Fire Service Hose Firefighter II. Copyright and Terms of Service Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2011. These materials are copyrighted © and trademarked

Fire Service HoseFirefighter II

Copyright and Terms of Service

Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2011. These materials are copyrighted © and trademarked ™ as the property of the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and may not be reproduced without the express written permission of TEA, except under the following conditions:

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2Copyright © Texas Education Agency 2011. All rights reserved.Images and other multimedia content used with permission.

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Fire Service HosePart I

Copyright © Texas Education Agency 2011. All rights reserved.Images and other multimedia content used with permission.

Fire Hoses

• Manufactured in different diameters, each for a specific use.– Usually cut and coupled

in lengths of 50 or 100 feet, but longer lengths are available

– Referred to as lengths or sections


Fire Hose Construction


Intake Hose

• Intake hose – used to connect fire apparatus to a water source

6

• Soft intake hose or soft sleeve hose– Used to transfer water

from a pressurized source to the pump intake

– 2½ inches to 6 inches in diameter


Intake Hose (continued)

• Hard intake hose or hard suction hose– Primarily used to draft water

from a static source– Can be used to siphon water

from one portable tank to another in water shuffle operations

– Has a steel core (helix) to prevent it from collapsing when drafting

– 2½ to 6 inches in diameter7Copyright © Texas Education Agency 2011. All rights reserved.

Images and other multimedia content used with permission.

National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) Standards

• NFPA 1961 – Standard on Fire Hose• NFPA 1963 – Standard for Fire Hose Connections (couplings

and threads)• NFPA 1901 – Standard for Automotive Fire Apparatus

– Requires pumpers to carry:• 15 feet of large soft intake hose or 20 feet of hard intake hose• 800 feet of 2½-inch or larger fire hose• 400 feet of 1½-, 1¾-, or 2-inch attack hose

– The lengths and sizes may be increased, depending on departmental needs.


Fire Hose Damage

• Mechanical damage• Covering damage

(rips, slices, abrasions)• Crushed or damaged couplings• Cracked inner linings• Damage prevention

– Don’t pull over rough or sharp edges or objects.– Use hose ramps (bridges) to protect hoses from being run over.– Open and close nozzles, valves, and hydrants slowly.– Change fold positions when reloading hose on apparatus.– Use chafing blocks to prevent abrasions when hose vibrates at or near the

pumper.– Avoid excessive pump pressure on the hoselines.


Fire Hose Damage (continued)

• Thermal damage– Caused by excessive heat, direct contact and

sunlight– Damage prevention

• Protect hoses from exposure to excessive heat.• Don’t allow hoses to remain in a heated area once dry.• Use moderate temperatures for mechanical drying

(warm air is much better than hot air).• Keep the outsides of woven-jacket hoses dry when not

in use.


Fire Hose Damage (continued)• Thermal damage

– Damage prevention (continued)• To keep the liner soft, run water through a hose that has not been

used.• To keep the liner from drying out, roll dry hoses in a straight line

for storage.• Prevent hoses from coming in contact with vehicle exhaust.• Use hose bed covers on apparatus to protect hoses from the sun.



• Organic damage– Woven jacket hose

• Cotton or other natural fibers• Subject to mildew and mold

– Damage prevention• Don’t keep wet hoses loaded on apparatus.• Inspect, wash, and dry hoses that have been contaminated• Remove, inspect, sweep, and reload hoses that have not been

unloaded from apparatus for 6 months.• Make sure hoses are folded at different points when reloaded.• Inspect and test hoses annually and after possible damage.


Fire Hose Damage (continued)• Chemical damage

– Some chemicals and chemical vapors can damage the outer jacket and/or cause the rubber lining to separate from the inner jacket.

– Some products may weaken a hose to the point where it can burst under pressure (paints, acids, Petroleum based, Alkalis).

– Runoff water may also contain contaminates that can damage a hose.



• Chemical damage (continued)– Damage control

– Scrub hoses thoroughly and brush off traces of acid contact with a solution of baking soda and water (baking soda neutralizes acids).

– Periodically remove hoses from apparatus, wash them with plain water, and let them dry.

– Test hoses if you suspect damage.– Don’t lay hoses in gutters or next to the curb where vehicles

park; there may be an accumulation of oil or acid from car batteries.

– Dispose of hoses according to department Standards of Procedures (SOPs) if they cannot be decontaminated.


Care and Maintenance• Washing hoses – the method is

dependent upon its type– Rinse the following hose types with

clear water and use mild soap if necessary:

• Hard rubber booster hose• Hard intake hose• Rubber jacket collapsible hose

– Woven jacket hose• Dust and dirt should be thoroughly brushed

and swept.• If the dirt can’t be removed, wash and scrub

it with clear water and a brush.15Copyright © Texas Education Agency 2011. All rights reserved.

Images and other multimedia content used with permission.

Care and Maintenance (continued)

• When a hose has been exposed to oil:– Wash it with a mild soap or detergent, using a common

scrub brush or straw broom, and a stream of water from a garden hose.

– Once the oil is removed, rinse it thoroughly with clear water.


Care and Maintenance(continued)

• Hose washing machines– The most common type washes

hoses up to 3 inches in diameter.– The flow of water can be adjusted;

the movement of water assists in propelling the hose through the machine.

– The hoseline can be connected to the pumper or to a hydrant directly; the higher the water pressure, the better the results.


Care and Maintenance(continued)• Cabinet-type machines

– Wash, rinse, and drains fire hoses– Designed to be used in the station– Can be operated by one person, and can be used

with or without detergent


Care and Maintenance(continued)• Drying hoses

– Fire hoses should be dried before being stored.– Woven jacket hoses should be dried before being put back on the

apparatus.– The methods used to dry hoses depend on the hose type.– Hoses should be dried according to department SOPs and the

manufacturer’s specifications– The following may be put back on the apparatus while wet:

• Hard rubber booster hose• Hard intake hose• Synthetic jacket collapsible hose


Care and Maintenance(continued)

• Storing hoses– After a hose is brushed, washed, and dried, it should be rolled and

stored in its rack, unless it is to be placed back on the apparatus.– Hose racks should be located in clean, ventilated rooms or close to

the apparatus room for easy access.– Racks can be freestanding or mounted on a wall.– Mobile hose racks can be used to store and move hoses from

storage rooms to the apparatus for loading.


Fire Hose Couplings

• Coupling types– Threaded couplings

• Male or female couplings with spiral threads

• Either three- or five-piece type

– Nonthreaded couplings• Couplings with no male or

female components (Storz Couplings or sexless couplings)

• Commonly found on large-diameter hoses


Fire Hose Couplings (continued)

22

The male coupling is fixed to the hose and does not swivel while the female coupling swivels on the fixed shank.


Lug Types

23

Extended lugs

Female coupling with pin lugs

Male and female couplings with rocker lugs.

Booster hose couplings with recessed lugs


Gasket Types

• Swivel gasket – used to make the connection water-tight when female and male ends are connected

• Expansion-ring gasket – used at the end of the hose where it is expanded into the shank of the coupling


Coupling Care Rules

• Avoid dropping and/or dragging couplings.• Keep vehicles from running over hose couplings.• Inspect couplings when a hose is washed and dried.• Remove the swivel gasket and twist the swivel in

warm, soapy water.• Clean the threads to remove tar, dirt, gravel, and oil.• Inspect the gasket and replace it if it is cracked or

creased.


Fire Service HosePart II


Hose Valves

• Valves control the flow of water and are used in hose appliances.

• Water travels through appliances.

27

Ball valve Gate valve


Hose Valves (continued)

28

Butterfly valveClapper valve


Hose Valve Devices

• Allow the number of hoselines to be increased or decreased.

• Used in wye appliances, siamese appliances, water thief appliances, large diameter hose appliances, and hydrant valves.


Hose Valve Devices (continued)

30

Gated Wye – 1 female inlet, 2 male outlets

StorzManifoldorWater Thief

Siamese2 female inlets, 1 male outlet

Older type large-diameter manifold


Hydrant Valves


32

Hydrant Valves (continued)


Fittings

• Adapters – fittings for connecting hose couplings with dissimilar threads but the same inside diameter

• Reducer – an adapter used to attach a smaller hose to a larger hose. The female end has the larger threads, while the male end has the smaller threads.

33

Double Female Adapter Double Male Adapter Reducer


Fittings (continued)

• In some areas, hydrants are equipped with sexless adapters on the main discharge (steamer connection).


Fittings (continued)

• Elbow adapter– Reduces stress on the hose

connected to the pump and prevents kinks in the hose

– Elbows may be permanently attached to pump intakes or discharges.


Intake Devices• Intake strainers keep

debris from entering the pump.

• Floating strainers keep the hard intake hose away from the bottom and reduce the amount of debris that may clog the strainer.


Hose Tools

• Hose rollers – prevent mechanical damage to hoselines that cross windowsills or wall parapets

• Hose jackets – can be used or applied to a hose to temporarily repair a rupture or leak– 2½ and 3 inches– Can also connect mismatched or damaged screw thread

couplings


• All are used to stop the flow of water in a hoseline for the following reasons:– To prevent charging a hoseline– To replace burst sections of a hose– To extend a hoseline– To advance a charged hoseline up stairs

Hose Clamps

38

Hydraulic Press

Screw down Press down


Hose Clamp Application Rules• Apply at least 20 feet behind apparatus.• Apply within 5 feet of the coupling on the incoming

water side.• Center the hose evenly in the jaws to avoid pinching

the hose.• Close and open the hose clamp slowly to avoid

causing a water hammer.• Stand to one side when applying or releasing any

type of hose clamp (the operating handle or frame can snap open suddenly).


Other Tools

• Hydrant wrench – removes caps from hydrant outlets and open hydrant valves

• Spanner – tightens or loosens couplings• Rubber mallet –tightens or loosens intake hose

couplings and helps get an airtight connection at the pump

40

Various types of spanners and hydrant wrenches


Other Tools (continued)

• Hose bridges (ramps) – designed to permit the movement of traffic over a hose while protecting the hose from damage

• Chafing blocks – prevent abrasions to hose jackets at points of contact with the ground where pump or water vibrations are likely


Other Tools (continued)

• Hose straps are used to– Reduce stress on the nozzle operator– Improve the mobility of a charged

hoseline

• Hose ropes and chains are used to– Carry and pull a fire hose– Provide a secure means to handle

pressurized hoselines– Secure a hose to ladders and other fixed

objects


Fire Service HosePart III


Hose Rolls• Straight roll used:

• When loaded back on the apparatus at the fire scene• When returning a hose to the station for washing• When placing the hose in rack storage• For easy loading of the minuteman load


Hose Rolls (continued)

• Donut roll– Used to give firefighters control of both couplings,

while protecting them from damage– The hose deploys out with fewer twists and kinks– Facilitates connecting to other couplings– Can be performed by one or two firefighters


Hose Rolls (continued)

Twin donut roll

46

Self-locking twin donut roll


Hose Loads and Finishes

• Hose bed – the main hose-carrying area of a pumper or other piece of apparatus designed to carry hoses

• Finish – the arrangement of the hose, usually placed on top of a hose load and connected to the end of the load; also called a hose load finish


Hose Loading Guidelines• Check gaskets and swivels before connecting any couplings.• Keep the flat sides of the hose on the same plane when

connecting; lugs do not need to be aligned.• Hand-tighten the couplings; never use wrenches or excessive

force.• Remove kinks and twists from fire hoses, then bend them to

form a loop in the hose bed.• Make a Dutchman when you need to change the direction or

location of a coupling.• Load LDH (3½ inches or larger) with all couplings near the

front of the bed to save space and allow the hose to lie flat.• Do not pack hose too tightly.


Common Hose Loads

49

Flat Roll


Hose Load Finishes

50

Straight Finish

Reverse Horseshoe Finish

Skid-LoadFinish


Preconnected Hose Loads• Primarily used for attack lines• Connected to discharge valves and

placed away from the main hose bed

• Range from 50 to 250 feet long• Carried in

– Longitudinal beds– Raised trays– Transverse beds (cross lays)– Tailboard compartments– Side compartments/bins– Front bumper wells (jump lines)– Reels


Common Preconnected Loads

52

PreconnectedFlat Load

Triple Layer Load

Booster Hose Reels


Hose Lays

53

Forward lay• Extends from the

water source to the fire scene

• Has the female coupling loaded to come out of the hose bed first


Hose Lays (continued)

54

Reverse lay• Used to extend the fire

hose from the fire to the water source

• The male coupling is usually located at the back of the hose bed.

• A nozzle or gated wye may be attached to the coupling.


Hose Lays (continued)

55

Split lay• Deployed by two pumpers, one making a forward lay

and one making a reverse lay from the same point


Making and Breaking Hose Connections • Foot-Tilt Method

– Stand facing the two couplings.

– Place a foot on the hose behind the male coupling.

– Apply pressure to tilt it upward.


Making and Breaking Hose Connections (continued) • Foot-Tilt Method (continued)

– Grasp the female end by placing one hand behind the coupling and the other hand on the coupling swivel.

– Bring both couplings together and turn the swivel clockwise with your thumb.


Making and Breaking Hose Connections (continued) • Two-Firefighter Method

– Firefighter One• Grasp the male coupling

with both hands.• Bend the hose behind the

coupling.• Hold the coupling and hose

tightly against the upper thigh, or midsection, with the male threads pointed outward.


Making and Breaking Hose Connections (continued)• Two-Firefighter Method

– Firefighter Two• Grasp the female coupling

with both hands.• Bring the couplings

together and align them.• Turn the female coupling

counterclockwise until it clicks.

• Turn the female swivel clockwise to complete the connection.


Making and Breaking Hose Connections (continued)

60

• Knee-Press Method (Uncoupling)– Grasp the hose behind the female

coupling.– Stand the male coupling on end.– Set your feet well apart for

balance.– Place one knee upon the hose

and shank of the female coupling.– Snap the swivel quickly in a

counterclockwise direction while applying body weight to loosen the connection.


Resources

• 0135151112, Essentials of Firefighting (5thEdition), International Fire Service Training Association (IFSTA).

• Images used with permission from IFSTA.


Documents

Fire Service Hose Firefighter II. Copyright and Terms of Service Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2011. These materials are copyrighted © and trademarked