1 This portable monitor stand allowed evaluators to move nozzles around into different environmental conditions
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Posted: Nov 2, 2016
By Steve Green
In the summer of 2015, the Fire Instructors Association of North Texas commissioned a study to evaluate the differences between low-pressure fog nozzles.
The purpose was to compare and contrast 50-, 75-, and 100-pound-per-square-inch (psi) fog nozzles at various gallon-per-minute (gpm) flows. The results of this study are summarized in this article. The merits and differences of smooth bore nozzles are not in debate and were not used during these tests. As always, your fireground results and observations may be different. Also, your practical experiences will differ depending on building construction, weather, and fire load. Base all your tactical decisions on near and expectant fire conditions.
The Scope and Mission
Numerous discussions determined that there is not a “set standard” for nozzle selection in the Metroplex (the region that comprises Dallas, Fort Worth, and Arlington, Texas). That can be said of most of the country, but in the South, there is a large usage of fog nozzles. That is not to say that we use fog nozzles only but that there is a proclivity to attach them to our most frequently used lines. In the Metroplex, it is common to see a dual crosslay with 1¾-inch hose varying in lengths from 150 to 250 feet with some type of fog nozzle. What has been of interest is the move toward lower pressure nozzles over the past five years. Numerous departments have made a decision to go to a 50- or 75-psi nozzle using roughly the same diameter line.
Along with this, there seems to be some debate among firefighters as to which setup is the most effective. So, this study put some cold facts on the table for firefighters to discuss. For the purpose of the study, we stayed consistent with our 1¾-inch attack line and used 200 feet. We thought this was a good compromise and the average for the departments in our region.
The group evaluated the nozzles based on the following:
- Reach and penetration.
- Hose kinks and deployment issues.
- Nozzle reaction and ease of use.
- Overall performance in suppression activities.
Again, this article does not cover the merits of smooth bore for reach and penetration, and we did not use them as a comparative factor.
As a setup for what follows, let us do a quick review. Our goal in the fire service has always remained the same: put the fire out. How you do it and what works best for you and your jurisdiction will always differ from others. How you best accomplish this usually depends on how well your people are trained, staffing, equipment, and the hard lessons learned by those who came before you. Whether you use smooth bore, fog, compressed-air-foam systems, positive pressure attack, etc., it all comes down to one simple truth: Do what works, and repeat it every time.
If you attempt to recreate what we have done here, be realistic. Do not base your results on four- to five-person staffing if your department does not use that. If you have two- to three-person engines, factor that into your evaluations. Otherwise, you are going to have some very unrealistic expectations for your crews on scene.
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1 This portable monitor stand allowed evaluators to move nozzles around into different environmental conditions
Read more
- 256
- Article rating: No rating
Posted: Nov 2, 2016
By Steve Green
In the summer of 2015, the Fire Instructors Association of North Texas commissioned a study to evaluate the differences between low-pressure fog nozzles.
The purpose was to compare and contrast 50-, 75-, and 100-pound-per-square-inch (psi) fog nozzles at various gallon-per-minute (gpm) flows. The results of this study are summarized in this article. The merits and differences of smooth bore nozzles are not in debate and were not used during these tests. As always, your fireground results and observations may be different. Also, your practical experiences will differ depending on building construction, weather, and fire load. Base all your tactical decisions on near and expectant fire conditions.
The Scope and Mission
Numerous discussions determined that there is not a “set standard” for nozzle selection in the Metroplex (the region that comprises Dallas, Fort Worth, and Arlington, Texas). That can be said of most of the country, but in the South, there is a large usage of fog nozzles. That is not to say that we use fog nozzles only but that there is a proclivity to attach them to our most frequently used lines. In the Metroplex, it is common to see a dual crosslay with 1¾-inch hose varying in lengths from 150 to 250 feet with some type of fog nozzle. What has been of interest is the move toward lower pressure nozzles over the past five years. Numerous departments have made a decision to go to a 50- or 75-psi nozzle using roughly the same diameter line.
Along with this, there seems to be some debate among firefighters as to which setup is the most effective. So, this study put some cold facts on the table for firefighters to discuss. For the purpose of the study, we stayed consistent with our 1¾-inch attack line and used 200 feet. We thought this was a good compromise and the average for the departments in our region.
The group evaluated the nozzles based on the following:
- Reach and penetration.
- Hose kinks and deployment issues.
- Nozzle reaction and ease of use.
- Overall performance in suppression activities.
Again, this article does not cover the merits of smooth bore for reach and penetration, and we did not use them as a comparative factor.
As a setup for what follows, let us do a quick review. Our goal in the fire service has always remained the same: put the fire out. How you do it and what works best for you and your jurisdiction will always differ from others. How you best accomplish this usually depends on how well your people are trained, staffing, equipment, and the hard lessons learned by those who came before you. Whether you use smooth bore, fog, compressed-air-foam systems, positive pressure attack, etc., it all comes down to one simple truth: Do what works, and repeat it every time.
If you attempt to recreate what we have done here, be realistic. Do not base your results on four- to five-person staffing if your department does not use that. If you have two- to three-person engines, factor that into your evaluations. Otherwise, you are going to have some very unrealistic expectations for your crews on scene.
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1 This portable monitor stand allowed evaluators to move nozzles around into different environmental conditions
Read more
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Posted: Nov 2, 2016
A symposium is a meeting with the purpose of discussing a specific topic. It is not designed to cast a broad net but instead to bring together people with a particular interest.
The 29th Annual Fire Department Safety Officers Association (FDSOA) Apparatus Maintenance and Specification Symposium will do just that. It is being held in Orlando, Florida, January 15-18, 2017. In partnership with the Fire Apparatus Manufacturers’ Association (FAMA) and Fire Apparatus and Emergency Equipment, this one-of-a-kind gathering gets directly to the issues of interest to those involved in any aspect of apparatus-purchasing, drafting specs, and fleet maintenance. Apparatus will be covered from soup to nuts. Engines, ladders, aerials, rescues, and ambulances will be part of the agenda and topics for informal discussion with industry experts from the supplier side to the end user.
Here is a sampling. Mike Wilbur and Tom Shand present a preconference session on specification writing. Both are recognized experts in the field. Those who attend will no doubt gain additional knowledge that will help them not only obtain reliable apparatus but also determine ways to spend their funds wisely. Brian Brown will present another preconference session on fire pumps and pump testing. This is critical for fleet management, and lessons learned will assist in maintaining reliability and compliance with acceptable standards.
The official start of the symposium will be on Monday morning. Steve Pegram, who provided the keynote at FDIC International 2016, will keynote the Symposium to tell his compelling story. You will not want to miss this. Roger Lackore will follow with valuable information on FAMA resources. Apparatus manufacturers give a lot back to the industry, and members of the fire service need to know the types of things that can help them get what they need for their communities and departments.
Tuesday’s general session will include a presentation on the Boston Fire Department’s (BFD) experience following the fatal accident in 2009 of Ladder 26. Ralph Craven, who was part of the team requested to do the review, will be a presenter. There will also be BFD representatives, including the Chief of Department Robert Calobrisi, who has been invited to provide his perspective. There is so much that can be learned from the experiences of others, and you have a chance to hear right from the horse’s mouth.
Also on Tuesday will be a special presentation by Neil Rossman. He is the attorney who successfully won a lawsuit after a Brookline, Massachusetts, firefighter was thrown from a fire truck while responding to a call. This action led to many changes in fire apparatus safety. Rossman has been actively involved in the fire service, serving on the National Fire Protection Association 1500, Standard on Fire Department Occupational Safety and Health Program, committee. The Apparatus Symposium was initiated, in part, to do whatever can be done to eliminate future tragedies. This presentation will highlight what has been done as well as discuss some work that remains to be done.
Between all of the general sessions will be workshops on all types of apparatus-related topics. They will be very specific in their content, and attendees can go to those sessions that will help them most. Besides the sessions, presenters will be around for most, if not all, of the Symposium. So, there will be ample time for informal discussions that often offer the most benefit to the attendees.
The 29th Annual Apparatus Maintenance and Specification Symposium will close with a keynote by Dr. David Griffin of the Charleston (SC) Fire Department. It will be a fitting
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