Thomas K. Freeman
Fire Chief,
Lisle-Woodridge (IL) Fire District
Response: The Lisle-Woodridge Fire District uses predominantly smooth-bore nozzles for fire suppression, but combination nozzles are available for use at the officer`s discretion.
Our 1 3/4-inch handlines are equipped with two-piece tips with combination 75-psi, 150-gpm fog nozzles that break down to 1 5/16-inch smooth-bore tips. We use 1 1/4-inch smooth-bore tips for our 2 1/2-inch attack lines. Leader-line 2 1/2-inch lines are equipped with 1 1/4-inch spindown nozzles into 1 3/4-inch attack lines with 1 5/16-inch smooth-bore tips. All are used for structural firefighting. The combination tips are also used on 1 3/4-inch lines for foam applications.
Officers, therefore, have the option of leading out with fog or smooth-bore nozzles when using 1 3/4-inch lines but only with smooth-bore nozzles when attacking with 2 1/2-inch lines. Notwithstanding nozzle selection and hose size in their size-up, the effective engine company`s experience and good judgment, the volume of fire, reach, and penetration are part of the decision-making process.
The reality is that in “small” residential fires (with normal fire loads), the fire often is controlled effectively with either nozzle. The concern of the engine companies in our department is, as it should be, the adverse effect a fog (broken-particle) stream can have when used in a confined, superheated environment.
It is understood, however, that even if a combination nozzle is selected, a straight-stream pattern can still be used. Still, the change in thermal balance, humidity, and visibility, in addition to the increased air movement created by the fog nozzle, can create a hostile and untenable situation for the fire company–hence, the greater dependence on smooth-bore tips (as well as proper, early ventilation).
As critical as the nozzle is, it is even more crucial that the correct size attack line be used so that the proper critical fire flow can be delivered. The nozzle preference argument is secondary to the greater issue of the correct and adequate flow for the amount of fire. Our engine companies use lines up to and including 2 1/2-inch for interior attack. Obviously, 2 1/2-inch lines are also the standard for exterior attack and point-of-vantage operations. Either 2 1/2- or three-inch lines are used to support installed systems.
The use of smooth-bore nozzles extends into all master-stream applications. The emphasis is on using these tips instead of fog tips in flows greater than 300 gpm.
Combination nozzles are available–again, at officer discretion. But it is our opinion that the smooth-bore nozzles are superior for large-caliber streams as well as for most handline applications because of their effective reach, penetration, break-over, and so on.
