In the fire service, we’re creatures of habit, and one of our most popular habits is to always rely on the pre-connected hoseline, whatever size it may be (1¾” being the norm). Out of habit, this hoseline, set-up or pre-connect is often the first line deployed by the engine company when attempting to suppress fire.
We can all probably look back on our experiences and recall fires where we used this weapon when we shouldn’t have, and as a result, we were outgunned or our weapon (the hoseline) didn’t overpower the enemy (the fire). We also know, based on fires we’ve made and witnessed, that as firefighters, we’ve become somewhat proficient and comfortable in the task of stretching and flowing a 1¾” pre-connect from the engine to the fire, because we do it so often. We’ve learned that this tactic works for us most of the time, so we’ve come to rely on it, and we expect it to work for us at every incident.
We concede that most of our fires involve 1—5-story, wood-frame (or ordinary construction) single- or multi-family dwellings, so when we fight most fires, we’re almost always able to use the pre-connected 1¾” lines. When we fail, it’s often because, we’ve become complacent in our decision-making and tactics, and try to make the normal operation work when it’s the absolute wrong choice. It underscores what so many in the fire service have said for years–that continuous good luck reinforces bad behavior. The point: We’re habit-based creatures, so we need to train and become proficient in areas of engine company operations that are outside the norm; in other words, we need to work on plan B. In this article, we’ll discuss many tactics for which firefighters need to step outside their habitual practices and get comfortable with plan B.
Water Supply/Fire Flows
As firefighters, we must know the flow capability of our standard hose layouts and nozzles, and develop friction-loss charts based on our systems and apparatus, not standardized, generic friction-loss formulas. Why? Because departments use different fire hose, and sometimes, there’s a lot of friction loss from the apparatus pump to the actual discharge.
Plan B: Do you know how long your water supply will last on your apparatus when flowing not only your 1¾”, but also your 2½” and apparatus-mounted master stream? This knowledge can be beneficial to you when you have a water supply issue or you’re operating in a system without a second water supply.
Plan C: Do you have adapters and fittings readily available to make hydrant connections to all types of hydrants or all discharges on a hydrant already on your supply hose? The goal is to be able to get water from any hydrant and any discharge–even if one of the discharge threads is damaged.
Using the 2½” Line
Sometimes, plan B involves hose layouts and equipment that we don’t normally use. Standard practice in the fire service is to use the ADULTS acronym (see sidebar below) when selecting and using the 2½”. We must use it, stretch it and advance it correctly in training to be proficient in battle. We must not only stretch it for defensive operations, but be prepared to use it as an offensive weapon and rapidly stretch to provide exposure protection.
Plan B: Perform training exercises in which firefighters stretch a 2½” fire line for exposure protection by themselves; if you practice enough, a single firefighter can deploy and flow water from a 2½” pretty rapidly. This tactic comes in handy when you have an immediate exposure issue and simultaneous tasks need to be accomplished.
Additionally, many of us use 2½” rapid-attack monitors. These devices are great for rapid deployment of a master stream by a single firefighter. Tip: You can achieve a similar effect using a much cheaper 1 3/8″ tip on a playpipe and one firefighter.
Long Hoselays
What happens when the hose you normally use doesn’t reach the fire? This can occur for multiple reasons: set-backs, apparatus positioning at the scene (distance from fire building due to narrow or limited parking), and other obstacles. Some of these instances can be pre-planned well ahead of time by determining issues in your first alarm, measuring distances and setting yourself up for success. We have several places in our city that have special stretch requirements. We feel the best system is one that’s modular in design, to allow for rapid deployment and advance.
Plan B: How can you achieve a 300′, 400′, 500′ or 600′ stretch? We carry a bundle system of 1¾” hose that’s folded like our 2½” standpipe hose (it’s a familiar layout, which is easy to remember) and several hundred feet of 2½” with a gated wye. The distance issues are practiced and addressed so everyone knows their job and can rapidly deploy a fire line a great distance.
Plan C: Another issue we have: Several buildings in our first due are 4—7 stories in height, but they don’t have standpipe systems. These require a great deal of hose sometimes, but the same hose systems can be used by manually stretching the 2½” on the stairs or stretching to the floor below via a rope stretch.
A Note about Rope Stretches
Rope stretches are a good alternative when you need to get a hoseline in service, but when manually stretching via the stairs won’t work due to wrap-around stairs, too many hoselines are already in the stairs and/or the vertical distance and stair location won’t allow for a rapid stretch.
Rope stretches can also be effective in exterior garages and structures where dry standpipes are located. Have you practiced these evolutions? Do you have a rope set up for rapid deployment? Have you pre-identified buildings in your response area in which a rope stretch would be beneficial to you? Do you use a carabiner or snap hook, or do you have to tie knots? Do you lower the rope or drop the bag/container to the ground? Do you have a strap or device to secure the hose once raised vertically? Again, all of these things should be figured out ahead of time before you switch to plan B.
Master Streams
We all have and use master stream devices; they’re great for delivering a high-powered, high-gpm stream to a major fire, providing exposure protection or flowing lots of water to places that are unsafe for firefighters. We believe the best use of these devices is with a smooth-bore nozzle that can deliver optimum reach and penetration. It’s also worth mentioning that although a stream-straightening device isn’t an official plan B, we’ve seen master streams used without them, and they deliver poor-quality streams as a result.
Another important tool to use when you have to use a master stream as a plan B is a shut-off located on the device. Often, the pump operator at the pump panel controls the apparatus-mounted master stream. To operate the stream, however, they have to climb on top of the apparatus, aim the device, climb back down, open the discharge, climb back on top and adjust the stream direction. With a shut-off device, you can open the discharge and then climb up and control flow and direction at the device without having to climb up and down to the pump panel. This saves time and minimizes wasted water. These devices also increase operator safety when used remotely on their portable bases.
Plan C: Have you considered alternative placement options for master streams? We’ve successfully seen them used from adjacent buildings in large fires. Have you practiced putting a master stream in service from a standpipe riser for placement on a fire floor during a well-involved fire, or from the standpipe riser of an adjacent building for a well-involved fire to extend the reach of traditional elevated master-stream devices? What adapters or special tools will you need? Tip: Of course, the best practice is to figure out all of this ahead of time.
Standpipe Operations
In simple standpipe operations, we simply hook up and open the valve. But there are several plan B-type instances where you must ensure you have the proper tools, equipment and knowledge. For example, when dealing with valves, you should be familiar with the various types in your jurisdiction: regular, pressure-reducing devices and pressure-regulating valves. Each can present their own problems, some of which require special tools or equipment to overcome. So what’s your plan B?
Other issues are simple, but they too need special tools and experience to combat, such as a missing control wheel, a stuck thread cap or a stuck control wheel. One tool that can help with all of these situations: the 18″ pipe wrench, which will fit on a standard 2½” cap and can provide extra leverage when trying to free or loosen the cap or wheel. It can also be wedged onto the control wheel to provide leverage when turning the valve. A spare control wheel or wrench can be used to control water flow when the original is missing or broken.
Lastly, you may encounter issues involving the water supply to the riser. The threads may be damaged or the swivels frozen, preventing the FDC from supplying the system. Have you practiced using adapters to make this connection work? Siamese devices can be used to provide more than two fire lines into the riser from a lower floor discharge, provided there isn’t a pressure-reducing valve. Twisting the hose to make the connection if the swivels are frozen can also overcome a water supply issue. (Note: These are just a few of the plan B evolutions regarding standpipe ops; there are many others to choose from.)
Plan for Plan B
As you can see, most of the “Plan B” evolutions or tips require a little bit of “thinking outside the box.” You must be prepared as a firefighter on the engine company to do more than just your simple, pre-connected fire line firefighting, as you never know what you’ll encounter or have to overcome upon arrival. You should expect the worst, pre-plan and train to execute plan B when necessary to increase your chances for success. It all comes down to training and preparation, so get out there and get ready for plan B.
ADULTS Acronym Breakdown
A- Advanced fire upon arrival
D- Defensive operations
U- Unable to determine the location or extent of the fire
L- Large, uncompartmentalized areas
T- Tons of water to cool the heat
S- Standpipe operations
