Incident Report

Subject:                Blocked Monitor - How good is your 'make up' procedures?

Date of Email reporting Incident:   Fri 20/06/2003 15:30

Report Detail:

Blocked Monitor - How good is your 'make up' procedures?

How good is your 'Make-Up' procedures?  Do your fire crew members always ensure that the equipment they have used during a drill period is flushed through and ready for immediate use post the event?  Here is an example where equipment had been used and not checked to ensure it was immediately ready for the real event.  A Williams Patriot II 2000 gpm hydrochem monitor was found on routine inspection to have large pebbles and debris in the waterway.  this would have caused significant interruption of flow on jet and whilst on fog severe performance deterioration with 'fingering' of the protection envelope.  The monitor had been used on a drill some 3 days earlier where brackish water resulted in blockages.  Clearly better checking of equipment following use is essential to ensure it is ready and  'fit for purpose' for you and your co-workers.