When the flow through a hose line increases from 100 gpm to 400 gpm, by how many times does the friction loss increase?

The correct answer is based on understanding the principle of friction loss in fire hose lines, which is influenced by the flow rate of water through the hose. According to the empirical formula used to estimate friction loss in a hose, friction loss increases with the square of the flow rate. This means that if the flow rate increases, the friction loss increases as the square of that increase.

When the flow rate increases from 100 gallons per minute (gpm) to 400 gpm, you're looking at an increase in flow rate from 100 to 400 gpm, which is a fourfold increase (400 gpm is four times 100 gpm). To determine the increase in friction loss, you square the factor of the increase in flow rate:

• The increase factor is 4 (from 100 to 400 gpm).

• The friction loss increase would then be (4^2 = 16).

Thus, the friction loss increases by 16 times when the flow increases from 100 gpm to 400 gpm, validating that the correct answer is indeed that the friction loss increases by 16 times. This fundamental understanding is crucial for fire apparatus operators to ensure they can accurately calculate and manage hose lines efficiently during operations, as