1. Fire Streams SFFMA Training Objectives: 6-01.01 – 6-01.09

2. 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

3. Identifying Fire Streams
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

4. 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

5. 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

6. Fire Stream Considerations
Type of fire stream indicates specific pattern/shape of water stream
Requirements of effective streams
Requirements of all streams
Firefighter I

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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. Fog Stream
Shorter reach makes fog streams less useful for outside, defensive fire fighting operations
Well suited for fighting interior fires
Firefighter I

15. 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

16. 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

17. Ball Valve
Most common
Provides effective control during nozzle operation with minimum effort
(Continued)
Firefighter I

18. Fire Stream Triangle

19. Nozzle Flow and Reaction of 100psi Fog Nozzle

20. Water Hammer
(Continued)
Firefighter I

21. 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

22. 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

23. Friction Loss
That part of total pressure lost while forcing water through pipes, fittings, fire hose, and adapters

24. CROSBY FIRE AND RESCUE FRICTION LOSS CARD
1 ¾’’ 125 GPM = 10.5 PSI PER 50’
1 ¾’’ 150 GPM = 13 PSI PER 50’
1 ¾’’ 200 GPM = 22.5 PSI PER 50’
2 ½’’ 250 GPM = 15 PSI PER 50’
2 ½’’ 350 GPM = 28 PSI PER 50’
2 ½’’ 500 GPM = 55 PSI PER 50’
5’’ 400 GPM = .5 PSI PER 50’
5’’ 500 GPM = 1 PSI PER 50’
STANDARD CROSSLAY = 142 PSI

25. 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

26. CROSBY FIRE AND RESCUE FRICTION LOSS CARD
+/- 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 RATED CAPACITY
80 – 120 PSI FOR CAFS USAGE
FOG = 100 NOZZLE
MASTER (SOLID) = 80 NOZZLE
HANDLINE (SOLID) = 50 NOZZLE
OPEN TANK TO PUMP AND TANK FILL TO
CIRCULATE PUMP WATER!

27. Practical Exercise

28. 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 /3 of class
Forestry Line
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 /3 of class
Hand Line
Pump Operators 1/3 of class

29. Master Stream 30min Evolution
Stream Handler /3 of class
Observers /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.