To obtain a draft, which statement is accurate?

• A. All valves and gates must be closed including the tank fill/recirculating and engine cooler valves
• B. Only the discharge valve must be closed
• C. Valves must remain open during drafting
• D. Drafting can proceed with no valve considerations

Answer: (A)

When drafting from a static water source, you need to create a sealed suction so the pump can prime without losing water or drawing in air. Closing the suction-side valves and gates prevents water from moving back into the tank or circulating through the engine cooling path, which helps keep the prime intact. The tank fill/recirculating valve is shut to stop water from flowing back to the tank, and the engine cooler valve is closed so cooling water isn’t diverted through the engine circuit during the priming process. With these paths blocked, the pump can pull water from the draft source to establish a prime. Once prime is established, you’d adjust valves to operate normally, but the initial step to obtain a draft is to isolate the suction side by closing these valves.