Chapter 8 Maintenance

1. Chapter 8Maintenance

2. Objectives • Identify the major mechanical components of a vehicle. • Define the types of preventive maintenance. • Discuss the characteristics of an emergency vehicle.

3. Case Study Negligence: Case study • Review and discuss the case study.

4. Points to Ponder • How might the operator be judged negligent in this situation? • How might the organization also be found at fault?

5. Introduction

6. Points to Ponder • How can you ensure that an emergency vehicle is in safe operating condition? • Inspect the vehicle according to established procedures.

7. Points to Ponder • Check that all scheduled maintenance has been performed. • Check that all needed repairs has been made. If a vehicle is NOT in a safe operating condition, the operator has the responsibility to take the vehicle out of service until the problems have been fixed.

8. Emergency Vehicle Technician Certification

9. Emergency Vehicle Technician Certification

10. Points to Ponder • Spend some time with the maintenance officer of your organization or local emergency service organizations. • Discuss with them the problem areas you can cover in the lesson that will help do a better job in the organization.

11. Major Mechanical Systems • Engine/drive train • Cooling system • Braking system

12. Major Mechanical Systems • Engine/drive train • Cooling system • Braking system: • Antilock braking system

13. Four Main Components to an ABS System • Speed sensors • Pump • Valves • Controller

14. Basic Principles to Braking • Leverage • Hydraulics • Friction regulations

15. Major Mechanical Systems • Engine/drive train • Cooling system • Braking system: • Antilock braking system • Drum brakes • Disc brakes

16. Main Components of a Disc Brake • Brake pads • Caliper, which contains the piston • Rotor, which is mounted to the hub

17. Major Mechanical Systems • Engine/drive train • Cooling system • Braking system: • Antilock braking system • Drum brakes • Disc brakes • Air brakes • Exhaust brakes

18. Brake Fade

19. Major Mechanical Systems • Engine/drive train • Cooling system • Braking system • Electrical system/auxiliary power • Environmental control systems

20. Tires • Treadwear • Traction • Temperature • Tire pressure and loading

21. Tire Labels • Gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) • Gross axle weight ratings (GAWR) • Recommended tire pressure and load limit • Understand tire pressure and load limits

22. Checking Tire Pressure • Most tires may naturally lose air over time. • Tires can lose air suddenly if you drive over a pothole or other object, or if you strike the curb when parking. • With radial tires, it is usually not possible to determine under inflation by visual inspection.

23. Steps for Maintaining Proper Tire Pressure • Step 1: Locate the recommended tire pressure on the vehicle’s tire information placard, certification label, or in the owner’s manual. • Step 2: Record the tire pressure of all tires.

24. Steps for Maintaining Proper Tire Pressure • Step 3: If the tire pressure is too high in any of the tires, slowly release air by gently pressing on the tire valve stem with the edge of your tire gauge until you get to the correct pressure. • Step 4: If the tire pressure is too low, note the difference between the measured tire pressure and the correct tire pressure. These “missing” pounds of pressure are what will need to be added.

25. Steps for Maintaining Proper Tire Pressure • Step 5: Add the missing pounds of air pressure to each tire that is under inflated. • Step 6: Check all the tires to make sure they have the same air pressure (except in cases in which the front and rear tires are supposed to have different amounts of pressure).

26. Tires • Treadwear • Traction • Temperature • Tire pressure and loading • Balance and alignment • Rotation

27. Tire Rotation

28. Tires • Treadwear • Traction • Temperature • Tire pressure and loading • Balance and alignment • Rotation • Repair

29. Support Equipment • Main and portable oxygen bottles • Stretchers, cots, and patient handling equipment • Portable, removable medical devices • Durable and disposable medical items

30. Support Equipment • Optional vehicle equipment such as battery charger, inverter, or auxiliary power unit • Communications equipment • Extrication and rescue equipment

31. Vehicle Inspection • Systematic inspections

32. Vehicle Inspection • Systematic inspections: • Find and report problems that need to be fixed • Keep track of preventive maintenance requirements • Document the overall condition of the vehicle

33. Vehicle Inspection • Systematic inspections • Inspection methodology • Importance of maintaining records • Recommended inspection schedule • Inspection types

34. Inspection Types • Quick check • Full check

35. Quick Check • Inspect each item and place a check mark. • Fix any problems found. • Note that any starred (*) problems must be fixed before the vehicle is placed in service. • Decide whether or not to place the vehicle in service and document the decision. • Sign and date the checklist.

36. Checklist Format • Vehicle diagram • Inspection sequence

37. Points to Ponder • Suppose a vehicle you have inspected has one cracked turn signal lens and a slow oil leak. Based on the organization guidelines and other circumstances, you may or may not place the vehicle in service. Before making your decision, you may want to talk to a supervisor and/or maintenance. How would you handle this situation?

38. Points to Ponder • One organization might let a vehicle go on a run with a broken windshield wiper on a clear day; another organization might take the vehicle out of service. In either case, the problem should be documented and the repairs made as soon as possible.

39. Preparation • To prepare for performing the Quick Check, you need to do three things: • Arrange for another crew member to help check the lights. • Place wheel chocks where they can be quickly retrieved if required. • Get a blank checklist and fill out the administrative information.

40. Inspection Sequence • Overall Appearance • Operator Compartment • Exterior: Operator’s side • Exterior: Front (Continued)

41. Inspection Sequence • Engine Compartment • Exterior: Passenger’s Side • Patient Compartment • Exterior: Rear

42. Overall Appearance • Check vehicle cleanliness. • The overall appearance to the public as a professional organization is enhanced by a clean, well-maintained vehicle. • Check general vehicle condition. • Is the vehicle sitting level? • Are there any puddles or other signs of visible fluid leaks? • Are there any signs of new, unreported body damage?

43. Operator Compartment • Check the vehicle log. • The most recently completed Full Check and Quick Check checklists should be in the log, along with blank copies of the run report and a complete inventory list of installed equipment. • Check for stowage of items. • Be sure switches for lights and communication equipment are in the “off” position. • Adjust the seat, seat belt, and side view mirrors.

44. Operator Compartment • Release the hood latch. • Turn the key to the ON position and check the fuel gauge. • Routine refueling should occur when the fuel level is between 1/2 and 3/4 empty. Follow the organization’s procedures for refueling.

45. Exterior Walk-around: Operator’s Side • Check left outside mirror bracket for general condition. • Check left side window for general condition. • Check left side of windshield and left wiper for general condition. • Check the left front wheel and tire for general condition.

46. Exterior Walk-around: Operator’s Side • Check the tire for a properly inflated appearance, but do not check tire pressure. • Check left front fender for general condition. • Check the pump panel and run the pump if equipped

47. Exterior Walk-around: Front • Inspect front of vehicle and grill for general condition. • Remove any obstructions to the grill, radiator, or lights. • Visually check condition of headlights and turn signals. • Visually check condition of emergency lights from the front.

48. Engine Compartment • Open hood and visually check engine for signs of leaks. • Visually check condition of belts. • Visually check condition of battery(ies). • Check levels of engine oil, windshield washer fluid, and cooling system.

49. Engine Compartment • Check coolant level at overflow reservoir; do not remove radiator cap to check. • Replenish fluids according to local organization’s requirements. • Always replenish the engine oil when it is one quart low. • Close the hood and ensure that it is latched.

50. Exterior Walk-around: Passenger’s Side • Check right front fender for general condition. • Check the right front wheel and tire for general condition. • Check the tire for a properly inflated appearance, but do not check tire pressure. • Check right side of windshield and right wiper for general condition.