What is the maximum lift that fire apparatus can have due to the impossibility of achieving total vacuum during field operations?

The maximum lift that fire apparatus can realistically achieve is 25 feet due to the limitations of atmospheric pressure and the engineering design of fire pumps. In practice, achieving a total vacuum is impossible because while the theoretical maximum lift can be calculated to be around 33.8 feet, the friction and viscosity of water, as well as other factors in the field, significantly reduce this practical lift. Therefore, 25 feet is the generally accepted maximum lift for suction operations with fire apparatus, ensuring effective water supply under most operational conditions. This figure reflects the need for reliability when drafting water, as attempting to exceed this lift could hamper water flow and impede firefighting efforts.