Inspect that nozzle regularly

By Mark van der Feyst

On almost every fire apparatus are nozzles either attached to pre-connected hose lines or in compartments as spares. These essential appliances are designed with many technological and engineering advancements. No matter which manufacturer made your nozzles, they all have features that need to be checked on a regular basis.

If the nozzle is the type that requires selecting the gallon-flow setting, it will require checking to make sure that the proper gallons are selected. If the wrong gallons are selected, then it will only offer a poor outcome for the nozzle operator. If the nozzle is an automatic nozzle with the option to change between low or standard pressure, then it will require checking to make sure that the proper mode is selected. This indicator will be on the face of the nozzle. The pattern position should also be checked to make sure that it is in the straight stream position or whatever the department's SOP/SOG requires. By ensuring these little things during the truck check, when it comes time for hose deployment, everything will work as it is supposed to.