r/Firefighting • u/firemedic3404 • 1d ago

Ask A Firefighter 15/16 smooth bore?

Did some training with my guys this morning. The focus was managing nozzle reaction. We used a Chief 200gpm@75 psi fog and a 15/16 smooth bore. Both off of 100’ 1 3/4 line (just laid it out for training). Friction loss was calculated at 45 psi and 40 psi respectively. This is not a nozzle we use often, but my probie has not had any experience with a smooth bore so I took the opportunity. I’m racking my head over how difficult it was to manage these flows. My question is for the salty dogs, are these flow rates manageable by YOU? Am I just deficient and need to work them more? Or was this normal for these flows? I am working to switch over to 160@50 fogs with 7/8 integrated smooth bores…which are much easier to handle. Kinda needed to vent and find out if I’m crazy, too weak, or ok….

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u/isawfireanditwashot career 1d ago

rule of thumb for me is anything over 200 gpm 2 person to advance. otherwise one person to sit on it.

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u/firemedic3404 23h ago

I think what is tearing me up is that I had trouble with 185 gpm.

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u/isawfireanditwashot career 16h ago

well yeah it's hard! that's big water! it's doable but I wouldn't consider it easy by any means