What is the relationship between hose length and friction loss?

The relationship between hose length and friction loss is significantly tied to the dimensions of the hose and the way water flows through it. When the length of the hose increases, the friction loss also increases due to the greater surface area in contact with the water flowing through it. This is primarily due to viscosity and turbulence that occurs over longer distances.

Thus, shorter hose lengths result in lower friction loss because there is less distance for the water to travel, which means there is less interaction between the water and the hose interior. This allows for a more efficient flow with minimized energy loss from friction. Therefore, by using a shorter length of hose, firefighters can maintain higher water pressure and flow rates at the nozzle, which is critical for effective firefighting operations.

Understanding this relationship is crucial for effectively managing water supply and pressure at the scene of a fire, helping ensure that firefighters have the resources they need to control and extinguish the fire efficiently.