SOP 511.14: Maintenance/Apparatus and Motorized Vehicles

|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|`Functional Area: `
`SUPPORT SERVICES/FIRE`
`SERVICES`|`Reference Number: `
`IVN09-0001`|`Revises`
`Previous`
`Effective Date:`
`NEW`|
|`Subject:`
`MAINTENANCE/APPARATUS AND`
`MOTORIZED VEHICLES`|||
|`Authority:`
`WETHERINGTON/HODGE`|`Effective Date:`
`4/01/02`|`Page``1``of`
`6 `|

I. POLICY:

   This standard establishes a schedule for the inspection and
   maintenance of all apparatus and motorized vehicles owned or
   operated by the Department. It was promulgated to:

   A. Ensure that emergency response vehicles are maintained in
      a constant state of readiness.

   B. Implement a preventative maintenance schedule for all
      motorized vehicles.

   C. Establish procedures for the daily inspection of
      apparatus, equipment, and support vehicles.

II. APPLICABILITY:

   All Department of Corrections State and County Fire
   Departments

III. RELATED DIRECTIVES:

   NFPA 1451, 1911, 1901 and 1500

IV. DEFINITIONS:

   NONE

V. ATTACHMENTS:

   ATTACHMENT 1 Driver's Daily Apparatus Checklist

   ATTACHMENT 2 Small Vehicle Weekly Checklist

   ATTACHMENT 3 Equipment Service Request Form

   ATTACHMENT 4 Preventive Maintenance Worksheet

|Functional Area:
SUPPORT SERVICES/FIRE SERVICES|Prev. Eff. Date:
NEW|Page 2 of
6|
|---|---|---|
|`Functional Area:`
`SUPPORT SERVICES/FIRE SERVICES`|`Effective Date:`
`4/01/01`|`Reference Number:`
`IVN09-0001`|

VI. PROCEDURE: (General)

A. Apparatus and support vehicles shall be:

   1. Kept clean at all times.

   2. Maintained in a constant state of readiness.

   3. Refueled whenever the fuel level drops below ¾ of a
      tank. Oil and ancillary fluid reservoirs shall also
      be kept full at all times.

B. All engine-powered equipment shall be kept clean and
   their fuel tanks and oil and fluid reservoirs shall be
   refilled whenever the level drops below ¾ of a tank

C. (Daily Inspections)

   1. Every vehicle garaged in a fire station shall be
      inspected by station personnel at the beginning of
      each day. The Firefighter performing the inspection
      shall record his findings on the Driver’s Daily
      Apparatus Checklist (See Attachment 1).

   2. The Firefighter performing the inspection shall
      correct the defects that are found provided that the
      Inspector has the expertise, tools and supplies to
      do so. The items that are corrected shall be noted
      in the comments section of the checklist.

   3. Defects that cannot immediately be corrected shall
      denoted on an Equipment Service Request Form

   4. Whenever a defect requires that a vehicle be placed
      out of service, the Station Chief shall place the
      vehicle out of service.

   5. The complete checklists and service request shall be
      forwarded to the Station chief for review and
      disposition. The Station Chief shall review the
      work that was performed to ensure that the repairs
      have been satisfactorily made and shall review each
      checklist to ensure that it is complete and
      accurate.

|Functional Area:
SUPPORT SERVICES/FIRE SERVICES|Prev. Eff. Date:
NEW|Page 3 of
6|
|---|---|---|
|`Functional Area:`
`SUPPORT SERVICES/FIRE SERVICES`|`Effective Date:`
`4/01/01`|`Reference Number:`
`IVN09-0001`|

   6. The completed and signed checklists and service
      requests shall be forwarded to the maintenance
      officer on a daily basis.

D. (Weekly Maintenance)

   The following items shall be performed at least once each
   week. The officers shall note in their Daily Log the
   performance of all weekly maintenance activity.

   1. Staff Vehicles: Automobiles, pickups, and utility
      vehicles shall be checked and serviced at least once
      each week. The member assigned to perform the
      service shall complete a Small-Vehicle Weekly
      Checklist (see Attachment 2) on each vehicle
      serviced and shall forward the completed form to the
      maintenance and logistics officer. In addition to
      inspecting the items on the checklist, each staff
      vehicle shall:

   2. Aerial devices: The following tasks shall be
      performed each week, after every major repair, and
      after each use:

      a. A visual inspection of all systems and
         components.

      b. The aerial shall be set up and operated to
         check the function of the outriggers,
         turntable, and aerial device.

      c. All defects shall be noted on the Equipment
         Service Request Form (see Attachment 3)

   3. Fire Pumps:

      Weekly, after any major repair, and after each major
      use, the driver shall:

      a. Open all pump drains and flush out the
         sediment.

      b. Check and clean the intake strainers.

      c. Check the gearbox oil level.

|Functional Area:
SUPPORT SERVICES/FIRE SERVICES|Prev. Eff. Date:
NEW|Page 4 of
6|
|---|---|---|
|`Functional Area:`
`SUPPORT SERVICES/FIRE SERVICES`|`Effective Date:`
`4/01/01`|`Reference Number:`
`IVN09-0001`|

      d. Operate the pump primer with all valves closed.

      e. Operate the transfer valve while pumping from
         the booster tank.

      f. Check the pump seals for leaks.

      g. Operate all valves.

      h. Operate the relief valve.

      i. Check all gauges and flow meters for proper
         operation.

      The driver shall fill out an Equipment Service
      Request Form and list any items that do not function
      properly.

E. (Quarterly Maintenance)

   1. In addition to routine daily maintenance, apparatus
      and motor vehicles shall undergo the quarterly
      maintenance listed on the Preventive Maintenance
      Worksheet (See Attachment 4).

   2. Quarterly maintenance shall be completed on the
      first working day of January, April, July, and
      October and shall include:

      a. A complete degreasing. This includes a hot         water wash of the undercarriage, frame, axles,
         motor, pumps, spring shackles, tie rod ends,
         and turntable assemblies.

      b. The motor oil shall be changed and the vehicle
         shall be lubricated.

      c. All work performed during the quarterly
         maintenance cycle shall be noted on the
         checklist along with the amount of parts and
         supplies used. The completed form shall be
         reviewed and signed by the Station Chief and
         then forwarded to the Fire Services Office.

      d. Any items in need of repair shall be recorded
         on the Equipment Service Request Form.

|Functional Area:
SUPPORT SERVICES/FIRE SERVICES|Prev. Eff. Date:
NEW|Page 5 of
6|
|---|---|---|
|`Functional Area:`
`SUPPORT SERVICES/FIRE SERVICES`|`Effective Date:`
`4/01/01`|`Reference Number:`
`IVN09-0001`|

   3. Station Chiefs shall record the performance of any
      quarterly maintenance activity in their Daily Log.

F. (Semiannual Maintenance)

   The following items shall be performed during the first
   week of March and September:

   1. All apparatus and support vehicles shall be washed,
      compounded, and waxed.

   2. The motor oil and filter on the drive engine shall
      be changed. The fluid levels of the transmission,
      pump transmission, differential, power steering,
      primer reservoir, battery, radiator, hydraulic
      systems and brake fluid shall be checked and
      replenished as needed.

   3. The fuel and air filters shall be changed.

   4. The apparatus chassis and functional equipment shall
      be lubricated as per the manufacturer’s
      specifications.

   5. All moving rods and linkages shall be lubricated as
      required.

   6. Nuts and bolts, including the lug nuts on wheels,
      shall be checked and tightened as needed.

   7. Auxiliary generators shall be serviced.

G. (Annual Maintenance)

   The following items shall be performed on an annual
   basis:

   1. Aerial devices shall undergo an annual service test
      in accordance with NFPA 1914, Testing Fire
      Department Aerial Devices.  The test shall be
      performed by a qualified, independent testing firm.

      a. The annual test shall include a visual
         inspection prior to an operational or load
         testing to note any visible defects, damage, or
         improperly secured parts.

|Functional Area:
SUPPORT SERVICES/FIRE SERVICES|Prev. Eff. Date:
NEW|Page 6 of
6|
|---|---|---|
|`Functional Area:`
`SUPPORT SERVICES/FIRE SERVICES`|`Effective Date:`
`4/01/01`|`Reference Number:`
`IVN09-0001`|

      b. An inspection of all the visible welds shall be
         made, as well as an inspection of all the
         bolts, cables, rollers, pins, slides, and
         washers. Bolts shall be torqued to the
         manufacturer’s specifications.

      c. A nondestructive test of the aerial device
         shall also be performed.

      d. The test shall be scheduled and supervised by
         the Station Chief.

   2. Fire pumps:

      a. A service test shall be conducted on all Class
         A fire pumps at least once a year or whenever a
         pump has undergone extensive repair.

      b. Service tests shall include a dry vacuum test,
         a priming test, a capacity test, a tachometer
         and engine rpm check, a relief valve test, an
         overload test, a 200-psi test, a 250-psi test,
         and a tank-to-pump flow test.

      c. These tests will be scheduled and conducted by
         the maintenance and logistics officer. The
         results of the tests shall be recorded on the
         Annual Fire Pump Service Test Form.

   3. Apparatus and motor vehicles:

      a. The annual service shall be conducted on all
         apparatus and motor vehicles in accordance with
         the Preventive Maintenance Worksheet.

H. (Responsibilities)

   1. Station Chiefs are responsible for the care and
      maintenance of all motorized vehicles assigned to
      their command and shall adhere to all established
      maintenance schedules.

   2. Drivers are responsible for the readiness of their
      assigned vehicles and shall perform all daily,

|Functional Area:
SUPPORT SERVICES/FIRE SERVICES|Prev. Eff. Date:
NEW|Page 7 of
6|
|---|---|---|
|`Functional Area:`
`SUPPORT SERVICES/FIRE SERVICES`|`Effective Date:`
`4/01/01`|`Reference Number:`
`IVN09-0001`|

   weekly, monthly, quarterly, semiannual, and annual
   maintenance tasks as indicated on the maintenance
   and daily work schedules. Drivers are also
   responsible for the performance of scheduled
   maintenance on all reserve vehicles garaged at their
   station.

3. The District Chief is responsible for reviewing all
   checklists and repair requests to monitor the status
   of the fleet.