How math is used in firefighting - Research Paper Example

Mathematics in Fire fighting “The history of organized fire fighting d back at least to Ancient Egypt, where hand-operated pumps may have been employed to extinguish fires” (Wikimedia Foundation, Inc). In Europe, fire fighting was quite rudimentary until the 17th century. Today, fire and rescue remains a mix of paid, call, and volunteer responders. Many but not all urban areas are served by large, paid, fire brigades” (Wikimedia Foundation, Inc).“Fire-fighters are rescuers extensively trained primarily to put out hazardous fires that threaten civilian populations and property, to rescue people from car accidents, collapsed and burning buildings and other such situations” (Wikimedia Foundation, Inc).

According to the website XP Math, there are at least 20 Math topics that fire fighters need to know. Some of these fall under the realms of Basic Math/Algebra, First Year Algebra (which includes the use of formula), Geometry and Computer (T.L. Hui). Algebra is used in fire fighting hydraulics specifically in calculating the flow rates and capacities (WikiAnswers.com). There are fire fighting terms such as total engine pressure and nozzle pressure. “Total Engine Pressure is the amount of pressure (psi) that the fire pump (on the truck) is sending through the hose line.

The engineer calculates the total engine pressure to adjust for changes in elevation pressure so that the nozzle can receive the correct amount of water pressure (in psi)” (San Bernardino Professional Fire Fighters). There is also the concept of nozzle pressure. It stands for “the amount of pressure that the nozzle requires to deliver the proper amount of water to the fire” (San Bernardino Professional Fire Fighters). To calculate the accuracy of this, mathematicians have created the nozzle pressure formula, given as:Where n – nozzle pressure in psi, t – total engine pressure and h – change in elevation.

This formula “can be used to find out what the nozzle pressure is for a given height with a specific total engine pressure” (San Bernardino Professional Fire Fighters).There are other applications of math in fire fighting. Math is being used in perimeter, fractions, ratios, percentage and area of burns. The perimeter of burn is “the distance around the fire or along the hand line” and it is “determined by adding the lengths of the various lines that enclose the black area of a fire” (SEM and Missoula Fire Science Lab).

There are also hydraulic concepts regarding the use of water in wildland firefighting. “These include determining weight of water, a description of factors related to friction loss, and a review of basic drafting guidelines, volume, pump pressure calculations, and flow rate” (SEM and Missoula Fire Science Lab). Specifically volume is used by fire fighters to how many minutes will the tank get empty given the total gallons per minute used. “Friction loss is the resulting resistance as water (fluid) moves along the inside wall of hose, pipe, or hose fittings” (SEM and Missoula Fire Science Lab).

It is very important to know the friction loss because “the pressure at which the pump is working must be increased or decreased to compensate for the head loss or gain along with the friction losses, in order to produce the desired nozzle pressure” (SEM and Missoula Fire Science Lab). These are just some of the applications of math in fire fighting. Some of the mathematics application includes calculating flame length and flame height and calculating fuels for fire behaviour. Works CitedSan Bernardino Professional Fire Fighters.

31 March 2006. http://www.sbcalliance.org. 16 April 2009 .SEM and Missoula Fire Science Lab. Fire Fighter Math. 16 April 2009 .T.L. Hui. http://xpmath.com. 2009. 16 April 2009 .WikiAnswers.com. http://wiki.answers.com. 2009. 16 April 2009 .Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. http://en.wikipedia.org. 14 April 2009. 15 April 2009 .