Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Oldman on June 10, 2009 at 8:05pm

Mark, I have to disagree.

Yes, hose bridges are pricey, but compared to the cost of rebuilding the pump, they are a very necessary expense. Water hammer can and does override relief valves and either render the pump, the water line or hydrant inoperative.

Another, and more common problem is damage done to the supply line by the undercarriage of a vehicle. If you have vehicles in your area like I have in mine, that have 3" ground clearance, they can get "high centered" on the hose. The hot exhaust does the rest.

In my area, when we have had to lay across a road, we usually have a couple of members show up POV. Their vehicles make an excellent barricade when placed in the road to protect the line, at least until law enforcement shows up.

Permalink Reply by Mark Klaene on June 10, 2009 at 8:48pm

thanks for bringing up the water hammer issue . As I said I had not run across this is real life.

Permalink Reply by Mark Klaene on June 11, 2009 at 3:25pm

our supply hose is 3" and of course here in NM 80% of the vehicles on the road are pick up trucks

on the rare chance I need it and damage a hose I would rather just replace the hose than haul around multiple sets of hose bridges or 2x6's. Here if we bar traffic over a hose we have shut down the road since nearly all traffic only has 1 road in or out. There is no going around.

If I have the folks and can roll my rescue truck I definitely like the idea of using some of my cribbing 2x4 and 2x6's.

I certainly worry about damaging a pump if that is truly a possibility

Permalink Reply by Derek R. on September 27, 2009 at 3:56pm

We try to situate the trucks so that lines aren't laid across the road.. But if the situation arises when we have to, we shut the road down. And we have full support of the police. We do have hose bridges also, just in case. And those don't have to be something pricey and they don't take up that much room.

Permalink Reply by Mark Klaene on October 2, 2009 at 1:02pm

Josh

as you mention just because it is illegal doesn't keep it from happening. I am curious did you see and change in pressure/flow as a result of the hoses being run over

Permalink Reply by Douglas Crowell, Jr. on October 2, 2009 at 5:35pm

In Ohio it is illegal to drive over fire hose, but like you said it dosen't stop it from happening.

We try not to lay hose in the road, not just to prevent people from hitting it, but also allowing us another route to bring in more resources (if needed).

If we have no choice but to put hose across the street, then the road is closed to all traffic. I most cases, people only have to go a mile to two out of there way.

We do have hose ramps (both commercial and home made) but we don't use them very often. Closing the road just seems to eliminate the problem.

Permalink Reply by Fred Cummings, Jr. on October 23, 2009 at 4:30pm

We only have dry hydrants, so we use 5" supply line. We are usually never fortunate enough to be able to stay on the same side of the road as it's laid out. Once the hose is on the ground, where ever it crosses a street, that street is now CLOSED. There are to many lives on the line to let anything drive over it. One thing to take into consideration while laying it is the need for incoming engines weather it be our own or mutual aid. We were at a mill fire on a general alarm a couple of years ago and double layed 2200' of 5" and pumped out of a river to supply 2 ladder pipes and 3 other engines. Someone came up with a brainy idea to make ramps because we were now into our 11th hour. The ramps started 4 feet from the hoses and even though they were a tad bit higher than the hose those 2 sections got beat up and we were forced to trash them.

Permalink Reply by Paul Dudan on October 29, 2009 at 1:00pm

Without question we always close the road not only for the hose but also for the firefighters and commotion that will come from an incident that requires 5" supply. Besides, when the State Troopers arrive it's always fun to watch them run around like chickens to find out when they can re-open the road

Permalink Reply by Mark Klaene on October 29, 2009 at 3:10pm

So nearly all replies talk about closing the street. In our area most of my canyons have 1 way in or out. If I close that street, No one comes or goes , there is no alternative route. Not that I am against closing the street if needed for safety reasons but I have to take this into account and be concerned with the affect it has on my citizens. Thus I hate closing a street off Just due to hose in the street. It seems the most compelling reason is that small cars likely CAN"T drive over 3" hose with hanging up on. Of course in NM everyone drives pickup trucks.