Which of the following is NOT a defective stream factor?

• A. Kink in line
• B. Insufficient pressure
• C. Air in line
• D. Worn nozzle

Answer: (D)

The key idea is distinguishing issues in the water path from problems with the discharge device. Defective stream factors refer to problems that occur within the hose line or at the pump that directly degrade the stream’s quality—things like a kink in the line that narrows the path, insufficient pressure that reduces velocity and volume, or air in the line that causes surging and an uneven flow. A worn nozzle, however, is a condition of the discharge nozzle itself and affects the pattern or flow at the outlet, not the integrity of the stream as it travels through the hose. Because the question asks for what is not a defective stream factor, a worn nozzle is the correct distinction: it’s an equipment issue at the nozzle rather than a factor that compromises the stream along the line.