Ah ha Davey my boy - I am not in training any longer (indeed not for a year now) the 'manager' (formerly known as IPDS manager) was let out! There is life afeter IPDS!
Yes primer faults was a slight grouping - but worn primer drive wheel was put in as a separate one, as was no water in w.ring.........could have included
primer casing split (not uncommon with Water ring type freezing in winter)
sticking valve (ex gas ejector)
springs and caps all over the road (reciprocating)
sticking auto-disengaging valve (water ring usually only fitted with auto-run type))
broken primer lever/cable (manual engagement types)
broken spring (water ring hold-on spring - auto running type)
insufficient exhaust pressure (ejector - exhaust leaks)
leaking inlet hose (water ring)
I could go on, with more boring results, but won't!
Competency of the pump operator is a very good one (I did have primer not engaged - meaning manaul type - so pump operator failure) but didn't go so far as to list this one per se. You are right, though, as most failures I have come across have been due to the pump operator. One of my pet hates is the operators who engage the primer (water ring - main pump) when they have reached 2500rpm on the pump, rather than engage then raise the revs. Lovely smell of burning wheel - seems that this is the way they were taught and it is difficult to change people's ways if they had this drilled (pun intended) into them at training school. It is my experience that the true understanding of pumps and pump operation is generally lacking throughout the service.
I await startled and upset replies.
