Skip to main content

Table 3.1 Water Handling Unit Estimations

Description
ID = Inner Diameter
Rounded Values
Used in
U.S. Measure
Field Estimations
GOOD TO MEMORIZE
ID = Inner Diameter
Volume (Capacity)
U.S. Measure
Volume (Capacity)
One hose length    
1-1/2-in ID x 100 ft 9 gal 9.2 gal
1-in ID x 100 ft 4 gal 4.1 gal
3/4-in ID x 50 ft 1 gal 1.2 gal
5/8-in ID x 50 ft 1 gal 0.8 gal
     
  Weight Weight
1 gal of water at 20°C 8 lb 8.3 lb
     
  Pressure Pressure
1 ft of water head (1 in2 column of water) 0.5 psi 0.434 psi
Atmospheric pressure 15 psi @ sea level 14.7 psi @ sea level
1,000 ft increase in elevation 0.5 psi decrease in atmospheric pressure 0.5 psi decrease in atmospheric pressure
     
  Draft (lift) Draft (lift)
1 in of mercury 1 ft 1.134 ft
1,000 ft increase in elevation 1 ft loss 1 ft loss
Maximum theoretical lift 34 ft 33.9 ft
Maximum attainable lift with new pump 29 ft * 29.4 ft
Maximum practical attainable lift 22 ft 22.4 ft

 

* Pump lift varies with pump efficiency, which decreases proportionately to the hours of use.

NWCG Latest Announcements

Updated NWCG Standards for Airtanker Base Operations, PMS 508

Date: March 31, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Airtanker Base Operations Unit

The updated NWCG Standards for Airtanker Base Operations (SABO), PMS 508 standardizes operations and procedures at interagency airtanker bases to ensure safe, efficient, and effective operations in support of interagency goals and objectives.

References:

NWCG Standards for Airtanker Base Operations, PMS 508

WFSTAR 2025 Core Component Module Package and 2024 Fire Year in Review Now Available

Date: March 14, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Joe Schindel at mschindel@blm.gov
 

The 2025 Core Component Module Package for RT-130, Wildland Fire Safety Training Annual Refresher (WFSTAR) and the 2024 Fire Year in Review are now available on the NWCG website. The 2025 Core Component Module Package provides all content needed to deliver RT-130.

References:

2025 Core Component Module Package

2024 Fire Year in Review Module

NEW! NWCG Wildland Urban Interface Mitigation Field Guide, PMS 053

Date: March 12, 2025
Contact: Wildland Urban Interface Mitigation Committee

The NWCG Wildland Urban Interface Mitigation Field Guide, PMS 053 provides mitigation practitioners at all experience levels with recommendations on the most effective and efficient ways to accomplish mitigation work in communities at risk to wildfire damage or destruction. The content in this guide was written in coordination with the NWCG Standards for Mitigation in the Wildland Urban Interface, PMS 052.

References:

NWCG Wildland Urban Interface Mitigation Field Guide, PMS 053 

Updated, NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Module Operations, PMS 430

Date: March 11, 2025
Contact: Fire Use Subcommittee
Wildland Fire Module Unit

The NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Module Operations, PMS 430 standardizes procedures and expectations for Wildland Fire Modules (WFMs). These standards are to be used by staff, supervisors, specialists, and technicians for planning, administering, and conducting WFM operations. These standards will also be used as a measure of WFM qualifications, capabilities, and expected performance, for both Type 1 and Type 2 WFMs.

References:

NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Module Operations, PMS 430