By William R. Emery

Today, most fire department pumpers feature only pounds-per-square-inch (psi) gauges to monitor each discharge outlet.

Although using these psi gauges in conjunction with calculating friction loss within a particular hose layout has been common in the fire service for many years, it is time for the fire service to seriously consider integrating flow meters into each of its discharge outlets to create a safer, more efficient, and more effective fireground.

To look at the benefits of adding flow meters to our discharge outlets, let’s take a moment to review the principle characteristics of a workable nozzle and the difficulties in verifying if a nozzle is receiving proper pressure and flow rate using only psi gauges.

Optimal Nozzle Characteristics

Like many tools, a nozzle has an optimal point of performance. This optimal point typically reflects research and hands-on training performed by departments to find nozzle characteristics that work within their department. Some common nozzle characteristics that your department may focus on are as follows:

• Target flow rate.



• Reasonable nozzle reaction.



• Fire stream quality.



• Horizontal reach of the fire stream.

Fire departments will balance the positives and negatives of each nozzle characteristic and will generally publish, through a department policy or training program, the optimal point to operate a particular nozzle. For example, a department may choose to operate all 1¾-inch handlines with 15⁄16-inch smooth bore nozzles flowing 185 gallons per minute (gpm) at 50 psi, creating 69 pounds of force (lbf) of nozzle reaction and 59 feet of horizontal reach.

1 Commonly fire department pumpers have included psi gauges and push/pull “T” handles to monitor and control the flow to hoselines. (Photos by author.)

From this point, it is important to understand that the farther away a nozzle operates from the department-established optimal point, the less efficient and effective the nozzle becomes for the nozzle team to operate. Table 1 highlights some of the pitfalls associated with smooth bore nozzles operating above or below their optimal points. As shown, operating below the optimal point can endanger the nozzle team with a fire stream that does not have an adequate flow rate. Equally troubling is an overpressured nozzle that will have increased nozzle reaction, causing additional work, fatigue, and even possible safety concerns.

To bring in specific values to highlight the previous point, Table 2 shows

By William R. Emery

Today, most fire department pumpers feature only pounds-per-square-inch (psi) gauges to monitor each discharge outlet.

Although using these psi gauges in conjunction with calculating friction loss within a particular hose layout has been common in the fire service for many years, it is time for the fire service to seriously consider integrating flow meters into each of its discharge outlets to create a safer, more efficient, and more effective fireground.

To look at the benefits of adding flow meters to our discharge outlets, let’s take a moment to review the principle characteristics of a workable nozzle and the difficulties in verifying if a nozzle is receiving proper pressure and flow rate using only psi gauges.

Optimal Nozzle Characteristics

Like many tools, a nozzle has an optimal point of performance. This optimal point typically reflects research and hands-on training performed by departments to find nozzle characteristics that work within their department. Some common nozzle characteristics that your department may focus on are as follows:

• Target flow rate.



• Reasonable nozzle reaction.



• Fire stream quality.



• Horizontal reach of the fire stream.

Fire departments will balance the positives and negatives of each nozzle characteristic and will generally publish, through a department policy or training program, the optimal point to operate a particular nozzle. For example, a department may choose to operate all 1¾-inch handlines with 15⁄16-inch smooth bore nozzles flowing 185 gallons per minute (gpm) at 50 psi, creating 69 pounds of force (lbf) of nozzle reaction and 59 feet of horizontal reach.

1 Commonly fire department pumpers have included psi gauges and push/pull “T” handles to monitor and control the flow to hoselines. (Photos by author.)

From this point, it is important to understand that the farther away a nozzle operates from the department-established optimal point, the less efficient and effective the nozzle becomes for the nozzle team to operate. Table 1 highlights some of the pitfalls associated with smooth bore nozzles operating above or below their optimal points. As shown, operating below the optimal point can endanger the nozzle team with a fire stream that does not have an adequate flow rate. Equally troubling is an overpressured nozzle that will have increased nozzle reaction, causing additional work, fatigue, and even possible safety concerns.

To bring in specific values to highlight the previous point, Table 2 shows

Ever since the fire service got into the ambulance/rescue business, it has been looking for the perfect vehicle to use.

As of now, there is no one such vehicle that will be applicable to all organizations and all situations. Some departments use paramedic engines while others use smaller response vehicles while still others have tried out sport utility vehicles. Some only worry about the transport portion, and some have some basic capabilities for firefighting as their personnel are needed for fire response. This might even include some hose and a little tank water. One will also find organizations with distinct delineations of responsibilities so fire trucks do fire work and ambulances take care of emergency medical services (EMS).

Fit the Mission

Fire departments need to look at their mission, goals, and objectives. They need to evaluate their resources and the services expected of them. While there is always value in considering what others are doing, you do not need to “keep up with the Joneses” regarding your vehicle. You need to get what is good for your system and service as you consider the finances available for your use. Besides the cost, contemplate specifics for your department and personnel such as training, drivability (your road system and congestion so you can negotiate traffic, streets, and parking lots), maintenance, weight, and safety.

EMS can be provided in a variety of ways and with variances in many methods. In a perfect world, there might be carbon copies, but like much of the fire service, there are differing opinions for what is the best system. Each community gets to make its choice. Hopefully, it is an informed decision so it selects the best method. We know that departments can choose not to be involved in EMS, but this is more the exception to the rule. Organizations have the option of medical first responder level, basic emergency medical technician, or paramedic service (though there are some intermediates scattered about). They can choose to transport or not or be backup for true emergencies. They can have a governmental third service or private support through a hospital-based system or a private ambulance company. Depending on your system, your vehicle should be commensurate with your delivery model.

Vehicles

Departments have enjoyed successes with many types of vehicles and are often committed to their approach. As such, they will “brag” about their approach. They may be believers in remounts or basic “van-type” vehicles that are relatively inexpensive and disposable. On the other side of the argument are more heavy-duty vehicles that cost more but offer the advantages of a larger, more durable vehicle. One could make the case that there are successes in each approach, and service delivery and quality are in line with the expectations of the community. Those decisions are made locally but should not be made in a vacuum. Those who ultimately make the decision need to know the advantages and disadvantages. While cost is certainly a factor, it needs to be weighed against the desired quali

Ever since the fire service got into the ambulance/rescue business, it has been looking for the perfect vehicle to use.

As of now, there is no one such vehicle that will be applicable to all organizations and all situations. Some departments use paramedic engines while others use smaller response vehicles while still others have tried out sport utility vehicles. Some only worry about the transport portion, and some have some basic capabilities for firefighting as their personnel are needed for fire response. This might even include some hose and a little tank water. One will also find organizations with distinct delineations of responsibilities so fire trucks do fire work and ambulances take care of emergency medical services (EMS).

Fit the Mission

Fire departments need to look at their mission, goals, and objectives. They need to evaluate their resources and the services expected of them. While there is always value in considering what others are doing, you do not need to “keep up with the Joneses” regarding your vehicle. You need to get what is good for your system and service as you consider the finances available for your use. Besides the cost, contemplate specifics for your department and personnel such as training, drivability (your road system and congestion so you can negotiate traffic, streets, and parking lots), maintenance, weight, and safety.

EMS can be provided in a variety of ways and with variances in many methods. In a perfect world, there might be carbon copies, but like much of the fire service, there are differing opinions for what is the best system. Each community gets to make its choice. Hopefully, it is an informed decision so it selects the best method. We know that departments can choose not to be involved in EMS, but this is more the exception to the rule. Organizations have the option of medical first responder level, basic emergency medical technician, or paramedic service (though there are some intermediates scattered about). They can choose to transport or not or be backup for true emergencies. They can have a governmental third service or private support through a hospital-based system or a private ambulance company. Depending on your system, your vehicle should be commensurate with your delivery model.

Vehicles

Departments have enjoyed successes with many types of vehicles and are often committed to their approach. As such, they will “brag” about their approach. They may be believers in remounts or basic “van-type” vehicles that are relatively inexpensive and disposable. On the other side of the argument are more heavy-duty vehicles that cost more but offer the advantages of a larger, more durable vehicle. One could make the case that there are successes in each approach, and service delivery and quality are in line with the expectations of the community. Those decisions are made locally but should not be made in a vacuum. Those who ultimately make the decision need to know the advantages and disadvantages. While cost is certainly a factor, it needs to be weighed against the desired quali

Ever since the fire service got into the ambulance/rescue business, it has been looking for the perfect vehicle to use.

As of now, there is no one such vehicle that will be applicable to all organizations and all situations. Some departments use paramedic engines while others use smaller response vehicles while still others have tried out sport utility vehicles. Some only worry about the transport portion, and some have some basic capabilities for firefighting as their personnel are needed for fire response. This might even include some hose and a little tank water. One will also find organizations with distinct delineations of responsibilities so fire trucks do fire work and ambulances take care of emergency medical services (EMS).

Fit the Mission

Fire departments need to look at their mission, goals, and objectives. They need to evaluate their resources and the services expected of them. While there is always value in considering what others are doing, you do not need to “keep up with the Joneses” regarding your vehicle. You need to get what is good for your system and service as you consider the finances available for your use. Besides the cost, contemplate specifics for your department and personnel such as training, drivability (your road system and congestion so you can negotiate traffic, streets, and parking lots), maintenance, weight, and safety.

EMS can be provided in a variety of ways and with variances in many methods. In a perfect world, there might be carbon copies, but like much of the fire service, there are differing opinions for what is the best system. Each community gets to make its choice. Hopefully, it is an informed decision so it selects the best method. We know that departments can choose not to be involved in EMS, but this is more the exception to the rule. Organizations have the option of medical first responder level, basic emergency medical technician, or paramedic service (though there are some intermediates scattered about). They can choose to transport or not or be backup for true emergencies. They can have a governmental third service or private support through a hospital-based system or a private ambulance company. Depending on your system, your vehicle should be commensurate with your delivery model.

Vehicles

Departments have enjoyed successes with many types of vehicles and are often committed to their approach. As such, they will “brag” about their approach. They may be believers in remounts or basic “van-type” vehicles that are relatively inexpensive and disposable. On the other side of the argument are more heavy-duty vehicles that cost more but offer the advantages of a larger, more durable vehicle. One could make the case that there are successes in each approach, and service delivery and quality are in line with the expectations of the community. Those decisions are made locally but should not be made in a vacuum. Those who ultimately make the decision need to know the advantages and disadvantages. While cost is certainly a factor, it needs to be weighed against the desired quali