Best Supply Line Size???......

[hwoods]

I was going to ask which you like better, Fog or Smoothbore, but I know better than to start a controversy that would go on forever. So to avoid that I'll ask:

Which Size Supply Hose is Best??

We use 3 inch, largely because:
A. We hate LDH.
B. We don't have any LDH on hand. (See A.)
C. 3 inch gets the job done well.
D. We are located next to Kentland, so we can do anything we want.

[FFPCogs08]

I was going to ask which you like better, Fog or Smoothbore, but I know better than to start a controversy that would go on forever. So to avoid that I'll ask:

What's a fog nozzle?

Which Size Supply Hose is Best??.

In the new world according to Garp....5", so we now use 5' because the fire gods said we should

We use 3 inch, largely because: A. We hate LDH..

So do we but we have no choice everyone around uses the greatest thing since sliced bread.

B. We don't have any LDH on hand. (See A.).

We have far too much

C. 3 inch gets the job done well..

Yes it does, but some feel we must fix what's not broken

D. We are located next to Kentland, so we can do anything we want.

We aren't anywhere near 33, but wish we could do what we want


Cogs

[BULL321]

We have and use both the 5" LDH and regular 3" supply lines. Well we mostly just use the 3" because its more vesatile and easier to repack.

Stay Safe
Bull

[MoosemanKBB527]

big fire big hose... little fire little hose

5 works grate for barn fires and big house fires.. but im not going to lay 1000f of 5" for a car fire ... thers a time for both , an one lay of 5" sure beat have to lay down 2 or 3 lines of 3" up that 1000ft driveway

[txgp17]

Which Size Supply Hose is Best??

Niedner Tidalwave 600™

Tidalwave.pdf

[FWDbuff]

I was going to ask which you like better, Fog or Smoothbore, what is this "fog" nozzle thing people keep talking about? but I know better than to start a controversy that would go on forever. that would never happen in a firehouse. So to avoid that I'll ask:

Which Size Supply Hose is Best??

We use 3 inch, largely because:
A. We hate LDH. No offense Harve, but it sounds like you dont have enough experience with it. Come spend some time with me and Dad and I believe we could change your mind.
B. We don't have any LDH on hand. (See A.) Last i knew, PG 25's was the only company with 5", is that still the case?
C. 3 inch gets the job done well. Really? Even on a commercial building with heavy fire showing?? Do you want to wait for 25's to show up on the second alarm to wait for decent water????
D. We are located next to Kentland, Thats your problem, you deal with it.

Granted, I agree that the first and possibly second in engines dropping a 3" line may be ok for a single family dwelling. But Harve, have you ever pulled up on a garden apartment building (yeah like thats never happened in PG) that had heavy fire in multiple apartments or had heavy fire blowing through the roof, and you could have stomped on it hard with a deck gun or maybe a couple of deuce and a half handlines??????

Now also granted, I will give you that 5" is a pain in the *** to pick up, especially at 3am when the snow is blowing sideways....But then again we dont drop our hose as many times as you guys do.

I am curious about why you don't like the big hose Harve, not breaking your chops, please share your thoughts.

[FWDbuff]

big fire big hose... little fire little hose

5 works grate for barn fires and big house fires.. but im not going to lay 1000f of 5" for a car fire ... thers a time for both , an one lay of 5" sure beat have to lay down 2 or 3 lines of 3" up that 1000ft driveway

If you have to lay hose for a car fire, it's time to find something else to do.

[Bones42]

Who uses supply lines. We draft from the ocean.

[MG3610]

Looks like a few people missed the sound of the baited line being cast.

[neiowa]

Niedner Tidalwave 600™

Tidalwave.pdf

That Niedner 1yr warrenty is pretty impressive. ATI has a 10yr warrenty.

[Rescue101]

We've used Angus 4" for years. We're switching to Mercedes Megaflow 5" starting with the Quint and phased in over the next five years. T.C.

[trendle]

I have experience using 5", 3", 2 x 3", and even 2.5" (long time ago...).

For water you know you will not run out of, use the 5". I personally think it is just as easy to repack, and being rubber not woven jacket it lays flatter and nicer than some 3" would.

For most fires though, the 3" is more than enough. A double 3" gets you what a 4" would get you, and that better be enough in all reality.

The best solution, IMO, is put at least 750 gals on your engines. Have the first engine roll to the scene and the second in company make the hydrant IF IT IS NEEDED. The first in engine will know if you need the line when they get on scene. You don't need more than 750 gallons on 90% of all structure fires. Put the 5" on your engines, use it when you really need it. That way you have it and aren't laying it all the time.

[txgp17]

That Niedner 1yr warrenty is pretty impressive. ATI has a 10yr warrenty.

Good point, but the Niedner is service tested at 300, versus ATI at 200. Yet I don't know what I'd ever think about doing with a 300 psi 6" line that I couldn't do with a 200 psi 6" line.

And the Niedner is double jacket.

[nyckftbl]

Who uses supply lines. We draft from the ocean.

We tried that in the Harlem River once. Sucked up 2 legs, a hand, a 3 eyed fish, and a 9 iron.

[pvfd27]

We were the 1st in our response area to purchase 4". Everyone thought it was useless..tankers and 2 1/2" was all you needed.

Interestingly, everyone now has either 4" or 5"...hmmmmm. Still use tankers, 2 1/2" is for the "bomb lines" and everyone forgot we were the 1st to get 4". Go figure...

How much do you carry on truck?? We carry 1200' on each Engine.

[FFPCogs08]

One of my pet peeves with 5" is that once laid, that's it the road is effectively closed. I have in the past moved charged 3" lines to allow incoming rigs access if/when needed, with 5" it ain't happenin". I also remember carrying hose ramps for the 3" on the rigs which could be deployed to allow for movement over the lines well...now they were cumbersome enough, if they have them for 5" I sure as hell wouldn't want to have to be the one to deploy them.
Here's another, with our set up at least reverse laying 5" becomes a larger pain in the *** than it's worth. But I have always been a proponent of the reverse lay for a few of reasons...1)the full crew sans chauffer gets to work immediately while the rig hits the plug. 2) there is no need to worry about what happens if the hydrant man forgets his radio or fitting/wrenches on the rig and then is stuck at the plug with only you now what in his hand...all that equipment is standard on each engine and is right there when the chauffer needs it. 3) Having 2nd due lay out helps to ensure the front of the fire building is clear for the truck and that the truck has access to it. Are these big deals, no not really but these liitle things can help move an already chaotic situation along just a bit smoother.
Ahh but what do I know I'm just a dinosaur.


Cogs

[pvfd27]

Cogs,

Agree 100% with the LDH blocking the road. Same issue with 4". If we can, and that is a HUGE "IF", we will try to push the LDH off to the side before its' charged. Not the norm though.

Most of our lays in Town are 800' or less, so water to fire is the 1st choice. As always, this is a FG call. We're set up for either.

[onlocation]

1500' of 5" on main engine and 1200' on second and third engine in the city.
our county engine has 1000' of 2 1/2"
everyone complains we need to put 5" on our county engine, but why?
it is useless in the county where there are no hydrants plus the added weight it brings as this engine is not to be used in the city as it is our rescue and county engine.

[upstater]

We use paired 3", but most of the surrounding county uses 4 or 5". The city is also lucky enough to have great hydrant systems.

[charlie82]

We use 5" and if we need it for a small field fire or car fire and for tank fill, we can use 2.5 (or 2 x 2.5!?!) with jones snap (which is what all the side steamers on our hydrants have)