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Why Does It Always Have to be Done That Way?
Featured Author:
Paul Shapiro
Paul Shapiro specializes in the research, development and training of large flow water delivery systems and fire stream management. His extensive research and outcomes of large diameter hose has been published frequently in fire service trade magazines. Paul has made significant contribution to fire response efficiency with his application-based research of large caliber fire streams working with handline and master stream operations.
Paul has been involved with the fire service since 1981, and is serving Las Vegas as an Engineer with the City of Las Vegas Fire & Rescue. In March of 2007 his department gave him the Engineer of the Year award for 2006. He is a certified Fire Instructor III for the State of Nevada, has served on the faculty of many Fire Academies throughout the United States, and was named Instructor of the Year, 1999, by the Colorado Fire Academy. Paul is recognized nationally as an expert in his field, and is also the author of the popular book, Layin’ the Big Lines as well as the producer of the video, Large Flow Water Delivery.
More articles from this author:
Myth 4: When supplying a portable monitor with 2-1/2” inlets using large diameter hose, a manifold should be used at the end of the LDH line and wyed into two 2-1/2” or 3” lines for the final connection into the monitor.
Reality: Flow tests were conducted to disprove this myth. The first flow test consisted of 150 feet of 5” discharge line into a large manifold wyed down to two 3” lines 50 feet long and then into the inlets of
the monitor. The second portion of this flow test brought the 150 feet discharge line directly into the inlet of the monitor using a 5” X 2-1/2” adapter. Both evolutions flowed 1000 GPM. The 5” by itself was able to move the 1000 GPM with 20 psi less on its engine pressure than the combination 5” and 3” evolution.
When using a master stream with 2-1/2” inlets it is more efficient to adapt the LDH line to the inlet
