What is the minimum recommended supply pressure to maintain for firefighting operations?

For firefighting operations, maintaining a minimum supply pressure is crucial to ensure that sufficient water is available to effectively combat a fire. The recommended minimum is typically around 20 psi. This pressure serves as a baseline to ensure adequate flow through the hoses and nozzles, enabling firefighters to have the necessary water volume and pressure to fight fires efficiently.

A supply pressure of 20 psi is sufficient to overcome friction loss in hoses during operation, allowing fire personnel to achieve the water delivery they require at the nozzle. It also provides a safety buffer to account for fluctuations in water supply and demand during the firefighting operation.

While lesser pressures, such as 10 psi, may not provide adequate flow to the operational needs, higher pressures could cause excessive strain on equipment and might lead to potential failures if the apparatus is not rated for such pressures. Therefore, 20 psi is established as a standard to balance effectiveness and safety in firefighting operations.