We were over-using the fog stream. Tips Many different firefighters and fire departments were contacted about their use of smooth-bore nozzles for interior fire attack and it was decided to give them a serious evaluation. We discovered that it is a rare occurrence for a firefighter to have the opportunity to be on a nozzle, even in the busiest fire departments. The experience level on the nozzle has diminished in the fire service of America. This is partly be due to a drop in the number of structure fires in this country.
Statistics report structure fires down forty-six percent.
This was not the case in St. Petersburg. This size tip proved very effective for quick fire knockdown because of the punch it delivered with its direct attack and added gallons per minute. It certainly could, but not with the reduced reaction force and additional gallons per minute available from the smooth-bore nozzle. Keep in mind, it is gallons per minute that extinguishes fire. Plain and simple, the higher Btu's of today's structure fires requires more water.