Have You Ever Used 2 1/2" Hose Inside a Private Home

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Robert Owens on April 17, 2008 at 7:47pm

We used it on a single story single family structure one nite at about 3 am. It was in my vollie days we layed in and when we pulled up we had fire throught a small part of the roof on the b c corner but could tell by the smoke that it was well involved in the attic.

I called for the 2 1/2 becuase I didn't know how much fire was in the attic and all the other engine comapnies had "scratched" (failed ot get out) all we had on scene was 1 engine 1 ladder 1 ambulance and 1 chief. We stretched the 2 1/2 through the front door had the truck guys open up the ceiling we realized the fire was passed us so we buck up to the doorway leading to an attached garage opened the ceiling and found only smoke puching through out holes so we opened it up alot and started flowing water into the attic space. It mad an immediate impact according to the incdent commander as the fire coimng through the roof stopped and black smoke turned to white then to steam.

When we finally got some help we placed more manuverable lines in the structure for overhaul.

My reasoning behind this was not knowing how much fire was in the attic and I didn't know when or if a back up line was coming so I went with the big line. The only thing I did due was break one of my cardinal rules i stretched it dry into the hose. I typically only take charged lines in to SFD. It was easy to move with webbing though and the hose was layed out good.

BTW I really enjoyed the "Line Boss" Class at FDIC very rare to get good engine company training most people only like the "sexy stuff".

Permalink Reply by Mike Walker on April 17, 2008 at 7:57pm

Yes I have. We have some very large single family residences and the 2 1/2 worked great. Its like anything else, the driver has to pump the correct pressure. If they over pressure the line it's like advancing a 100' piece of pipe through the structure.

Permalink Reply by Drew Smith on April 18, 2008 at 12:39am

A procedure we use occasionally with our 2&1/2 is the leader lne operation. All of 1&1/4 inch tips have 1&1/2 hose thread so a 1&3/4 inch line with smooth bore can be added on. We carry a hose pack of two 75-ft X 1&3/4 sections with 15/16 tip. When heavy fire is encountered and the 2&1/2 is used the offier can call for the hose pack and add 1 or both sections onto the tip, change it and move in for attack on smaller rooms or for mop up. We have used it with good results when the officer recognizes it is appropriate. For some reason, we have never had this load used improperly but we still have the guy who pulls the 1&3/4 preconnect when the flow is inadequate.
When the hose pack is called for either another company brings it or the man at the outside door goes and gets it as the line is usually stationary and he does not need to feed line into the building.

Permalink Reply by Jim Mason on April 18, 2008 at 8:09am

We've done it a number of times over the years. Usually the situation is that there is a reiliable report of persons trapped or upon arrival we could actually see people hanging from the windows with fire lapping out of, at least some of, the the windows over their heads. Some of those people died that we saw but most were saved by the quick knockdown of the fire of the 2 1/2 flow

Permalink Reply by Jim Miller on April 18, 2008 at 3:57pm

Yes, I used the 2 1/2 on a PD with heavy fire in the attic. Companies had a couple of 1 3/4 on the ground one interior and one on the roof trying to knock down the fire. My company took a 2 1/2 in the Alpha side along with a truck crew. The truck opened up a room ceiling and we made short work of the bulk of the fire. We then extended a 1 3/4 from the nozzle and mopped up the attic area. Tough work getting it in position and working, but put a stop on the fire.

How was Indy Ray ??

Permalink Reply by Eric J. Christopher on April 18, 2008 at 5:42pm

Arrived first due to find fire blowing out of four windows on the A/B corner, from the second floor of a three story wood. We stretched a 2 1/2 up the front stairs, very narrow but fairly straight stretch to the fire apartment. The Rescue forced the door and we continued into the apartment, found two rooms of fire which we were able to knock down fairly quickly in the time it took Rescue to complete their primary cearch. There was some extension to the floor above which was taken care of by the second due engine. Some points at this fire, the engine I was detailed to that day was staffed with an Ofc. and four FF's which makes hose placement and the movement of a charged line a lot easier. The officers decision the stretch a "big line" was based on his size up, most notable the location and extent of the fire. I think that the 2 1/2 can be used with good results but it requires training and practice.

Permalink Reply by Bob Shovald on April 18, 2008 at 7:10pm

Drew -
What do you use to keep the bail open on the 2 1/2" nozzle when you extend that line with a 1 3/4"? We are working on this idea right now.
Bob

Permalink Reply by Ricky Teter on April 18, 2008 at 8:05pm

I'm not Drew, but we practice a similiar drill in Denver and we use two of the velcro straps from our horseshoe hose packs to strap the bail open on our 2 1/2" after we extend the line. This helps prevent the bail from being kicked shut by truckies.

Permalink Reply by Brian Halwachs on April 18, 2008 at 9:17pm

You can use a piece of webbing, or a rope/hose tool works well also

Permalink Reply by Kelly Ross on April 18, 2008 at 10:18pm

1"3/4 is usually the line of choice here, however I have used it at a private dwelling. We arrived first due at a vacant that was going good and stretched the 2.5" and operated it from the front porch area and made a quick knock down and then advanced in with the 1"3/4. It is big, heavy, and cumbersome but it is effective. Drilling with it can delete a lot of the misconceptions, one of the biggest reasons that I feel it isn't used very often locally.

Permalink Reply by Tony Piontek on April 20, 2008 at 6:06pm

Yes, both on attached garages as well as single family PD's. Great knockdown power, then reduce the line to mop up or go above. That was when the 1 1/2 was used, just didn't have the gpms to overpower the fire, now with the 1 3/4 (at the right pressures and flows), we don't seem to have the problems anymore. Training needs to be done to be truly effective, as well as to get the "fear" we often put into recruits about using the big lines. It's really not that bad if you staff the line sufficiently and use teamwork, split the load, and pump at the correct pressure. All training issues....

Permalink Reply by Jim Mason on April 21, 2008 at 8:49pm

A bungy strap w/ open hooks can be used but normally the 2 1/2 nozzle has a bunch of hose line lying behind it so placeing it in a spot where the guys won;t kick it shut when they walk past it will keep it open. If the line goes suddenly limp at the 1 3/4 nozzle tip after it is attched you can bet the hose team will be yelling to check the 2 1/2 nozzle bail where the 2 lines connect

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