Nozzles and Fire Streams Part B FVCC Fire Rescue

Nozzles and Fire StreamsPart B

FVCC Fire RescueFVCC Fire Rescue

OPERATION OF FIRE STREAM OPERATION OF FIRE STREAM NOZZLESNOZZLES

Solid stream handline nozzles◦Attach proper size tip to shutoff◦Slowly open bail to bleed off air◦Slowly open and close the nozzle using the bail


Solid stream master stream nozzles◦Position device for use◦Check for proper tip size for volume to be

delivered◦Make sure device is secured using supplied

attachment device ◦Have appliance charged◦Elevate and/or rotate nozzle slowly for

maximum reach and penetration


Fog stream handline nozzle◦Check to make sure nozzle is set to desired

pattern and gallonage (if adjustable)◦Slowly open bail to bleed off air◦Slowly open the nozzle using the bail◦Adjust fog pattern as desired◦Slowly close the nozzle using the bail


Fog master stream nozzles◦Position device for use◦Check for desired pattern and gallonage (if

adjustable)◦Make sure device is secured using supplied

attachment device◦Have appliance charged◦Elevate an/or rotate nozzle slowly for maximum

reach and penetration◦Adjust fog pattern as desired


Broken stream nozzles◦Water curtain

Position device for use Secure in place Have appliance charged Adjust so that it is spraying on exposure to be

protected◦Cellar or distributor nozzle

Position nozzle for use Have device charged Check for proper placement and reach Secure or support in place so nozzle rotation does not

displace it


◦Piercing nozzle Position nozzle for penetration Drive nozzle into position with a striking tool Open nozzle slowly

BROKEN STREAM BROKEN STREAM (SPECIAL PURPOSE) NOZZLES(SPECIAL PURPOSE) NOZZLES

VS 13-16

Broken/PenetratingNozzle

Distributor

Distributor(Cellar) Nozzle

ChimneyNozzle

USING A DISTRIBUTOR NOZZLEUSING A DISTRIBUTOR NOZZLE

VS 13-17

Effective Ineffective

USING A CHIMNEY NOZZLEUSING A CHIMNEY NOZZLEVS 13-18

A booster hose andnozzle are droppeddown the entirelength of the chimneyand then pulled backout. Mist from thenozzle turns to steam and chokes the fire.

USING A PIERCING NOZZLEUSING A PIERCING NOZZLEVS 13-19

Using a sledgehammer to Drive the Pointof the Piercing Nozzle Through the Obstruction

NOZZLE PRESSURE EFFECTSNOZZLE PRESSURE EFFECTS

Definition◦The force of nature that makes the nozzle

move in the opposite direction of the water flow. The nozzle operator must counteract the thrust exerted by the nozzle to maintain control.


Solid stream◦ Flow rate is dependant on the velocity of the stream and

size of discharge opening◦ Increase of size of discharge orifice or velocity will

increase flow◦ Nozzle tip size should not be more than one-half the

diameter of the hose◦ The greater the discharge pressure, the greater the

reach◦ Maximum horizontal reach is attained at an angle of 32

degrees◦ Vertical reach into structures is best at a 70-75 degree

angle◦ Greatest vertical reach is a 90 degree angle◦ Wind will affect stream shape and reach


Fog stream◦Flow rate is dependent on type of nozzle

(constant, adjustable gallonage, automatic) pressure and stream pattern)

◦The wider the fog pattern, the shorter the reach◦Once maximum reach has been attained,

increases in nozzle pressure have little effect on reach and limited increase in volume

◦Low nozzle pressure reduces velocity, reach and volume


◦Factors affecting reach: Gravity Water velocity Pattern of nozzle Friction of water against air Wind

NOZZLE REACTIONNOZZLE REACTION

Nozzle reaction: Newton’s Third Law: For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction

The greater the nozzle discharge pressure, the greater the nozzle reaction

WATER HAMMERWATER HAMMER

Definition: Sudden stopping of water flow resulting in surge of energy in opposite direction

Effects: Broken pipes, hoses, pumps and hydrants

Prevention: Open and close valves slowlyCause: Rapid/sudden closing of nozzles or

valves

PROPER APPLICATION OF FIRE PROPER APPLICATION OF FIRE STREAMSTREAM

Fire “darkens” downThermal layer is maintainedVisibility is not decreased

HANDLING OF FIRE HOSEHANDLING OF FIRE HOSE

Watch for over-pressurizationOperate handlines with minimum of two

firefightersRemain aware of fire conditionsFollow personal safety procedures

PREVENTING DAMAGEPREVENTING DAMAGE

Methods of preventing damage◦Open nozzles and other appliances slowly◦Close nozzles and other appliances slowly◦Avoid dropping nozzles and appliances◦In cold weather, leave nozzles cracked open to

prevent freezing

GROUND COVER FIRESGROUND COVER FIRES

Types of ground cover fires (classified by fuel)◦Ground fuels (duff): small twigs, leaves and

needles◦Surface fuels: living surface vegetation

including grass, brush and other low vegetation.

◦Aerial fuels: Suspended and upright fuels physically separated from the ground fuels to the extent that air can circulate freely around the fuels causing them to burn more readily.

EXTINGUISHING GROUND COVER EXTINGUISHING GROUND COVER FIRESFIRES

Perimeter control◦Control line may be established

Burning edge of the fire Next to the edge of the fire At a considerable distance from the fire

◦Attack methods Direct action is taken directly against the flames Indirect used at varying distances from the fire


◦Ten Standing Orders Fight fire aggressively but provide for safety first Initiate all action based on current and expected

fire behavior Recognize current weather conditions and obtain

forecasts Ensure instructions are given and understood Obtain current information of fire status


Remain in communication with crew members, your supervisor and adjoining forces

Determine safety zones and escape routes Establish lookouts in potentially hazardous

situations Retain control at all times Stay alert, keep calm, think clearly, act decisively

HOW FOAM WORKSHOW FOAM WORKSVS 13–1

Cools

Suppresses

Separates

WAYS FOAM EXTINGUISHESWAYS FOAM EXTINGUISHES

Separation of fuel and heat source

Cooling the fuel and surrounding surfaces

Suppression of flammable vapors

TS 13–1

HYDROCARBON FUELSHYDROCARBON FUELS

Petroleum based Float on water Examples

◦ Crude oil◦ Fuel oil◦ Gasoline◦ Benzene◦ Naphtha◦ Jet fuel◦ Kerosene

TS 13–2

POLAR SOLVENT FUELSPOLAR SOLVENT FUELS

Flammable liquidsMix with waterExamples

◦Alcohols◦Esters◦Acids◦Acetone◦Lacquer thinner◦Ketones

TS 13–3

SPECIALIZED FOAM FIRESSPECIALIZED FOAM FIRESAcid spills

Pesticide fires

Confined- or enclosed-space fires

Deep-seated Class A fires

Unignited hazardous materials spills

TS 13–4

VS 13–2

FOAM TETRAHEDRONFOAM TETRAHEDRON

MechanicalAgitation

Mechanical

Agitation

Foam

Concentrate

Foam

Con

cent

rate

Water

Water

Air

Air

ELEMENTS OF FIRE FIGHTING FOAMELEMENTS OF FIRE FIGHTING FOAM

Foam concentrate

Water

Air

Mechanical agitation

TS 13–6

FOAM GENERATION METHODFOAM GENERATION METHOD

Water is mixed with foam concentrate to form a foam solution.

The foam solution passes through the hoseline to a foam maker.

The foam maker aerates the foam solution to form finished foam.

TS 13–7

VS 13–3

COMPONENTS OF FOAM COMPONENTS OF FOAM PRODUCTIONPRODUCTION

FoamProportioner

WaterFoam

Solution

Finished Foam

FoamConcentrate

COMPONENTS OFCOMPONENTS OFFOAM PRODUCTIONFOAM PRODUCTION

Concentrate — Raw foam liquid in storage container

Proportioner — Device that introduces correct amount of foam concentrate into water stream

Solution — Mixture of foam concentrate and water

Foam (finished foam) — Completed product after air is mixed with solution

TS 13–8

FOAM EXPANSION TERMSFOAM EXPANSION TERMSProportioning — Mixing concentrate with water

by means of a proportioning system

Aeration — Mixing solution with air by means of the nozzle or expansion device

Foam expansion — Increase in volume of a foam solution when it is aerated

Expansion ratio — Ratio of air to solution. Example: If foam production yields 20 units of foam for every unit of foam solution, then the foam is being produced at a 20:1 expansion ratio.

TS 13–9

FACTORS THAT AFFECTFACTORS THAT AFFECTFOAM EXPANSIONFOAM EXPANSION

Type of foam concentrate used

Accurate proportioning of the foam concentrate in the solution

Quality of the foam concentrate

Method of aspiration

TS 13–10

FOAM EXPANSION RATIOSFOAM EXPANSION RATIOSVS 13–4

Low-Expansion – Up to 20:1 • To Extinguish Hydrocarbon & Polar Solvent Fuels • For Vapor Suppression on Unignited Spills

Medium-Expansion – 20:1 to 200:1 • For Fuel Liquids Not Exceeding 250°F (121°C)

High-Expansion – 200:1 to 1000:1 • For Filling Space in Basements, Mine Shafts, Subterranean Areas

Air/Solution Ratios

VS 13–5

HOW AFFF WORKSHOW AFFF WORKS• Water drained from foam blanket floats on hydrocarbon fuel spills.• This “light water” send an air-excluding film ahead of foam blanket.• AFFF can be used with fresh or salt water.• AFFF is ideal for crash rescue involving spills.

Foam

Fuel

AqueousFilm

VS 13–6

FOAM APPLICATION RATESFOAM APPLICATION RATESAFFFFFFP

Protein/FluoroproteinFoam

ATC

0.10 gpm/ft2 (4.1 L/min/m2)for Ignited Hydrocarbons

0.16 gpm/ft2 (6.5 L/min/m2)

0.24 gpm/ft2 (9.8 L/min/m2) for Ignited Polar Solvents

FACTORS AFFECTING FACTORS AFFECTING FOAM APPLICATION RATESFOAM APPLICATION RATES

Type of foam concentrate used

Whether or not the fuel is on fire

Type of fuel (hydrocarbon/polar solvent) involved

Whether the fuel is spilled or in a tank (If the fuel is in a tank, the type of tank will have a bearing on the application rate)

Whether the foam is applied via a fixed system or portable equipment

TS 13–14

VS 13–7

FOAM PERCENT CONCENTRATIONSFOAM PERCENT CONCENTRATIONSFire fighting foam is 90 to 99% water.

Hydrocarbon Fires:

Polar Solvent Fires:

Medium- to High-Expansion Foams:

+

1%

3%2%1.5%

6%

6%3%concentra

te

concentrate

concentrate

concentrate

concentrate

concentrate

concentrate

PROPORTIONING CONCENTRATIONSPROPORTIONING CONCENTRATIONS

3% foam = 97 parts of water + 3 parts foam concentrate

The unit of measure does not matter as long as both water and concentrate are measured in the same units.

Class B foams are normally mixed in proportions of 1% to 6%.

Class A foams can be mixed across a wider range of proportions than Class B foams.

TS 13–15

FOAM PROPORTIONING METHODSFOAM PROPORTIONING METHODS

Induction

◦ Pressure energy in the water stream drafts concentrate into the fire stream.

◦ Generally used with hoselines.

Injection

◦ An external pump or head pressure forces concentrate into the fire stream.

◦ Generally used with apparatus-mounted or fixed fire protection systems.

TS 13–18a

PROPORTIONER CLASSIFICATIONSPROPORTIONER CLASSIFICATIONS

Portable

◦In-line foam eductors

◦Foam nozzle eductors

Apparatus-mounted

TS 13–19

VS 13–8

IN-LINE EDUCTOR MECHANICSIN-LINE EDUCTOR MECHANICS

Foam Concentrate Container

PickupTube

Water/FoamSolution

HoselineIn-Line EductorHoseline

Water6 Feet (2 m)

or Less

EDUCTOR DISADVANTAGESEDUCTOR DISADVANTAGESIn-line foam eductors — Venturi principle limits

how far above concentrate the eductor can be placed.

Foam nozzle eductors

◦ The concentrate must be moved when the nozzle is moved.

◦ Firefighters are restricted in their movements and speed of movement.

◦ The concentrate may have to be abandoned if a retreat is required.

TS 13–20

BASIC PROPORTIONING BASIC PROPORTIONING PRINCIPLESPRINCIPLES

Induction — Uses eductor and pressure energy in stream of water to (induct) draft foam concentrate into fire stream

Injection — Uses external pump or head pressure to (inject) force concentrate into fire stream

TS 13–21

FACTORS TO CONSIDER IN FACTORS TO CONSIDER IN SELECTING A PROPORTIONERSELECTING A PROPORTIONER

Foam solution flow requirements

Available water pressure

Cost

Intended use (from apparatus, fixed, or portable system)

Agent to be used

TS 13–22

VS 13–9

FOAM NOZZLESFOAM NOZZLESFog Nozzle

(Fixed-Flow or Automatic)Solid Bore Foam

Air-Aspirating Foam

Water-Aspirating(High-Expansion) Foam Tube

FOAM DELIVERY DEVICESFOAM DELIVERY DEVICES

Handline nozzles

◦ Solid bore nozzles

◦ Fog nozzles

◦ Air-aspirating foam nozzles

Medium- and high-expansion foam generating devices

◦ Water-aspirating type nozzle

◦ Mechanical blower generator

TS 13–23

FOAM NOZZLE USESFOAM NOZZLE USES

Solid bore nozzle — Generation of maximum-reach stream for certain types of Class A applications

Fog nozzle — Generation of low-expansion, short-lasting foam for use on Class A fires or on hydrocarbon fuels with alcohol-resistant AFFF foams

Air-aspirating foam nozzle — Generation of low-expansion foam for use with protein and fluoroprotein foams and Class A foams on wildland fires

TS 13–24a

FOAM NOZZLE USES (cont.)FOAM NOZZLE USES (cont.)

Water-aspirating nozzle — Generation of medium- to moderately high-expansion foam with relatively low air volume

Mechanical blower generator — Generation of high-expansion foam with high air volume

TS 13–24b

FOAM PROPORTIONING METHODS FOAM PROPORTIONING METHODS (cont.)(cont.)

Batch-mixing

◦ Concentrate is poured into water source reservoirs.

◦ Used with apparatus water tank or portable water tanks and mostly on Class A fires.

Premixing

◦ Premeasured portions of water and concentrate are mixed in a container.

◦ Used in portable and wheeled extinguishers or vehicle-mounted tank systems.

TS 13–18b

FOAM AS AN EXTINGUISHING FOAM AS AN EXTINGUISHING AGENTAGENT

Components of foam◦Air◦Water◦Concentrate

Type of foam concentrate◦Class B

Protein Fluoro-protein Film forming fluoroprotein ATC

◦Class A Formulation of hydrocarbon surfactants

EQUIPMENT NEEDED FOR FOAM EQUIPMENT NEEDED FOR FOAM APPLICATIONAPPLICATION

Foam equipment◦Eductors

In line Bypass

◦Nozzles Low expansion Medium expansion Fog


◦Compressed air foam systems (CAFS) Used for Class A foams

◦Foam application Bank-in or roll on

◦Direct foam stream on the ground before fire and roll onto fire

◦Continue application until entire surface of fuel is covered and fire is extinguished

◦Use only on a pool of liquid fuel on the open ground (spill or fire)


Bank-back, bounce-off, bank-down, or deflection◦Foam stream is banked off a wall or other object and

rolls down or back onto the spill or fire◦Continue application until entire surface of fuel is

covered and fire is extinguished◦Uses primarily in dike fires and around damaged or

overturned transport vehicles


Rain-down or snowflake◦Foam is sprayed high in the air and floats down onto

spill or fire◦Continue application until entire surface of fuel is

covered and fire is extinguished◦Used when other two methods are not feasible◦Primary manual application technique for above ground

storage tanks

VS 13–10

ATTACKING A CLASS B ATTACKING A CLASS B FIRE WITH FOAMFIRE WITH FOAM

Roll-On

Rain-Down

Bank-Down

ROLL-ON METHOD ROLL-ON METHOD OF APPLYING FOAMOF APPLYING FOAM

Used on ignited or unignited pool of liquid fuel on open ground

Applied on ground near leading edge of spill, with foam flowing over the surface until the spill is covered and the fire is extinguished

TS 13–26

BANK-DOWN METHOD BANK-DOWN METHOD OF APPLYING FOAMOF APPLYING FOAM

Used in dike fires and fires involving spills around damaged or overturned tank vehicles when an appropriate structure is available

Directed against a structure above the fuel and allowed to run down onto the fire

TS 13–27

RAIN-DOWN METHOD RAIN-DOWN METHOD OF APPLYING FOAMOF APPLYING FOAM

Used on large area fires

Directed into the air over the fire and allowed to float down onto the involved area

TS 13–28

VS 13–11

APPLYING PROTEIN FOAMAPPLYING PROTEIN FOAM• Get close.• Apply gently.• Apply indirectly, allowing to spread over fuel.• Do not plunge into fuel.

VS 13–12

SUBSURFACE FLUOROPROTEIN SUBSURFACE FLUOROPROTEIN INJECTIONINJECTION

Fluoroprotein Foam –• Will shed hydrocarbon fuels.• Is suited for plunge application.• Can be applied from a distance, and• Can be injected at base of storage tank.

Product Line

Foam Pumper

Hydrant

VS 13–13

APPLYING FOAMAPPLYING FOAMBELOW GRADEBELOW GRADE

High-ExpansionFoam in

Basement Fire

FOAM USE HAZARDSFOAM USE HAZARDS

Health

◦Foams may irritate skin and eyes

◦Vapors may be harmful if ingested or inhaled

◦Foams may obstruct vision or affect footing

Equipment damage — Foams may corrode equipment that has come into contact with foam or foam components

Environmental — Foam residue may reduce oxygen while degrading

TS 13–29

Documents

Nozzles and Fire Streams Part B FVCC Fire Rescue