When pumping from a tank and attack lines are being used intermittently, which of the following is a way the pump operator can ensure that the pump does NOT overheat?

• A. Fully open auxiliary cooling valve
• B. Set circulator valve to tank position
• C. Make sure apparatus is in high idle
• D. Overheating is not a problem

Answer: (B)

When pumping from a tank while attack lines are used intermittently, the pump can overheat if water isn’t circulating through it during those lulls in nozzle flow. The circulator valve has a tank position that creates a recirculation path: water from the pump discharge loops back to the tank (or through a bypass around the pump) so the pump keeps moving water even when there isn’t sustained discharge. This continuous movement cools the pump and prevents overheating.

So setting the valve to tank position ensures cooling by circulating water rather than letting the pump sit stagnant or overheat. Other options don’t provide as reliable a cooling path or aren’t directly applicable to the pump’s cooling needs in this scenario.