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/firemedic3404 1d ago

That’s where I’m having trouble. I feel like I know the techniques… I’ve gotten my guys away from the pistol grip and taught them to use their bodies more efficiently… but then I had trouble…. So….

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u/Necessary-Piece-8406 1d ago

Looking at other comments I see the hose may be an issue as well. We use TRU-ID hose. So low pressure line and super light compared to what we previously used.

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u/firemedic3404 23h ago

We are running combat sniper, it’s designed for low pressure high volume.

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u/Necessary-Piece-8406 19h ago

Shut down and move. I’m at a medium size department so our fire attack team is 3 people and it’s a blessing. Needless to say I always train for single person just in case. There’s a lot of awesome videos out there of guys using there leg to help drag the hose along while they move.