Definitions & Uses of Fire Fighting Nozzles

There are several different types of firefighting nozzles used by fire fighters to attack fires in different situations. Some of these nozzles are very specific as to their use while others perform several functions and are adaptable to different situations. Fire engines carry several types of nozzles so they may quickly adapt to any emergency situation that may arise.

Combination Nozzles

• This type of nozzle is the utility nozzle in use by most fire departments. The water stream produced by this nozzle ranges from a tight, straight stream to a large fog type stream with a twist of the tip. This nozzle is carried on many fire engines to use first in attack lines due to their versatility.

Smooth Bore Nozzle

• This type of nozzle looks like a piece of round pipe. It is used to produce a tight, solid stream of water with a far reach. It will penetrate through fire debris to reach the seat of a buried fire. There are large versions of this nozzle that may be attached to a ladder truck, water pipe or an un-manned monitor on an engine to throw water over a long distance as well as smaller versions that can be used on a manned hose line.

Piercing Nozzle

• The piercing nozzle is pointed on the end and is made of hardened steel. It is used in aircraft firefighting to pierce the nozzle through the exterior skin of an aircraft and introduce water or other firefighting chemicals into the space to extinguish the flames. It also has uses in structural firefighting. It can be used to pierce a floor into a basement below to fight a fire there or through a ceiling to apply water in an attic fire.

Low Pressure Nozzle

• Low pressure nozzles are useful anytime the water pressure needed to fight a fire may be reduced. These are used in many types of configurations intended for fighting fire in a high rise building. The pressure of the water at an outlet on a very high floor may be reduced due to elevation and friction loss in the long piping used to get to the higher floors.