ANOTHER fire fighting query

[JDgreen227]

I have been working in my basement shop about 30 feet away, taking apart the guns for my power washers and replacing the O-rings, and got to wondering:

Given a medium sized fire, and one you could reach from your garden hose (no nozzle or finger used to extend the range, which of these methods would be more effective?

Using the water flow from the hose, which typically is probably 40-50 psi and will flow 10 gpm, or attaching the hose to a 3000 psi, 3 gpm pressure washer?

I am wondering if the additional force of water supplied from the power washer would offset the reduction in water on the fire?

 

[RoyJackson]

I'd be concerned about spreading the fire with the pressure behind a pressure washer...moving the burning items around, that is.

 

[JDgreen227]

I'd be concerned about spreading the fire with the pressure behind a pressure washer...moving the burning items around, that is.

And I am wondering if breaking up the base of a fire would make it easier to extinguish it...you could always change the spray concentration to cover a wider area after using a jet stream to accomplish that...I am wondering which is more important, amount of water or being able to change the flow to suit your method. You make an excellent point, one which I had not originally thought of.

 

[RoyJackson]

And I am wondering if breaking up the base of a fire would make it easier to extinguish it...you could always change the spray concentration to cover a wider area after using a jet stream to accomplish that...I am wondering which is more important, amount of water or being able to change the flow to suit your method. You make an excellent point, one which I had not originally thought of.

I'd use a wide spray to cool as much as possible without "disturbing" the base of the fire...of course, that also depends on what is in the surrounding area...

 

[leonz]

The implementation of fog spray nozzles are becoming the normal way of doing things with water for firefighting. Powder and CO2 type fire suppressant/fire extinguishers are recommended for spraying at the base of A, B and C type fires.

 

[Branchchipper]

I'd go with the garden hose.

IMO, Blasting towards the fire with 3 gpm and all that entrained air seems to be less desirable than putting 10 gpm on it directly, with the consequent reduction in BTUs that gives you.

Years ago, there was a high-pressure water fog system used by the Navy that made its way into the US fire service. Some swore by it, and others swore at it...

The debate about high vs. low-pressure fog vs. solid-bore (straight stream) has still not been fully resolved, decades later, at least in the US.

I participated in some evaluations of combination vs. solid-bore nozzles for interior firefighting a few years ago, and I became a big fan of solid-bore nozzles for many (not all) situations.

In the mean time, while I was on a truck (ladder) company in the '90s, my crew and I stopped more than one room-and-contents fire with only a p-can (pressurized water extinguisher) while waiting for the first-due engine company to arrive and set up. That was essentially a very small garden hose.

 

[Part timer]

I have been working in my basement shop about 30 feet away, taking apart the guns for my power washers and replacing the O-rings, and got to wondering:

Given a medium sized fire, and one you could reach from your garden hose (no nozzle or finger used to extend the range, which of these methods would be more effective?

Using the water flow from the hose, which typically is probably 40-50 psi and will flow 10 gpm, or attaching the hose to a 3000 psi, 3 gpm pressure washer?

I am wondering if the additional force of water supplied from the power washer would offset the reduction in water on the fire?

I have been a fire fighter for 11 years and in my experience less water/more pressure usually doesn't work well, you will more than likely spread the fire and throw debris everywhere.

It also depends on the situation. If you are trying to protect something like a structure from a grass fire a pressure washer would work well for cooling/wetting down walls.

In most situations your best bet would be to use whatever method gives you the most volume and still have decent water pressure. One thing you need to consider is several cheap garden hose nozzles actually restrict your water flow. Even if it sounds corny I have fire hose nozzles on my garden hoses, lowes sells them for a decent price and I have found they give you a lot more volume and still consistent pressure when compared to a normal "Wal-Mart" nozzle.

Chris

 

[Part timer]

Also attacking the base of the fire is not a bad thing but keep in mind you do not want the fire a straight stream directly into the base as you can spread burning debris quickly. Try using a semi fog pattern, but always check overhead such as ceilings, walls, and trees, your number one priority is your own safety if you attack any fire from the ground up you may send smoke and steam over your head making overhead visibility difficult, possibly resulting in burning debris falling on you or a roof or ceiling collapse. I've had tree limbs fall from overhead that I never saw coming just keep in mind Always evaluate the situation thoroughly and keep safety in mind!!! Fire is no joke!!!

Chris

 

[RoyJackson]

Also attacking the base of the fire is not a bad thing but keep in mind you do not want the fire a straight stream directly into the base as you can spread burning debris quickly. Try using a semi fog pattern, but always check overhead such as ceilings, walls, and trees, your number one priority is your own safety if you attack any fire from the ground up you may send smoke and steam over your head making overhead visibility difficult, possibly resulting in burning debris falling on you or a roof or ceiling collapse. I've had tree limbs fall from overhead that I never saw coming just keep in mind Always evaluate the situation thoroughly and keep safety in mind!!! Fire is no joke!!!

Chris

And always have an avenue of escape!!

 

[JDgreen227]

Thanks, all, for the input...I just came in, been cleaning the carb on my ATV, it it parked outside, I am using CARB CLEANER and not gasoline, and a minimal amount of CC at that. I have both a 1A, 10BC and a 2A, 40BC extinguisher handy. Fire scares the (bleep) out of me and that is one of the reasons for my possibly inane queries....thanks again.