Quick drill
5-minute pump operator drill
A short single-line fire pump drill for reviewing nozzle pressure, friction loss, elevation, appliance loss, and final pump discharge pressure.
Drill plan
ObjectiveReview the hand method and calculate a basic attack-line PDP without overcomplicating the math.
Setup
- 200 feet of 1¾-inch attack hose
- Fog nozzle flowing 185 GPM at 50 PSI
- No elevation change
- No appliance loss
Student taskHave each firefighter calculate the starting pump discharge pressure and explain which part of the hand method they used.
Expected answer pathNP 50 + estimated FL for 200 feet of 1¾-inch hose at 185 GPM + 0 elevation + 0 appliance. Use your department chart or calculator to verify the exact friction loss.
Common mistakes
- Forgetting to state nozzle pressure or required appliance/device pressure.
- Using GPM where PSI is needed, or PSI where GPM is needed.
- Adding elevation or appliance loss twice.
- Ignoring department SOPs, apparatus pump chart, or manufacturer data.
Instructor note: After the first answer, change one variable and repeat the calculation.
Print notes
This page is designed to print as a simple station drill handout. Use it with the calculator/tool link above to check student answers live.