Standpipe operations clarification

Standpipe operations clarification

Andrew A. Fredericks

Squad Company 18

Fire Department of New York

In “Standpipe System Operations: The Standpipe Kit” (February 1999), I mentioned that a 20-inch pipe wrench is better than the standard 18-inch wrench. Unfortunately, I didn`t do enough research, and for this I apologize. A plumbing authority informed me that 20-inch pipe wrenches are available, I haven`t found a manufacturer that makes them. Standard lengths include six, eight, 10, 12, 14, 18, 24, and 36 inches. Some firms manufacture 25-inch wrenches, and some offer 48-inch monster wrenches. Perhaps my contact was confusing another type of wrench (adjustable, for example, which are available in 20-inch lengths) with a pipe wrench. Or maybe some obscure company (overseas, perhaps) does manufacture a 20-inch pipe wrench. If you are aware of such a company, please let me know.

Why all the fuss? As I stated previously, the clear hook jaw opening on an 18-inch pipe wrench is at its maximum when the wrench must be used like a spanner to free a stuck cap, PRD, or reducer fitting. A wrench with a clear hook jaw opening greater than that afforded by an 18-inch pipe wrench (in the books as 212 inches–actually more) will eliminate the possibility of the hook jaw assembly`s falling apart in the middle of an operation.

Another solution is to use a 24-inch pipe wrench with a cut-down handle. Because steel is so heavy, an aluminum wrench is virtually a necessity but also rather expensive. I asked a technical support representative for a large and well-respected manufacturer if the hook jaw on a 24-inch pipe wrench could be swapped with the hook jaw of an 18-inch wrench. Alas, without retooling, it is not possible. My plea to tool and equipment manufacturers: Construct a lightweight pipe wrench with a clear hook jaw opening of at least three inches and a handle length that does not exceed 18 inches.

There are also some corrections and clarifications to my article “Engine Company Support of RIT/FAST Operations” (April 1999). On page 85, I discussed the use of metal or plastic drainage pipe in constructing an SCBA confidence course. Pipe smaller than 24 inches in diameter is not necessary. Firefighters dragging a charged handline with them will find the restriction posed by 24-inch pipe sufficiently challenging.

On page 88, clarification of the tool selection for elevator usage is required.

A set of forcible entry tools must be brought aboard each elevator car used by fire service personnel. This set of tools may be the traditional irons (flathead ax and halligan) or a sledgehammer and halligan. Either way, both a striking tool and a prying tool should be available.

On page 89, the second sentence of the photo caption should read (correction in italics), “In addition, RICE members–particularly the chauffeur–should be able to operate each of the aerial ladder, tower ladder, or ladder tower apparatus they encounter should a firefighter need to be rescued from an untenable position.”

NJ Apartment Building Fire Displaces 41, Sends One to Hospital

A fire tore through the top floor of an apartment building on Palisade Avenue in Bogota on Sunday.

Providence (RI) Firefighter Pinned by Sliding Fire Truck During Snowstorm

A Providence firefighter was pinned between a fire engine and a parked car early Sunday morning when the truck got stuck and slid into the…