1. Prepare the site. Clear of any rocks, sticks, or debris that may damage the tank.
2. Note where unused water will flow and drain after finished.
3. Place ground sheet or other protective cover down.
4. Unroll the tank and center on ground sheet. Place one drain flange at the low end of the site if possible.
5. Pull all fabric folds out from the bottom of the tank. Bottom must be flat with no wrinkles to achieve maximum volume.
6. Check to make sure drain plugs are installed and hand-tightened.

Filling the Tank

1. If filling by tanker truck, back the truck up to the tank with the dump valve extending 6-8" (15-20 cm) past the collar edge. Or, move the tank into position behind the truck, and see 5 and 6 above.
2. Open the dump valve slowly at first until the tank stabilizes (approx. first 100 gallons (400 Liters), then open the valve fully.
3. The tank body (sides) will rise on its own as the water fills the tank. The tank is full when the water level reaches the bottom edge of the collar and the side walls are tight.
4. If filling with a hose, connect the hose to the bottom drain fitting and begin filling. Or, drape the hose over the top of the collar and open the hydrant/pump slowly. If using a hose over the top of the tanks, it is usually best to "snake" a length of the hose around the bottom of the tank so as to stabilize the hose for unattended filling. It is also possible to tie off the hose to one of the collar webbing handholds with a small length of rope or twine to keep it from moving or jumping while filling.

Note: It is possible to fill the Fireflex Tanks from above using a helicopter bucket. Use extreme caution during this operation. Contact Wholesale Fire & Rescue for more details regarding this application.

Drafting

1. The preferred method for suctioning water out of the tank is over the top using hose and a strainer. Larger sizes of suction hose will require support so as not to push or roll over the collar and spill water over the sides. Use the hose caddy [1417] to support this weight, positioning the caddy near the outside edge of the tank and just high enough to keep the suction hose off of the upright collar.
2. See that the strainer and hose are completely submerged (preferably resting on the bottom), and you are ready to prime the pump and begin pumping operations.
3. If the drain flanges are to be used as drafting ports, hook the suction hose to the port before filling the tank. When the tank is full, begin suctioning water using normal pump procedures. Special flanges and adapters for drafting through the flanges are available and should be planned for in advance.

Note: All normal safety precautions for drafting and pumping operations should be followed. Drafting from the drain flanges may cause pump cavitation or loss of prime as water levels decrease in the tank.

Dumping Residual Water

1. To drain the tanks, simply open the ports by removing the drain plugs. Take care that the area can safely absorb or carry away the flood of residual water that ensues.
2. There will nearly always be a portion of water in the tank that will not drain through the flanges. When water has stopped draining from the flanges, pull the body of the tank over onto the top by using one of the several webbing handholds on the tank body. Move around the perimeter of the tank lifting the sides to dump out the remaining water through the top opening.

Folding the Tank

1. Return tank to its normal position, pull folds out of bottom by pulling material flat.
2. Next pull on collar "D" ring 180 degrees from each other so that both sides of collar lay on top of each other.
3. The collar should be facing away from the direction from which you are folding. This allows entrapped air to escape.
4. Start folding in 12" - 15" (30-40 cm) parallel folds from the edge of the tank towards the collar.
5. When your folds are on top of the collar stop. Lift the collar, put the folds under the collar with the collar facing the opposite direction.
6. Now fold the same as a "D" for the other half of the tank.
7. The tank should now look like a long tube. About 2' (5 cm) from an end make your first fold. Roll the balance into a rolled tube, cinch the rolled tube across the width with the seat belt webbing strap provided.

Folding Instructions