red line at car fires

I still see red lines at car fires i understood that red lines are a no-no . They do not have enough water to keep you safe . We pull a handline on all car fires . What do you use and why ??

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Permalink Reply by Art "ChiefReason" Goodrich on December 29, 2008 at 9:57am

If "red lines" were a no-no, then apparatus manufacturers wouldn't be wasting space putting them on apparatus.
They are NOT an initial attack line. Departments that use them as such have no business being in the business.
They work great for cleaning your attack hose, though. You know; the jacketed 1-3/4 inch with a Vindicator nozzle on the end?
I agree with Gonzo. Get there. Hit it hard. Get it done...FAST. Then, get the hell out of there before Buck Tuth from Goofy Ridge has a chance to bounce you off of his hood.
With all due respect to Goofy Ridge.
TCSS.
Art

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Permalink Reply by Matthew Brough on January 1, 2009 at 7:43pm

None of our trucks are equipped with booster lines anymore. When the department ordered our first Class A, a 1985 Ford FMC, they opted for deluge guns instead of booster reels and we haven't looked back. Got 3 class A's and a Snorkel. None have Boosters on them. Snorkel had one when we got it from Vincennes, but we took it off. More room to store rolled hose.

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Permalink Reply by Ryan Cunningham on January 1, 2009 at 7:47pm

We use a 1 and 1 half inch quick attack line

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Permalink Reply by Chris on January 2, 2009 at 4:10pm

We always pull an 1 3/4'' Jump line on car fires here in Austin. We don't even have 1 inch line on anything but brush trucks here.

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Permalink Reply by Doug on January 8, 2009 at 7:59pm

we use 1 3/4 inch preconnected line, it gives the volume of water you need to extinush the fire and if something goes wrong you have extra pressure if needed. we have no red lines on any of our vehicles.

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Permalink Reply by Chad Furr on April 2, 2009 at 8:17pm

wellllllllllllll up until last month we were still using a red line and now we have switched to 1 1/2. Have not had a car fire since this switch so will post what I think on the change after we get one.

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Permalink Reply by Smoke Eater on April 5, 2009 at 1:49am

Same here Joe. But we have to use SCBA no matter what.

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Permalink Reply by Jake Fireman on April 5, 2009 at 1:56am

damnthing

YES he is talking about a 'booster' line or 'reel' line. We used to have doubles on all our engines, now we only have them on about half our engines and on that half...just a single line. We use 1-3/4" cross mounts. But darn the boosters are nice to wash the driveway with. Seriously.....we use ours for mop up....clean up ...whatever...burning embers on wildland...you know..that stuff....

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Permalink Reply by Fireyladd - Retired Chief Sharp on April 5, 2009 at 2:06am

I assume you mean hose real lines. Sad to say that I still see neighboring rural Departments still using them. We hit car fires with 1 3/4 lines an foam. If it isnt enough then go for the 2 1/2. Our pre-connects (1 3/4) are usually enough.

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Permalink Reply by Chad DeSantis on June 7, 2013 at 11:16am

My department still has 2 engines equipped with John Bean High Pressure Fog and tears will be shed if they are ever decommissioned. They are great for room contents fires, especially on a daylight call when only 3 guys make the first truck out. They put out a fine mist which fills a room with steam and deprives the fire of oxygen, putting it out almost immediately and leaving zero water damage (average room takes less than 10 gallons of water to put out). Yes, steam burns are a risk, but with proper training and practice (key words there), it's highly unlikely to be a problem. Adjust the nozzle (this is the part that's most dangerous) and you have a stream of water that will vent a window from a safe distance and cut through drywall like a hot knife through butter. If someone is standing behind that wall, however, it will cut them clean in half. Yes, without proper training, it can be very dangerous. With proper training, however, it can be a safe and extremely useful tool. I am hoping that the new UHP systems do what john bean does just as well. Another key point, the guys that aren't well practiced or confident with it don't use it. We have three engines and any of the three can be first out depending on the call, the crew, and the officer in charge, as they are all equipped differently.