2 1/2 " Hose lines

I spent over 30 years with the FDNY in Manhattan and the South Bronx. I have been a volunteer FF firefighter for over 40 years. Time and time again I have suscessfully used 2 1/2" hose lines in all kinds of occupancies. The FDNY has an All Units Circular that has been in effect for many years the states, that a 1 3/4" hose can only be used when its use is "compatable with fire conditions". In short a 2 1/2" hoseline is required to be used in the following situations:

1. Heavy advanced fire upon arrival.

2. Fire in a large uncompartmented area

3. The hose line is to be used in a defensive position.

4. Any line stretched off a Standpipe outlet.

5. The first line in a large commercial occupancy.

Note the use of 2 1/2" is increasing due to the high heat output in fires in modern occupancies due to the increased use of plastics and other man made materials. The B.T.U. output of many fires now can overwhelm an 1 3/4" hoseline once flashover has happened or to curtail a ventilation induce flashover.

Capt. FDNY Retired

4 members like this

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by captnjak on February 4, 2014 at 5:39pm

Right now it's the 1" tip. I think it would be a good idea to make the larger tip part of the pilot program. Why not gather all the info that is possible? Then make your best decision.

We've all seen posts from members of this forum that get great water flows from their handlines with reasonable nozzle pressures and nozzle reaction.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by AJ Zuccarelli on February 4, 2014 at 9:36pm

Exactly. With the BTUs that are being put off, the more GPM the better. I want to say that we used a 1/8th tip when we played at HROC. Whipped my butt, then I took the Nozzle Forward class, totally changed the way I do things.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Don Catenacci on February 6, 2014 at 8:44pm

2 inch when pumped at the proper pressure will more than support the 1 1/8 inch tip. As I stated earlier we use a 1 1/4 slug tip on ours behind the combo nozzle.