Gallons Per Second, Creates Survivable Space, 2.50″ Smooth Bore Attack, Water On The Fire

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“Water on The Fire” with the mindset of “Gallons Per Second” is a tactic that creates and maintains survivable space for fire victims. Regardless of rank, we must evolve our fireground mindset from Gallons Per Minute, and Punch the Fire right in the Throat!

If you are FLOWING enough water to truly overwhelm the BTUs, then in only SECONDS you will see a RAPID change in conditions. Gallons Per Second will provide the best chance of survival for THEM. Utilizing a 2.50″ Smooth Bore Nozzle at the right pressure on advanced fire conditions makes a difference for the citizens in only seconds, lots of gallons per second.

The video below shows a mobile home well involved with fire and a back bedroom that had a fully survivable space for occupants. The 2.50″ hose and 1 1/8″ tip in the video punches this fire in the throat. Even though the fire rapidly self-vented from the front windows, the temperature in the rear bedroom never surpassed 100 degrees because the bedroom door was closed, and only had light smoke infiltration.

Tip Size and Water Delivery in Gallons Per Second on 2.50″ hose.

  • 1 1/8 at 40psi = 3.95 GPS
  • 1 1/8 at 50psi = 4.42 GPS
    • 55 Gallons in 13 seconds
  • 1 1/8 at 60psi = 4.85 GPS
  • 1 3/16 at 40psi = 4.40 GPS
  • 1 3/16 at 50psi = 4.93 GPS
    • 55 Gallons in 11 seconds
  • 1 3/16 at 60psi = 5.40 GPS

Modern fires must be “Hit Hard, Hit Fast, and Backed Up”. Not all citizens have the benefit of an Engine and Truck Company rolling out of the same station to their home when it is on fire. While a number of initial fire ground tactics are necessary, fire ground incident commanders and initial company officers must choose how to make the biggest impact in the shortest amount of time.

This can be seen as an example of “Time Delayed Tactics”. A number of tactics must be accomplished by the initial arriving companies at the scene of any incident. But implementing the ones that will make the biggest impact first is graduating beyond minimum standards and the “Check-In The Box” style of incident command.

By applying the right amount of water right away to offset the tremendous BTU’s makes a difference for the citizen. Gallons Per Second is like dropping a Five Gallon Bucket on a Cigarette. Damage to property occurs during a fire, however, “You Can Dry It Out, But You Can’t Unburn It, FLOW WATER”.

Water On The Fire makes everything better and on a 1.75″ hose the 7/8 tip is Chief Isakson’s personal choice. It’s is the original Select-O-Matic nozzle delivering solid water without fog.

Tip Size and Water Delivery in Gallons Per Second on 1.75″ hose.

  • 7/8 at 40psi = 2.38 GPS
  • 7/8 at 50psi = 2.66 GPS
    • 55 Gallons in 20 seconds
  • 7/8 at 60psi = 2.93 GPS
  • 15/16 at 40psi = 2.75 GPS
  • 15/16 at 50psi = 3.08 GPS
    • 55 Gallons in 18 seconds
  • 15/16 at 60psi = 3.33 GPS

Learn more about water delivery, fire attack, and Gallons Per Second at County Fire Tactics annual Water On The Fire Conference (WOFC) August 24th–26th, 2021, with two days of lecture, and one day of hands-on training at the Hilton Pensacola Beach Gulf Side Convention Center.