Pierce Pumper, Operation & Maintenance Manual, Page: 42 / 66

OPERATION
3-26 / Pierce Pumper
© 2019 Pierce Manufacturing Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Connecting the Intake Hose
Tank to Hydrant - Connect Intake Hose - WITH Gated Intake Valve
1. Close intake gate valve.
Close the gate valve on the intake connection to which the intake hose will be attached.
Always OPEN Drain Valve or Bleed Valve BEFORE removing Intake Cap.
Intake Lines can trap pressure.
Intake Cap under pressure will blow off with explosive force.
Exploding cap will injure or kill.
Always bleed air from Intake Line.
Air in lines can cause pressure spikes.
Air forced from nozzle can increase intensity of fire or cause a pressure surge. Air discharge can injure or kill.
2. Open air bleed valve for intake BEFORE cap is removed.
Intake connections with a shut-off (or gate) valve can trap pressure if valve is opened and left closed with cap
in place. ALWAYS OPEN the intake air bleed valve to let trapped pressure escape BEFORE removing cap.
Air bleed valves are attached to a tube that is connected to the highest point of the pipe.
Opening the intake air bleed valve allows air trapped in the intake pipe to escape.
Rotate the knob one-quarter turn counterclockwise to the left to open the valve.
To make sure that all air pressure is removed from the system, keep the air bleed valves OPEN until you start
flowing water. Only then may you close it.
3. Remove intake cap.
Remove the intake cap only after you are certain that trapped air pressure has escaped.
Make sure to OPEN the air bleed valve or drain valve so that trapped air pressure escapes.
Point intake hose away from personnel.
Hoses and connections under pressure can burst without warning.
Burst hose can injure or kill.
Inspect hoses and fittings regularly.
Replace if worn or damaged.
Worn or damaged hoses and fittings can burst.
Burst hose or fittings can injure or kill.
4. Connect intake hose.
Connect the intake hose that has been laid from the hydrant to the intake connection.
5. Adjust the intake swivel.
If the intake connection includes a swivel fitting, adjust the swivel so that the hose points AWAY from the pump
operator's area.
TYPICAL GATED INTAKE VALVES AIR BLEED VALVE INTAKE CAP