ANOTHER fire fighting query

[JDgreen227]

CTF, I often try to start threads that will provoke interest....and I was sure you of all members would have an opinion to render on this one. For what it's worth, I could have done a Google search for my query, but for me, TBN is a lot more informative and I would trust the input of one TBN member over a dozen Google sources!!!

 

[ericher69]

Jdgreen227;

A few things to look at here;

What class material is burning

A-wood, paper etc
B-gasoline, oils etc
C-electrical charged

Water performs it's job to extinguish fire in a few ways

In a solid bore (garden hose) it would definitely be better to extinguish the seat of the fire

In a fog (pressure washer) it would create an excellent fog nozzle atomizing the water and allowing it to easily convert to steam absorbing the heat from the fire effectively lowering the temperature below the ignition point (given a container such as a closed room)

Water in a fog used on a fire expands 1700-1900 times depending on the textbook that you read

Both methods would be effective depending on the fuel load and the current stage of the fire (incipient, free burning)

Class a foam would help in both scenarios by lowering the surface friction of the water and allowing it to "soak in" instead of only sitting on the surface

Hope this helps

 

[JDgreen227]

Jdgreen227;

A few things to look at here;

What class material is burning

A-wood, paper etc
B-gasoline, oils etc
C-electrical charged

Water performs it's job to extinguish fire in a few ways

In a solid bore (garden hose) it would definitely be better to extinguish the seat of the fire

In a fog (pressure washer) it would create an excellent fog nozzle atomizing the water and allowing it to easily convert to steam absorbing the heat from the fire effectively lowering the temperature below the ignition point (given a container such as a closed room)

Water in a fog used on a fire expands 1700-1900 times depending on the textbook that you read

Both methods would be effective depending on the fuel load and the current stage of the fire (incipient, free burning)

Class a foam would help in both scenarios by lowering the surface friction of the water and allowing it to "soak in" instead of only sitting on the surface

Hope this helps

Thanks for making that point, when I originally started thread I SHOULD have stated the query was about a Class A fire.

 

[Part timer]

CTF, I often try to start threads that will provoke interest....and I was sure you of all members would have an opinion to render on this one. For what it's worth, I could have done a Google search for my query, but for me, TBN is a lot more informative and I would trust the input of one TBN member over a dozen Google sources!!!

Plus TBN you get several different opinions and suggestions from past experiences, not just "what the book says"

Sounds like you have an idea of what you need to do to protect yourself and your property just remember SAFETY FIRST!!!

A burning tree, a lawn, a motor vehicle or even a home is not worth losing your life over!!!

"THUMBS UP"
Chris

 

[RobertN]

Adding soap would have made it easier. Next time you have a burn pile, or campfire, try putting some dish soap in with the water in the bucket. It breaks the surface tension, and allows the water to absorb better.

That is why we have foam on the fire engines. And, sometimes have a couple bottles of dishsoap in one of the compartments...

I have demostrated this at Boy Scout camps. Especially, after our Scoutmaster got a nasty note from the park ranger after the adult groups campfire reignited after only being doused with water(and not enough...).

For the original question, I would rather have the 10gpm. But, as has been mentioned, 10gpm does not do much...

Your post reminded me of an incident that happened about 600 feet away from my home about 20 years ago. I was push mowing outside and saw smoke and flames there in a vacant lot, the weather was very dry and some moron had thrown out firecrackers and set the grass afire. I ran to my garage and threw several 5 gallon pails with lids into my car trunk, backed up to my hose and filled them then five minutes later I had about 40 gallons of water and I roared out to the fire, by the time I had stopped two volunteer firemen were attacking the blaze with small portable 1A extinguishers, the three of us managed to douse it all. One of them is now the local fire chief and I am on VERY good terms with him....:thumbsup:

 

[JDgreen227]

NOW you have got me wondering how much more effective the 3 gpm from the pressure washer in the original question would have been if you used the chemical injector on that for foam or dish soap...to be honest I have never heard of using dish soap mixed with water on a fire...thanks for the information !

 

[charliepff]

My old volunteer house used Dawn dish detergant all the time for our portable bladder bags and water cans. It works well and is cheaper then opening up a new jug of class A foam. I have also batch mixed it by dumping a gallon or two into the tank on the brush truck or a small portable dump tank. The best thing besides it being cheap, it does not gum up or hurt any of the appliance in the pump. Some of the foams can be finicky and even gel up if mixed with different brands or left to sit. A rain barrel for storage with a hald gallon of dish detergant in it with a small portable pump would help make quick work of small class A fires.

 

[txdon]

This is for a basement? What are you plans on dealing with the smoke, visibility and well as breathing?

If the fire is out, use the high-pressure for ventilation by shooting a fog stream out the window. I'm assuming you do have operable windows in the basement.

 

[JDgreen227]

This is for a basement? What are you plans on dealing with the smoke, visibility and well as breathing?

If the fire is out, use the high-pressure for ventilation by shooting a fog stream out the window. I'm assuming you do have operable windows in the basement.

LOL LOL there is no fire down in my basement shop, the question just came to mind while I was working on my power washer guns. I have several 3A-40BC's downstairs plus a centrally located, code compliant escape window.

 

[CompactTractorFan]

Sounds like you have an idea of what you need to do to protect yourself and your property just remember SAFETY FIRST!!!

A burning tree, a lawn, a motor vehicle or even a home is not worth losing your life over!!!

For sure!