4.01.003 Power Washer Operation (Service Truck mounted)

This Policy is completed waiting on Field Service, Engineering & Safety approval.

Purpose

The purpose of this procedure is to establish the minimum requirements to safely operate the gas engine powered pressure washer mounted on the Flogistix service truck.

Procedure

This procedure applies to all power washer units mounted on Flogistix service trucks. Flogistix Service Technicians will perform the recommended inspections and recommended operating procedure per the manufactures to safely operate the gas engine powered power washer. This procedure was developed as a basic guide to understanding the operation and requirements, installation, and servicing of the GENERAL Pump model positive displacement pump..

Before any work is performed a JSA needs to be done according to Flogistix procedure along with any Customer requirements before any work is started.

Introduction:

Pressure cleaning equipment is potentially hazardous and could cause personal injury or property damage if installed, repaired, or operated in an unsafe manner, or in a manner which is not consistent with the manufactures recommendations or requirements.

There are many many manufactures of pressure washer pumps and complementary components. Be sure that the required components you chose are consistent with the quality standards of the GENERAL PUMP model that was equipped on the Flogistix service truck.

Pressure:

The pressure produced in a pressure washer system is a result of forcing a known volume(or flow) of water through a known size orifice (spray tip). Pressure is measured in Pounds Per Square Inch (PSI)

Flow:

The flow or volume produced in a pressure washer system is determined by the speed that the pump shaft is rotated (RPM). The faster the shaft is rotated, the higher the output volume. Flow volume is measured in gallons per minute (GPM)

The pump, which is driven by a gasoline powered engine, draws or accepts water through a series of inlet check valves as the plungers move back. As the plungers move forward, the inlet valves close, forcing the water to travel through a series of outlet check valves, and into the outbound side of the pump.

After the water exits the pump, it flow direction must be controlled with an unloading or regulating valve. A Positive Displacement Pump is always delivering a certain volume of water whether the spray gun is open or closed. Therefore a device is needed to control the direction of flow, either allowing the flow to go through the open spray gun, or redirecting (by-passing) the flow back to the inbound side of the pump when the spray gun is closed. Without an unloading or regulating valve, dangerously high pressure will be produced when the spray gun is closed because the water being forced out of the pump has no place to go. Serious bodily injury or property damage could be caused by failure to properly utilize an appropriate un-loader or regulator valve in the pressure washer system. As a safety device, at least one pressure relief valve should be installed in the outbound side of the pump to guard against failure of component parts, and the development of dangerously high pressures.

Cleaning chemicals or detergents may be introduced into the flow of the water inbound of the pump. An inbound or suction injector simply uses the pumps ability to draw or suck fluid in to introduce a chemical into the stream of water. Care must be taken to avoid introducing any chemicals which are not compatible with the materials in the pump or downstream components.

As stated earlier the output pressure is determined by forcing the output volume of water through a certain size orifice or spray tip. Spray tip size is a very important factor of proper pressure washer performance, using a tip that is sized too small will allow over pressurization of the pump and components. You must know the GPM and the desired output PSI to properly select a spray tip size. Spray tips are available in various spray angles. It is advisable to have different spray angle tips in the same size for different cleaning applications.

Upstream or Inlet side Components:

1. Inlet Filter - An inlet filter should be installed with a 60-120 mesh screen to stop foreign matter from entering the inlet system. This could cause unnecessary wear on all components.

2. By-Pass Provision- The unloader or regulator valve by-passes or recirculates pumped water when the gun trigger is released. A provision must be made in the inlet plumbing (or inlet water holding tank) to accept this flow or water without restriction

3. Up Stream injector- A device which uses the pumps ability to draw or suck fluid to introduce a cleaning chemical into the water stream. This type of injector is recommended for very mild chemicals only as the entire system especially the pump is exposed to the corrosive tendencies of the cleaning chemicals

Downstream or Outlet Side Components:

1. Unloader or Regulator Valve- This device is required to direct the constant flow of water either through the spray tip when the gun is open, or by-pass the flow back to the inlet side of the pump when the gun is closed. Be sure to adhere to the manufactures requirements when selecting, installing, setting up and servicing the unloader valves. The valve should be mounted as close to the pump outlet as possible. Do Not Use any hose between the pump and the unloader

2. Pressure Relief Valve- A safety device which when installed and set-up according to the manufactures specifications will open and dump to atmosphere a quantity of water if the system becomes overpressurized due to failure of the system components.

3. High Pressure Hose- A required component of the system on the service truck. Be sure that the hose that is selected is compatible with all chemicals that will be introduced into the system, is rated at least 50% greater than the system operating pressure. The hose has to have good quality Permanite couplings on each end. Hose clamps are Not to be used on a pressure washer hose. If quick disconnect couplings are used on the ends of the high pressure hose, be sure that they are of the "straight through" design. Air type quick couplers with internal "shut offs" are not acceptable because pulsations in the water flow will destroy the moving parts and lodge them in the gun and/or spray tip

4. Spray Gun/Wand- Spray guns must be selected to withstand pressure, volume, temperature, and chemicals in the system. Guns must be durable to withstand the kind of abuse typical in pressure wash applications.

Pre Check List before Operation:

1. Check guards on all belts, pulleys and rotating parts

2. Check fuel in motor

3. Check hose and wand for good operating condition

4. Check for water and soap in storage tank

Operation:

Always keep the wand pointed in a safe direction. Always keep the hand or fingers off the spray wand trigger until ready for use. When not in use always unload the pressure from the spray wand. Be sure of what your aiming wand at and what is around it. Make sure you are aware of the mechanical and handling characteristics of the power washer and wand. For start up, make sure wand is properly connected to hose and make sure water valve is turned on to the pump and motor, With one hand, squeeze the trigger on the wand and with the other hand pull start the motor for the power washer(follow Honda motor start up procedure). Once motor is running and you have water coming out of the wand you can release the trigger on the wand. Now the power washer is primed and ready to operate. If available you can turn on the soap dispenser at this time if needed. To do that make sure the soap hose is properly attached to power washer and with the other end of the hose place it in the soap bucket, open the needle valve to the power washer. When done you can shut the needle valve to the soap dispenser line and to shut down the power washer(follow Honda motor shut down procedures). Point the wand in a safe direction and release any remaining pressure on the washer by squeezing the trigger. Now close the valve the water tank and the wand can be removed if needed. Properly store hose and wand away for safe transportation.

Before any work is performed all Safety precautions must be in-place according to Flogistix policy for the unit type.

Responsibilities

Management - Management is responsible for implementing, supporting, and enforcing the requirements of this procedure to their respective locations/area.

EHSS - Responsible to assist in the implementation of this procedure and to review for effectiveness.

Employees, Contractors, Vendors, ETC. - Are responsible to follow the requirements outlined in this procedure and ask for assistance

Scope

This procedure applies to all service trucks equipped with power washers and are applicable to all Flogistix employees, contractors, and temporary employees.

Hazards

Employees should be aware of the dangers with high pressure water and soap. Employees should be aware that a gas powered washer contains flammable and toxic gasses. Potential for the possible hazards of gas ignition or fire, hot surfaces & fluids, rotating equipment. Environmental hazards of used oil and production fluids being washed off unit onto ground or soil.

Safety

All Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for Field Mechanical duties apply for this procedure. Flogistix EHSS Manual, Section 8, Procedure 8.3 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Four Gas Monitor, which is outlined in the Flogistix EHSS Manual, Section 8, Procedure 8.3 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

This procedure applies to all units in service in the field, at a service shop, or in any storage yard.

Insure Flogistix personnel have proper safety certification or site orientation if required by the Flogistix Customer.

Insure Flogistix personnel adhere to any Customers safety practices.

Proper use of required tools

Training

All employees shall be initially trained on the following topics:

• Employee Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

• Emergency and First Aid procedures

• Methods and Observations that may be used to detect the presence or release of a hazardous chemicals or gas in the work place

• MSDS on soap and other chemicals being used

Tools & Equipment Required

All employees performing Power Washing shall be required to have the listed tools to perform job tasks:

• All required PPE according to Flogistix Safety Policy

• Power washer

Approvals:

Field Service approved by:

Date:

Engineering approved by:

EHSS approved by:

Date: