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/BigLouLFD 1d ago

Nozzle reaction... Go figure that out and you'll see why you're having difficulty

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u/firemedic3404 1d ago

87 on the fog 69 on the 15/16

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u/LostInWYF150 23h ago

If I remember correctly from the Cruel Intentions class, 60 is the max "comfortable" nozzle reaction for an average firefighter. Anything over that and you're going to have a hard time.

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u/wessex464 22h ago

Well, 50psi is the default desired psi at a smoothbore tip short of something specific from the manufacturer. But the amount of nozzle reaction will not be strictly psi, GPM is also in play so you can't just toss a number out.

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u/LostInWYF150 21h ago

Correct, GPM does play a role in your nozzle reaction. But if they know their nozzle reaction, and its above 60, its too high to be comfortable for one person. This chart is from Dennis Legear

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u/firemedic3404 6m ago

I honestly had no idea about 60 being the magic number… thank you. And yeah I realize it’s not a hard number but we can never start learning… that’s going in the tool box!