By Alan M. Petrillo
Equipment manufacturers have expanded their lines of handline nozzles, allowing firefighters more control over flow, pressure, and stream type.
Firefighters must get water on a fire as quickly and efficiently as possible. Manufacturers aim to accomplish that mission with a wide selection of nozzles.
Where Is the Bail?
Rod Carringer, chief marketing officer for Task Force Tips (TFT), says, "Everyone has a different opinion on operational procedures for fire flow," which means his company has developed a huge number of nozzles to meet firefighter needs. "Our catalog has nearly 2,000 handheld nozzle combinations that we produce," Carringer points out, "and the possible combinations run into 10,000 when we consider international standards, although 85 percent of our business is from the United States market."
Carringer says TFT introduced a new nozzle, the Impulse, at FDIC International 2015 last month that integrates a new valve control into its existing nozzle lines. "We've removed the traditional bail handle off the top of the nozzle and are using a trigger-style mechanism to control the valve," Carringer says. "We're integrating the ability to hang onto the nozzle at the pistol grip and trigger the stream with the same hand."
![Task Force Tips has developed the Impulse, a nozzle that does away with the traditional bail handle and replaces it with a trigger-type mechanism to control the valve. (Photo courtesy of Task Force Tips](/content/dam/fa/print-articles/volume-20/issue-5/1505FA-PetrilloNozzles1.jpg) |
Task Force Tips has developed the Impulse, a nozzle that does away with the traditional bail handle and replaces it with a trigger-type mechanism to control the valve. (Photo courtesy of Task Force Tips.) |
The Impulse currently is in prototype stage and field trials of the nozzle are progressing, Carringer says. Impulse will be available in automatic, fixed-gallonage, and selectable-gallonage nozzles, he adds.
Dual-pressure and low-pressure nozzles are the latest trends in handline nozzles, Carringer says. "A lot of departments are moving toward low-pressure nozzles, mostly to reduce the reaction the firefighter feels at the tip," he says. "In a straight stream, the difference in nozzle reaction at 100 pounds per square inch (psi) vs. 75 psi is a 13 percent reduction for the firefighter. It makes a difference over time if he's working on a ladder or by himself in a hallway."
There's a downside in dropping to 75 psi, though. "You give up reach and penetration," Carringer says. "It's the same volume of water coming out, but it's coming out slower. When you go down to 50 psi, you have a high volume of water but lose the punch of that stream to get to the back wall or the second floor of a structure."
![Akron Brass Co. makes the HydroFX that can be used with its nozzles to detect inlet pressure at the nozzle and tie it into the flow rate, allowing the firefighter to have a visual indication of the flow. (Photo courtesy of Akron Brass Co](/content/dam/fa/print-articles/volume-20/issue-5/1505FA-PetrilloNozzles2.jpg) |
Akron Brass Co. makes the HydroFX that can be used with its nozzles to detect inlet pressure at the nozzle and tie it into the flow rate, allowing the firefighter to have a visual indication of the flow. (Photo courtesy of Akron Brass Co.) |
Flow Indicator
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Posted: May 4, 2015
![Chris Mc Loone](/content/dam/fa/print-articles/volume-20/issue-2/haddonnew.jpg) |
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Carl J. Haddon |
Now that the seemingly endless snows of winter have ended, it appears that spring may have actually sprung. With the spring thaw comes runoff. With runoff comes a rise in creek, river, and lake levels.
Often the aforementioned are accompanied by flooding, which in many areas of the country (including my own) causes tones to drop for water rescue calls. As many of us know, moving water is a force of nature that rarely loses its battles.
I am still amazed by the number of firefighters I meet around the country who do not know how to swim. The ability to swim is rarely a condition of hire for a fire department. I am also astounded at the number of fire departments I encounter around the country that do not carry life jackets or personal flotation devices (PFDs) as part of their personal protective equipment (PPE) cadre. Many of us still rely on the ability to draft water for firefighting purposes. Whether we are drafting water from a pond, a lake, a creek, a river, or even a swimming pool, shouldn't we have some sort of PFD to help prevent the unthinkable should we accidently fall in, especially if we are in turnout gear?
Do you know what the average depth of running water needs to be for it to be able to wash your vehicle away and carry it downstream? The answer is 12 inches. Did you know that it takes less than 12 inches of running water to sweep you off of your feet and carry you downstream? I know this from personal experience, as I almost drowned on a call in 18 inches of cold rushing Rocky Mountain creek water some years ago. At the time, I didn't think a life jacket was called for. I do now.
TYPES OF LIFE JACKETS
When you think of a life jacket or PFD, you picture an orange inflatable jacket with white straps that you are required to wear when you rent a fishing boat or that sits beneath the seats of the harbor cruise boats when you are on vacation. Yes, those are typically U.S. Coast Guard-approved Type II Square Top Yoke standard duty life jackets. Are these life jackets good enough for use by on-duty rescue or emergency services personnel? No, they are not.
The U.S. Coast Guard recognizes four classifications of PFDs:
- Type II: described above.
- Type III: typically worn by water skiers, personal water craft pilots and passengers, and for paddle sports such as canoeing.
- Type IV: throwable, such as handled seat cushions.
- Type V: designed and rated for swiftwater and whitewater activities; also the classification for life jackets designed for swiftwater rescue work. They typically come with a number of features not found in recreational life jackets. Some of these features include a place to affix a blunt tipped rescue knife, zippered pockets for essential gear, and an emergency whistle. Some of the newer, better models include an integral web belt strap with a heavy duty D-ring on the back for tying rescuers off to rescue lines. These straps/belts always include a quick-release, high-strength buckle that allows rescuers to activate and jettison the connection should they become entangled or otherwise need to immediately disconnect from the rescue line in an emergency situation.
Do you know what type of PFDs you have in your department? I ask for the obvious reason but also because I recently came upon some new whitewater rescue kits (donated to our team by local la
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