains and make
sure they are operating properly

Windshield Washer Fluid
Reservoir
• It is recommended that the windshield
washer fluid reservoir be refilled any time it
is less than ½ full
• Windshield washer fluids are commercially
available, and compatibility from one brand
to another is usually not a concern

Chassis
• To select the proper chassis lubricant,
consider the requirements of the unit to be
lubricated, the characteristics of the
lubricants, and the manufacturer’s
recommendations
• The manufacturer’s manual will
“recommend” the Society of Automotive
Engineers (SAE) numbers for the engine oil

Chassis
• The SAE number indicates only the oil’s
viscosity
• Essential characteristics of oil are corrosion
protection, foaming, sludging, and carbon
accumulation, which may be controlled by
the refiner
• Different types of oils should not be mixed

Fire Pump
• Any time a fire pump has been operated at draft
from a static water supply, the pump and the
piping should be thoroughly flushed before the
apparatus is placed back in service
• If untreated water has been used to fill the tank, it
should be drained, and the tank should be flushed
and refilled with clean water as soon as possible

Inspection Procedures
• The driver/operator should follow a
systematic procedure for inspecting his/her
apparatus. Having a systematic method
helps ensure that all important items are
checked every time the inspection is made

Circle or Walk Around Method
• This method involves the driver/operator
starting at the drivers door on the cab and
working around the apparatus in a
clockwise pattern.

Approaching the Apparatus
• Look for any general problems
• Vehicle body damage or leaning to one side
are examples of things that should be
readily apparent
• Look beneath the vehicle for spots that
would indicate leaking vehicle fluids such
as water, coolant, oil, brake fluid, hydraulic
fluid, or transmission fluid

Left & Right Front Side
• The first portion checked should be the driver’s
side front
• Each door should close tightly & the door latch
should work as it was designed to
• Make sure that all door window glass is intact &
clean
• Make sure all steps, platforms, handrails, tools and
ladders are securely mounted and without
deformation

Tires & Wheels
• A quick visual of the wheel should indicate
any broken or bent studs, lugs or clamps
• Each lug nut should be tested by hand
• Wheels should not be cracked or bent
• Accumulations of brake dust on the wheels
• Check for fluid leaks, seals that retain axle
gear oil may show slight seepage and still
be serviceable

Tires & Wheels
• Trails of fluid on the wheel and or tire are
unacceptable
• Check the suspension components found
behind the wheel and tire
• Check for proper tire inflation, too much or
too little pressure can damage the tire and
cause bad handling characteristics

Tires & Wheels
• Valve stem condition, should not be
cracked, cut or loose
• Tire condition, check for proper tread depth,
tread separation, excessive wear to the
sidewalls, cuts or objects impaled in the tire

Front Inspection
• Significant body damage
• Front axle, steering system, pump piping if
present
• Windshield wipers, should be held snug to
the windshield with the appropriate amount
of tension
• All lights should be checked for cracked
lenses and that all bulbs are working

Rear Side Inspection
• Apparent body damage
• All lights working
• Check to make sure dual tires are not
rubbing
• Splash guards in place
• Hose loads
• Make sure the proper amount of supply
hose is loaded

In Cab Inspection
• Seat and mirrors adjusted to fit the driver/operator
• All electrical switches in the off position prior to
starting the vehicle
• When an engine is started for non-emergency
runs, do not run at a full load until the engine has
had time to warm up to it’s normal operating
temperature
• Seatbelts/restraints

In Cab Inspection
• Mirrors should not be bent or broken
• Tilt steering wheel working properly
• Assure the gauges are all working properly
and show to be operating in normal
functioning range
• Fuel gauge should show at least ¾ full at all
times

In Cab Inspection
• The speedometer should be at or very near zero
when parked
• Electrical switches working properly
• Turn signals
• High beam switches
• Heating & A/C controls
• Radio controls
• Audible warning devices

In Cab Inspection
• Computer or mobile data devices
• Windshield wiper controls
• Window defroster
• Automatic snow chains
• Pump switch
• Any other obvious damaged or missing
components

Engine Compartment
• Should be checked without engine running
• Check for proper operation of cab lift
motors and pumps
• Engine crankcase oil level
• Engine air filter
• Emergency shutdown, test according to
manufacturer’s instructions

Engine Compartment
• Exhaust system
• Radiator coolant level
• Cooling fan
• Windshield washer fluid level
• Battery condition, make sure you wear
protective eyewear
• Automatic transmission fluid level

Engine Compartment
• Power steering fluid
• Brake fluid on hydraulic brake systems
• Air system
• Belts
• Check for any leaks, fluid or air
• Electrical wiring

Daily Inspections
• Operate the pump drive control
• Make sure auxiliary fuel tank is full
• Make sure all gauges on the pump panel are
working properly
• Make sure all hand lines are completely
drained of water
• Operate the controls to check or inspect the
pump

Daily Inspections
• Check to make sure all the valve controls
are in the proper position
• Inspect the water & foam tanks
• Check the underside of the apparatus and
inside compartments for evidence of water
or foam leaks
• Test roof and bumper turrets
• Check all extinguishers

Weekly Inspections
• Flush the pump with clear water if it is your
departments policy to carry a pump full of
water
• Open all of the valves and drains and push
water through the system till it runs clear
• Check and clean the intake strainers
• Operate the pump primer & make sure it’s
oil reservoir is full

Weekly Inspections
• Check the pump gear box for proper oil
level and traces of water
• Operate the changeover valve while
pumping from the booster tank in the case
of a multi stage pump
• Check the packing glands for excessive
leaks
• Recalibrate the flowmeter

Weekly Inspections
• Operate the pump pressure control devices
• Test the accuracy of the foam proportioning
system (consult IFSTA’s Principles of
Foam Fire Fighting manual for more
information on foam system testing)
• Refer to the manufacturer’s
recommendations for additional
instructions, if any

Video Time
ACTION Training systems, Inc.
APPARATUS INSPECTION
& MAINTENANCE