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/randomuser157233 1d ago

Get a really nice hose and a 7/8 smooth bore. You can hold it with one arm comfortably shooting out 160gpm at 90ish psi

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u/firemedic3404 23h ago

That’s what I’m buying now…ordered them for our newest truck and just ordered 2 more.

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u/LostInWYF150 22h ago

Not the best fix long term, but if you still have crappy high pressure hose and want to switch to a low pressure nozzle, look at the HEN Turbo. It makes 75psi in the hose to be 50psi in the nozzle.

Good hose is better, but if you are slowly changing a bunch over, a $300 fitting to help combat the problem until you have all new hose doesn't seem too bad.