Jim Murtagh
Deputy Chief
Fire Department of New York (FDNY)
Response: FDNY uses 134-inch hose as its primary attack line in most situations. This size hose was introduced in the early 1970s and rapidly became the workhorse for structure fire operations. In the mid-1980s, a 134-inch hose began to replace booster hose and is now the primary hoseline for all small outside operations.
The 134-inch hose may be used as the initial line when the fire officer in command of the initial line has decided that fire conditions and the extinguishment capability of the 134-inch line are appropriate. Factors to be considered when coming to this decision include the fire`s magnitude, location, and potential for spread; the occupancy of the structure; possible life hazards; and the advantages to be gained in speed and mobility by using this size hoseline.
There are, however, strict rules pertaining to when this hose should NOT be used. The 134-inch hose would NOT be used in the following conditions:
When the hoseline is expected to be used as a defensive line.
When the officer finds an advanced fire on arrival.
In situations where a large volume of water will be required to cool a superheated fire area.
Where a large body of fire is in a large uncompartmented fire area.
When the officer cannot determine the size or extent of the fire problem.
Additional 134-inch hoselines may be used when the incident commander determines this size line is compatible with fire conditions and his strategy of extinguishment/containment and exposure protection. However, ALL hoselines taken off a standpipe system must be 212-inch.
The key to effective fire control is the fire unit`s ability to effectively deliver an efficient amount of water on the fire. In the mid to late 1960s, when the U.S. fire problem was growing at an alarming rate, it was determined that using 212-inch hose was slow and inefficient for most structure fire operations and that rubber-jacketed 112-inch hose was inadequate for effective fire control. Chief and fire officers wanted the knockdown power of the 212-inch hose and the speed and mobility of 112-inch hose. A flow of 180 gpm with a nozzle pressure of 50 psi (open-bore nozzle) was accepted as the standard. The 134-inch hose has a friction loss of approximately 20 psi per length; the maximum pressure for the entire hoseline is 250 psi. Thus, the number of lead lengths of 134-inch hose in a stretch must be limited.
Effective use of 134-inch hose necessitates an understanding of its limitations. A 134-inch hoseline flowing 180 gpm with a smooth-bore nozzle at 50 psi will necessitate two firefighters working closely together at the nozzle. If a nozzle being used requires higher nozzle pressures (fog), the total loss of pressure must be taken into account, and it may be necessary to limit the number of 134-inch lead lines on the hose stretch. The 212-inch hose has a friction loss of approximately five pounds per length.
