What is classified as a broken stream?

A broken stream refers specifically to a fire suppression technique where the water stream is dispersed into smaller, coarsely divided droplets rather than a continuous jet or a solid stream. This type of stream enhances the cooling effect on the flames and reduces the intensity of the heat by maximizing the surface area exposed to the air, allowing for more efficient heat absorption and faster vaporization of water.

In the context of firefighting, creating a broken stream helps in fighting fires in enclosed spaces or where direct hits to flames are difficult. It also reduces the risk of steam burns to the firefighter. This is why the description of a fire stream broken into coarsely divided droplets accurately captures the essence of a broken stream as opposed to a continuous flow or a stream with larger droplets, which are not as effective in distributing water for fire suppression.