Fire Stream Management Handbook, 2nd edition

By: David P. Fornell 

• Fire Stream Basics – Understanding flow rate, reach, and penetration for optimal suppression. 
• Tactical Fire Attack – Applying water effectively while coordinating with ventilation and overhaul. 
• Nozzle Selection & Operation – Smoothbore vs. combination nozzles, automatic nozzles, and more. 
• Fireground Hydraulics – Managing water supply, pressure, and friction loss for maximum efficiency. 
• Strategic Considerations – Evaluating hose size, stream application, and fire behavior in various structures. 
   

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Table of Contents

Foreword by Andrew O’Donnell

Acknowledgments

Introduction

1. Fire Stream Basics

• Basic Hydraulics
• Introduction To Water Movement
• Factors Affecting Friction Loss
• Water Movement Terms
• Fire Pump Operations
• Onboard Water Tank Operations
• Drafting
• Supply Line Hydraulics
• Forward Lay Supply Operations
• Determining Supply Line Hose Sizes
• Ways of Increasing Supply Line Flows
• Laying Additional Lines
• Increasing Hoseline Diameter
• Increasing Pressure to Increase Flow
• Combining Procedures
• Managing Water Supplies
• Get Water Out of the Pump
• Factors Affecting Water Movement
• Simplifying Water Delivery Calculations
• A Brief Review
• Chapter 1 Review Questions

2. Strategic Considerations

• Setting Goals
• Legal Challenges
• Extinguishing More Fire with Fewer Personnel
• Response District Evaluation
• How Much Flow Do You Apply?
• Personnel Requirements
• Establishing Flow Rates
• Fire Flow Formulas
• Individual Line Flows
• Unwritten Planning
• Evaluating Rates of Flow and Areas of Application
• Evaluation of Line Sizes
• Reaching the Fire
• High-Volume Handlines
• High-Rise Buildings
• Review
• Chapter 2 Review Questions

3. Nozzle Theory

• Basic Methods
• Direct Attack Method
• Indirect Attack Method
• Indirect Attack Theory
• Iowa Research
• Evaluating Indirect Attack Tactics
• Underwriters Laboratories Fire Safety Research Institute Research
• Stream Selection for Penetration
• Life Safety During Firefighting Operations
• Other Testing
• Indirect Approach Applications
• Development Of Sensible Tactics
• Preventing and Mitigating the Effects of Flashover
• Chapter 3 Review Questions

4. Nozzle Basics

• Basic Nozzle Design
• Nozzle Components
• Nozzle Types
• Nozzle Basics
• World War II
• The Early Days of Fog for Structural Use
• Stream Pattern Control
• Controlling Gallonage
• Shutoff Devices
• Flush Features
• Teeth
• Protection Myth
• Combination Nozzle Types
• Using the Adjustable Gallonage Nozzle in Place of the Automatic Nozzle
• Distributor and Piercing Nozzles
• Opposed Discharge Nozzle
• Bent Discharge Nozzle
• High-Pressure Delivery
• Conserving Water versus Extinguishing the Fire
• Fog Pressure Apparatus in Chicago
• Modern Experience with High-Pressure Delivery
• U.S. Air Force High-Pressure Operation
• Chapter 4 Review Questions

5. Automatic Nozzles

• Automatic Nozzle Design
• High-End Performance
• The Automatic Nozzle’s Ability to Increase Flow
• Automatic Nozzle Operation at Lower Flows
• Utilizing Automatics
• Automatic Nozzle Master Stream Operation
• Handline Operation Using Automatic Nozzles
• High-Pressure/Maximum Volume Method of Operation
• Fixed-Gallonage Method of Operation
• Predetermined Pressure Method of Operation
• Nozzle Evaluation
• Handline Nozzle Reaction
• Automatic Nozzle Flow Ranges
• Pump Operation for Automatic Nozzles
• Operational Hints
• Attempting To Evaluate Amount of Flow
• Chapter 5 Review Questions

6. Smoothbore Nozzles

• Nozzle Comparison
• Smoothbore Nozzle Tips
• Effect of Tip Size Selection
• Smoothbore Firefighting Tactics
• The Smoothbore Nozzle’s Operational Advantages
• Penetration
• Managing Unwanted Steam
• Smoothbore Nozzle Use with Standpipes
• Reducing Stress
• Training
• Combination Stream Attack
• Twin Tips
• Threaded Tip Styles
• Variations on Common Smoothbore Nozzles
• Conclusion
• Chapter 6 Review Questions

7. Low-Pressure Nozzles

• High-Flow Handlines
• The History of Low-Pressure Combination Nozzles
• The Low-Pressure Age Begins
• Safety In Handling
• Low-Pressure Nozzle Evaluations
• Converting Present Nozzles
• Explanation of Nozzle Reaction Forces
• Review
• Chapter 7 Review Questions

8. Heavy Streams

• Heavy Stream Equipment
• Combination Aerial and Pumper Apparatus
• Heavy Stream Nozzles
• Using Heavy Streams Effectively
• Blitz Attack Tactics
• Mounting
• Large Fire Combat Tactics
• Staging Area
• Considering the Effectiveness of Smoothbore Streams
• Ground-Attack Monitors
• Fighting a Losing Battle
• Protecting Exposures
• Directing Heavy Streams
• Heavy Stream Safety
• Chapter 8 Review Questions

9. Fire Hose Basics

• Hose Construction
• Fire Hose Yarns
• Fire Hose Sizes
• Fire Hose Pressure Ratings
• Countering the Effects of Heat and Wear
• Rubber-Covered Hose
• Other Methods of Protecting Hose
• Forestry Hose
• A Discussion About Lightweight Lined Hose
• Hose for High-Rise Use
• Large-Diameter Hose
• Large-Diameter Flow Systems
• Inspection and Maintenance
• Chapter 9 Review Questions

10. Class A Foam

• History
• Development of a Suitable Agent
• What Are Class A Agents?
• Putting Class A Agents to Work
• Premix or Batch Mixing
• Discharge-Side Eductors and Proportioners
• Balanced- and Positive-Pressure Injection Metering Systems
• Compressed Air Injection
• Using Class A Extinguishing Agents for Structural Firefighting
• Increasing Firefighter Safety by Using Class A Agents
• Class A Agents on Class B Fires
• The Future of Class A Agents
• Chapter 10 Review Questions

11. Tactical Fire Attack

• Engine Company Size-Up
• The Art of Applying the Water
• Ventilation
• Overhaul
• Water Damage
• What Happens When Unwanted Steam Is Generated?
• Preventing Fire Spread by Stream Placement
• Ventilation in Conjunction with Engine Work
• Consider Water Supply
• Summary
• Chapter 11 Review Questions

12. Managing Hose

• Attack Line Hose Loads
• Preconnected Beds
• Bulk Hosebeds
• Reverse Lays
• Forward Lays
• Flying Lay
• Handling the Line
• Summary
• Chapter 12 Review Questions

13. Evaluation and Maintenance

• Nozzle Operation Review
• Performing Evaluations
• Equipment For Evaluation
• Purchasing Equipment
• Pricing Factors
• Nozzle Maintenance
• Maintenance Procedures
• Repair Parts

Chapter 13 Review Questions

Answers for Chapter Review Questions

Index

About the Author