Philly Pipelines?

[CAM502 6]

Hey so what is a Pipeline?? It looked like an Engine. Does it carry only supply lines? Anyone with info?

[IzzyEng4 427]

Hey so what is a Pipeline??  It looked like an Engine.  Does it carry only supply lines?  Anyone with info?

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As far as I know it's a standard engine comapny that has a pump rated for 1500 to 2000 gpm and has at least 1500 feet of five inch supply line.

I say check out pafirefighter.net or centralpafire.com, they might have links to those companies that run "pipeline" engines. I think some NJ companies that boarder PA run pipelines as well.

[tbendick 27]

From my last visit to Philly the info they gave me about Pipeline Engines is that they come from the old 2 piece Engines. One Engine was a pumper and one was a wagon carrying all the supply house. When they changed to just one Engine, a bunch were designed as "Pipelines" carrying the LDH. They even call the pipeline over the radio and everything. They kinda of remind me of a FDNY 2000gpm merged with the satelittle.

[CAM502 6]

Thanks Guys.

[Guest]

it is a regular engine with a 5'' hose. it is only one engine, they stopped running 2 engines because they the second engine couldnt fit in the house because the houses are only big enough to fit one tiller and an engine and a medic unit. it still performs regular medical runs and responds to fires. it is a one piece engine. all of our pipeline units are:

pipeline 3- 1991 seagrave

pipeline 5- 1995 kme

pipeline 19- 1996 kme

pipeline 20- 1991 seagrave

pipeline 28- 1991 seagrave

pipeline 34- 2003 american lafrance

pipeline 40- 2003 american lafrance

pipeline 49- 1991 seagrave

pipeline 50- 1995 kme

pipeline 52- 1995 kme(ex-engine 55)

engine 62- 1991 seagrave??? not completely sure

[Guest]

As stated above, A pipeline is a pumper with LDH 4'' or larger, and a 1500gpm or larger pump.

In the SE Pennsylvania area I have seen some stations jump on the Philly FD band wagon, and call there trucks Pipeline, although some did not have the 1500gpm or larger pump, required to be called that. Some stations only added 5'' hose, no couplings or appliances, no 5'' discharges etc. to the pumper.

Here are some interesting facts;

5'' hose was around in Germany back in the 1950's

5'' hose eliminates the need to use two piece engine companies, that is a truck on a hydrant and another at the fire. Thus, a 1000' length of 5'' can save the need of another truck.

Hose comes in larger sizes than 5''. Some refinerys in TX have 8'' and I here 12'' hose. This stuff is for low pressure of cource, and comes in 600' lengths that are stored on a reel and cut to length at the fire. (usualy a very large tank or refinery fire)