Firefighting Operation and Hydraulics Review

A collection of key vocabulary related to firefighting operations and hydraulics.

SOG

Standard Operating Guidelines used for firefighting protocols.

SOP

Standard Operating Procedures that outline specific step-by-step instructions for operations.

AOPP

Assessment of Overall Performance and Preparedness in firefighting.

Fire Ops

The procedures and strategies used during firefighting operations.

Hydraulics

The branch of science concerned with the mechanical properties of fluids and their behavior in motion.

Water Hammer

The pressure surge that occurs when a fluid in motion is forced to stop or change direction suddenly.

Static Pressure

The pressure in a fluid at rest, which can be used to calculate the force exerted by that fluid.

Head Pressure

The height of water supply above the discharge orifice, used to determine pressure available for flow.

Velocity

The speed of water flow from a discharge orifice, typically measured in gallons per minute (GPM).

Friction Loss

The pressure lost due to the friction of water against the inner surfaces of hoses, pipes, and fittings.

GPM

Gallons per minute, a unit of measurement for the flow rate of water.

Residual Pressure

The remaining pressure within a system while water is flowing through it.

Master Stream

A large stream of water that can deliver high volumes of water in firefighting operations.

Nozzle Reaction

The reaction force experienced when water is discharged from a nozzle, which can affect the handling of the hose.

Mayday

A distress signal indicating immediate danger, typically used to request urgent assistance in emergencies.