GLOSSARY OF RURAL FIRE EQUIPMENT

TERMINOLOGY
TERMINOLOGY DEFINITION
A
Adaptor A fitting used to couple different sized hoses, hoses of the same size with
different threads, or different types of couplings.

Aerial Ignition Device (AID) A device that is underslung from a helicopter and used for the purpose of
igniting vegetation. synonym : Helitorch.

Airtanker A fixed wing aircraft fitted with tanks and equipment for releasing water or
fire retardant chemicals on fires.

Anemometer A meteorological instrument used to measure wind speed. Expressed in

kilometers per hour (Km/hr) for FWI readings.

Aspirate To draw in air; nozzle aspirating systems draw air into the nozzle to mix with
the foam solution.

Aspirating Nozzle A nozzle that draws air in to aspirate foam solution.

Synonym: Naturally Aspirated Nozzle.

Back Pump - see Knapsack Pump

Baffle Partitioned wall/s placed in a fire appliance or aircraft water tanks to reduce
shifting of the water load during movement of the vehicle.

Barometer A meteorological instrument used to measure atmospheric air pressure.

Expressed in millibars and or hectopascals.

Batch Mix Manual additional of foam concentrate to a water storage container or tank
to make foam solution.

Beater – see Handtools

Belt Weather Kit A type of portable fire weather station. It includes a sling psychrometer,
water bottle (for saturation the wick of the wet bulb thermometer), relative
humidity calculation tables, handheld anemometer, compass, pencil(s) and
a booklet of weather report forms, carried in a canvas case with fitted
pockets which can be attached to a persons belt.

Booster Pump An intermediary pump for supplying additional lift in pumping water uphill
past the first pump capacity. synonym : Relay Pump

Branch An attachment fitted to the end of a hose to form an effective jet or spray
pattern. Synonym : Nozzle

BSP “British Standard Pipe” and is a thread standard referenced for the thread
size used in the hose couplings on fire fighting hose.

Bulk Water Carrier A large tanker used for replenishing water to firefighting tankers.

Bulldozer A heavy tractor with self laying tracks and equipped with a blade for clearing
fire breaks, constructing roads and tracks.

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By-pass Hose A short hose used from a pump to the water supply to temporally by-pass
(circulate) the flow of water when not required to the main delivery hose line.

C
Compressed Air Foam Systems A generic term used to describe foam systems consisting of an air
(CAFS) compressor (or air source), a water pump, and foam solution.

Camlock Coupling A quick fitting coupling utilising to cam lever lugs to hold and release. Used
on the Wajax (50mm) and Aqualitie (75mm) pump inlet and suction hose
couplings.

Canvas Bucket A collapsible fold away bucket that can be used for priming various rural fire
pumps and or a tool bag.

Cargo Net A special net, attached by a lanyard to a helicopter cargo hook and used to
carry equipment / supplies. synonym : Sling Net

Centrifugal Pump A pump that expels water by centrifugal force through the ports of a circular
impeller, rotating at high speed. With this type of pump, the discharge line
may be shut off while the pump is running.

Charged Lined A pressurised ready to work delivery hose line.

Class A Foam A chemical concentrate added to water that combines foaming and wetting
agents specifically formulated for extinguishing vegetation fires. The foam
is biodegradable, non-toxic and is used at very low concentrates.
- see Foam

Colour Coding (1) Standard colour coding for fuels tanks/cans are:

* Red - Straight petrol

* Black - 50:1 two stroke mix
* Blue - 25:1 two stroke mix

(2) Handtools and waterway equipment may have colour coded bands to
identify ownership.

(3) Standard colour code for hose packs is:

* Red - 25mm non-percolating hose

* Blue - 41mm non-percolating hose (includes extruded type hose)
* Green - 41mm percolating hose

Concentrate A substance that has been concentrated; specifically, a liquid that has been
made denser, as by the removal of some of its water.

Coupling A device to connect the ends of adjacent hoses or other waterway

equipment of a hoseline.
see - Listing of National Standard Forest and Rural Firefighting Equipment
Drawings.
D
Dam A general term for a water supply of limited capacity. May be either a dug
out pond, daming of a small creek, or a portable purpose built unit.

Dam Liner A sheet of synthetic material used to line the bottom of a dam to retain the
water.

Delayed Aerial Ignition Device An incendiary device, dropped from an aircraft, that will ignite after a

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(DAID) predetermined elapsed time. see : Aerial Ignition Device

Delivery Hose The hose or hoses connected from a pump to supply water to the nozzle for
firefighting purposes.

Dividing Breeching (controlled) A fitting that can be used to either divide a hoseline into two hoselines and
or “Divider” or provide a means to control the water flow at a point along a hoseline.
Both outlets on the divider are fitted with a water valve that can be used to
control the direction and flow of water.
synonym : Controlled Divider, Controlled Breeching.

Dividing breeching (uncontrolled) A fitting used to divide a hose line into two hoselines, with no ability to
or “Divider” control the direction or flow of water.
synonym : Uncontrolled Divider, Uncontrolled Breeching.

Double Female Adaptor An adaptor (ND265) used on the likes of the divider and the hydroblender to
enable the male hose coupling to be connected.

Dozer A crawler tractor fitted with an earth-moving blade.

Drip Torch An incendiary device (aerial or handheld) that has a canister of fuel, a fuel
flow control, and a burner head. Fuel is released slowly and ignited to drip
burning onto vegetation. Used for prescribed burning operations.

E
Eductor A mixing system that uses water pressure to draw the fire chemical into the
hose line for mixing. Enables a pump to draw foam concentrate into the
hose line.

Equipment (Fire Equipment) A general term for fire suppression equipment, which includes; hose, pumps,
fire engines, hand tools, etc.

Extinguishing Agent A substance used to put out fire by either or a combination of; cooling the
burning material, blocking the supply of oxygen, or chemically inhibiting
combustion.

Extruded Hose All synthetic hose manufactured by an extrusion process to form a one-piece
hose jacket.

F
Filling Elbow A light weight pipe elbow (70-80mm diameter) fitted with a male
instantaneous hose coupling, used on the end of a 70mm hose line for filling
monsoon buckets. May be fitted with a 70mm control valve.

Fire Engine (dedicated) A medium to heavy vehicle generally 4x4 wheel drive designed and
equipped for rural fire suppression. Water capacity not less than 1,800
litres.

Fire Engine (hybrid) A multi purpose vehicle generally 6x4 wheel drive set up with portable tanks
and fire fighting equipment as a fire engine over the summer months (fire
Season). Water capacity not less that 8,000 litres

Fire Extinguisher A portable device for extinguishing fires. May be water with an additive, or
chemical type liquid, powder or gas.

Fire Finder A devise used to determine the horizontal bearing (in degrees of the
compass) of a fire location from a fire lookout.

Fire Pump An engine driven pump, usually gasoline powered, specifically designed for
use in fire suppression. Synonym: Portable Fire Pump.

National Rural Fire Authority (1998)

Fire Rake - see Handtools

Fire Retardant A chemical substance which when mixed with water and applied to
vegetation ahead of a fire, retards ignition.

Fire Shovel – see Handtools

Fire Training Simulator A training device that imposes simulated fire conditions and depictions of
fire suppression operations on a projected landscape scene. Used to teach
and practice for fire management personnel in different fire situations and
fire suppression techniques. Synonym: Kiwi Fire Training Simulator (KFTS)

Fire Suppressant An agent used to extinguish the flaming and smouldering or glowing stages
of combustion by direct application to burning fuels.
note Short Term Retardant

Fire Weather Station – see Remote Automated Weather Station (RAWS)

First Aid Kit A kit designed for emergency medical treatment in remote situations.
Synonym: Belt carried First Aid Kit.

Foam (Class A Foam) A chemical fire extinguisher mixture. When applied it forms bubbles which
greatly increase the mixture volume. It adheres to the fuel and reduces
combustion by moistening and cooling, and excluding oxygen. Also
provides gradual release of water and retards evaporation.

Foam Concentrate The concentrated foaming agent as received the manufacturer.

Foam Proportioner Pumps foam concentrate, as demanded into the hose line.

Foam Solution A homogeneous mixture of water and foam concentrate in a proportion that
meets the needs of the user.

Footvalve A non-return valve fitted into the suction hose strainer for use with the wajax
pump.

G
Goose Neck – see Filling Elbow

Ground Probe A length of pipe fitted with a hose coupling and a series of holes as a nozzle,
used to penetrate into deep-seated underground fires.

H
Handtools Basic handtools and there uses in fire suppression are:

Axe – A chopping / cutting tool. For felling small trees and delimbing.

Beater – Made of strips of hose attached to a handle. For beating out small

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 fire in light fuels.

Fire Rake – Made up of a single row of mower-machine cutter teeth

attached to a steel backbone . For scraping and removing light surface fuels.

Mattock – A grubbing tool. For breaking up heavy fuels, and or hard ground.

McCleod Tool – A rake and grubbing tool. For scraping and grubbing into
surface fuels.

Pulaski – A double headed tool. One side for chopping and the other for
grubbing or trenching. For trenching in deep duff fuels and trenching on
slopes.

Shovel – A long handled No.1 round bladed tool. For digging, trimming,
scraping, delimbing and throwing soil.

Slasher – A straight edged cutting tool. For removing light scrub, rank
grass, fern, blackberry etc.

Helibucket or Helicopter Bucket A rigid or collapsible vessel for carrying water and additives, slung under a
helicopter, for dropping water onto vegetation fires.

Helibucket Sock (or Trunk) A flexible funnel shaped sock suitable to attach to a helibucket to funnel the
dropped water into a portable dam or fire appliance tank.

Helicopter Bucket Kit A set of equipment, including; helibucket, pump, hoses and ancillary
equipment contained in a carrying box.

Helipad A permanent or semi-permanent landing spot for one or more helicopters,

accessible by road, where fuel, service and supplies can be made available.

Helitorch A machine slung underneath a helicopter that drips ignited gelled petroleum
and is used to ignite vegetation. Synonym: Drip torch, Aerial Ignition Device

Hose 25mm Light easy to handle fire fighting hose (25mm diameter) of 30 metre length.
Non-percolating only and fitted with 41mm screw thread couplings.
Particularly suitable for use in rugged terrain and in mop up operations.

Hose 41mm The most common standard fire fighting hose (41mm diameter) of 30-metre
length. Of either percolating or non-percolating and fitted with 41mm screw
thread couplings.
Note: Extruded hose is a type of non-percolating hose.

Hose 70mm Hose fitted with instantaneous couplings of 25-metre length. Primary use is
for volume pumping to fill tankers and or helicopter buckets.

Hose Bandage A clip on metallic sleave or strip of hose with tie cord, used as a temporary
repair to 41mm hose.

Hose (coupling) Key A tool for tightening or loosening 41mm hose couplings and accessory
connections.

Hose Lay The arrangement of numerous lengths of coupled fire hose and accessories.
Beginning at a pumping unit and ending at the point(s) of water delivery.

Hose – Non-percolating The hose jacket stays dry during use. Synonym: Rubber lined hose.
Note: Rubber lined hose has been superseded by extruded hose.

Hose Pack A pack for carrying 25mm or 41mm firefighting hose. The standard
pack contains 90 metres or 3 lengths of 25mm or 41mm hose.

Hose Pack (Colour Code) Standard colour coding to identify hose type in the pack:

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 Green = 41mm Percolating
Blue = 41mm non-percolating
Red = 25mm non-percolating

Hose – Percolating The hose jacket is designed to weep water during use to protect it from
burning.

Hose Ramp A small ramp system for permitting vehicles to drive over charged hose
lines without causing damage to the hose.

Hose Strangler A device for crimping a hose to stop the flow of water through the hose.

Hose Washing Machine An apparatus connected to a pressurised water for cleaning the exterior of
fire hose. synonym: Hose Washer. Also known as: Matt, Greg, Murray,
Kevin, Roy or Mike.

Hydroblender A fixed or portable cylinder shaped apparatus designed to mix detergent

capsules (wetting agent) with water. Connected into the delivery hose line.

Hydroblender Capsules Concentrated detergents in solid capsule form (hydroblender holds 2

capsules). Used as a wetting agent to lower the surface tension of water
and improve the wetting capability of plain water. Synonym: Soap
Capsules.

Hygrometer A meteorological instrument used to measure relative humidity. Expressed

in percentage (%). Note: Psychometer.

I
Inductor A control mechanism that allows a regulated quantity of foam concentrate to
be introduced into a pressurised hose line.

Infrared Scanner An optical-electronic system for identifying or obtaining imagery of thermal

infrared radiation to detect hidden (non-smoking) fires or fire perimeters
through smoke. The system may be operated from an aircraft or hand-held
on the ground.

Inventory A listing of resources.

Knapsack Pump A backpack container c/w shoulder straps and fitted with a flexible tube to a
handpump. Used for extinguishing small fires and for mopup work.

L
Lanyard A length of rope or cable used to attach a cargo net or sling load to a
helicopter cargo hook.

Long Term Retardant A substance that by chemical or physical action reduces the flammability of
combustibles and remains effective after application, even after water
content has evaporated. Long-term retardants depend on certain flame
inhibiting chemicals for their effectiveness. see – Short Term Retardant.

National Rural Fire Authority (1998)

Mattock – see Handtools

McCleod Tool – see Handtools

Minimum Standards of Cover The considered minimum resources personnel / equipment required to
undertake effective fire control or suppression operations.

Monitor A turret-type large nozzle usually mounted on a fire appliance.

Monsoon Bucket – see Helibucket

N
Non-percolating The firefighting hose jacket stays dry during use.

Nozzle A water flow control device fitted at the outlet end of the delivery hose. Most
nozzles can be adjusted from a straight jet of water (for penetration or throw)
to a spray jet for dampening down burning material. Synonym: Branch.

NZMS 260 Series A series of topographical maps drawn to a scale of 1:50,000.

P
Parallel Pumping A procedure whereby the flow from two fire pumps is combined into one
hose line.

Percolating The hose jacket is designed to weep during use to protect the hose from
burning.

Plexone A trade name for a commonly used controlled nozzle.

Portable Dam A portable holding tank for water constructed from PVC, canvas or other
materials, which combine strength and water proofing qualities.

Positive Displacement Pump A reciprocating piston or diaphragm type pump that moves the water by the
action of displacement. Synonym: Diaphragm Pump.

Pre-mixed Petrol Petrol pre-mixed with oil for fuelling two stroke motors.

Priming Pump A hand operated pump designed to prime the suction hose and pump
section of portable fire pumps.

Probe - see Ground Probe

Protective Clothing Appropriate equipment in accordance with the provisions of the Health and
Safety Employment Act 1992.

As a minimum:

• Leather or other boots appropriate to the conditions

• Ankle to wrist clothing (fire resistant)
• Head ware appropriate to work being done
• Safety goggles appropriate to work being done
• Earmuffs to appropriate grade

(referenced from the RFMCOP)

Psychrometer An instrument designed for determining the relative humidity. Consists of a

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 wet and dry bulb thermometer, which when properly ventilated is used to
determine the relative humidity and dew point of the atmosphere, generally
with the aid of psychrometric tables. A non-ventilated psychrometer relies
on the natural movement of air for ventilation, whereas a ventilated
psychrometer relies on artificially circulated air (eg sling psychrometer).
Note - Hygrometer.

Pulaski – see Handtools

Pump Sets To fully utilise a specific type of pump, the pump, attachments and ancillary
equipment are listed as a pump set.

Pump set categories include:

HPLV - A High-Pressure Low Volume portable fire pump.

Output of 150 lt/min @ 1400kpa. (e.g. Wajax pump).

LPHV – A Low Pressure High Volume portable fire pump.

Output of 900lt/min @ 250kpa. (e.g. 80mm Aqualite).

HPMV – A High Pressure Medium Volume portable Fire Pump.

Output of 360lt/min @ 700kpa. (e.g. Waterous or Hale)

HPHV – A High Pressure High Volume portable fire pump.

Output of 900lt/min @ 700kpa. (e.g. Godiva, Angus, waterous).

For details of what a pump set comprises, see Section 6, RFMCOP.

Q
Quick-Fill Pump A general term for a small high volume water pump used for refilling fire
appliances.

R
Radio-telephone A portable or vehicle mounted radio transmission / receiving unit used for
communication.

Rain Gauge The general name for an instrument designed to measure the amount of rain
that has fallen.
Relay Adaptor A special coupling used to direct couple the delivery hoses from one pump
to the suction inlet of another pump for relay pumping.

Relay Dam A small collapsible dam, used as a reservoir on the relay of water from one
fire pump to another.

Relay Pump The second or consequent pump/s in a pump relay.

Remote Automatic Weather Station A weather station at which the services of an observer are not required. A
(RAWS) RAWS unit measures selected weather elements automatically and are
equipped with telemetry apparatus for transmitting the electronically
recorded data via a communication system at predetermined times or on a
user request basis.

Retardant – see Fire Retardant

Resources All personnel and equipment available, or potentially available, for

assignment to incidents.

National Rural Fire Authority (1998)

Rural Fire Appliances Listed in categories of A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, and I.
see - Section 6, of the RFMCOP for details.

Rural Fire Management Code of A document produced by the National Rural Fire Authority setting out the
Practice (RFMCOP) requirements for effective fire control / management measures and audits
procedures for Rural Fire Authorities. Section 14A(2)(e)Fire Service Act
1975.

S
Short Term Retardant A water-based substance wherein water is the fire suppressing agent. See
Long Term retardant.

Shovel – see Handtools

Skidder Unit A self contained unit consisting of a water tank, fire pump and hose
specially designed to be carried on a logging skidder for use in fire
Suppression. Synonym - Skidder Tanker

Slasher – see Handtools

Sling Looped lines of strap or rope attachable as a lanyard to lift, lower or carry
cargo beneath a helicopter. note Cargo Net.

Sling Psychrometer A portable, hand operated psychrometer. The dry- and wet- bulb
thermometers are mounted on a frame connected to a handle. Thus, it can
be whirled by hand to provide the necessary ventilation.

Slip-on Unit A water tank, pump and hose assembly mounted on a chassis that can be
loaded onto the deck of a vehicle to be used as a self-contained fire fighting
unit. (e.g. a smoke chaser unit)

Slip-on Tank A large water tank and fire pump mounted on a chassis designed for quick
loading on conventional trucks to be used as water carriers.

Smoke Chaser A light, (3/4 tonne) utility generally 4x4 wheel drive with a portable or fixed
water tank of 200-300 litres, a high pressure low volume diaphragm type
pump and up to 100 metres of small diameter hose. A smoke chaser is
usually regarded as a first aid fire appliance.

Soap Capsules – see Hydroblender Capsules

Spark Arrester A device fitted to the exhaust system of liquid fuel powered engines to
prevent carbon sparks from being emitted.

Standardisation A common standard for fire equipment, personnel and training for rural fire
prevention and suppression.

Static Water Supply A supply of water at rest, such as water in a reservoir or pond.

Suction Hose A hose, reinforced to prevent collapse due to external pressure, used to
draft water into a fire pump. Synonym - Intake Hose or Draughting Hose.

Supplies A general term for minor items of equipment and all expendable items used
in fire control.

Suppressant – see Fire Suppressant

Synthetic Hose Hose made completely of synthetic materials.

National Rural Fire Authority (1998)

T
Tandem A term to designate the use of two or more units of the same type (e.g. fire
pumps, tractors, crews of firefighters) working one in front of the other to
accomplish a specific fire suppression job.
Synonym: Tandem Pumping.

Tanker Trailer A specialised trailer on which is mounted a tank, a fire pump, hose and
supplementary equipment.

Tanker A large vehicle equipped with a water tank (3,000 to 8,000 litre capacities),
pump, and the necessary waterway equipment for providing water for
firefighting.

Thermal Imagery The display or printout from an infrared scanner.

Transporter A heavy trailer with low loading capacity for transporting bulldozers and
other heavy earth moving equipment.

W
Wajax Pump A high pressure low volume portable pump for fire fighting.

Water Bombing A general term for dropping water (completed with additive) on a vegetation
fire from an aircraft in flight.

Water Carrier – see Tanker

Water Point Any natural or constructed supply of water that is of suitable capacity and
accessible for fire control operations.

Water Tank A container capable of storing a large volume of water.

Water Thief A type of bleeder valve designed for installation at convenient points in hose
lines to permit drawing off water for filling backpack pumps or other use
without interfering with pump or nozzle operation.

Wet Water Water containing a wetting agent.

Wetting Agent A chemical added in low concentration to water. It is used to break down the
surface tension of the water and to improve its penetration into woody fuels.

Whirling Psychrometer – see Psychrometer

Wind Vane A meteorological instrument for indicating wind direction.

National Rural Fire Authority (1998)