Larry Anderson
Deputy Chief
Dallas (TX) Fire Department
Response: The Dallas Fire Department uses 1 3/4-inch hose and automatic nozzles almost exclusively for standard fire attack situations. Also, we have three-inch attack lines with a wye that has two 1 3/4-inch attack lines. All of our preconnected attack lines are 1 3/4-inch.
Smooth-bore nozzles in 1 1/8-inch and 1 1/4-inch diameters are carried in compartments on our engines so they can be attached to three-inch lines should the incident commander deem it necessary. These smooth-bore nozzles come in handy when heavy stream penetration is needed. We recently used smooth-bore nozzles in a seven-alarm fire in a plastics manufacturing facility with good results. We rarely use the smooth-bore nozzles, but they are invaluable in certain situations. In my opinion, having the ability to produce streams from automatic nozzles in excess of 300 gpm from a fairly maneuverable handline is like driving a compact car with a 500-horsepower motor. The extra power is seldom needed, but it sure is nice to have when the situation dictates.
