Blitz Nozzles

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May 10, 2019
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Blitz nozzles are made with a 3 inch intake. In the FDNY, where they are used, are they fed with a 2 1/2 line or do companies carry 3 inch hose specifically for use with a Blitz nozzle or do they ise a 3 1/2 inch line to supply the nozzle ?
 
I believe they come standard with 2.5 couplings. Most 3" hose has 2.5" couplings. I'm not sure what the FDNY's 3.5" hose coupling sizes are but they're also probably 2.5" couplings.
 
I believe they come standard with 2.5 couplings. Most 3" hose has 2.5" couplings. I'm not sure what the FDNY's 3.5" hose coupling sizes are but they're also probably 2.5" couplings.
I just looked. TFT make 3 different inlet sizes. 2.5, 3, 3.15. All with 2.5 outlets. Pretty much no matter what you do your limited to 500 gpms. Because thats what its designed for. The typical goto is 2.5. We used 3" with 2.5 couplings just for friction loss reasons. Our Elkhart RAN was also preconnected to 200' of 3 inch. I would assume FDNY would just use 2.5 hose straight from the bed or hirise packs as that gives you the best options on lengths, since they use dead loads, not preconnects.
 
I just looked. TFT make 3 different inlet sizes. 2.5, 3, 3.15. All with 2.5 outlets. Pretty much no matter what you do your limited to 500 gpms. Because thats what its designed for. The typical goto is 2.5. We used 3" with 2.5 couplings just for friction loss reasons. Our Elkhart RAN was also preconnected to 200' of 3 inch. I would assume FDNY would just use 2.5 hose straight from the bed or hirise packs as that gives you the best options on lengths, since they use dead loads, not preconnects.
A 2.5 inch hose can move 500 GPM at 55psi friction loss per 100 feet.
 
A 2.5 inch hose can move 500 GPM at 55psi friction loss per 100 feet.
I think the 3 inch we used was closer to 40 per 100. I dont remember off hand. I want to say it was like 37 per 100. I'd have to look and see if I still have the friction loss cards we had.
 
"The inlet and the outlet of the Blitzfire are both equipped with 2 ½” threads. There is one 2 ½” supply inlet which should be supplied with only one 2 ½” hoseline."
 
"The inlet and the outlet of the Blitzfire are both equipped with 2 ½” threads. There is one 2 ½” supply inlet which should be supplied with only one 2 ½” hoseline."
 

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I believe they come standard with 2.5 couplings. Most 3" hose has 2.5" couplings. I'm not sure what the FDNY's 3.5" hose coupling sizes are but they're also probably 2.5" couplings.
FDNY 3 1/2" hose has 3" butts. Never really understood the logic of losing 1/2" diameter every 50 ft. and the associated friction loss.
 
Blitz nozzles are made with a 3 inch intake. In the FDNY, where they are used, are they fed with a 2 1/2 line or do companies carry 3 inch hose specifically for use with a Blitz nozzle or do they ise a 3 1/2 inch line to supply the nozzle ?
Is there a comparison to be made for the volume of water and effectiveness delivered by the blitz nozzle vs multiversal vs deck pipe vs tower ladder?
 
Is there a comparison to be made for the volume of water and effectiveness delivered by the blitz nozzle vs multiversal vs deck pipe vs tower ladder?
The Blitzfire is limited to 500 GPM with max input pressure of 175 psi. The multiversal flows 400-1000 GPM depending on tip size under normal conditions. Deck pipes can flow 400-to about 2000 GPM depending on tip size and pressure supplied. 2000 GPM achieved using a 2-1/2” tip with 116 psi tip pressure. Ladder pipes use a 1-1/2” tip and flow 660 GPM when properly supplied. Tower Ladders have 1-1/2” and 2” tips. The 2” tip on a properly supplied Tower ladder produces 1200 GPM. The reach of a tower ladder stream with a nicely matched tip and pressure combination can be double that of a blitzfire. The portable monitors (blitz and Multiversal ) are limited to lower tip pressures to prevent loss of control/stability. The piped deck guns and tower ladder monitors can handle higher pressures. They are all tools in the toolbox.
 
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Just 1 thing to add is friction loss and pump pressures. The typical 2.5s can barely handle a blitzfire or ran. With FDNYs friction loss of 55 psi per 100 feet, at 200 feet your at 110 psi. Fl. Add in the nozzle, say stack tip which is 50 psi, and your already at 160 psi. Pp. And over most pumps maximum rated capacity.Use a fog and your at 210 psi. Over the pump capacity, over the 175 max for the bf and in the downhill curve of pump performance. So there are trade offs and its 1 reason we went to 3 inch to supply our RAN nozzle. 1 person can still pick it and move it easily, compared to a multiversal, which gives it great maneuverability. Its a little awkward but it can be done. On the other hand, it takes a small army to setup or move a multiversal. And probably 2x the amount of time.
 
Seems to me that comparing the Blitzfire to a multiversal is a little bit like comparing a sledge hammer to a halligan tool. They are for different purposes. Should you know the benefits and drawbacks of both? Absolutely, so you can make the proper choice in the situation facing you. RCL makes a great point about the maneuverability of the blitzfire. And it can be set to oscillate by itself . . . another potential benefit in a situation where you can't afford to have firefighters stay with it.
 
My department runs as standard on all tanker pumpers, a preconnected Blitzfire We service a large rural area with limited resources arriving second due and minimum manning so if we have a significant volume of fire showing it will be a Blitzfire or deckgun applied for a quick knockdown until the troops can gather. Very effective.
 
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