In recent years, wildfires have increased in size, frequency, cost, and damage. The U.S. Forest Service estimates that more than 30 percent of U.S. residents live in places threatened by wildfire. Add climate change into the mix, and the 2016 wildland fire season might give a dark glimpse of what the future holds. With more structures and assets located in high-risk wildfire environments, costs will only continue to increase.
Operational wildland firefighting-how we control and suppress fires to keep them from reaching those assets-has changed little in the past 70 years. Structural protection still relies on conventional firebreaks; backburns; dropping water from the air; and, most importantly, boots on the ground, all of which increasingly put firefighters at risk. But, what if you could establish a half-mile-long water wall 40 to 80 yards wide and do so in less than 10 minutes? More significantly, wouldn’t firefighters be safer if this long fire break could be maintained with minimal personnel in the danger area?
The FireBozz® rapid-deploy water cannon was developed to quickly establish long, robust, cost-effective water walls while keeping firefighting personnel out of danger. Once set up, the FireBozz® water cannon wets down a large area, raises ambient moisture in seconds, and allows fire personnel to address other critical missions.
One FireBozz® water cannon can cover a 200- to 480-foot-diameter area. [Note: Actual distance will depend on pressure, flow, friction loss, orifice size, and hose configuration. For a standard 0.40-inch orifice at 80 pounds per square inch, head pressure will cover a minimum of 182 feet. Water usage is about 40 gallons per minute (gpm).] The nozzle head is specifically designed for distance and production of vapor all around the water stream. A vital combination of long distance and ambient moisture is achieved in minutes; this results in a dramatic difference in coverage compared with traditional sprinkler units.
Weighing at around 42 pounds, the FireBozz® water cannon can be packed by a single firefighter and connected to other units in minutes on a single water line, creating a massive fire break. Two units can cover an area 400 to 1,000 feet long × 200 to 500 feet wide. Manifolds allow a variety of connections; but, typically, the FireBozz® is manufactured with 1½-, 2½-, or four-inch connectors. Increased size reduces friction loss considerably, allowing for better water projection. Hoselines using two to four units are common. The only limits to the number of FireBozz® units from a single source are friction loss and flow. For instance, two to three units work equally well with 1½-inch hose and a slightly higher pressure. Water jets from deployed units do not have to overlap since water vapor from the stream breaks up and disperses over a much larger area between the units and the water projection area.
(1) Photo courtesy of FireBozz®. |
Water usage depends on several factors such as pressure and orifice size. FireBozz® units typically use 35 to 60 gpm. The coverage area of a single unit can replace more than 10 to 20 traditional sprinkler heads. Many homes in wildland urban environments are near a water source or have access to some form of water supply such as a pool or water storage tank.
Water usage is based on more than just a traditional sprinkler system; there are more and more data showing that a majority of structures are lost within close distance to a water source. Many interface environments have an ample water supply but lack the capability to rapidly set up structural protection. There is no reason to lose a structure with water resources available. With a modest 40 gpm per cannon-balanced against the impressive quick area protection-it is an easy trade-off. FireBozz® all-aluminum construction allows foam and gel use as well as salt water.
You can deploy FireBozz® units with running water in less than 10 minutes and meet fire scenario changes quickly and successfully by moving the units. Their design allows water to fill the manifold, adding weight while in use to stabilize and dampen vibration at high pressures. The units are tipped, drained of water, and stored or carried to the next location quickly.
Urban interface fires have destroyed thousands of homes in the United States, Canada, Australia, and elsewhere. What’s needed to fight fast-moving wildfires is a simple, rapidly deployable device that can protect property and be left to operate on its own, freeing up firefighters and equipment.
Water sources can be hydrants, portable pumps, or pumper trucks. With hydrant or portable pump use, you can “set and forget” the FireBozz®; as long as there is water going to the hydrant or gasoline in the portable pump, it requires little to no attention. Its ability to cool and dampen massive areas has increased its usage to contain large industrial and commercial fires. In each of these situations, the FireBozz®’s ability to cover a large area, its rapid setup, and its ability to keep firefighters out of harm’s way have proven to be extremely beneficial.
FireBozz® was developed with input from more than 100 firefighting organizations, including regional and national wildland interagency wildfire groups, municipal fire departments, and training professionals in the area of wildland/urban fire management. With units on the fire line in Canada, FireBozz® is ready to protect U.S. homes from the dangers of wildland fire.
ROD SZASZ is the managing director of FireBozz® and a Venture Acceleration Programme Member of the British Columbia Innovation Council.
Fire Engineering Archives