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Top 6 Reasons To Use A 2-1/2″ Handline
Posted On 19 May 2014
Most of us don’t realize how much responsibility the engine company shoulders at the scene of a fire. They are tasked with extinguishing the fire quickly, efficiently, and safely. That being said, we have all heard the phrase “as goes the first line so goes the fire.” The engine company has to pull the right line, make sure it’s the right length, and stretch it to the right place.
Quickly deciding the right line to stretch can be a daunting task for some. To help with this decision, we will examine 6 situations where stretching the 2-1/2″ hand-line is appropriate.
The acronym “ADULTS” will help us remember when it is the proper time to stretch the “big” line.
Let’s break this down to find out what it is all about.
A – Advanced Fire Conditions
We have all rolled up on advanced fire conditions. If you are new to the fire service your time will come, trust me. Big fire means we need to hit it with big water, and the 2-1/2″ line will do just that. Its increased gallonage, increased stream reach and penetration make it an ideal choice to attack a fire that is way ahead of us.
D – Defensive Operations
When the initial arriving officer or incident commander decides that we will take a defensive position at a fire, we commonly think aerial master streams and deck guns. The 2-1/2″ is an important choice here as well. It gives us the ability to flow a lot of water, stay a safe distance away from the building with its increased stream reach, and supply portable master stream devices. Loop it and take a seat; you’ll probably be here awhile.
U – Unable to Determine Extent/Location of Fire
Arriving to a heavy smoke condition and no visible fire location should have us asking ourselves some questions. Commonly you will see members immediately reach for an 1-3/4″ pre-connect. Although they may be correct in their choice, they may make entry and find themselves “under gunned” — which means they now have a problem. The 2-1/2″ would be a smart choice, especially in any type of commercial occupancy.
L – Large Uncompartmented Area
Large noncompartmented areas can pose some problems for us, namely, the inability to confine a fire, rapid fire growth, and the potential for a high ceiling that will hold a lot of heat high over our heads. Frequently, we think we will encounter this scenario only in commercial type occupancies, such as schools, auditoriums, churches, and office buildings among others. However, in my district there are homes constructed in this manner, so a 2-1/2″ hand-line may very well be our initial choice when we arrive at the fire.
T – Tons of Water
Any time there is a need for a high volume of water, think of the 2-1/2″.
S – Standpipe Operations
Standpipes require the use of 2-1/2″ line. Lengths are carried up along with the standpipe bag and connections are made on the floor below the fire. Some departments are experimenting with their working length being 2″ hose for ease of maneuverability. (For an excellent tutorial on standpipes and sprinkler systems, read Andy Starnes’ four-part series beginning here.)
Training with the ADULTS acronym will enable us to quickly and easily determine when the 2-1/2″ hand-line is appropriate.
(It’s true the 2-1/2″ line can be difficult to handle. What are your tips and tricks to help make this line more manageable? Feel free to leave your tips and tricks in the comments section.)
Photos courtesy of Steve Silverman.
I like the idea of using 2″ line as your all purpose line. Easier to handle than 2 1/2″, but more water than 1 3/4″. I keep webbing in my pants bellows pocket. I use my 10 ft length to help maneuver hose. Girth hitch the hose and throw the loop over your shoulder. Rogers rope is also handy.
Anything huge factor to take into account is water supply. For the more rural departments, like the one I belong to a 2 1/2 with no hydrant means you’re taking a big risk. In the later stages of a fire scene when a tanker shuttle is in place, or a constant draft has been established, then it’s a great option to have. But before a constant water supply has been established, it can be a big risk.
The common misconception about using a 2 1/2 in the rural is you use up all your water with it and then everything burns down. No, if you don’t have a water supply established yet you use roughly half of your on scene water for a heavy hit hoping to knock down the fire enough that mop up with smaller lines can begin. If you can’t kill the fire then the remaining water is used for exposure protection while a water supply is established. A brief heavy hit may break the back of the fire, while smaller streams may only slow the burn down of the building.
I am a huge fan of 2 inch line and my one POC FD only uses 2 inch for handlines. We fow 160 to 300 gpm with the 2 inch line and if need be 2 people can move it pretty easily.
As an Engine Co. Officer it is always my responsibility to call for the first line. If I do not get the correct line in, its on me. As officers , we cannot go by the norm. We have to choose that correct line and overwhelm the fire. By doing so we increase the safety of every firefighter on the scene.
Great tip Mark, thanks for the comment.
Ben, I am going to assume you are talking about rolling up on a heavy fire condition and pulling the 2 1/2. If you have a heavy volume of fire you need to overcome the BTU’s in order to knock the fire down. If you pull an 1 3/4″ line chances are your water is just converting to steam and providing very little knockdown power. Pull the 2 1/2″ knock the hell out of the fire by taking the heat out of it and slow it down. If you have to, empty the tank on the fire with the deck gun. Establish your water supply and finish the job. You will be surprised as to the outcome. If you contact me directly, I can send you photos of a fire I was at involving a 2 story 50 x 30 fully involved private dwelling. Fire was knocked down with 750 gallons out of the deck gun. Thanks for commenting.
Great points Don, thanks for reading and commenting.
Well put Dan, your keyword for me was responsibility. I respect officers that hold themselves accountable, not all of them do. Thanks for reading and taking the time to comment.
Another great simple option you have with a 2.5 line equipped with a threaded but for your tips is the ability to use the 2.5 in a defensive operation until you get the big fire knocked from the exterior. Then using the bail on the nozzle one can shut down and connect a 13/4 attack line to go interior . Also great to stretch in when you have the long 1% mansion driveway where your std 13/4 per connect just will not reach . Again , just tie in the 13/4 line after getting water to the front lawn and start the interior stretch.
When I was responsible for heading my company training, I always stressed that a 2.5″ line carries a lot of unnecessary fear along with it. By having a relatively small firefighter (<150 lbs.) take a knee and "pinch" the line between his raised knee/thigh and the underarm on the same side, as well as getting the nozzle out in front of him, he was easily able to control the line flowing 250 GPM. And with proper grip and maneuver, was able to easily hit and push, hit and push, simulating an advance. Proper training can go a long way in enhancing firefighter confidence with what I was original taught was a 2-person line, all the time.
You are absolutely right Mark, you can also put on a Gated Y and run two 1 3/4″ lines if needed as well. Thanks for reading!
Very well said Robert, also popular is making a loop with the line and taking a seat holding the nozzle out in front of you between your legs. Thanks for reading and commenting!
Solid read and on point about the use of 2 1/2. Most departments (around here) are going away from the 2 1/2 due to size and weight.
We will use the 2 1/2 for our blitz nozzle and come off into a Y with the 1 3/4. With good water supply and heavy fire, the 2 1/2 should always be the closer.
Thanks for the comment Jerry
Nice read Chief. I like your thought process on the use of the 2 1/2. And an FYI, I am a former Melville FD now in Florida working on a paid department recently promoted to Lieutent. Be safe.
Thanks for the compliment Jeff, glad you enjoyed it. Congratulations on be promoted. How long ago did you leave Melville?
Outstanding article Chief! The value of the 2.5 is often overlooked and underutilized. Keep up the great work!
Thanks for the compliment John, much appreciated! Talk soon!
I did over 8 years in Melville starting about a year after i graduated high school and left for Florida the end of 1996. I think we may have went to high school together. HHH East class of 87???? Be safe.
Yes Jeff graduated east in 87
Great article! Better yet is reading all of the replies. As a new Assistant Chief it is great to get advice and training ideas for other fire officers. I’m working real hard to prevent status quo (pulling the 1 3/4″ pre connect) and us pulling a 2 1/2″ line would have helped us in property conservation. Thank you.
Thanks for the comment Tony, best of luck to you in the future as Chief. If you ever need training ideas feel free to contact me, as well as keep reading firefightertoolbox.com. The knowledge given here by all of our contributors is fantastic.
Thank for keeping Andy Fredericks articles alive!
Chief: Im agree with your idea, about big lines 2.5. Most all Engine companys today are single units, the purpose of a single unit is quick water, which I don’t see happening in a lot of the videos that I watch. Also NFPA states the proper placement of line saves more lives. I myself hated the big line in interior operations, once its charged its very hard to move around, or for that matter of fact get it in to position to oprate on the fire. I had a Captain who always would strech a 1.5 to the fire and start putting water on it, I was working with him a we had back porches three decker, knocked all the heavy fire down. Another fire top floor four story occupied brick, heavy fire showing out front windows, streched in our 13/4 attack line up middle of stair well to fourth floor, got extra line up, to move in, called for juice(water), the other Firefighter with me I said to him isn’t this something, everything in room burning, wall paper rolling down walls, and its all over as soon as I open up the knob (Nozzle). So, yes big line has its place, but quick water, is the key. OK “BE SAFE”
Hi Robert,
Great article. I am in the same boat as Ben in running a very rural department. Arriving on scene to a structure fire with about 500 gallons of water. mutual aide can be at times 15 to 20 minutes away. I like the idea of using 2 1/2 for a quick hard and dirty attack. But would you still use a 2 1/2 line on a bigger fire with limited water and other resources being so far out?
John, thank you for the comment. You pose an interesting question, and my answer is maybe. It would depend on my size up, could I stop this fire cold hitting it with a 2 1/2 that is well placed utilizing tank water? It might be a better option considering fire conditions where if I stretched an 1 3/4″ most of my water would be lost to steam conversion. Remember your gallons per minute must outweigh the BTU output of the fire to extinguish it in short order.
Rob…you failed to mention that all your information came exclusively from the FDNY….
Rural fire attack with limited water HAS to change from a Gallons Per Minute (GPM) mentality to a Gallons Per Second approach to fire attacking strategy. Big water on big fire puts it out! Right line, right place, at the right pressure and it’s a WIN for us at FD
The 2 1/2 is a perfect attack line yea its heavier and a pain to move around but its a good way to knock the fire out quickly then take 1 3/4 preconnect for overhaul and hitting hot spots