By Douglas Mitchell Jr.
Many multistory buildings have a built in construction feature that may be used to increase the speed and efficiency of stretching of hoselines. The presence of a “well-hole” can aid our operation significantly. A well-hole is the space between the railings as stairs traverse the building. If we can get hose to fall into this space, we can reduce the amount of lengths that we must stretch to reach the upper floors.
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One length of hose can travel nearly five stories vertically in the “well.” Wells come in all sizes, and companies must practice stretching lines up them for ultimate success. The first step to using them is recognizing that they are there and if your hoselines will fit in them. A rough quick tip is to take a gloved fist and place it in between the railings where they cross. If the gloved hand passes through, so should your 1¾-inch handline couplings.
Douglas Mitchell Jr. is a lieutenant with the Fire Department of New York and an instructor with Traditions Training, LLC.
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