For high rise operation the driver/operator should pump and maintain a discharge pressure of

• A. 100 psi
• B. 150 psi
• C. 200 psi
• D. 125 psi

Answer: (B)

In high-rise operations you have to overcome both the vertical lift to reach upper floors and the friction losses along a long hose or standpipe. The pump discharge pressure is chosen so that, after these losses, the nozzle still receives the required operating pressure.

Setting the discharge at around 150 psi gives enough headroom to overcome the elevation gain and friction for typical standpipe/hose runs, so the nozzle can still deliver the needed flow with the proper nozzle pressure (often about 50 psi for many attack lines). If the hose length, height, or required flow are greater, you’d raise the pump discharge accordingly; for shorter or lighter setups, it can be lower. The key idea is balancing pump discharge pressure with the losses to ensure adequate pressure at the nozzle.