Physics In Fire Fighting

Introduction
In fire fighting operation, nozzle is often used by fire fighters to control the water that spurt from the hose. A nozzle is a tube that varies in their cross sectional area thus allowing fire fighters to modify the flow rate, speed, direction and pressure of the stream. The purpose of the nozzle is to increase the kinetic energy of the flowing medium at the expense of its pressure energy and internal energy. Nozzles can be described as convergent or divergent. The nozzle that usually used by fire fighter is convergent nozzles. The nozzle is joined to water hose and the pressure of the water is exerted from a pump.

Calculation of Impulse
= 105 5 9.81 = 10 1000 = 0.0981 = 10.19 1 M a th e m a tic a = lly , - D is c h a rg e = , V e lo c ity = ( )2 =
601000 4 1000 21.2
2

2 21.2 14.14 2 = 21.21 2 2 =

3 2 1 60 3 1

3 -

= 2 =
90 2

4 -

F ro m B e rn o E lliu a tio n , uq 2 D is c h a rg = 2 e, - V e lo c ity = 29.8110.19 = 200 = 14.14

Note: 2 g = Gravity acceleration (9.81kg/ m ) 3 = Density of w ater (1000kg/ m ) 2 A = Area of nozzle (m ) d = Diameter of nozzle (mm) h = Height of w ater (m)

-Im p u lse c a n d e fin e a s c h a n m o m e n tu m o f a n o b je c t. = 1 2 = 90 14.14 5 = 0.157 2 -

P = Pressure of w ater (bar) v = Velocity of w ater at nozzle exit (m/ L = Volumetric flow(L/ min) rate 3 Volumetric flow rate (m = / s)

Figure 2: Automatic nozzle & plain nozzle

It is important for a fire fighter to know the frictional effects that caused by: Length of the hose - frictional effects are usually more significant in the longer hose. Cross sectional area of the hose Bigger cross sectional area of the hose will have less frictional effect. Velocity of the fluid - Frictional effects increase when the velocity of the fluid increases. Roughness of the hose surface - Frictional effects are significant in a rough hose. Static lift - Elevation difference between the pump outlet and the laterals. Pressure of the pump - A higher pressure from the pump will cause significant frictional effects.
Size of Nozzle (mm) Optimum pressure (bar) Volumetric flow rate (L/min) 12.5 2.5 160 15 3.5 280 20 5 600 Table 1: Size of nozzle for volumetric flow rate at optimum pressure. 25 7 1100

Conclusion
Figure 1: A pump located in fire engine Figure 3: The hose joined to the nozzle

The impulse force are subjected to the diameter of nozzle and pressure of water. Therefore, it is important for fire fighters to know the measurement in fire fighting in order to carry out their task efficiently.
References:1. Kejuruteraan Bomba, Jabatan Bomba dan Penyelamat Malaysia, Siri Asas Kebombaan 7, Utusan Publication 1997. 2. Laman Web Rasmi Jabatan Bomba dan Penyelamat Malaysia, Kejuruteraan, Retrieved 2008-3-27 http://www.bomba.gov.my

The function of the pump is to provide pressure on the flowing fluid. The pump that used by fire fighter can be divided into 2 types. The first one is stationary pump (FigureNewtons Third Law 1) which is located at the back of the fire engine which powered by the car engine through power take over (fire fighter will switch the car engine to power the pump from a control panel located at the drivers seat Figure 4). The other type of pump is portable pump which can be easily carried or move to any place which subject to space constraints.

1.

ECH 3103 Prepared by:Gan Zhi Jie (143377) Tay Say Koon (138067)

12/23/12

2.