April Membership

LEADER LINES

Sorry for the delay, As we are waiting for a few videos to be completed. Until those arrive, we will move forward. This week we are going to discuss Leader Lines or Apartment Lays. These two terms are interchangeable for the most part. I assimilate Apartment lays with a gated wye, where leader lines do not. Again, this may be different in different parts of the country but this is the verbiage we use.

Why leader lines? One issue we have and one that many experience is the larger and larger stretches were are having to perform for commercial buildings or large McMansions. For us, this tactic was developed with one occupancy in mind, which is apartments. Due to the fire code, apartment buildings do not have to have sprinkler until they are greater than 3 stories or 75 feet. Our district has numerous apartment buildings, all 3-4 stories. Because of the heights in addition to the length of most of these buildings, we were combated with the challenge of long lays, greater than our 300’ attack line. The previous tactic was to take an additional hose bundle to the top floor and extend the line.

Over the last 10 years and more focused on the last 5 years, the DSM metro have experienced many apartment fires which reach or started in the attic and continue to burn the roof off these structures. The causation of some of these fires were externally ignited fire that transition to the attic. Chris Langlois has a great class on this called “The Power of One”. I highly recommend it!. While some were externally ignited, not all were so what’s the tactic. I also found that many times, the first attack line was an 1.75” attack line most of the time. Although this may be enough initially, what happens if its not or the fire progresses.

To have the necessary fire power for a commercial occupancy, we conduct a leader line which is a 2.5” attack line with a smoothbore to the 3rd floor with a Gustin Pack. This allows us to have the capacity of the 2.5” attack line on the initial advancement if we need it but can also break down to the 1.75” if its just a single apartment. If we choose to do the 1.75” line and then needs to retreat to the 2.5”, we can relay that to the Engineer and have the capacity of the larger 2.5” at 265 gpm with the smoothbore. Also, if we need to stretch further, we also have an increaser which we can use to attack to the nozzle and attach our high-rise packs to leader line for larger fires.

In addition to the attack line, if we choose to make a stand, we can do so from the side. Utilizing a R.A.M. or portable master stream that can flow 500 gpm on the interior with less work from the firefighters is going to be an option with that 2.5” leader line.

Deployment

When deploying this line, we utilize a three person stretch, so for us, the entire engine company will be assisting the stretch. The firefighter in the company shoulders the first 100’ of 2.5” and then can either shoulder a second 100’ or the engineer can shoulder the 2nd 100’ and pull the third 100’. For a third floor fire, we take a minimum of 300’ to the third floor. In a few pre-designated buildings, we take 350-400 to the this because of the length and stair location. The Officer in the company takes the Gustin and his halligan to the third floor. With the assistance of the engineer, hose is flaked through the building and up the stairs. The engineer typically only has to reach the 2nd floor, which allows him time to get back to the engine. As a disclaimer, if an ambulance arrives on scene before or with an ambulance, the engineer stays and the ambulance assists in the stretch.

Your compliment of hose is going to be very important for this operation. We carry 400’ of 2.5” that is static loaded plus an extra 200’ on another blitz line. If you have a limited supply of 2.5 or want to use less hose, you can try a stairwell stretch and soft standpipe on the exterior of the building.

Last month we did the math for the leader lines, so if you want to refresh or take a longer look, please refer back to March.

As previously mentioned, some may choose to use gated wyes. We don’t recommend this as many tests have shown that gated wyes suffer from pressure fluctuations and can self shut when they lines are opened and closed because of the turbulence. This makes the tactic a hazard and danger to the crew.

So because of all of this, you may be asking yourself why not just have a longer line and stretch 1.75” lines. As a general rule, the book tells us that we shouldn’t stretch over 300’ of 1.75” of attack line because of the high friction loss. As fire service hose has progressed, the internal diameter and construction of the hose has greatly changed, causing coefficients to be different allowing lower friction loss. Because of this, the stress on the pump is not as great and allows for greater distances. Now, our longest stretch has increased to 400-500’. Even so, having a large caliber stream is beneficial in large commercial structures with the potential of greater fire involvement.

DRILL/SKILL:

Stretch 2.5” hose with a hose pack. If possible, try to utilize an apartment within your district to drill this tactic. (Get approval from your department and landlord of the property prior to conducting the drill). Discuss the hose pack options, stretch options, and tactics for operational success.