What is the range of water flow for hand lines?

The range of water flow for hand lines is typically considered to be between 40 to 350 gallons per minute (gpm). This range is effective for controlling various types of fires, especially in structural firefighting scenarios. Hand lines are utilized by firefighters for direct application of water onto a fire, and the flow rate can be adjusted based on the fire’s intensity and the specific tactical requirements.

Choosing this range allows firefighters to effectively manage the water supply while ensuring that they can apply enough water volume to suppress flames and protect exposures. While lower flow rates, such as those found in certain hand lines or booster lines, may be sufficient for smaller fires, the higher end of the range supports operations in more severe conditions, ensuring that adequate pressure and volume are maintained for effective fire suppression efforts.

The flow rates in other options either fall outside of what is standard for hand lines or represent the flow for larger attack lines or master streams, which might not be operated by a single firefighter as hand lines typically are.