Thomas K. Freeman
Fire Chief
Lisle-Woodridge (IL) Fire District
Response: The department uses both 134- and 212-inch attack lines. The 112-inch hose is not used. The smaller 134-inch lines are capable of flowing 180 gpm with the 1516-inch smooth-bore nozzles and 150 gpm with the combination nozzles that are also available.
Our 212-inch lines, on the other hand, are intended to flow 300 gpm at 40 psi minimum nozzle pressure. This affords a little more maneuverability at a lower nozzle pressure than normally used (330 gpm @ 50 psi) without compromising stream quality. More importantly, it nearly doubles the flow of the 134-inch line.
In addition to the finished loads of 212-inch for attack line, engine companies also use beds of 212- and three-inch for supply lines, supply to dividers for various sizes of attack lines, installed system support, heavy stream appliances, and so on. Five-inch large-diameter supply hose is carried on all companies as well. Engine companies train to lead out with the appropriate line based on their size-up–the amount of fire, building conditions, and so on–and do not experience any abnormal difficulty in maneuvering 212-inch lines, with the obvious understanding that the larger line is going to take more effort. The result is going to be a more effective–and safer–attack.
Ease of operation should not compromise the company. Remember, the result of a faster, more maneuverable hoseline may present a slower and more dangerous fire attack. Nobody wants overkill, but let`s make sure we don`t get killed over it!
