Which method can be used to calculate the capacity of a water shuttle operation in gpm?

The correct method for calculating the capacity of a water shuttle operation in gallons per minute (gpm) is to take the tank size, reduce it by 10%, and then divide by the trip time.

The rationale behind this calculation lies in accounting for a realistic operational scenario where not all of the tank's capacity may be usable due to various factors such as turbulence during loading or unloading, which can lead to water loss or reduce the effective volume. By subtracting 10% from the tank size, you're considering these operational realities, thereby allowing for a more accurate estimate of the effective flow rate during the water shuttle process.

This calculation will give you the usable water that can be moved divided by the time it takes to complete a shuttle trip, ultimately yielding the gallons per minute capacity, which is critical for planning and efficiency during fire operations.

In contrast, dividing the tank size without accounting for any reduction or using other factors would not provide an accurate representation of the effective capacity, which can hinder the planning and execution of a water shuttle operation.