Fire Streams
SFFMA Training Objectives:
6-01.01 – 6-01.09
DISCUSSION QUESTION
What is a fire stream?
• Stream of water or other water-based
extinguishing agent after it leaves the fire
hose and nozzle until it reaches the desired
point.
Firefighter I
14–2
Identifying Fire Streams
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By size and type
Size = Volume of flowing per minute
Type = specific pattern/shape of water
Rate of discharge measured in gallons per
minute (gpm) or liters per minute (L/min)
Firefighter I
14–3
Fire Stream Classifications
• Low-volume stream
– Discharge less the 40gpm.
– Typically supplied by ¾’’, 1’’, 1 1/2’’
– Crosby: Booster Trucks & Engine forestry lines
• Handline stream
– Discharges 40gmp – 350 gpm
– Supplied by 1 ¾’’ – 3’’
– Crosby: Main cross lays on Engine & Tankers
• Master stream
– Discharges more than 350 gpm
– Supplied by 2.5’’ and greater
– Crosby: Blitzfire, Deck Guns, and Tower
Firefighter I
14–4
Fire Stream Considerations
• Volume discharged determined by design of
nozzle, pressure at nozzle
• To be effective, stream must deliver volume
of water sufficient to absorb heat faster than
it is being generated
(Continued)
Firefighter I
14–5
Fire Stream Considerations
• Type of fire stream
indicates specific
pattern/shape of water
stream
• Requirements of effective
streams
• Requirements of all
streams
Firefighter I
14–6
Solid Stream
• Produced from fixed
orifice, solid-bore
nozzle
• Has ability to reach
areas others might not; reach affected by
several factors
• Design capabilities
(Continued)
Firefighter I
14–7
Advantages of Solid Streams
• May maintain better interior visibility than
others
• May have greater reach than others
• Operate at reduced nozzle pressures per
gallon (liter) than others
• May be easier to maneuver
(Continued)
Firefighter I
14–8
Advantages of Solid Streams
• Have greater penetration power
• Less likely to disturb normal thermal layering
of heat, gases during interior structural attacks
• Less prone to clogging with debris
(Continued)
Firefighter I
14–9
Disadvantages of Solid Streams
• Do not allow for different stream pattern
selections
• Provide less heat absorption per gallon (liter)
delivered than others
• Hoselines more easily kinked at corners,
obstructions
Firefighter I
14–10
Fog Stream
• Fine spray composed of
tiny water droplets
• Design of most fog nozzles
permits adjustment of tip
to produce different stream
patterns
(Continued)
Firefighter I
14–11
Fog Stream
• Water droplets formed to expose maximum
water surface for heat absorption
• Desired performance of fog stream nozzles
judged by amount of heat that fog stream
absorbs and rate by which the water is
converted into steam/vapor
(Continued)
Firefighter I
14–12
Fog Stream
• Nozzles permit settings of straight stream,
narrow-angle fog, and wide-angle fog
• Nozzles should be operated at designed nozzle
pressure
(Continued)
Firefighter I
14–13
Fog Stream
• Shorter reach makes fog streams less useful
for outside, defensive fire fighting operations
• Well suited for fighting interior fires
Firefighter I
14–14
Fog Stream: Nozzle Pressure
• Combination nozzles designed to operate at
different pressures
• Designated operating pressure for most
combination nozzles is 100 psi (700 kPa)
(Continued)
Firefighter I
14–15
Advantages of Fog Streams
• Discharge pattern can be adjusted for
situation
• Can aid ventilation
• Reduce heat by exposing maximum water
surface for heat absorption
• Wide fog pattern provides protection to
firefighters
Firefighter I
14–16
Ball Valve
• Most common
• Provides effective
control during nozzle
operation with
minimum effort
(Continued)
Firefighter I
14–17
Fire Stream Triangle
Nozzle Flow and Reaction of 100psi
Fog Nozzle
Water Hammer
(Continued)
Firefighter I
14–20
Water Hammer
• When flow of water through fire hose or pipe
is suddenly stopped, shock wave produced
when moving water reaches end of hose and
bounces back
• Pressure surge referred to as water hammer
(Continued)
Firefighter I
14–21
Water Hammer
• Sudden change in direction creates excessive
pressures that can cause damage to water
mains, plumbing, fire hose, hydrants, fire
pumps
• Can often be heard as distinct clank
• To prevent when water flowing, close
components slowly
Firefighter I
14–22
Friction Loss
• That part of total pressure lost while forcing
water through pipes, fittings, fire hose, and
adapters
CROSBY FIRE AND RESCUE
FRICTION LOSS CARD
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1 ¾’’ LINE @ 125 GPM = 10.5 PSI PER 50’
1 ¾’’ LINE @ 150 GPM = 13 PSI PER 50’
1 ¾’’ LINE @ 200 GPM = 22.5 PSI PER 50’
2 ½’’ LINE @ 250 GPM = 15 PSI PER 50’
2 ½’’ LINE @ 350 GPM = 28 PSI PER 50’
2 ½’’ LINE @ 500 GPM = 55 PSI PER 50’
5’’ LINE @ 400 GPM = .5 PSI PER 50’
5’’ LINE @ 500 GPM = 1 PSI PER 50’
STANDARD CROSSLAY = 142 PSI
Elevation Loss/Gain
• Pressure loss —
When nozzle is
above fire pump
• Pressure gain —
When nozzle is
below pump
Courtesy of District Chief Chris E. Mickal, NOFD
Photo Unit.
Firefighter I
14–25
CROSBY FIRE AND RESCUE
FRICTION LOSS CARD
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+/- 5 PSI PER FLOOR ELEVATION (-1 FLOOR)
+/- .5 PSI PER FOOT OF ELEVATION
IF +350 GPM, 10 PSI PER APPLIANCE FOR FL
25 PSI FL PER MASTER @ RATED CAPACITY
80 – 120 PSI FOR CAFS USAGE
FOG = 100 PSI @ NOZZLE
MASTER (SOLID) = 80 PSI @ NOZZLE
HANDLINE (SOLID) = 50 PSI @ NOZZLE
OPEN TANK TO PUMP AND TANK FILL TO
CIRCULATE PUMP WATER!
Practical Exercise
Hand line & Low Volume Line
30min Evolution
Cones at multiple
distances, with ball
that must be knocked
off.
Cones at multiple
distances, with ball
that must be knocked
off.
Stream
Handler
1/3 of class
3xFire Fighters will operate
between the two separate lines.
Knocking one ball off on hand
line and moving to low volume
line and so on.
Observers
1/3 of class
Pump
Operators
1/3 of class
Master Stream
30min Evolution
Stream
Handler
1/3 of class
Observers
1/3 of class
Pump
Operators
1/3 of class
Fire Fighters will be timed on the ability to set-up “blitzfire” with 2.5’’ line and knock
down to cones.