Basic Firefighter Written Practice Exam

Which type of stream is noted for its inability to have an adjustable pattern?

1. Fog stream

2. Solid stream

3. Hollow stream

4. Foam stream

The correct answer is: Solid stream

A solid stream is characterized by its continuous flow of water with little to no breaking up of the water into vapor or smaller droplets. Because of its form, it lacks the ability to be adjusted to create different patterns, unlike other types of streams such as fog streams or hollow streams, which can be manipulated to create varying patterns or distributions. In firefighting, a solid stream is typically used for direct attacks on fires, allowing for maximum reach and penetration, making it highly effective in certain scenarios. However, the lack of adjustability in its pattern makes it less versatile in situations where spreading the water over a larger area might be beneficial for cooling or controlling fire spread.