Turn your pool into a Fire Truck: Part1

[@chris76-01]

Hi, another idea is to install a 1-1/2" pipe across the top of the roof with regular fire sprinklers spaced every few feet, paint it to match the roof, and run the pipe down to a dedicated fire grade pump that draws from the pool with auxiliary ports for hoses. That way the roof can be self watered while you focus on other areas...

[@stewmiller778]

Oh man. I just ordered a pool, this week. Fun for family and 13,000 gallons of emergency water storage for me. Now, you have added another layer to my prep's. More thinking. More design. Thanks and no thanks. ;-)

[@TheUSAforever1]

It's not official unless you have the hat. LOL Great idea, great execution, thanks for the life/property saving info.

[@n3lee]

I think your onto the right idea. Some things to remember; as with all engineering -- all of the fittings and couplers induce tremendous losses in not only velocity, but the amount of 'head' the pump can sustain. Having worked in the pool/spa industry here in New england, I've seen my share of plumbing nightmares; however; here are some thoughts for your system; both current and future: 1) relocate your feed point to about 18" above the output of the pump its self (it needs vertical 'head' to self prime) however; by eliminating the friction induced by the multi-valve atop the head will increase flow by about 40% (gallons per minute). You can always turn it back down at the output if you need to conserve! 2) Straight-pipe distribution -- The larger diameter hose (and fewer bends) the better -- but build your manifold at your "output" and bury a few supply lines to different areas. If you don't have termites, Flexible "spa-flex" type pipe is a good option, as is the larger "black pipe" (i believe it's CPVC). These lines should be "blown out" (with air) to be winterized and prevent against freezing... this is easily done with some disconnect unions at your pump; and a shop-vac is usually sufficient to properly expel all the water. 3) Keep your hose(s) readily accessible. Since you need to turn on the pump to begin with; this may not be an issue. 4) You should always have pump circulation as not to lose prime or overheat the pump. This can easily be done with a 1/4" or 1/2" bypass around the shutoff valve and the rest of the filter plumbing -- This will prevent the pump from burning out.... as it's able to exchange water back into the pool even with all of the lines shut off. Theoretically, #4 should be sized so that the bypassed fluid doesn't detract from the pressure provided by the system; but also allows for a single person to deploy the system effectively. IE: Go and 'turn on' the pump, grab the hose pack, connect it, flake out the hose, and charge the line. Good luck.... you may want to pick your local fire department for their thoughts -- you may just find a stash of old hose....

[@FaisalMutter]

Thank you for your attention. and your channel is my favorite .

[@watchthe1369]

Buckets for spotting, use the hose to cut a perimeter, watch the wildland firefighting videos that talk about running a hose line. You probably want an adjustable nozzle otherwise you could start blowing shingles off your roof. Chris 76-01 has a pretty good idea too, as the fire finally arrives use the last of your water with his roof washdown system. Also look at getting rid of the foundation planting, look at videos about landscaping for fire defense, it is about keeping embers from pooling against the house and starting the siding and walls on fire.

[@GriffinRampant1]

TFT brand nozzles are a good combination/fog nozzle that we use on my suburban dept. We have two 200ft preconnected 1.75" lines for fire attack. We keep the dual force TFT nozzle on low pressure and charge the line at 150 psi for fog nozzle. This is mainly for a standard 2 story wood frame house. Low pressure means you can use it under 100psi but you won't see the same gpm volume. If you have small kids that are going to be using it you can switch to high pressure and it will take some of the "recoil" backpressure out of the line to make it easier to advance. Smooth bore nozzles are good for a good solid penetrating stream that can run at lower psi (less friction loss in the appliance) but we generally don't use them unless we have a hot deep seated fire (hay/straw/plastics pile). The combi fog nozzles are a little more versatile.

[@LolitasGarden]

Your house is gorgeous. Don't let it burn.

[@michaelraduazzo6146]

Oh.. and engineer DEFINITELY did that plumbing job!! Haha

[@engineer775]

How turn turn your pool into a firefighting asset. www.practicalpreppers.com #practprep

[@RayJames552]

Besides this set up at a pool. If you have a pond you can put in a dry hydrant so that when the fire truck arrives they can hook up to it . Saves a lot of time and it doesn't cost much very easy to do when you first build the pond. Little harder to do once built but it can be done.

[@GrannyPrepper]

Great idea... and the demonstration cleaned the dust off your logs under the porch... LOL

[@ThatBackYardLifeHWGAC]

What an awesome setup, and a brilliant idea👍🏽

[@J-Justice666]

Great idea for people living in wild-fire prone areas...

[@05generic]

By doing that does your insurance carrier give you a break?

[@vernoncooke7348]

I tried that out with a 1 1/2 horsepower pool pump, a 300 gallon stock tank, a 1 1/2 hose I bought from Tractor Supply, and a homemade nozzle and mine looked like it was putting out, say at least 50 gallons a minute and it looked it could probably shoot water right over the roof of your house and stream out of my homemade nozzle was not a narrow stream either. The nozzle opening was about 3/4 inch in diameter. I was looking up the subject of fighting a house fire with your own setup and they recommend you have a reservoir of water such as an above ground pool of at least 5000 gallons and of course you would need a generator that is in a separate out building as you can't depend on the house electricity.

[@bert26a]

The proper term for those 'quick coupler's' is cam-lock fitting they are pretty nice, but still not as nice as forestry quarter turn couplings.

[@prince2rusty]

where can you buy these

[@arthursnead40]

Now I need to go get one of those pumps for the house. I have a bayou that leads directly behind my fence. Im sure I could get enough of this hose to reach to my home. Again thanks for another great idea.

[@TheJackMac909]

Wow, that is a good way to be prepared for a fire emergency, way more better than a garden hose!

[@deanc2006]

If you live near a small town you can join the volunteer department to get training and help the neighbors in the process.

[@Rickugg]

Hello: As always you did very well. I really like the looks of your house, its country. Have a Good One

[@AnnBearForFreedom]

Silly man! Its an upper-story window washer! But a very way cool thing for other more dire emergencies. And why was I terrified that someone would open the door and you'd flood your entryway, LOLOL.

[@engineer775]

It does make and excellent window washer. The kids were taunting me from the loft and kept opening the window so I doused them! hehe My wife was not thrilled. :(

[@brucewayne-cave]

Looking forward to this series.

[@avianphlu5397]

put another ball valve on the nozzle end to feather the flow

[@knotessential]

That's a smooth bore nozzle it's operating pressure is 50 psi. Even off of a fire engine.

[@joebonsaipoland]

Such a great idea. All those people in Colorado who keep getting burnt out by fire should have this. Or those rich people in the California hills with pools, why not demand they have this as first line fire fighting to protect their own houses. Insurance companies should require that. In case of fire, spray your house and surrounding area to keep the fire from spreading.

[@KosukiFire]

GEt a y valve adapter. Depending o the size of your outlet, a 3inch supply diverted in to two 2 inch fire hoses or inch and 3 quarter. Having the option of 2 hoses is great.

[@tsell8957]

One thing that might be a good future investment would be a fog nozzle and a higher pressure pump

[@tinolamartini]

one of those ideas I dream for my house! ha ha. Kudos!!

[@quietmale00101]

i would definately go with an engine driven pump on your other out put line and make sure your kids know what can happen if a pressurized hose gets away from them if they are helping you fight a fire its a great idea though

[@wyattoneable]

I like the whole set up for the intended use, but all I could think about is your going to be in trouble for getting the house wet. :) Looking forward to part two.

[@DOGPATCH63]

A portable honda pump, independent of everything would be a great operation. Then you could use a shut off on that hose line as well.

[@TallTexasGMan]

Not a bad idea. I would highly recommend however using a Hale pump or similar. Take the time also to plumb in spots around your yard such as front and rear of home. Keep the bends in the pipe to a minimum as they all restrict flow. You might also want to consider getting a "red line" this is a rubber hose typically in the 1 inch to 2 inch range. It can be kept on a reel which helps prevent the issues of kinking.

[@Harley13411]

Nice set up.

[@DegreesandTees]

I have a 16' above ground, but would have to hook it up to my vacuum in order to utilize most of the water as I have no drains on the bottom. great video, thx

[@stephenvandyke4084]

Great Idea u should get a 10 foot pike pole to break windows if u need to so u can get water into the fire from outside

[@Kregspiell]

That is a great idea and system. If you switch that pump to 220 does it up the pressure? the only issue is is it does not reach the eve of the house. Also could you not put in a larger pump just for fighting fires and have a generator already hooked up in a "pump house" type set up? I realize your trying to get it done on a low cost concept, but with the way fire can spread if your hooking up the hose, draging your generator out and hooking it up, turning the power off to your home. That's a lot of time for the fire to spread. Great video

[@markallen200]

You may want to think about putting the pump on a circuit that is separate from the main panel. This would allow you to use the pump and shut off the power to the house in case of an electrical fire. Not to mention the danger of carrying a hose around in the house while the house is live.

[@Youngbl33zy]

I always wanted to turn my pool into a fire truck...

[@Pahrump]

Kids in the house "Dad you just took out my window with your hose"

[@engineer775]

That'll learn em!

[@kimmer6]

All of the comments are 4 years old. I hope your house is not in Grass Valley. The pool pump might put out 25psi. A 2'' trash pump will do 60psi. I had one when I had a liner pool. There's a hydrant on my property and I saw 110psi on it. Trust me, you will love that kind of pressure. I would spend the extra $400 for a foam nozzle that uses cartridges instead of liquid AFFF. It makes the water stick to siding, leaves, roof, etc. Scotty makes one that looks like a pool Super Soaker. Whatever you spend on firefighting equipment is cheap in the scheme of things. I have friends who lost houses in wildfires at Rockridge and Coffey Park in California. The insurance coverage covers less that you think it will....better than nothing but its better to spend $10 grand on fire equipment and not need it. Murphy's Law. Pay for it and you will never need it or use it.

[@keyplayr61greenhousehydrop14]

That's interesting, Scott! I've never seen an above ground pool with a drain. I've had three of them over the years, but none of them had it.

[@chipwright6193]

My parents had one. It was a rectangle shaped above ground pool with a deck and railing. It was all aluminum and it had one drain.

[@keyplayr61greenhousehydrop14]

Yeah, Chip Mine is rectangle 18x33, but no drain. I suppose you could add one to any of them if you want.

[@chipwright6193]

I imagine so. Ours was set up in the mid1970's. We just took it down and recycled it a couple years ago. We drained ours every year because of the freezing weather here in Ohio. It would have been a pain to empty without that drain.

[@KosukiFire]

Dont use that nozel, because if you need to shut off your water or lower your flow you need that option.

[@dropshot1967]

You could also choose to install a fixed ring of lines with sprinklers to some of the important rooms and halls or to your roof. that way you won't have to go into a burning house yourself.. I think you will need a different pump with a higher pressure output if you do so.

[@MrDintimid8or]

Good idea, but it would be difficult to control a house fire with that flow. A floating pump in the pool would be more effective battling a house fire. Any idea how many gallons per minute your pump can put out?

[@FaisalMutter]

good work .but can we put an air tank pressure to the outlet of pumpe..and make another line return to the storage of water if we shut off the hose..

[@engineer775]

You could do that. I would put a pressure relief valve in the system. You could tie your pool into your home as long as you are not drinking it or you have filtration to handle it.

[@johnhenry7083]

You may have to rename yourself " fireman775" lol. That is a great idea for a more remote home.

[@davidfernandes4684]

way to work with little to make a lot good job guy

[@DOGPATCH63]

The Honda WH20 would work well.

[@davem979]

Nice idea.

[@davidarcaris7500]

What about using a pressure switch so you can turn the water on and off at the nozzle.

[@swatnc8051]

That's a great idea

[@oldpup4810]

Some old volunteer type fire trucks had a gasoline engine 2 inch pump that would put 200 lbs of pressure on a standard 2 inch fire hose. If you going to use a gas engine, why not use a straight pass through line to a pump of that type. More pressure, can use different nozzles and don't have to worry about killing your pool pump if you get a kink in the line that stops water flow. With 200 lbs of pressure on the hose though, you don't have to worry much about kinks in the line, but you would need 2 to 3 kids just to hold it down. :)

[@engineer775]

Yes sir. That is the plan for part 2. I have the valve ready to go. Since most pools are plumbed with 1.5" PVC, I am going to use a 1.5 inch suction inlet gas pump. Not as good as the 2" but it will still move a ton of pressurized water!

[@mailmannb7970]

Have to ask, why not a gas powered pump?

[@arthursnead40]

Would it be dumb to consider using a commercial grade pressure washer to add pressure to the system and plumb it almost the same way you have the pool done? This way you dont ha e to worry about overloading the pump (using a car wash style nozzle of course) and in addition to that provide more pressure and flow rate at the nozzle? Have you also thought about submersible pumps that if you pump goes out for the pool you could drop in a couple sump pumps and drain the water that way also. And the sump pumps take the same kind of hose as the one you already have. Just some ideas I thought of while watching this vid. Great idea and keep the videos coming.

[@robc.5745]

Unless it draws water from the bottom of the pool ,Once the water goes below the skimmer you will have no water ,And that's maybe 8 inches.

[@engineer775]

Yes it draws from the bottom of the pool

[@iSabugasSec]

engineer775 Practical Preppers In Portugal some houses are sold with sprinklers mounted on the roof to avoid the house from burning during the florestal fires. Im saying this because, they are also pool water fed.

[@ddalby4013]

He is assuming he will have electricity in an emergency.

[@MrReddok]

Engineer775, Good idea! Make it a great one!! If you can bypass your pool pump all together. I think it would be better. I would get a better water pump to put on that other drain. You would get far more GPM. Which if your looking at fighting a structure fire, is what you want, and would need. I would also look into getting an actual nozzle. Straight and Fog streams both have their place in both structure and brush fires. A quick ebay look showed some nice pattern nozzles, and below $200. Third, Make sure your hoses all have the same threads! Is it Old Cincinnati, or National Standard Thread? I would also figure out a way to deploy those hoses quickly. Whether to get a heavy duty wagon or more of a high rise pack configuration. Quick deployment + quick and adequate water will get you the results you want. The pool can make the difference!! Don't sell yourself short on the potential! Love you videos!

[@engineer775]

Thank you sir. Yes, part 2 will be with a gas pump pulling out of another 3 way valve I installed for that purpose. I plan on getting more hose and some decent foggers. Your quick deployment idea is a must an dI hope to incorporate that in part 2. Thanks for the ideas!

[@wesdianejones]

engineer775 Practical Preppers Second that MrReddok. The flow you have is only capable of knocking down a small or incipient fire. Really need 100 gpm minimum to stop a fire in the growth stage. A couple 10 lb extinguisher would be front line. Hard to put this in writing but the flow from that hose could get people in trouble. Feel like I'm being overly critical but the contents in our homes today (mine too) lead to rapid fire growth and deadly gases like Hydrogen cyanide. One or two deep breaths are deadly. See NFPA for great info. Always great practical info engineer775!! Keep it up! Can't wait to see that gas job and you on knob at 150 gpm!

[@EarthshipFreedom]

Very COOL!

[@Lu-cho]

2020 Abc news just make a video about firefighters invented a pump so home owners can rent this for $300 a month and they need to prepare the machine for the firefighters to used.

[@Theinatoriinator]

yeah that company is a scam, 300$ a month is stupid. you can buy all the high grade equipment+fire retardant gel injector/concenrtare for 2500 which is like 10 months of that scam company. www.jjsfiresupply.com/productlistcategory.asp?urll=Home_Wildfire_Protection_Systems&category=21 heck you can get permanent systems and extra buckets of foam/gel concentrate.

[@AN-xq1lt]

How much pressure do you expect to get for every 50' of 1-3/4" line out of the filter ? As a Firemen of 12 years with multiple Certs including Pump Ops & Truck Co Ops I, II, III, I think this is a great idea however I'd need a minimum of 100' of handline to efficiently attack say a room & contents fire in my house and this is if I ran the line through a window, not around my house.

[@coolkid72860]

ever thought of calling 911?

[@thugasaurusrex6004]

coolkid72860 you realize that calling 911 and then getting there takes a while right? Every second counts :/ also, you call 911 while you're doing this, he even said that.

[@mikeholtorf9483]

Adding more hose will decrees the garden hose equivalent flow he has now do to friction loss. It is a fun idea but not anything better than a garden hose.

[@Aldo-zp8wk]

Just turn it on already!

[@chev385]

buy a 1/2 h.p. well booster pump. and connect it to 300' of 1" forestry hose, and you will still flow more water than that squirt gun ur play'n with there. you would get around 60-90 psi, and increase your discharge distance significantly. in the event of a wild fire you wouldn't put up much a fight with that thing.

[@jbr1074]

THIS IS WHY I SUB!

[@johnjaco5544]

My garden hose pisses more than that,you ain't gonna put out squat with that.

[@RCvolunteer1978]

Five years ago the back yard neighbor house burn down I was putting water on the house from my garden hose but it was 1/2 inch Fire truck arrived I stop but they did not start fighting the fire until 30 minutes later arrival I had the back of their house wet for a good 10 waiting for them to show up but I was not in their yard I needed an extra hose the neighbor just Panic running around screaming not helping to save the house /// I you thought of posting two garden sprinklers one at each end of the house, for forest / wild fires ashes ambers flying in the air setting it to 360 both on the house and on the surrounding yard for grass fire protection ?

[@zurvivemine4972]

can u go over more efficint famrs like aqaponics and orther things?...more efficent means less space

[@georgewashington8338]

Awesome

[@BRHood]

PRESSURE RELIEF ADJUSTABLE (GRANGER)

[@kevino3866]

What a great idea!

[@tylernorton583]

why not run a permanent line to your shop so its on a total diff breaker box. lmao he said who am I lol

[@brianwilliams-se5jy]

Shoulda patented it just saw girl from LA on shark tank claiming her dad invented it 😔

[@lummoxlewis70]

your program is TIGHT!!

[@john6218att]

smaller forestry hose would give you more psi at the nozzle . I was thinking of using my gas powered pressure washer to really give me the psi and smaller hose would be easier to work with .

[@jessiemullen6185]

Check out on facebook new group, "Personal Fire Protection Equipment of homeowner, prepper, and homesteader." Just like this guy video homemade upto factory bought equipment.

[@zach9620]

you need a more poweful pump

[@kennethschultz6465]

3000Watt @ 110 1500Watt @ 220 Do the Math

[@realworldprepper]

While I commend you for your ingenuity, I have to say I do not recommend anyone attempting to fight a fire inside their home. The consequences of doing so - without proper personal protective equipment (such as a firefighter's turnouts & SCBA) and intensive, professional skills based training - will likely lead to serious injury and/or death. Gone are the days when you could crawl in on your belly, sucking air from the floor and battle a fire. Modern home furnishings and finishes are much more flammable than combustible, they produce very intense heat and toxic smoke, modern construction techniques and materials lead to rapid fire spread and structural collapse. Staying inside and fighting a fire is just not a survivable option anymore. If, after you first get everyone out and called the fire department, you can't put it out with a small home chemical fire extinguisher, get out yourself. Close doors and windows as you go, do a head count, treat any injuries, disconnect utilities (if possible to do safely), and then if you must fight the fire from a safe distance outside using a system like the one in the video. A large volume of water through a broken window into the closed room on fire may contain it until help arrives. Do not reenter the house. It just isn't safe. And, before anyone says anything about my being wrong and not knowing what I am talking about, I started fighting fires (structural and otherwise) nearly 40 years ago. It has sort of become the family business, with three relatives still doing it. And, they all agree. So, if your level of training and experience doesn't equal or surpass ours in this area, you are not really qualified to gauge whether I am wrong or not. I wouldn't argue with a neurologist about brain surgery, and he should argue about firefighting with me. Get good working smoke detectors, install them where you should, change the batteries twice a year. hold fire drills in the home, have a family meeting place and an alternate, practice fire safety and don't be a hero to save anything but a life. I'll get down off my soap box now.

[@tinolamartini]

I rather have this than worry about these safety/serious injury stuff, at least I have something for "quick draw"and add a layer for my prep, buying time during fire before the pros arrive, and valuable peace of mind. What you said is right and respect to your experience and expertise, but again these are for those who are preppers who want a tool just in case, and some can even be off the grid and help is a hundred clicks away....(or simple fun water spray for kids during summer)...but I Imagine a small bush fire around my house and not having this... jmfcw

[@realworldprepper]

Doods Dayto First, thanks for your input. You make a valid argument which I agree with - in part. I understand wanting an additional layer of protection. My previous replies to many of Scott's videos will show if I am about anything at all, when it comes to preps, it is redundancy. "One is none, two is one", etc. And, if you read my reply to this video carefully, you'll see I didn't state it was a bad idea to have the capability - and, it isn't. In fact, I have considered including similar measures in my own prepping. I also plan to follow the rest of my own advice: "Get good working smoke detectors, install them where you should, change the batteries twice a year, hold fire drills in the home, have a family meeting place and an alternate, practice fire safety and don't be a hero to save anything but a life." My point was only not to take the extremely life threatening risk to reenter the structure to fight a fire without proper training or equipment, and to not turn a terrible situation - a house fire - into a tragic one - a fatal house fire. I strongly urge you to heed the advice of thousands of firefighters - not just me - to "Get out, and stay out". But, having said that, it's up to each individual to choose. I'd just rather hear you only lost your house, not your house and your life.

[@TNoahr]

firefighting pumps that you can buy to use with your pool for fighting fires I am surprised that you did not do better research on this if you are an engineer you should know what it would take to be actually a good amount of pressure for fighting fires. I don't believe that pump would work very well