What is the minimum hose line size recommended to protect against a fire at a vehicle crash?

• A. 1 inch
• B. 1½ inch
• C. 2 inch
• D. 3/4 inch

Answer: (B)

When a vehicle fire starts at a crash scene, you need enough water quickly to knock down the flames and cool the fuel so the fire doesn’t reflash or spread to the rest of the vehicle. A one-and-a-half inch handline hits that balance: it can deliver a strong, manageable flow (roughly 150–200 gpm with a typical nozzle) to achieve rapid knockdown and cooling as you advance to the engine bay or passenger areas. Smaller lines won’t provide enough water fast enough to safely control a vehicle fire, increasing the chance of reignition and extending the incident. Larger lines would work, but they’re heavier and harder to maneuver for a quick initial attack, so they aren’t the minimum requirement. Thus, the minimum recommended size is one and a half inches.