501: Firefighting Hoses

501.1 Firefighting Hoses

Attack lines: An attack line is a flexible hose used to bring water with high pressure that can go up to 400 psi (2,760kPa).

Supply lines: A supply line is a large diameter fabric covered hose that is used to supply fire apparatus with water, usually from hydrants.

Suction/Drafting Line: A drafting line is a semi-rigid hose used to supply a fire apparatus with water from pools, ponds, rivers, lakes etc.

501.2 Firefighting Foam

Class A foams: This type of foam was developed in the mid 1980s for fighting wildfires. It penetrates and extinguishes embers at depth. This usually aids the suppression and cuts the reignition of the fire. The success of it led to fighting other types of fires including structure fires.

Class B foams: This type of foam is used on class B fires which include flammable liquids that react poorly with water. Meanwhile Class B foams has 2 subtypes:

One of the subtypes is Synthetic foams which are based on surfactants. They provide better flow and spreading over the surface of the hydrocarbon-based liquids, usually helping for faster knockdowns. But they do have limited post-fire security and are toxic contaminants.

Aqueous film forming foams (AFFF) are water based and frequently contain hydrocarbon based surfactants (PFOS)(PFOA).

Fluorine-free foams (FFF or F3) are mostly based on hydrocarbon surfactants and is free of any fluorosurfactant. 

Another subtype of Class B foam is Protein Foams that contain natural proteins as foaming agents. This type of foam is bio-degradable, but they flow and spread slower, they can also provide a foam blanket that is heat-resistant and much more durable.