Effectiveness of Using a 50 mm Fire Hose: An Analysis Using Water Shooting Test and Surveying Firefighters

This study examined the scope and usability of the 40 mm and 65 mm fire hoses—commonly used by firefighters in Korea—and the currently discontinued 50 mm fire hose. A questionnaire about the loading conditions of fire hoses inside fire-pump trucks and the types of fire hoses used was administered to firefighters. Using each fire hose, we measured the shooting distance by increasing the pressure from 0.3 MPa to 1.2 MPa. The following results were obtained: Most domestic firefighters prepare and use 40 mm fire hoses to extinguish fires but rarely use 65 mm fire hoses because of strong recoil and safety concerns. Most have no knowledge about 50 mm fire hoses, making it difficult to accurately determine their advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, we measured the shooting distance, which is closely related to the safety of firefighters when extinguishing a fire. In particular, we measured each hose and its pressure. The shooting distance results showed that at the shooting angle of 0°, the 40 mm, 50 mm, and 65 mm fire hoses were 20 m, 22 m, and 23 m long, respectively, at the same pressure of 1.2 MPa. We measured the maximum shooting distance while adjusting the shooting angle. Consequently, the 40 mm, 50 mm, and 65 mm fire hoses measured 33 m, 43 m, and 45 m, respectively, at the same pressure of 1.2 MPa. The maximum shooting distance was measured at an angle of approximately 30°. In conclusion, the study found that using a 50 mm fire hose will improve the shooting distance for more effective fire suppression.