What is the maximum theoretical lift when drafting?

The maximum theoretical lift when drafting refers to the ability of a pump to lift water from a source such as a river or a pond when creating a vacuum. In the context of firefighting operations, understanding the limits of this lifting capability is crucial for effective water supply management.

A value of 33.9 feet represents the ideal maximum lifting distance that can be achieved under perfect conditions, assuming a variety of factors such as atmospheric pressure and the physical properties of water are optimal. This measurement is based on the principle that at sea level, atmospheric pressure can support a column of water that’s approximately 33.9 feet high. Therefore, if all conditions are right, this is the maximum depth you could theoretically draft water from before the suction loses effectiveness due to the limitations imposed by atmospheric pressure.

In practical applications, other factors such as temperature, pump performance, and system inefficiencies may lower this maximum lift. However, knowing that 33.9 feet is the theoretical limit helps in understanding what can be expected in real-world scenarios when attempting to draft water.