CHAPTER 12 February 15, 2006 WATER LOSS PROCEDURES 1. WATER LOSS PROCEDURES 1.1 The loss of water on the fire ground is a very serious situation, and something all members should strive to prevent. The importance of an accurate hose stretch cannot be overstated. Even after the hose stretch has been successfully completed and water is flowing at the correct pressure and volume, problems can occur that can threaten safety. Three such problems include: KINKS BURST LENGTH STRETCHING SHORT 1.2 These three problems can severely impact an operation. Each one will affect the water supply, and if not handled quickly and efficiently, can jeopardize the lives of both civilians and firefighters. 2. KINKS 2.1 Water loss due to kinks is the more common problem. Kinks constitute a water loss when they are severe enough to reduce the extinguishment capabilities of a hose line. When this occurs and is recognized by any member, an Urgent message shall be transmitted via the handie-talkie. It is essential that the Incident Commander, units operating on the fire floor and the floors above be notified of a water loss situation. Note: The engine officer shall ensure that the fire is confined by closing a door and/or all members are moved to a safe area of refuge if necessary. 2.2 Kinks are also the easiest problem to correct. The proper stretching and positioning of hose lines will greatly reduce the occurrence of kinks. 2.3 The control firefighter is responsible for estimating the correct amount of hose to reach the seat of the fire. Effectively controlling the number of lengths in the hose stretch will minimize kinks. Stretching one additional length of hose may be desirable to allow the nozzle team to be re-directed to a more distant area or to diminish the impact should a burst length occur and a length of hose needs to be removed from the stretch. The key is to have extra hose, but NOT an excessive amount. 2.4 All members operating at an incident, both engine and ladder, are responsible for eliminating kinks from the hose stretch. Kinks that cause a loss of water will compromise safety. 2.5 All members shall monitor handie-talkie communications. An indication that there are kinks is when the engine officer calls for additional pressure and the ECC responds that sufficient pressure is being supplied, but a reduction in flow is showing on the outlet flowmeter. Once it is determined the reduction in water flow is due to kinks, they must be located and quickly removed. Do not correct kinks by increasing the pressure. 1
2.6 The engine officer must initiate action to correct the problem of kinks in the hoseline. This shall include dispatching the control firefighter to find and correct the problem and/or requesting assistance from the Incident Commander. This problem should also be addressed by the second due engine (water resource unit), if at the scene. 2.7 The engine officer must notify the Incident Commander and all units on the fire floor and floors above when the problem is corrected. 3. BURST LENGTH 3.1 A burst length constitutes a water loss when it is severe enough to reduce the extinguishment capabilities of the hoseline. A burst length will severely affect an operation and will take a considerable amount of communication, coordination and time to correct. 3.2 An indication of a burst length is when the engine officer reports there is little or no water and the ECC sees an adequate pressure reading and an increased flow showing on the outlet flowmeter with the pumps RPMs increasing automatically. 3.3 Once a water loss due to a burst length is confirmed by any member, an Urgent message shall be transmitted. It is essential that the Incident Commander, members operating on the fire floor and floors above be notified. The engine officer must take immediate action to correct this problem. 3.4 All engine companies are required to store an extra length of 1¾ hose, with a controlling nozzle attached, on the apparatus in an easily accessible location. This hose or the 2½ hose folds on the apparatus for standpipe operations can be used to replace a burst length or added to a short stretch as necessary. The engine officer shall dispatch a member to obtain the appropriate replacement length. 3.5 To determine how to correct a burst length problem, first locate the burst length in the stretch. Once the location is verified and after the water has been shut down, there are two ways to correct a burst length: If enough hose is available, remove the burst length and reattach the existing couplings. Replace the burst length with a new length of hose, when there is not enough existing hose available in the stretch. Note: The above shall only be accomplished upon the engine officer s orders, after the fire has been confined by closing a door and/or members have moved to a safe area of refuge. 3.6 Once the burst length has been replaced, the engine officer is notified and in turn notifies the ECC to start water. The engine officer must notify the Incident Commander and all units on the fire floor and floors above when the problem is corrected. 2
The following is a quick reference chart: Line Pressure is the pressure necessary to obtain the correct water flow. Line pressure is determined by the size + number of lengths of hose + nozzle pressure and elevation. 4. SHORT STRETCH The importance of an accurate stretch cannot be overstated. The key is to have extra hose but not an excessive amount. The opposite problem is not stretching enough hose initially or the nozzle team cannot be re-directed to extinguish fire in a more distant area. If a hand line is stretched short, the corrective actions that needs to be taken will be determined by the size of the hose line (1¾ or 2½ ), and whether or not shutting down the water supply is suitable to the fire condition. 3
Note: The following procedures are NOT in priority order and shall only be accomplished upon the engine officer s orders, after the fire has been confined by closing the door and/or after moving to a safe area of refuge. 4.1 Water shut down is required when adding hose to the back of the stretch with a 1¾ or 2½ hand line. The ECC when ordered will shut down and drain the line at the pumper. In the case of a standpipe operation, shut down the line at the floor outlet. The ECC and/or other members will add an additional length(s) of 1¾ or 2½ hose to the stretch at the pumper or floor outlet. The ECC or other members will notify the engine officer when the connections are complete and will re-supply water to the hand line upon the engine officer s orders. Adding hose to the back of the stretch will require that hose be moved up along the entire length of the stretch in order for the line to advance. This may be impractical where more that four lengths of hose was originally deployed. Note: If the 6 lead lengths of 1¾ hose have already been stretched, only a length(s) of 2½ hose can be added. 4.2 Water shut down is NOT required when adding hose to the front of the stretch. This procedure will vary depending if the hand line is 1¾ or 2½ hose. 4.3 1¾ HOSE LINE: A length of 1¾ hose with the nozzle attached is brought to the front of the line. The tip is removed from the original nozzle (Figure 1) and an extra length(s) is added by connecting the female butt to the shut-off (Figure 2). In order to charge the new lead length(s), open the shut-off from the original nozzle, which is acting as an inline gate (Figure 3). This procedure will allow units to add lengths of hose without shutting down the water supply at the pumper. Note: The engine officer will ensure that this shut-off does not accidentally get shut down. 4.4 For a fire in a non-fireproof multiple dwelling without a well hole, sufficient hose may be found by raising the already charged hose line over the newel post onto the railing. 4.5 2½ HOSELINE: A length(s) of 2½ hose with a nozzle attached is brought to the front of the line. The tip is removed from the nozzle (Figure 4) and a 1½ x 2½ increaser is connected to the shut-off (Figure 5). The new length(s) of 2½ hose is added by connecting the female butt to the fitting on the shut-off (Figure 6). In order to charge the new lead length(s), open the shut-off from the original nozzle, which is acting as an inline gate (Figure 7). The engine officer will ensure that this shut-off does not accidentally get shut down. There will be a slight reduction in water flow (GPM), due to the friction loss of the additional fitting and hose, which can be compensated for by increasing the pressure at the floor outlet and/or pumper. This procedure allows units to add lengths of hose without shutting down the water supply at the pumper or floor outlet. 4
4.6 When connecting the 1½ x 2½ increaser to the shut-off, the shut-off handle will have to be pulled back slightly to allow the lugs on the fitting to clear the handle (Figure 5). 4.7 The 1½ x 2½ increaser shall be carried in the standpipe kit connected to the extra 2½ nozzle for easy access (Figure 8). 4.8 Through training and professionalism the Department will reduce the number incidents where these problems occur, and if/when they do occur, address them quickly and efficiently, without compromising an operation. CORRECTING A SHORT STRETCH IN A 1¾ LINE 5
N OTE: A 1¾ H OSE S HALL NOT B E U SED T O R EPLACE A 2½ L EAD L ENGTH 6