*Halligan Bars and Handline Hose*

Not all forcible entry bars are created equal. Many are poor copies of
the original, by manufactures who did not understand correctly the
proper application of the tool in the field. The Pro Halligan Bar (black
grips) At 30-inchs in length fits in the smallest common door opening
and works well in tight hall areas. Its thinner curved fork allows easy
driving through the jamb, the curved “Adz” end not only fits in a
tighter jamb, but develops leverage for easier one person forcible
entry. The sharper longer pike, is easily driven while attacking such
things as carriage bolts.Last but not least its forged one piece
construction makes it a lifetime tool and extremely durable. Forgive me
if I have missed some items, but the better of these two is a well known
fact even for an engine guy like me.

Now that your best in class Halligan Bar has gained you entry to the
structure, extinguishment must follow! Many of you would have easily
identified the superior tool above just by looking at them. But can you
do the same with your attack handline hose?

Which of the three attack handline hoses below would you pick to carry your suppression agent to the seat of the fire?

After all, it is a well know fact that water equals life. The attack handline hose is literally the conduit of the end game the “critical flow” the knock out punch in the interior. It is commonly purchased by low bid, which to me equals hooliganism against the rank
and file.

In many ways the attack handline hose decision is a more complex
question, with a high amount of life saving potential wrapped up in the
equation. Personally I would choose none of the above, not based on
manufacturer, but construction and design. Much like the Halligan’s
superior construction and design along with a history of proven
successes makes it the obvious choice, the same holds true with hose.

Above the current gold standard of hose construction is represented. It
is based in the historically proven design of the double jacketed cotton
fire hose of years and fires past. It will not pack down tight, it will
not be the lightest, it will not have the newest material, and it will
not be pitched to you by the salesman. It will resist burn through, it
will have a low enough friction loss for common attack handline flows,
it will have a low delamination failure rate, it will have reduced
kinking, it will have reduced nozzle whip, and it will probably last up to ten
years of heavy use. I am not against progress and new material, but
before you make a leap of faith look where you are jumping to first,
many times it is into the unknown.

The way I see it, the Halligan of current hose construction at a minimum
is,

1) Double Jacketed (Nylon or Polyester or a blend) “Filler Yarns” are to
be filament type to ensure adequate strength “Warp Yarns” are to be the
spun / entanglement type to both resist cutting and abrasion, but allow
load transfer when damaged.This construction should also ensure a large
amount of the coating is thoroughly absorbed by both jackets during the
protective coating process.

2) EPDM rubber liner, minimum wall thickness of .040-inches with a
preference towards vulcanized rubber adhesion of the liner and jacket

3) A minimum pick count of 9.5 picks per inch (increased strength and
abrasion resistance).

4) Withstand Abrasion Test defined in FM Class Number 2111 to 20,000
Cycles minimum with a goal of 30,000 Cycles.

5) The outer jacket shall allow less than 1/16^th -inch expansion under
pressure below 200psi. Hose shall maintain its internal diameter through
its service life under normal working conditions (not to exceed service
test pressure).

6) Goal Service Test Pressure of 400psi, but not less than 300psi

7) The inside jacket shall be manufactured using a reverse twill process
to reduce friction loss.

8) There shall be a durability coating of the outer jacket.

9) 1 ¾” Total Coupled Weight goal of 17-20 pounds per fifty feet section

10) 2 ½” Total Coupled Weight goal of 25-30 pounds per fifty feet section

Unfortunately you cannot currently get a true internal diameter attack
handline hose (1.75 & 2.5-inch) yet in the above spec. This advancement
to the past practice and common sense will significantly reduce charged
weights by less water per foot and improve deployment characteristics
such as kinking and nozzle whip by slight increases in friction loss. To
make this option a reality will requires “US” working on it, this is a
joint effort.The proper knowledge must be shared among the rank and
file, spec matters design and construction are critical. Let us not bake
failure into the cake in advance of our arrival; this type of action is
the definition of professionalism.

The end user (those that are a student of the craft, not a believer of
the sales pitch) should have the largest say, the / hoseman , nozzleman,
doorman… THE ENGINE COMPANY… Those committed to moving and deploying
the attack handline in the interior.Those with the exposure to the risk
have the inherit right to be better served by their equipment and their
executive leadership. After all they apply the water, which is in pure
and direct service to the citizen. We must ensure we are purchasing and
spec-ing the best tools of the trade, not just the newest fanciest ones.

In Solidarity,

Dennis LeGear

P.S.

A hooligan’s opposite is a protector, sometime the answer is in the name.