Andy Fredericks

For decades, 212-inch hose was the mainstay of fire departments across the nation. Despite the widespread availability of smaller, lighter 112-inch hose after World War II, many fire departments continued to use 212-inch hose exclusively for interior and exterior firefighting. Urban fire departments in particular--confronted with large factories, high-rise office buildings, and residential neighborhoods crowded with combustible housing stock--found the limited flow of 112-inch hose insufficient

The prompt control and extinguishment of a serious fire is the single most effective lifesaving action a fire department can perform. Safe and efficient fire control requires water--sometimes lots of it--and in many communities, that water is supplied by hydrants.

When fires occur in buildings equipped with standpipe systems, engine companies are responsible for completing three critical tasks:

A growing number of fire departments large and small are returning to the use of solid-stream nozzles (also called "smooth-bore" or "solid-bore" nozzles) for interior structure firefighting. They are realizing success in directly attacking interior fires using the long reach afforded by the compact solid stream and fire-quenching power of its high-volume flow. This article is intended to describe some of the many benefits provided by solid streams and to contrast the safety and efficiency of th