ANOTHER fire fighting query

[Cat_Driver]

Here's what you need for the basement

Ronkonkoma Mac Arthur AASF#1 Fire Suppression Foam Test - YouTube

Or this....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TpOwkchy9Bw&feature=related

 

[rkeith]

This is where fire science comes in...
You always fight house/building fires from the unburned to the burned because a fog nozzle will disperse just a much air as water that's being put out of the nozzle thus pushing the fire. Going to opposite will push fire into the rest of the house that hasn't burned.

As a firefighter, I'd go with the pressure washer! The reason why is if you are fighting a fire properly ("properly" is the key word) the fire will be extinguished by steam, not direct water contact. That's why fire fighters use fog nozzles. Smooth bore nozzles are used only when the fire is so hot that the water evaporates due to the heat before it even reaches the fire, thus smooth nozzles are used for penetration. A garden hose is like a smooth bore nozzle and a pressure washer is like a fog nozzle. Water droplets are the key and a pressure washer will more likely provide the droplets and reach vs a garden hose.

 

[JDgreen227]

This is where fire science comes in...
You always fight house/building fires from the unburned to the burned because a fog nozzle will disperse just a much air as water that's being put out of the nozzle thus pushing the fire. Going to opposite will push fire into the rest of the house that hasn't burned.

As a firefighter, I'd go with the pressure washer! The reason why is if you are fighting a fire properly ("properly" is the key word) the fire will be extinguished by steam, not direct water contact. That's why fire fighters use fog nozzles. Smooth bore nozzles are used only when the fire is so hot that the water evaporates due to the heat before it even reaches the fire, thus smooth nozzles are used for penetration. A garden hose is like a smooth bore nozzle and a pressure washer is like a fog nozzle. Water droplets are the key and a pressure washer will more likely provide the droplets and reach vs a garden hose.

OP here, I had no idea this thread would provoke so much dissent...wish it were not so cold here or I would set up a hose and power washer, and two basically identical size wood piles, set those on fire, let them become full height, and have one of my neighbors use the hose while I tried the power washer, and learn which method works better....:laughing:

 

[RobertN]

Oh, that is just when it gets fun! Some freezing temps, snow...

Seen pictures of big fires in New york and other N east cities. Fire Engines covered in ice, hose froze to the ground.

There was one south of here last year. Fire crew responded with a reserve engine. First, had to respond with tire chains on. Then, had to use a ladder to get on top of the snow bank. Then fell thru the snow because the reserve engine did not have snow shoes stashed in the compartments...

OP here, I had no idea this thread would provoke so much dissent...wish it were not so cold here or I would set up a hose and power washer, and two basically identical size wood piles, set those on fire, let them become full height, and have one of my neighbors use the hose while I tried the power washer, and learn which method works better....:laughing:

 

[jonyyuma]

We have used Tide in the tank before for suppression. The other agent works much better , but it was not foam...been a long time since I was on the Vol. fire dept., which is still active here. I can say yes the hoses can freeze here...and any spray that gets on you.

 

[CompactTractorFan]

I think I am going to pick up a apw can sometime. It would be nice when I am welding to have a good way to put out the lawn/cool parts. (dont worry, the green lawn only smoulders a bit, and only when I burn through) Plus I can refill it for free. Now if only I could find a way to do that with my co2......

Yeah, you can use a PW can over and over again...and water is free!

 

[CompactTractorFan]

heres an idea, what about building a nozzle like the afff extinguishers have, and putting it on an apw can full of water and dish soap. Might make it work better on a class fires.

That would certainly work. Even if you did not have an aspirating nozzle, the soap would still have somewhat of an effect...

 

[CompactTractorFan]

A lot of people do not carry this on there apparatus anymore due to not using it enough and gelling the systems up. Most keep a bank of it available if need be. Such as a trailer full of barrels or jugs.

We don't carry any foam on the engines anymore since we got this:

 

[charliepff]

CompactTractorFan, I really like them trailers. The station that covers the small airport in the county has one with class B foam on it. I know a few stations around the are are getting them with class A foam in due to the increase in wildfires the last few years.

High pressure does have its place in firefighting. This used to be used in the US a long time ago. It is probably still found in some older stations. For you trying to control it I would follow rkeith's suggestion. Especially since you do not have a large volume of water to expend on it. Also, always attack from the unburned to the the burned side like he explained. You do not want to push the fire into a new area. High pressure will definately push fire with the amount of air it will push.

When its cold we usually always let our nozzles and such cracked open to keep a little flow going. Of course this makes the ground icy. We usually add a lot of sand or absorbant to the units to help with this. The real bad part is when your arial ladder freezes up. That equals a long cold miserable day. LOL

Also, like I said before do not substitute fire prevention with a fire system that is reactive and have multiple ways to notify your emergency services in an incident. Such as an alarm, cell and house phones.

 

[CompactTractorFan]

CompactTractorFan, I really like them trailers. The station that covers the small airport in the county has one with class B foam on it. I know a few stations around the are are getting them with class A foam in due to the increase in wildfires the last few years.

Yep, ours is Class B. It was donated to us by a tire warehouse in our township.