1¾ and 2-Inch Hose, Automatic Nozzles Please Volunteers In Florida Tests
In a continuing effort to upgrade equipment, three St. Johns County, Fla., volunteer fire departments are trying 1¾-inch hose with automatic nozzles and a fourth is using 2-inch hose.
Bakersville, St. Augustine Shores and Crescent Beach Volunteer Fire Departments are now using this equipment and report that it is a great improvement over l 1/2-inch hose and conventional nozzles.
The larger hose and nozzle provide maximum flow of 290 gpm as opposed to 135 gpm with 1 1/2-inch hose. This larger flow allows a faster knockdown of a fire, thus lessening property damage. After knockdown, a smaller hose can be used for mopup.
The St. Augustine South Volunteer Fire Department is trying out 2-inch hose, which has virtually the same capabilities as the 1¾-inch hose.
These departments have used their new hose on several structural and vehicular fires and are well satisfied with its performance. One benefit of the larger gallonage hose is that it can be handled and loaded just as easily as 1 1/2-inch hose. After an evaluation of the hose has been completed, more departments in the county will probably receive the new size hose.
Photo by Paul Cliwa.
