Fire Hose Inventory and Best Practices

Minimum Hose Inventory

• 6" Soft Intake: 25'
• 5": 1000 feet
• 2 ½": 1000 feet
• 1" Booster Line: 200 feet
• 10 ft hard suction: 2 (Two) sections
• High Rise Pack: 195' of 2 ½” HR hose
• High Rise Pack: 2 (Two) 200 foot 1 ¾”/1.88” crosslays
• Pre-Connected 1 ¾”/1.88": All other 1 ¾” attack hoselines length per company captain
• Wildland Hose: 200’ of 1” hose
• Apartment Pack: 100’ of 1 ¾” hose

5" Hose Information

• 5” hose fitted with Storz quarter-turn couplings are the primary supply hose
• All 5” hose shall be loaded flat in the hose bed
• Couplings can be placed in random locations but must be staggered and cannot flip over during layout
• A rope “hydrant loop” with a hydrant wrench and two 5” spanner wrenches shall be readily available for laying a supply line

5" Hose Best Practices

• When connecting 5” hose to the intake valve, never place a right-hand twist in the hose, it may uncouple upon charging
• If a hose clamp is used when laying out, the clamp must be placed close to a coupling on the supply side
• The 5” hose will extend horizontally when charged, so always clamp at least 25’ back from the tail board
• A Supply line connected to a hydrant at incident scenes shall be 5” or larger
• When loosening the hose clamp, do not position yourself on the hinge side of the clamp
• The engineer shall direct the opening of the hydrant by portable radio or by signaling with arms extended over the head (when the engine can be seen from the hydrant)
• If the above methods of directing the opening of a hydrant are impractical, utilize a runner.

Crossing 5" Hose

• Crossing 5” hose SHALL ONLY BE DONE IN AN EMERGENCY, and in a manner that minimizes the chance of hose or coupling damage
• Lay 5” hose in a manner to avoid the path of vehicles if possible
• Any crossing should be done at an angle and not straight on
• If 5” hose must be crossed, only vehicles with high ground clearance should be permitted to do so
• No apparatus shall drive over a 5” hose coupling
• 5” hose has a comparatively small amount of friction loss compared to 2 ½” hose, but it too has limitations
• A flow of 1200 GPM has 10 PSI friction loss per 100' section of hose
• 1600 GPM is the practical volume limit of 5” hose
• If a full bed load of 5” hose is used to supply an attack engine, an additional engine should “hook-up” to the hydrant and relay pump the supply line (see page 64)
• 5” hose lays requiring multiple bed loads may require several in-line relay engines in addition to the engine at the hydrant
• Pumping 5” hose requires two-stage pumps to be operated in VOLUME
• Maintain a minimum of 10 PSI residual pressure and never exceed 200 PSI PDP

Storz Adapters and Appliances

• 6” Ball Intake Valve (BIV) with 5” Storz connection
• 6” Piston Intake Valve (PIV) with 5” Storz connection
• Front Intake: 5” piping outfitted with 6”; Female to 5” Storz connection
• The 6” Ball intake valve (BIV) will flow in excess of 2000 GPM
• The 6” Ball intake valve (BIV) is also capable of drafting if outfitted with the proper adapter

Storz Adapters

• 4” female to 5” Storz adapter is located on the LDH discharge valve
• 4 ½” female to 5” Storz adapter is the standard JFRD hydrant connection, normally installed on 5” hose in the hose bed
• 2 ½” female to 5” Storz adapter is used for connecting 5” hose to the 2 ½” outlet on a hydrant
• 5” Storz to 6” male adapter is a vacuum rated adapter to allow connection of hard suction or 6” soft intake hose to a BIV
• The 5” Storz to 6” male adapter is painted Red and equipped with vacuum rated gasket

2 ½” Hose Information

• 2 ½” hose shall be loaded in the hose bed with the male coupling out (on top)
• This hose is versatile and can be used for a variety of applications:
• FDC – to supply a sprinkler or standpipe systems
• Master Stream – to supply the ground monitor and mini-monitor
• Handline – High Volume handline for large fires; May also be used to supply a gated wye
• Supply - to transfer water between apparatus on scene

2 ½” Pre-Connected Handline

• Advantage: Rapid Deployment, up to 300GPM
• Disadvantage: Relatively short lengths (200’ or less) may be a limiting factor for large area structures

2 ½” Static Load

• Advantage: Ability to carry several hundred feet of hose so the proper length can be deployed
• Disadvantage: The engineer must break the coupling and connect to the desired discharge outlet

2 ½” Standard Hose Adapters and Appliances

• 2 ½” Double Male
• 2 ½” Double Female
• 2 ½” x 1 ½” Gated Wye: Every engine company should carry at least two – one on the front bumper discharge and one with the apartment pack
• 2 ½” Siamese: For joining two 2 ½” hose lines together to form one hose line; Other uses include augmenting the FDC to increase sprinkler or standpipe flow; Additionally, it can be used during a “modified tanker shuttle”; Refer to page 76

2 ½” Smooth Bore Nozzle

• This stacked tip nozzle operates at 50 PSI nozzle pressure (NP) and flows the following:
• 1”: 200 GPM
• 1 1/8”: 250 GPM
• 1 1/4”: 300 GPM
• The maximum safe flow through a 2 ½” handline is 300 GPM
• To compensate for friction loss in 2 ½” handlines add 10 PSI per 100’ to the PDP
• This standard friction loss works equally well for fog streams or smooth bore nozzles

Akron Turbojet 2 ½” Fog Nozzle

• Operates at 100 PSI NP with an adjustable flow range of 125, 150, 200 and 250 GPM
• Has a "break-apart" feature allowing 1 ¾” hose to be extended from the playpipe
• Rotating the bumper fully clockwise will shut off the nozzle even if the bale is open

1 ¾”/JFRD Spec 1.88” Hose and Nozzles

• 1 ¾”/JFRD Spec 1.88” hose loaded in a pre-connected manner is the “bread and butter” attack line of the JFRD
• Akron Turbojet Nozzle - This nozzle has five settings from 30-200 GPM
• JFRD recommends the 95, 125, or 150 GPM setting for initial interior firefighting
• Always check the GPM setting at the beginning of your shift and prior to use
• Be sure to add 5 PSI PDP per floor when operating above ground level
• There are two pressure variants of the Akron Turbojet nozzle
• Most engine companies carry the 75 PSI model
• The Hazardous Materials Team carries the 100 PSI model
• It is important to understand both “nozzle pressure” (NP) and “pump discharge pressure” (PDP)
• Both figures must be included for the engineer to fully understand the capability and pumping requirements of each nozzle
• PDP = Nozzle Pressure + Friction Loss

Akron Turbojet (75 PSI) Fog Nozzle

• An initial PDP of 110 PSI will allow the nozzle operator to select 95, 125 or 150 GPM on the nozzle and attain this flow
• A desired flow of 200 GPM requires an increase in PDP from 110 PSI to 150 PSI
• Two firefighters may be required for safe handling

Akron Turbojet (100 PSI) Fog Nozzle

• A pump discharge pressure of 135 PSI will allow the nozzle operator to select 95, 125 or 150 GPM on the nozzle and attain this flow
• The nozzle operator can change the GPM setting with no adjustment in PDP required
• A desired flow of 200 GPM requires an increase in PDP from 135 PSI to 175 PSI
• Two firefighters may be required for safe handling
• There is a greater tendency for handlines to kink when used with the 75 PSI nozzle
• A quick remedy is to increase the initial PDP when charging, then reduce to the recommended PDP
• If the nozzle operator experiences a sudden PSI loss while advancing, suspect a kinked line
• All firefighters on scene shall be watchful for kinks and assist in feeding hose into and inside a structure
• If hose kinks become frequent the engineer can boost PDP by 10-25 PSI

Akron SaberJet Nozzle

• This 1 ¾” nozzle has a dual position bale allowing the nozzle operator to select a fog or solid stream
• The fog ranges from a narrow angle to a wide angle and cannot produce a straight stream
• The smooth bore can be configured for 7/8” or 15/16" tip
• It cannot flow both fog and solid streams simultaneously
• The solid stream setting will flow:
• 150 GPM at 50 PSI NP (7/8”)
• 180 GPM at 50 PSI NP (15/16”)
• The fog stream setting will flow: 135 GPM at 100 PSI NP
• A PDP of 125 PSI will produce the above flows with 150’ or 200’ of hose
• When the solid stream is selected this nozzle may require two firefighters for safe control
• If less volume is sufficient, this nozzle produces a quality fog and solid stream at lower pressures that can be handled by one firefighter

Cross Lays and Booster Line

• The nozzle operator can change from fog to solid and back with no PDP adjustment required
• This is because the change in GPM results in a corresponding change in friction loss (friction loss increases by 40-50 PSI when changing from fog to solid stream)
• All Cross lays should be equipped with 10’ short sections at the discharge pipe
• These sections are useful when extending a line or placing a foam eductor in-line
• Each engine carries 200’ of 1” booster hose; It is used for a variety of small fires, wildland fires, or overhaul
• Each Booster Hose is equipped with a 1” Akron Turbojet Nozzle with the following GPM settings (13, 25, 40 and 60 GPM) at 100 PSI

High Pressure and Hard Suction Hoses

• Sustained high pressure combined with low pumping volume can contribute to high pump temperature and impeller damage
• All engines carry two 10 foot sections of hard suction hose; There is (1) heavy-duty hose and (1) drafting hose
• Each hose has 6" threads to match the steamer connection
• Heavy-duty hose is for drafting or connection to a hydrant
• This hose is heavy, not very flexible, and difficult to maneuver
• Refer to page 63 for instructions on making a hard suction to hydrant “hook-up.”
• The 6” to 4 ½” adapter and 6” to 2 ½” adapter permit the heavy-duty suction hose to be connected to a hydrant
• The drafting hose is lightweight and flexible but is for drafting only and cannot be pressurized
• Each engine shall be equipped with a barrel-style strainer and rope for drafting from a natural static source

Low Level Strainers

• Two types of low-level strainers are in use to facilitate drafting from tanker basins
• Each tanker carries a strainer with 4 ½” threads (right)
• Also attached to this strainer is a 4 ½” double male adapter
• This allows a direct connection to 4 ½” hard suction hose carried by tankers
• Connecting to 6” hard suction requires a 4 ½” to 6” adapter (also carried by tankers)
• A newer type of strainer is carried by Tankers and some Engines
• It is red in color and has 6” threads
• It is lightweight and may need to be weighted down in a tanker basin

Soft Intake Hose and Apartment Packs

• All engines should be equipped with a 6” soft intake hose
• It is red in color and 25 ft. in length
• This hose will flow in excess of 2000 GPM when connected to a Ball Intake Valve (BIV) or directly to the steamer intakes
• Each Engine Company shall maintain 100’ of 1 ¾” hose, loaded in shoulder packs
• These packs shall be equipped with a 2 ½” x 1 ½” gated wye and a nozzle

High Rise Packs

• Each Engine company shall carry the following equipment:
• Three – 65’ sections of JFRD “High Rise Spec” 2 ½” Hose (Loaded in shoulder packs)
• One – 2 ½” lightweight nozzle equipped the following way: Bail shut off, mini stream shaper, short stack tips (size 1 ⅛” and ½” low flow)
• A ½” low flow tip will flow 40 GPM at 30 PSI
• High Rise Bag, consisting of 2 ½” in-line pressure gauge, 2 ½” gate/ball valve, 2 ½” Lightweight elbow, 1 ½” x 2 ½” increaser, 1 ½” Fog Nozzle, 2 spanner wrenches, marking device, 6 door wedges, 6 inner tube latch straps, 6 disposable glow sticks, 14-18” pipe wrench, flat blade screwdriver, Phillips head screwdriver, Allen wrenches, 6-8” crescent wrench

Distributor Nozzles

• Ladder companies carry distributor (attic) nozzles that can be placed into an attic space from the floor below
• These include 1 ½” and 2 ½” nozzles, two lengths of 1 ½” aluminum pipe (6’ and 2’), a 1 ½” x 2 ½” increaser and a standard 2 ½” playpipe
• These nozzles cover up to 1000 sq. ft. of attic space and flow 115 GPM (1 ½”) and 395-495 GPM (2 ½”) at 100 PSI
• The attic nozzle is an excellent tool for fires located in the attic space
• It is ideal for fires caused by lightning strikes
• Ladder Companies also carry a third distributor nozzle (bottom) designed for use as a cellar nozzle
• The cellar nozzle will flow 500 GPM at 50 PSI and cover up to 1250 sq. ft. of area

Foam and Foam Equipment

• JFRD engines and tankers are equipped with class A and class B foam concentrates and proportioning appliances to deliver finished foam (air, water and foam concentrate solution)
• The JFRD also maintains an extensive foam inventory and large delivery devices carried by the JFRD Hazmat Team

Class A Foam

• Class A foam is primarily used for wildland fires, dumpster fires, junkyard fires and during overhaul
• Class A foam is a wetting agent that breaks the surface tension of water, permitting greater penetration of water into Class A fuels
• It is educted at ¼%, ½%, and 1%
• Class A foam is not compatible with Class B foams
• Class A foam should not be used on Class B fires

Class B Foam

• Class B foam is used on flammable liquid fires and spills
• Alcohol-resistant versions of Class B foam have proven to be effective on all types of Class B fires
• National Foam’s Universal Green 3% (AR-Synthetic) is the class B foam utilized by JFRD engines and tankers
• They are equally effective on hydrocarbon non-polar fuels, as well as polar solvents
• Class B foam is educted at 3%
• JFRD has other Class B foams (listed below) used for aviation and other non-polar fuels
• Most gasoline now contains up to 10% ethanol
• Class B foam and Akron foam eductors with aeration tubes are required to achieve proper expansion ratios to extinguish flammable liquid fires
• The following apparatus carry National Foam’s Universal Green 3% (AR-Synthetic) in onboard tanks: Engines 7 and 21 – These engines have a built-in foam proportioner and a 100-gallon foam tank
• Foam 37 and 48 – Each tanker carries 2500 gallons of foam concentrate

Mil-Spec Foam

• Stations 16 and 56 carry 3% Mil-Spec Foam in onboard tanks
• Aviation fuel is non-polar and very similar to kerosene
• 3% Mil-Spec Foam will be most effective on these fires and spills
• 3% Mil-Spec Foam IS NOT compatible with Universal Green (AR-Synthetic) and should never be mixed, but it can be applied to the same fire through different appliances
• Never add Class B foam to any apparatus foam tank

Foam Concentrate for Engines and Tankers

• Each engine shall carry at least enough foam concentrate to convert the booster tank water into finished foam
• This calls for a minimum of 15 gallons or 3 pails of class B foam concentrate and 5 gallons or 1 pail of class A foam concentrate
• Each tanker shall carry at least enough foam concentrate to convert the 2500-gallon tank into finished foam
• This calls for a minimum of 75 gallons or 15 pails of class B foam concentrate and 25 gallons or 5 pails of class A foam concentrate

Standard Foam Delivery Equipment

• In addition to foam concentrate, each engine and tanker shall carry basic foam nozzles and proportioning equipment
• This equipment must be maintained properly, with thorough flushing after use, to ensure performance
• The Akron foam eductor is rated at 125 GPM can be selected for ¼% to 6% and is used with the standard 1 ¾” handline
• The 75 PSI Akron Turbojet fog nozzle is more compatible and is recommended
• The fog nozzle should be set to 125 GPM to match the eductor rating
• The 100 PSI Akron Turbojet fog nozzle can be used if it has a compatible aerator foam tube
• The Akron Foam Tube, which provides aggressive aeration at the nozzle MUST BE USED with Universal Green 3% (AR-Synthetic) for proper expansion ratios

Guidelines for Foam Use

• (See Appendix K for JFRD Foam Reference Guide)
• Class B fuels must be static for the finished foam to work properly
• Dike, dam, and/or divert the fuel so that it will pool
• Ensure a PKP extinguisher is manned and ready for 3-dimensional fires (dynamic)
• The foam eductor shall be set to match the foam concentrate (Example: 3% foam concentrate educts at the 3% setting)
• The maximum distance between the eductor and nozzle is stated below
• If more distance is required between the apparatus and the eductor, use a 2 ½” hose and a gated wye or reducer
• When using a 75 PSI nozzle, the maximum distance is 250’
• When using a 100 PSI nozzle, the maximum distance is 150’
• The nozzle setting shall match the rated flow of the eductor (125 GPM)
• The nozzle bale must be fully opened and ensure that there are no kinks in the hose
• For accurate foam use, the foam eductor requires an inlet pressure of 200 PSI
• This will provide the proper nozzle pressure and sufficient GPM
• Nozzle pressure will not be excessive due to the friction loss that occurs within the foam eductor
• Foam concentrate will educt at lower PDP; for this reason, it is possible to produce finished foam at a lower PDP; however, this creates two problems
• The GPM at this lower PDP will be less than the 125 GPM selected
• At less than 200 PSI, the eductor will draw MORE foam than the educator setting, resulting in a richer foam solution
• You will use more foam and run out quicker
• The proper water-to-foam ratio cannot be achieved unless the inlet pressure is 200 PSI
• Once the fire is extinguished and foam is static, or the spill is contained and covered with a 4” blanket, verify the integrity of the foam blanket using a combustible gas meter (found on hazmat apparatus and ladders), if available
• Reapply foam blanket every 5-15 minutes
• The drain time (the time the foam blanket water is drawn out) of Universal Green class B foam is 90 minutes (salt water) to 300 minutes (fresh water)

Special Appliances

• Engines 7, 21, and selected Engines throughout the JFRD also carry the Akron 250 GPM eductor and foam tube
• Used with a 2 ½” hose and the 2 ½” Akron Turbojet nozzle, this setup allows up to 300’ between the eductor and nozzle; the educator requires 200 PSI inlet pressure
• The hazmat teams also carry several large caliber master stream appliances for foam and dry chemicals
• JFRD maintains emergency stockpiles of foam at TSF and in foam tankers
• The total JFRD foam reserve is approximately 20,000 gallons

Storage and Class B Foam

• The shelf life of Class A foam is indefinite
• Class B concentrate can be stored for many years without issue
• The plastic containers, however, are subject to damage from rough handling and will deteriorate when exposed to sunlight for extended periods
• The shelf life of Class B concentrate is maximized by proper storage and environmental conditions; do not allow the foam to freeze
• Class B foam concentrate has shown no significant loss of performance even after being stored for 10 years or more
• Universal Green 3% Class B foam concentrate is supplied in five-gallon pails and 250-gallon totes
• It is not considered a hazardous material to the environment but requires care when handling

Class B Foam Specifications

• Compatible with dry chemicals
• Cannot be used for subsurface injection
• Can be used with fresh or salt water