Nozzle pressure for a 1¾-inch handline at typical flows is?

• A. About 10–20 psi.
• B. About 80–100 psi.
• C. About 0-5 psi.
• D. About 50–60 psi at the nozzle, depending on nozzle type and flow.

Answer: (D)

Nozzle pressure is the pressure at the nozzle itself that produces the chosen flow and spray pattern. For a 1¾-inch handline at typical firefighting flows, you generally target about 50–60 psi at the nozzle. The exact value depends on the nozzle type (smooth bore vs. fog) and the desired flow rate, but this range is the standard starting point because it balances achievable GPM with a reliable, controllable pattern. The pump discharge pressure must overcome hose friction losses so the nozzle ends up with roughly that 50–60 psi, which is why changing flow or nozzle design will shift the required nozzle pressure within that range. Other options are either too low to deliver the usual flows on a 1¾-inch line or unnecessarily high for this common setup.