305.1-1 - DEFINITION OF ATTACK LINE(S)

A hose used to fight fires directly, typically 1¾-inch or 2-inch in diameter, designed for maneuverability inside buildings and around obstacles, capable of delivering a strong, controllable stream of water to suppress flames, usually operated by 1-2 firefighters, with a nozzle at the end to control the direction, pitch, and flow for a variety of firefighting situations."

ATTACK LINE SIZES

1-inch Forestry / Booster Hose

Description:

• Diameter: 1 inch (approx. 25 mm)

• Length: Typically 50-100 feet per section

• Hose Type: Lightweight, flexible, reinforced for high pressure, often rubber-coated for durability
  
  

Operational Use:

• Ideal for rapid attack on small vegetation fires, brush fires, or incipient building fires.

• It can be carried and operated by a single firefighter, often on a hose reel or backpack.

• Compatible with small handline nozzles for straight stream or fog patterns.
  
  

Pressurization:

• Engine pump pressure: 150-200 psi to maintain high-velocity flow

• Delivers approximately 30-60 GPM depending on nozzle and length
  
  

Pros:

• Extremely lightweight and highly maneuverable

• Quick to deploy and retract, suitable for fast-moving incidents

• Single-person operation possible
  
  

Cons:

• Limited water flow, not suitable for large fires

• Short effective reach, must be close to the fire for effectiveness

• Vulnerable to punctures or abrasions in rugged terrain
  
  

1¾-inch Attack Line

Description:

• Diameter: 1¾ inches (approx. 45 mm)

• Length: Typically 50-100 feet per section

• Hose Type: Lightweight, flexible, smooth, or ribbed exterior

Operational Use:

• Designed for interior attacks on residential or small commercial fires.

• It can be advanced by 1-2 firefighters due to its low weight.

• Compatible with standard handline nozzles for straight stream or fog patterns.

Pressurization:

• Engine pump pressure: 100-150 psi (pounds per square inch)

• Allows sufficient water flow to suppress flames while remaining manageable.

Pros:

• Highly maneuverable in tight spaces

• Lightweight, easy to deploy

• Requires fewer personnel

Cons:

• Limited water flow (approximately 150–200 GPM)

• Less effective on large or high-intensity fires

2½-inch Attack Line (Heavy Attack / Defensive Line)

Description:

• Diameter: 2½ inches (approx. 65 mm)

• Length: Typically 50–100 feet per section

• Hose Type: Heavy-duty, reinforced for high-pressure applications
  
  

Operational Use:

• Primarily used for heavy fire conditions or defensive operations.

• Can deliver high volumes of water over long distances.

• Usually positioned by 3–4 firefighters or used with mechanical aids for maneuvering.
  
  

Pressurization:

• Engine pump pressure: 100–175 psi

• Water flow: Approximately 250–350 GPM

• Optimal for exterior attacks or large structures
  
  

Pros:

• Extremely high water flow, effective on large fires

• Durable and able to handle high pressures

Cons:

• Very heavy and difficult to maneuver indoors

• Requires multiple firefighters or equipment to advance

• Less practical for confined or complex structures

ATTACK LINE NOZZLE TYPES

Combination Nozzle (Fog Nozzle)

Description:

• Also referred to as a fog nozzle, this nozzle allows the firefighter to adjust the water stream between a narrow straight stream and a wide fog pattern.

• Typically constructed from durable metals such as aluminum or brass, with a rotating or sliding tip to adjust the pattern.

Operational Use:

• Fog pattern: Breaks water into fine droplets, increasing surface coverage, absorbing heat, and protecting firefighters from radiant heat.

• Straight stream: Concentrates water for reach, penetrating deeper into the fire, or hitting specific hotspots.

• Adjustable for multiple flow rates, typically 60–200 GPM, depending on engine pressure and hose diameter.

Pressurization and Flow Control:

• Operates effectively at engine pump pressures of 100–150 psi (1¾-inch and 2-inch lines) or 100–175 psi (2½-inch lines).

• Flow can be adjusted by nozzle setting or pump pressure, allowing precise control over water delivery.
  
  

Pros:

• Versatile, suitable for interior and exterior firefighting.

• Provides both protective fog and penetrating straight streams.

• Can be used to create a water curtain for firefighter protection.
  
  

Cons:

• Slightly heavier and more complex than smoothbore nozzles.

• Requires training to adjust properly under fire conditions.

Smoothbore Nozzle

Description:

• A fixed, smooth-piped nozzle with a round tip that produces a solid, straight stream of water.

• Typically made from brass or aluminum, with limited or no pattern adjustment.
  
  

Operational Use:

• Provides maximum reach and penetration with minimal friction loss in the hose.

• Ideal for exterior attacks, large-volume flow applications, and high-rise firefighting.

• Flow rates typically range from 60 to 350 GPM, depending on tip size and hose diameter.
  
  

Pressurization and Flow Control:

• Operates efficiently at engine pump pressures of 50 to 200 psi, depending on line size.

• Simple design ensures reliable water flow under high-pressure conditions.
  
  

Pros:

• High water delivery and penetration.

• Simple and extremely durable.

• Minimal maintenance and easy to operate.
  
  

Cons:

• Cannot produce a fog pattern for heat absorption or firefighter protection.

• Less versatile than combination nozzles in confined spaces.

305.2-1 - DEFINITION OF SUPPLY LINE(S)

A supply line is a hose used to move water from a source, such as a hydrant or engine, to the fire apparatus or another hose line, typically 3-inch to 5-inch in diameter, designed to carry large volumes of water over long distances, usually operated by multiple firefighters or mechanical means, and is not intended for direct fire attack but to ensure a continuous water supply to attack lines and firefighting operations.

SUPPLY LINE SIZES

3-inch Supply Line

Description:

• Diameter: 3 inches (approx. 76 mm)

• Length: Typically 100–200 feet per section

• Hose Type: Heavy-duty, reinforced, smooth or ribbed exterior
  
  

Operational Use:

• Moves water from hydrants or static sources to engines or other apparatus.

• It can be used to relay water to attack lines in large incidents.

• Usually requires 2–3 firefighters to stretch and maneuver, or mechanical hose rollers.
  
  

Pressurization:

• Engine pump pressure: 100–150 psi, depending on distance and flow requirements

• Capable of delivering approximately 300–400 GPM
  
  

Pros:

• High-volume water transport for sustained operations

• Durable and able to handle high-pressure pumping

• Essential for long hose lays and large-scale fires
  
  

Cons:

• Heavy and difficult to maneuver quickly

• Not suitable for interior firefighting or confined spaces
  
  

4-inch Supply Line

Description:

• Diameter: 4 inches (approx. 102 mm)

• Length: Typically 100–200 feet per section

• Hose Type: Extra-heavy-duty, reinforced for very high volume flow
  
  

Operational Use:

• Used for high-demand water supply situations, such as large commercial fires or multiple attack lines.

• Typically laid from hydrants to engines, or engine-to-engine relay operations.

• Requires multiple firefighters (3–4) or mechanical aids to advance and manage.

• Sometimes used for forestry water operations, when a 5-inch is too much to maneuver or deploy.
  
  

Pressurization:

• Engine pump pressure: 100–175 psi

• Capable of delivering approximately 500–600 GPM
  
  

Pros:

• Extremely high water capacity for multiple lines or long-distance supply

• Very durable, resistant to kinking or bursting under pressure
  
  

Cons:

• Cumbersome

• Requires extensive manpower or mechanical equipment to deploy

• Not maneuverable inside buildings
  
  

5-inch Large Diameter Hose (LDH)

Description:

• Diameter: 5 inches (approx. 127 mm)

• Length: Typically 200–300 feet per section

• Hose Type: Large diameter, extremely reinforced for maximum volume and long-distance supply
  
  

Operational Use:

• Standard for high-demand fire operations and industrial or municipal fire departments.

• Connects hydrants to engines or engines to relay points for multiple attack lines.

• Usually handled by several firefighters or with hose ramps, rollers, or vehicle-mounted devices.
  
  

Pressurization:

• Engine pump pressure: 100–150 psi

• Flow capacity: 750–1000 GPM, depending on pump and hose length
  
  

Pros:

• Maximizes water delivery for large incidents

• Supports multiple attack lines simultaneously

• Extremely durable under high-pressure conditions
  
  

Cons:

• Extremely heavy, difficult to handle manually

• Not designed for interior attack

• Requires careful management to avoid kinks or damage

305.3-1 - DEFINITION OF FIREFIGHTING FOAM

Firefighting foam is a fire suppression agent applied via specialized hoses to control, suppress, or extinguish fires involving flammable liquids, chemicals, or materials prone to rapid combustion. Foam works by creating a barrier between the fuel and oxygen, cooling the fire, and preventing reignition. Foam lines are hoses specifically designed to deliver foam solution efficiently, typically ranging from 1½-inch to 2½-inch diameters, depending on the volume and type of foam.

Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF)

Description:

• Synthetic foam designed to form a thin, aqueous film on hydrocarbon fuels.

• Rapidly suppresses flammable liquid fires, prevents vapor release, and cools surfaces.
  
  

Operational Use:

• Commonly used for fuel spills, gasoline, aviation fuel, and industrial hydrocarbon fires.

• Applied via 1½-inch or 2-inch foam attack lines.

• Compatible with combination or aspirating nozzles to achieve proper expansion and coverage.
  
  

Pros:

• Rapid knockdown of hydrocarbon fires

• Forms a vapor-suppressing film, preventing reignition

• Can be proportioned into water from 1 to 6% depending on fuel and system
  
  

Cons:

• Less effective on polar solvents (alcohol, ketones)

• Requires proper proportioning and application technique
  
  

Alcohol-Resistant Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AR-AFFF)

Description:

• Modified AFFF with a polymer additive to resist breakdown on polar solvent fires.
  
  

Operational Use:

• Used for alcohol, ketone, and other polar solvent fires where standard AFFF fails.

• Applied via 1½-inch or 2-inch foam attack lines.

• Requires a fog nozzle to properly mix foam concentrate with water.
  
  

Pros:

• Effective on polar solvent and hydrocarbon fires

• Maintains vapor suppression and foam integrity
  
  

Cons:

• More expensive than standard AFFF

• Requires strict adherence to proportioning

Fluoroprotein Foam

Description:

• A combination of protein foam and fluorochemical surfactants for faster knockdown.
  
  

Operational Use:

• Used in high-risk areas like refineries, airports, and fuel depots.

• Applied via 2-inch or 2½-inch foam lines with aspirating nozzles.
  
  

Pros:

• Rapid fire suppression with heat resistance

• Effective on hydrocarbon fuels, moderate burnback resistance
  
  

Cons:

• Heavier and more expensive than plain protein foam

High-Expansion Foam

Description:

• Foam that expands 200–1000 times its original volume, used for confined spaces.

Operational Use:

• Ideal for warehouse, shipboard, and aircraft hangar fires.

• Applied via larger foam lines (2½-inch or larger) connected to high-expansion generators.

• Fills large areas quickly, displacing oxygen and suppressing flames.

Pros:

• Rapid area coverage for confined spaces

• Minimal water usage compared to traditional foam

Cons:

• Not suitable for outdoor fires or flammable liquid spills

• Requires specialized equipment