TRAINING BULLETIN #151 PROGRESSIVE HOSE LAY AND THE SMOKEY PACK LIGHTWEIGHT HOSE SYSTEM I. INTRODUCTION The Wildland/Urban Interface continues to grow in the City of Los Angeles along with the areas of our Mutual Threat Zones causing the Department to continue to focus on a direct attack method by securing a scratch line around the entire perimeter of the fire. The methodology to anchor, flank and pinch in coordination with helicopter support and structure protection remains the desired operational objective. Complete containment and control and mop of the fire through perimeter control will be the desired technique to suppress a brush or grass fire in the Wildland/Urban Interface. The Progressive Hose Lay will be the method in which this technique is accomplished. This Training Bulletin is designed to familiarize members with the Progressive Hose Lay and instruct in the deployment of the Smokey Pack Lightweight Hose System. It will also describe the Department’s policy on the deployment of lightweight hose and it’s specifications and maintenance.
Transcript
TRAINING BULLETIN #151PROGRESSIVE HOSE LAY AND THE SMOKEY PACKLIGHTWEIGHT HOSE SYSTEM
I. INTRODUCTION
The Wildland/Urban Interface continues to grow in the City of Los Angeles along with the areas ofour Mutual Threat Zones causing the Department to continue to focus on a direct attack method bysecuring a scratch line around the entire perimeter of the fire. The methodology to anchor, flank andpinch in coordination with helicopter support and structure protection remains the desiredoperational objective. Complete containment and control and mop of the fire through perimetercontrol will be the desired technique to suppress a brush or grass fire in the Wildland/UrbanInterface. The Progressive Hose Lay will be the method in which this technique is accomplished.
This Training Bulletin is designed to familiarize members with the Progressive Hose Lay and instructin the deployment of the Smokey Pack Lightweight Hose System. It will also describe theDepartment’s policy on the deployment of lightweight hose and it’s specifications and maintenance.
It will provide comparisons between the Simple Hose Lay and Progressive Hose Lay and show theapplication, advantages and disadvantages of each. Lastly, it will provide an example of initial hosedeployment to allow companies to evaluate their operation of initiating the Progressive Hose Lay.
There are two methods for deploying hose, Simple and Progressive. For years the LAFD has placedmore emphasis on the Simple Hose Lay.
II. SIMPLE HOSE LAY
The Simple Hose Lay relies on a continuous line being advanced around the fire from the Engine tothe nozzle with no junctions in between. This hose lay is easily installed and can vary in length asneeded. The Simple Hose Lay has the advantage of minimal friction loss due to minimal fittings. Thedisadvantage is that the water flow must be stopped before it can be extended when addingadditional hose. There also are no provisions for safety should the fire flare up behind the leadnozzle operator. Also, a Simple Hose Lay is more difficult to use in the mop-up phase as you musteither reverse the installation process or pull large amounts of hose. Wet Line/Dry Line and aContinuous Line remain the standard method for advancing hose in the Simple Hose Lay. For smallfires in grass and light brush this type of lay is very effective. The use of 1” or 1½” double jacketedattack lines from the transverse bed of the Engine may be used in the development of this hose lay.
III. PROGRESSIVE HOSE LAY
A Progressive Hose Lay is a hose lay that starts from the supply source and progresses along theperimeter of the fire. It uses a continuous application of water while extending the lay and allows fora series of lateral junctions at 100’ intervals. The main line being “progressively” extended aroundthe entire perimeter of the fire is referred to as the trunk line. The trunk line will be a minimum sizeof 1½”. Each junction will have a 1” line with a 1” (10/40 Dual Gallonage) nozzle attached and beconnected to a 1½” gated wye through a 1½” to 1” reducer, referred to as a lateral.
The Progressive Hose Lay has several advantages over the Simple Hose Lay. First, it provides for acontinuous attack on a fire without being forced to shut down the hose to progress up the flanks.Also, it is safer for the direct attack method as it provides a larger safety margin, having charged 1”lateral lines left in place for the event of a flare up along the line. Only the 1” attack line is advancedcharged, increasing deployment speed and decreasing work load. It is the preferred method used tosupport hand crews constructing line and is advantageous in advancing up steeper topography. Itcan also provide for multiple attack lines on spot fires across the control line and is much moreefficient in the mop-up stages. The disadvantage of the Progressive Hose Lay is the higher frictionloss due to the increased number of fittings (approximately 5 – 10 psi each).
IV. POLICY STATEMENT
It is the Policy of the LAFD that when using a Progressive Hose Lay to provide for perimeter control,companies shall utilize a minimum of 1½” hose line for the trunk line and a 1” hose line for theattack and laterals lines. Each drop of a Progressive Hose Lay shall consist of the following:
•100’ 1½” Single Jacket Hose (Minimum size for the trunk line)•100’ 1” Single Jacket Hose (Attack and lateral line)•1½” Gated Wye with one 1½” to 1” Reducer•1” Nozzle (10/40 Dual Gallonage)•(2) Rubber Bands or ladder straps to secure gates.
A Company given the task of establishing a progressive hose lay is expected to, at a minimum, beable to put in 3 drops, (300’ of 1½” trunk line with 100” of 1” lateral line installed every 100’ at eachdrop) using lightweight hose as described below.
V. SMOKEY PACK LIGHTWEIGHT HOSE SYSTEM
The Smokey Pack Lightweight Hose System is a pre-assembled pack of single jacket lightweighthose, which allows rapid deployment of packs and extension of line with an uninterrupted supply ofwater. With this configuration the 1" hose line is used for fire attack and left for use for laterals afterextending the trunk line. This pack configuration allows the entire drop to be laid out from the packas Firefighters extend the firefighting line. The Department is in the process of outfitting allEngines, 200 Series Engines and Ready Reserve Engines with single Jacket Lightweight hose packs.The Smokey Pack is a self-contained compliment of hose and fittings, assembled to provide 100’ of1½” lightweight hose as a trunk line and 100’ of 1” lightweight hose as an attack and lateral line tomake up the Smokey Pack Lightweight Hose System. This hose is polyester single jacketedconstruction with a polyurethane lining, cut to 100’ lengths with attached couplings of NationalStandard threads on both 1” and 1½” hose. LAFD hose is identified as orange in color.
A company compliment will consist of four complete Smokey Packs and one Starter Roll. Each Packweighs approximately 26 lbs. and shall contain the following:
SMOKEY PACK COMPONENTS
1 - 100’ section of 1” single jacket lightweight hose1 - 100’ section of 1½” single jacket lightweight hose1 - 1½” lightweight gated wye1 - 1½” to 1” reducer2 - 1” Forestry adapter (NST to NPT and NPT to NST) white for identification1 - 1” nozzle (10/40 Dual Gallonage)1 - 1½” nozzle (18/80 Dual Gallonage, 1 Per Company)1 - Backpack2 - Rubber bands
STARTER ROLL COMPONENTS
1 - 100’ section of 1” single jacket lightweight hose1 - 1½” lightweight gated wye1 - 1½” to 1” reducer1 - 1” nozzle (10/40 Dual Gallonage)2 - Rubber bands
In addition to the four complete Smokey Packs and one Starter Kit, each Company will also receiveone compliment of hose consisting of 400’ of 1” lightweight hose and 400’ of 1½” lightweight hose.
6. Connect 1½” gated wye to male end of 100’ section of 1½” hose.
7. Attach the 1” (10/40 Dual Gallonage) nozzle to the male end of the 100’ section of 1” hose.
8. Attach female end of 100’ section of 1” hose to 1½” to 1” reducer on the gated wye. Open the gatefor the 1” line; close the other gate and band to secure both in said position.
9. Secure the 1” tip and hose to the top of the 1 ½” hose just behind the gated wye using maskingtape or flagging.
10. Start by placing the secured 1½” gated wye and 1” nozzle into the backpack.
11. Continue to feed the hose into the backpack, tightly flaking it in a zigzag fashion. While loading,secure the hose every 8’-10’ until the 1” line is completely loaded.
12. When placing hose into the backpack, occasionally push down on the hose to allow for the entire100’ section of hose and fittings.
VII. STARTER ROLL ASSEMBLY
1. Lie out 100’ section of 1” hose and fold in half, with the male on top, placed 24” behind femalecoupling.
2. Roll tightly, 100’ section of 1” hose starting at the folded end and capture the male coupling toevacuate the air.
3. Attach the 1” (10/40 Dual Gallonage) nozzle to the male end of the hose. Attach the 1½” to 1”reducer to the male end of the 1½” gated wye. Attach the 1½” gated wye to the female coupling of
4. Band Starter Roll with two bands capturing the 1½” gated wye. Place Starter Roll on the outsideof the Smokey Pack Backpack and secure by capturing it with outside buckle.
5. Roll out the 1” Starter Roll Assembly holding onto the 1½” gated wye and 1” (10/40 DualGallonage) nozzle. Keep the 100’ section of 1” hose from rolling in hot material.
6. Once the anchor has been established, advance the Starter Roll Assembly to the end of the initialattack line.
7. Shut down the Complete Spray Nozzle momentarily. Replace the 1½” (18/80 Dual Gallonage)nozzle with the 1½” gated wye from the Starter Roll Assembly.
8. Slowly charge the 100’ section of 1” hose. This is the primary firefighting line that is advanced,establishing the flank.
9. Open the Smokey Pack and pull the female coupling from the preassembled pack. Exchange thecoupling for the 1” tip. Handing the member back their own coupling.
10. The firefighter advances up the flank with the 100’ section of 1” hose allowing for complete focuson fire behavior and water application.
11. The other firefighter will connect the female end of 100’ section of 1½” hose from their own packto the male end of the 1½” gated wye. Then proceed up, managing the 1” line while laying out the1½” trunk line.
12. Once 100’ section of 1½” hose completely pays out of the Smokey Pack, ensure 1 ½” gated wyeis closed and the 1” line is open (Pre-banded that way) and call for “WATER”.
13. Slowly charge the 100’ section of 1½” hose, band both gates of the gated wye and the bail of theshut off assembly in the open position.
14. The 100’ section of 1” hose will now become the lateral line and the 100’ section of 1½” hose willbecome the trunk line. Repeat the same steps for next drop.
IX. MAINTENANCE AND REPLACEMENT
Care, maintenance and replacement of lightweight hose will follow established procedures asidentified in Volume 3, 6/11-25. Marking of hose and fittings will follow established procedures asidentified in Volume 3, 6/11-50.
Forestry adapters, 1”, National Standard Thread (NST) to National Pipe Thread (NPT) and NPT toNST shall be painted white for identification.
Annual service testing will be performed as per the instruction for hose testing in Volume 3,6/11-25.96. The service test pressure for this hose is 300 psi.
Due to its lightweight construction, this hose is easily damaged. It is recommended hose testing tobe performed on grass or light fuel bed. Dragging the hose on concrete or asphalt during training,hose testing, packing or rolling for storage will cause damage to the outer jacket leading to leaks in
