Transcript Guide to Automatic Nozzles

Fire vs. Water Flow
What’s the best size for an “attack line?”
What factors are the highest priority on your
department?
Maximum flow
Maximum mobility
Speed-How fast and how much
Ease of deployment and pickup
Personnel available
Water supply available
13/4” ?
Pump Pressure for 125 GPM
452 psi
156 psi
150 feet
150 feet
136 psi
150 feet
105 psi
1”
1½”
1¾”
2½”
150 feet
(100 psi nozzle pressure)
Larger Attack Hose Lines Equal...
Higher initial attack flow capability
Less friction loss
Longer hose lay capability
Using more of pumps capacity
Higher Flows Equal...
Quicker fire knockdown
Personnel spend less time in “combat”
More lives saved
More property saved
Fire Ground Hydraulics?
P.S.I.?
Nozzle pressure?
200?
150?
The Preconnect...
The Preconnect is always the first line off
The first two lines down fight most of our fires
Can they handle most anything our department is “normally”
going to fight?
The Pre-Con 150 Play
150’ of 1¾” @ 150 psi = 150 GPM
Works “most” of the time
It’s the easiest and most often
practiced
Simplifies pump operation (only
one pressure works)
But... is it the right choice,
THIS time??
How will we handle 90% of our fires?
90% of our fires result
in 10% of our losses
however,
10% of our fires result
in 90% of our losses!
I got it,
Chief!!
Will we count it as
a great “save”...
... or a futile
training exercise?
ISO Ratings
Insurance Service Offices
Grading of fire department’s capabilities
and equipment
For determining fire insurance premiums
Not an application rate formula
NFPA Water Supply Formulas
For pre-planning water supply
To determine total quantity of water needed
For a single structure
Or a group of buildings
Type of construction
Occupancy rating
Exposures
Refer to NFPA 1231 Suburban & Rural Water Supplies
Iowa State University Formula
GPM = L x W x H
100
L = Length
W = Width
H = Height
Fire knockdown in 60 seconds or less
Normally for enclosed areas
Can be used in pre-planning water
requirements for a building or room
National Fire Academy
Formula for Quick Size-up...
GPM = L x W
3
L = Length
W = Width
Fire knockdown in 30 seconds or less
Multiply GPM by number of floors involved
Can be adjusted for actual % of involvement
Choose appropriate size & number of attack
lines based on GPM required & other
situational factors
Formulas & Fire Loading of Structures...
Iowa State University
Formula
National Fire Academy
Formula
Developed in the 1950’s
Fire load mostly organic
materials
Ventilation tactics utilized
less often
Attack often from outside due
to lack of breathing apparatus,
protective clothing, & other
safety equipment
Current information
Fire load contains more
synthetics
Synthetics produce more
BTU’s per pound & increase
smoke & noxious gas output
Ventilation and interior attack
tactics utilized
Increased water flow required
due to increased heat output