How close must a fire engine be to a static water source in order to be able to draft directly from it?

When drafting directly from a static water source, the fire engine typically needs to be positioned within a close proximity to ensure that the suction system can effectively draw water. Positioning the fire engine too far away can lead to issues such as inadequate lift and increased friction loss in the hose, making it difficult or even impossible to maintain adequate flow.

The correct requirement is that the fire engine should be within twenty feet of the water source. This close distance helps minimize the lift needed to draw water, allowing the apparatus to take full advantage of natural gravitational forces and the pump's ability to create a vacuum. It also reduces the pressure loss that may occur over longer stretches of suction hose.

While some sources may allow for drafting beyond this distance under certain conditions, the twenty-foot distance is a standard recommendation that offers the best balance of efficiency and reliability in drafting operations.