Which piece of equipment is used to verify engine speed?

The tachometer is the instrument specifically designed to measure engine speed, typically expressed in revolutions per minute (RPM). It provides real-time feedback on how fast the engine is operating, which is crucial for maintaining optimal performance and preventing engine damage due to excessive speeds.

In aerial fire apparatus operations, understanding the engine speed is vital, as it helps ensure that the equipment is running efficiently under varying load conditions. For instance, when operating the aerial device or pumping water, maintaining the correct engine speed is important for effective power delivery and efficiency.

Other instruments, such as pressure gauges, flow meters, and speedometers, serve different purposes. Pressure gauges monitor fluid pressure within systems, flow meters measure the volume of fluid passing through a system, and speedometers gauge the overall speed of the vehicle, not the engine. Therefore, while they are essential for various functions within the apparatus, they do not provide the specific measurement of engine speed that a tachometer does.