High-Rise Hose Pack Innovations
TRAINING NOTEBOOK
Firefighters are always looking for new ways to deal with high-rise or other interior structure fires. In our city, there are approximately 70 buildings that are five stories or higher as well as an increasing number of townhouses. This makes conventional hose loads and hose stretches difficult to use. Like many departments, our manning levels have been reduced and the area of responsibility has increased (i.e., more buildings, increasing population, and new office buildings that attract citizens from outside the city during normal working hours).
We set out to increase the efficiency of our first-arriving engine companies so that they could make a quick, initial attack on a high-rise fire or other incidents in hard-to-reach locations. We wanted a hose pack that had durable hose, a nozzle capable of delivering 100-200 gpm, and, most importantly, we wanted each man to be able to carry an extra air bottle. We also wanted a pre-assembled unit that would help us attack a fire under circumstances of zero visibility.
Photos by David L. Koenig
Equipment
The pack we formulated consists of the following:
- A thin wall tubular frame with nylon dive belts for securing the hose. The frame is lightweight, inexpensive (less than $20 for materials), maintenance free, and, most importantly, it permits air circulation around the hose. This means that there are no surprises, such as mildew, dirt, bugs, etc. These things are usually a problem with canvas bags.
- A 100-foot length of 1 3/4-inch hose with a jacket impregnated to resist abrasion. This hose can also be Teloaded on our frame while it is still wet. This reduces the amount of extra hose the department is required to keep on hand and returns the engine company to an in-service status quickly.
- A 2 1/2-inch to 1 1/2-inch reducer.
- A canvas pouch, with velcro closure, that contains one pair of channel lock pliers, two light-weight spanner wrenches, and several orange search and rescue tags.
- An automatic nozzle (60-200 gpm) with spinning teeth.
- A 50-foot donut roll of 1 3/4-inch hose.
One advantage of this concept is that it allows the two men carrying the pack to be balanced as they climb the stairs. A full steel air bottle (we use composites also) weighs approximately 25 pounds, and one half of the hose pack weighs 25 pounds. This package also obviously keeps together at least the two most vital links in the evolution (the men and hose).
Deployment
The unit is designed so it can be deployed under conditions of no visibility. The supply end of the hose pack is loaded opposite of the nozzle and loops. Once the standpipe is located, the firefighter making the connection has to pull only approximately 6 feet of hose off the pack. (This is accomplished merely by spreading the arms out after grasping the 2 1/2-inch to 1 1/2inch reducer attached to the hose.)
He then “foots” or anchors the hose while the nozzleman pulls one loop of the hose load and the nozzle. A third firefighter pulls the one remaining loop of hose and advances as necessary.
If you need to use this unit in an enclosed stairwell, it is suggested that the excess hose be deployed by walking one loop down a half flight of stairs and one loop advanced up a half flight of stairs before entering the room or hallway. This allows the slack to be removed from the hose and permits a line to be fully charged before advancing on the fire.
Summary
Here are the results of timed tests that were conducted by the training division in our five-storv training tower:
A three-man company in full turnout gear and self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) could climb four flights of stairs, connect the hose pack to the stairwell standpipe, and advance a fully charged 200-gpm hose line into a closed room in less than four minutes (average time). A stopwatch was started when the company entered the stairwell and was stopped when water was discharged. All tests were conducted using smoke bombs throughout the building and no lights of any kind.
We are pleased with the test results and the durability of the hose pack. Another advantage is that it is extremely easy to train new recruits to use the hose pack. After conducting over 50 evolutions, we have not observed any tangled or knotted hose.
This hose pack has also been used at several fires, and it has performed as expected. We are confident that this method will be much more effective than shoulder loads or donut rolls and anticipate big dividends from its use in the future.
For further information, please call or write the author at the West Palm Beach, FL, Fire Department.
