red line at car fires

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Permalink Reply by Capt 723 on August 6, 2008 at 5:39pm

Our quick attack vehicle is first out and it does have a booster line on it. If the fire is small it may be used but generally even the quick attack is pulling an inch and a half. I think an even bigger issue is the lack of SCBA on car fires.

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Permalink Reply by Damon Dyer on August 6, 2008 at 5:44pm

Air packs was going to be the next question .

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Permalink Reply by Bobby on August 6, 2008 at 6:20pm

Crosslays and handlines of at least 1.5 inch hose. Our chief would shoot anyone who pulled the Red Line/Black Line/Booster line/Hose Reel; whatever you want to call it. I remember reading where the standard is a car fire requires at least 125 gallons per minute flow.

and as I see others have posted, you are also REQUIRED to wear an SCBA on a car fire.

While I was at work as an Engine Boss of a type 6 (300 gallon) engine, I was at a burn pile that was all tires and I still could feel the fumes screwing with me from over 100 feet away while I was OUT of the smoke.

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Permalink Reply by Spanner 122 on August 9, 2008 at 11:34am

Same for us. We use the trash line off the front of the pump. It has never been insufficient... at some point, it will be and I'm sure the 1 3/4 will be used the next time in the same situation. But for now, trash line is it... we use it on dumpster fires as well. It's an 1 1/2 though, so maybe not the same as what is being referred to as a red line. it still gets adequate pressure and flow.

SCBA is always worn by those working on the car.

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Permalink Reply by Brian D. on August 9, 2008 at 12:01pm

WestPhilly-
If it's a requirement, why are your people ignoring it? Seems like an accident waiting to happen. Who will be responsible when someone gets hurt by ignoring a required procedure? Here at my F.D. we've got FF's and Officers walking around without asses because they ignored a required procedure and the Chief chewed their ass off! Just a thought...stay safe!

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Permalink Reply by Engineco913 on August 6, 2008 at 7:17pm

You mean booster lines? Booster lines don't provide the right gpm for an effective stop on most vehicle fires. Our department uses 2" hand lines with Class A foam for all vehicle fires. You get good supression faster.

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Permalink Reply by strtcopr on August 7, 2008 at 12:32pm

Hey West Philly...its your life so I guess you can do what you want...but, take a look at the car fire video thats running around on the net that was provided by the Minnesota Dept. of Transportation caught by their traffic cameras....thats why you dont use booster lines and you wear full ppe including SCBA

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Permalink Reply by Joe Stoltz on August 6, 2008 at 8:04pm

We don't have boosters on our apparatus anymore, so we are obliged to use a 1 3/4 crosslay. First line is backed up by a second 1 3/4 foam line just in case.

Regarding SCBA, I'll quote Chief Billy G: "Ya don't hafta breathe that sh!t!" We will pull a line and attack with members not wearing SCBA, from a distance, while others are packing up to finish the extinguishment and overhaul.

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Permalink Reply by Captain703 on April 5, 2009 at 1:49am

Same here Joe. But we have to use SCBA no matter what.

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Permalink Reply by Ray Edwards on August 6, 2008 at 8:30pm

O.K. Damon, need to pull two hand lines.1 is for a safety line.Red lines are to small.You are correct.Just don't forget the safety line.Stay safe bro.

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Permalink Reply by Ted Bownas on August 6, 2008 at 9:01pm

We don't have booster lines on the engines any more.

For car fires, the 1st due engine carries a trashline in a curbside tray in the running board. It's a 200' - 2" line, and it has a blowout that blows air through the hose when you're done to drain it.

It's MUCH faster than draining and re-packing a crosslay, and nobody has to climb on top of the rig.

Not as easy as reeling in a booster line, but plenty of GPM for a dumpster or car fire.

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Permalink Reply by james ennis on August 6, 2008 at 9:16pm

I would use an inch and a half to knock it down we are supposed to use 1 3/4 the 1 1/2 is easier to use and menover. if the gas tank is leaking you can use a dry chem fire exstinguisher knocks the fire down quick believe it or not.

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