What should the minimum length of a tank fill line be for fire apparatus with a water tank of 1000 gallons or less?

For a fire apparatus with a water tank capacity of 1000 gallons or less, the minimum length of the tank fill line typically should be 1 inch in diameter. This specification is important because a 1-inch fill line is generally sufficient to allow for efficient filling of smaller tanks without creating excessive back pressure or taking too long to fill the tank.

Using a line that is too large, such as 1.5 inches or more, may not be necessary for this size of tank, as it can lead to complications with flow management and may not significantly increase fill rates compared to the 1-inch line. Therefore, the 1-inch diameter serves as an optimal balance between adequate flow capacity and handling practicality for tanks of this size. The choice of line size should always consider factors like system pressure, the specifications of the pump, and the intended use of the fire apparatus.