THE GLOSSARY OF AN

APPLIANCE
 INTRODUCTION
• The term ‘Glossary of Appliance’ is a technical
word under which, the firefighting appliances
are grouped or classified.

• This subject is indispensable in the fire service

because it helps personnel or firemen to know
their equipment, their uses and which of them
is best suitable at a given time or fire situation.
• These equipment are usually carried in fire
appliances and they are used to facilitate such
firemen in carrying out the task of their
profession.
• They are classified into the following groups:
Breaking-in tools, cutting-away tools, rescue
gears, lights of various kinds, turning-over
tools, transport tools, and miscellaneous &
special equipment
BREAKING-IN TOOLS:
• These are the equipment used in breaking part of a
building to effect entry or gain access to the scene
of fire . E.g axes, hammers, crowbars , various types
of door breaker, padlock remover, etc
CUTTING-AWAY TOOLS:
• These are various types of equipment used for
cutting e.g various types of saws, chisels, cutlasses,
knives, axes of various types such as the Fireman
axe and insulated axe
RESCUE GEARS:
• These equipment are used for rescue purposes e.g
rubber hand gloves , rubber sandal shoes, rubber
boots, rubber mats , insulated axes, self contained
breathing apparatus, flood light, search light etc
LIGHTS OF VARIOUS KINDS:
• They are usually used along with the breathing
apparatus . We have gas light, carbide light, torch
light, search light , etc.
TURNING OVER TOOLS:
• These are equipment used for turning over particles
after an outbreak of fire has been subdued. E.g.
ceiling hook, spade, small axe and cutlasses.
TRANSPORT TOOLS:
• These are equipment used for minor repairs on
vehicles or appliances e.g bag which contains
spanner box, tires, jacks, oil filters, pliers, screw
drivers, batteries, lights of various types etc.
MISCELLANEOUS & SPECIAL EQUIPMENT:
• These are various items or equipment of
small gears carried in appliances e.g medical
outfits (first aid boxes), wireless set, telephone
set, lockers, hose ramp, hose reel,
extinguishers of various types, self contain
breathing apparatus, light pumps, etc
 CARE AND MAINTENANCE OF GEARS
• Batteries should be dried regularly
• All tools and gears carried on appliances
should be checked daily to ensure that there is
no damage done to the equipment and also to
know the position.
• The result of every test must be entered into
the appliances test book.
FIRE SERVICE TOOLS &
EQUIPMENT

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• ADAPTORS: These are fittings used for the
purpose of connecting hose or suction
coupling of different sizes together. They are
divided into four groups, namely:-
• Delivery hose adaptors
• Suction hose adaptors
• Hydrant adaptors
• First aid or hose reel adaptors
• DELIVERY HOSE ADAPTORS: These are fittings used to
connect male or female couplings of different sizes
together.
• SUCTION HOSE ADAPTORS: These are fittings used to
connect suction hose to a hydrant, to a delivery hose
or to suction hoses of different sizes or diameter.
• HYDRANT ADAPTORS: These are fittings used for the
connection of a hydrant to be made to standpipe.
• FIRST AID OR HOSE REEL ADAPTORS: These are fittings
used to connect hose a reel tubing to a delivery hose.
• BLANK CAP: this is a metal or plastic cover which is
attached to the delivery outlet or suction inlet of a
pump when it is not in use.
• BRANCH: this is a tapering fitting employed or used at
the delivery end of a line of hose in order to increase
the velocity of water as it approaches the nozzle,
thereby producing an effective firefighting jet.
• DIFFUSER BRANCH: this is a branch which can give a
spray or jet or both simultaneously, with the capability
to stop or reduce the flow of water (independent
control).
• FOAM MAKING BRANCH: this is a branch used for the
generation and discharge of mechanical foam in which
the solution is aerated and expanded and discharged as
a jet or spray.
• COLLECTING BREECHING: this is a fitting used to join two
lines of hose into one, when pressure is inadequate.
• DIVIDING BREECHING: this is a fitting used to divide a
line of hose into two lines of hoses when the need arises
and the pressure is adequate, (Sometimes called one-
into-two breeching).
• COLLECTING HEAD OR THREE WAY PIECE: this
is used in collecting water from different
hydrants into the pump casing.
• STANDPIPE: this is a piece of equipment used
to extend the outlet of a hydrant above
ground level. A standpipe is used because it is
impossible to couple a hose directly to a
hydrant.
• FIRE HYDRANT:- this is a fitting attached to a water mains or
special outlet fitted on water mains below street or ground
pavement for Fire Service use. It comprises of:-
a) a short length of flanged or socketed pipe connected to water
main
b) a valve for turning on and shutting off the water flow
c) an outlet terminating in a fire service connection.
The whole being located (except in the case of a pillar type
hydrant) below street or pavement level.
• HYDRANT PIT:- The recess below the road or pavement level in
which the hydrant is properly located.
• HYDRANT KEY AND BAR:- They are tools used to open or lock a
hydrant and turn on the valve.
• FALSE SPINDLE: this is a device placed on a spindle for
preventing it from wearing out
• CEILING HOOK OR PREVENTER: this is a long wooden
pole of about 7” to 8” long and used for piercing ceilings
to allow water to escape.
• PICK-UP TUBING: this is a tube through which foam
concentrate is drawn from a foam drum into a foam-
making equipment.
• INLINE INDUCTOR:- this is an equipment used with the
larger sizes of foam making branch to feed the foam
compound into the hose line inductor.
• STRAINERS: These are equipments used for the prevention of dirt
and debris from entering the pump casing. (i.e. equipment used
to prevent pump damage)
• They are four types:
a) Low level strainer: this is used in areas where the water is low or
small (like pond or gutter)
b) Basket Strainer: this is used cover the suction end to prevent the
entry of dirt and leaves etc. the canvas part is known as “skirt”.
(Basket and Skirt)
c) Conical Strainer: this is in the form of a wire strainer fitted in the
suction inlet of a pump.
d) Metal Strainer: this is always connected to the end of a suction
hose to prevent objects which can choke or damage the pump.
• HOSE: A hose is a flexible tube or tubing made
of either rubber or canvas which is used to
convey water from one place to another for
firefighting purposes.
• Types of hoses:
i) Suction hose
ii) Delivery hose
• SUCTION HOSE:- Conveys water from the dam or open
water to feed the pump (a feeder). It is used at the pump
inlet or suction side of a pump where water is passing
through at a pressure either below or above that of the
atmosphere.

• It is specially designed or constructed to withstand

external pressure. It has a length of about 8ft, 10ft or 12ft.
Suction hose are of two types:-
a) Partially embedded
b) Smooth bore
• DELIVERY HOSE:- This is used at the delivery side of a pump
where water is passing through at a pressure above the
atmosphere.

• It is especially designed or constructed to withstand both

external and internal pressures. A delivery hose has a length
of 75ft long.

• They are of two types:-

a) Lined
b) Unlined canvas hose
• LINE: this is a cordage cut to a specific length for
a particular purpose. Lines are of various types
e.g. lowering lines, rescue line, belt line etc.

• LADDER: this is an equipment used to gain

access to upper floors, roofs of buildings and
also to lower levels like a basement, ship hold,
etc. Ladders are very useful to firemen in
carrying out their duties and functions.
• PUMP: this is a machine driven by an external motive
power for transmitting energy to fluid or water.

• This power may be provided by the operator’s own

effort (i.e. as in a hand pump) or by coupling the pump
to a suitable engine or motor.
Pump falls into three categories:
• Positive displacement pumps
• Centrifugal pumps
• Ejector pumps
Cutting Tools

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Metal Cutting Tools

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Manual Prying Tools

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Hydraulic Prying
Tools
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Manual
Pushing/Pulling
Tools

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Striking Tools

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Tools for Forcing

Locks
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Tools for Breaking

Padlocks
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Maintenance and
Care of
Tools
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• Never use a cheater bar when using a prying
tool.
• Do not use a prying tool as a striking tool
unless it is designed for that purpose.
• Keep saw blades clean, sharp, and lightly
oiled.
• Do not interchange different manufactures
blades on power saws.

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• Store saw blades in a clean and dry place.
• Do not store where gasoline fumes
accumulate for composite blades.
• Inspect wood handles for cracks, blisters, or
splinters.
• Sand Handles to minimize hand injuries.
• Check the tightness of the tool head.

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• For Fiberglass handles wash with mild
detergent, rinse, and wipe dry.
• Inspect the cutting edge for nicks, tears, or
metal spurs.
• Replace cutting edge when required.
• DO NOT PAINT AXE HEADS! Painting hides
faults in the metal. Paint also may cause the
cutting surface to stick and bind.

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Power Equipment
• Read Instructions
• Inspect and ensure power tool will start
manually.
• Ensure that the fuel is fresh. A mixture may
deteriorate over time.

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Carrying Tools

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Axes- Carry the axe with the blade away from
the body. With pick-head axes, grasp the pick
with a hand to cover it. Axes should never be
carried on the shoulder. Refer to Essentials
Pg..241

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Prying tools- Carry these tools with any pointed
or sharp edges away from the body. With
multiple surfaces, this will be somewhat
difficult.
Combination of Tools- Strap tool combo
together. Halligan type bars and flat-head
axes can be married together and strapped.

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Pike poles and hooks- Carry these tools with
head down, close to the ground, and ahead of
the body when outside a structure. When
entering a building, carefully invert the tool
and carry it with the head upright close to the
body.

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Striking Tools- Keep the heads of these tools
close to the ground.
Power Tools- Never carry a power tool that is
running. Transport the tool to the area where
the work will be performed and start it there.

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