Training >> Browse Articles >> Water Flow Technology by Paul Shapiro
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 9: The nozzle pressure for a smooth bore tip on a handline should be 50 psi. Pressures higher than this will produce a broken stream as well as a handline that is hard to control.
Reality: I’m not quite sure where this myth came from, I know it’s been around since the turn of the last century. Smooth bore tip nozzles are rated so a specific size will flow X amount of GPM at a 50 pound nozzle pressure. Successful handlines have been used with nozzle pressures reaching 150 psi. Are these high flowing lines hard to control? Standing up, yes. The key is to get on the hose in either the crouched or sitting position, thus allowing the nozzle reaction to be directed into the ground. The higher pressure smooth bore handlines are more than likely going to be used in an exterior large flow attack versus an interior attack.
500 GPM is being delivered through a 1-3/8” tip at 80# NP
