News Search

Keeping Shaw cool with water, fuel systems

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Destinee Dougherty
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  A fire alarm rings loudly throughout a building as the smell of smoke drifts from a room. The sprinkler system activates and sprays water onto the flames, allowing personnel to escape and saving the building.

A dormitory resident living in the humid South Carolina summer comes home after enduring high temperatures all day. He turns on his sink to grab a cold glass of fresh water to feel rehydrated and refreshed.

Although both situations are vastly different, they have one thing in common: water.

Shaw Air Force Base relies on water systems for many things from simple plumbing to fire hydrants. Taking care of those systems is one of the many crucial duties with which the 20th Civil Engineer Squadron water and fuel systems shop is tasked.

Responsibilities assigned to the water and fuel systems personnel include plumbing, water and gas systems, and fire systems. The water and fire systems on base provide fire suppression and clean water to facilities in order to protect assets and personnel.

“These fire systems we’re maintaining protect a lot of valuable assets on this base,” said James Tucker, 20th Civil Engineer Squadron water and fuel systems shop foreman. “I think that’s one of the more important things we do. If there wasn’t a properly maintained fire system in a hangar, a fire could mean losing millions of dollars real quick.”

Water and fuel systems personnel run inspections annually on the fire systems, simulating the activation of the fire sprinkler system to ensure proper function.

Not only do water and fuel systems Airmen cover indoor and outdoor plumbing for all the facilities on base, Wateree Recreation Area and Poinsett Electronic Combat Range, they also treat the water.

In order to treat water, personnel are required by the state of South Carolina to be properly certified by the Department of Health and Ecological Controls.
To become certified it is necessary to pass a course involving a set number of training hours and to pass a written knowledge-based test; out of 28 water and fuels systems personnel, 15 of them are certified water operators.

In addition to treating the water, the water and fuel systems shop conducts approximately 450 annual backflow tests to ensure water quality is not being diminished by any substances inside a specific facility. Backflows are devices with two check valves which only allow water to go in one direction, helping to prevent contamination of the main water supply.

“Backflows are tested annually to ensure no contamination is going into the drinking water supply,” said Staff Sgt. Ryan Schmutzler, 20th CES water and fuel systems maintenance craftsman.

In a community, water is a necessity and a fire can be catastrophic. Personnel from the 20th CES water and fuel systems shop help maintain both the safety and the health of the base, keeping 20th Fighter Wing personnel and aircraft cool, in flight and in the fight.