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Section 402.06
Cascade Filling Procedures
I. Scope:
This standard establishes guidelines for the safe and proper procedure for filling the Fire Hall Cascade system or the Rescue unit cascade system. It was created to:
A. Prevent accidents, injuries or deaths that might result from the improper or unsafe methods of filling the Fire Hall Cascade or the Rescue Unit Cascade.
B. Prevent damage to any Cascade equipment that might result from unsafe operation or misuse.
II. Safety:
A. High pressure air is extremely hazardous and must be dealt with very carefully.
B. The following safety precautions are mandatory:
1. Only members specifically trained in the operation of the cascade system are permitted to recharge air cylinders.
2. Hearing and eye protection must be worn when recharging air cylinders.
3. All cylinder valves are to be opened slowly; opening too quickly may burst supply lines.
4. There is to be no horseplay with high pressure air; it can cause embolisms and severe skin and eye damage or even death.
5. The compressor room is to be kept clean at all times.
6. The Rescue Unit, when in use, shall be secured with wheel chalk blocks.
7. The Fire Chief is to be informed of any problems such as outdated test dates on air cylinders or deficiencies in the compressor, cascade systems or refill station.
III. Filling the Rescue Cascade From the Hall Cascade ONLY:
A. Secure the Rescue Unit with chalk blocks.
B. Place the line protective ramps over the supply hose to ensure any vehicle can safely pass over the line if required.
C. Connect the 70 foot Rescue fill whip from the compressor room, to the “CASCADE FILL” valve on the Rescue Unit. Make sure all the valves are “CLOSED” including those on the Rescue Unit.
D. Open the Rescue fill whip in the compressor room.
E. Open the valve on the end of the Rescue fill whip.
F. Open the “CASCADE FILL” valve on the Rescue Unit.
G. Open the Rescue Unit’s cascade cylinders to be filled.
H. Turn the red main valve to the “OPEN” position.
I. SLOWLY open C-1 cylinder on the hall cascade. Fill slowly (a fast fill will produce unwanted heat and condensation in the air system).
J. When pressure from C-1 and the Rescue Unit cascade system equalizes or the desired pressure is reached, turn off the valve on C-1.
K. Check the pressure on the Rescue Unit cascade regulator gauge. If the pressure is adequate (4500psi), then move to STEP L. If more pressure is required move to STEP K.
L. If more air is required use C-2, repeating steps H, I, J, and onto C-3, C-4, etc, as needed to reach the desired pressure. If unable to completely fill the Rescue Cascade from the hall cascade, see the below procedure “To Fill Rescue Cascade from Compressor ONLY”.
M. Close all Rescue Unit cascade cylinders.
N. Close “Cascade Fill” valve.
O. Close valve on the end of the Rescue Fill whip.
P. Turn the red main valve to the “CLOSED” position.
Q. Close Rescue Fill whip in the compressor room.
R. Open all bleeders on valves used and bleed out all the air.
S. Disconnect Rescue Fill whip and neatly replace on the compressor room hanger.
T. Place chalk blocks back on board the Rescue Unit.
U. Document number of cylinders filled into the Log Book.
IV. Filling the Rescue Cascade from the Compressor ONLY:
A. Secure the Rescue unit with chalk blocks.
B. Place the line protective ramps over the supply hose to ensure any vehicle can safely pass over the line if required.
C. Connect the 70 foot Rescue fill whip from the compressor room to the “CASCADE FILL” valve on the Rescue unit. Make sure all the valves are “CLOSED” including those on the Rescue Unit.
D. Follow SOG#402.03, Air Compressor Use procedure “To Start the Compressor”.
E. Open the Rescue fill whip in the compressor room.
F. Open the valve on the end of the Rescue fill whip.
G. Open the “CASCADE FILL” valve on the Rescue Unit.
H. Open the Rescue Unit’s cascade cylinders to be filled.
I. Turn the red main valve to the “OPEN” position.
J. When Rescue cascade gauge shows 4500psi, close all Rescue Unit cascade cylinders. (Note: air compressor should automatically shut down when pressure is reached.)
K. Close “Cascade Fill” valve.
L. Close valve on the end of the Rescue Fill whip.
M. Turn the red main valve to the “CLOSED” position.
N. Close Rescue Fill whip in the compressor room.
O. Follow SOG#402.03, Air Compressor Use procedure “To Shut Down the Compressor”.
P. Open all bleeders on valves used and bleed out all the air.
Q. Disconnect Rescue Fill whip and neatly replace on the compressor room hanger.
R. Place chalk blocks back on board the Rescue Unit.
S. Document number of cylinders filled into the Log Book.
V. Filling Hall Cascade from the Compressor:
A. Follow SOG#402.03, Air Compressor Use procedure “To Start the Compressor”.
B. Turn the red main valve to the “OPEN” position.
C. Open Cascade cylinders requiring filling.
D. Compressor should automatically shut down when cascade reaches 4500 – 4800psi.
E. Close all cylinder valves.
F. Turn the red main valve to the “CLOSED” position.
G. Follow SOG#402.03, Air Compressor Use procedure “To Shut Down the Compressor”.
H. Document the number of cylinders filled into the Log Book.
VI. Responsibilities:
A. All members must understand their responsibilities and duties when working with high pressure air systems.
B. All members shall ensure that this guideline is followed.
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