Not only is skill

necessary, but
safety also falls
into play

Fire hose is a
very common
source of
fireground
injuries
 21/2” to 6” Flexible,
hard Intake Hose

Used primarily to draft

water from an open water
source
Rubber covered, fabric and wire
reinforced, and rubber lined
Designed to withstand the partial
vacuum created when drafting
without collapsing
11/2” to 5” impregnated single-jacket,
polymer covered, fabric reinforced,
polymer lined
Smaller sizes
are used for
attack lines

Larger sizes
are typically
used as
supply lines
11/2” to 6” woven-jacketed, rubber lined
11/2” to 3” - primarily
used for attack
hoses
4” to 6” -
primarily used
for connecting
to hydrants
 Hose coupling are typically
constructed of brass, aluminum,
or magnesium alloys
 Hose coupling are typically
constructed of brass, aluminum,
or magnesium alloys
 Hose coupling are typically
constructed of brass, aluminum,
or magnesium alloys
 Male coupling has external threads

Female coupling has internal threads

Threaded Couplings
Shank - the point of attachment to the hose

Attached to the hose by being placed over the

hose exterior and held in place by an expansion
ring inside of the hose
Lugs: assist in making and loosening connections

Pins: not Rocker: most

common common
with newer
hose Recessed: usually
on booster hose
Male couplings have
lugs on the shank

Female coupling have

lugs on the swivel
Higbee cut: special Higbee indicator: an
thread design where the indention on the lugs
beginning of the thread is marking where the
cut to help the coupling Higbee cut begins
thread and eliminate
cross-threading
Storz Couplings
“Sexless” couplings:
identical and neither male
or female types
Connected or
disconnected with a
quarter turn

Storz couplings on large

diameter hose must have
locking devices on them
to comply with NFPA 1963
Quarter-Turn Couplings
Two hook-like lugs on
each coupling
Lugs are grooved on the
underside and extend past
a raised ring on the open
end of the coupling
The lug of one coupling
slips over the ring of the
other coupling and rotates
clockwise to lock
NONTHREADED COUPLINGS ADVANTAGES

Hose can be
coupled quickly
No risk of cross-
threading
connections
Since couplings are
identical, adapters
are not needed to
connect coupling
NON-THREADED COUPLINGS DISADVANTAGES
If a connection is not
complete, hose can
become uncoupled
violently
Hydrants require an
adapter to attach non-
threaded couplings
Dirt and debris can be
lodged inside the
coupling's grooves
 COUPLING HOSE

Foot Tilt
Method
Place one foot behind the male coupling
Apply pressure to tilt it upward
Bring the couplings together and turn the
swivel completely onto the male end and align
the flat sides of hose in same plane
 COUPLING HOSE

Over-the-
Hip Method
Bring female coupling over the hip
Attach the male coupling while
holding the hose in place using the
hip
 COUPLING HOSE

Knee-Press
Method
Stand male coupling on end
Place the female coupling onto the male and
place a knee onto the hose above the female
coupling
Keep thigh in vertical plane with coupling and
apply body weight to connections
 COUPLING HOSE

Two-Fire
Fighter
Method
One fire fighter holds the male coupling with both
hands against the upper thigh
This fire fighter looks away to prevent trying to help
align the couplings
The second fire fighter brings the female coupling to
the male coupling and completes the connection
UNCOUPLING HOSE Knee-Press
Method
Stand male coupling on
end

Place the female coupling

onto the male and place a
knee onto the hose above
the female coupling
Keep thigh in vertical
plane with coupling and
apply body weight to
connections
UNCOUPLING HOSE
Two-Fire Fighter Stiff-Arm Method
Both fire fighters hold each coupling
and press toward the other

Keeping their arms

stiff and using
their weight, they
turn each coupling
to loosen the
connection
CAUSES OF FIRE HOSE DAMAGE
Mechanical - worn places, rips, and abrasions

Avoid laying or pulling

hose over sharp or
rough corners
Prevent vehicles from
running over hose
Open and close
nozzles, valves, and
hydrants slowly to
prevent water hammer
CAUSES OF FIRE HOSE DAMAGE
Mechanical - worn places, rips, and abrasions

Change position of
bends when loading

Provide chafing
blocks to prevent
abrasions
Avoid excessive
pump pressures
CAUSES OF FIRE HOSE DAMAGE
CAUSES OF FIRE HOSE DAMAGE - THERMAL DAMAGE

Excessive heat
can:
Melt or weaken
fabric
coverings
Dry the rubber
lining

Protect from excessive heat

when possible
If fire hose becomes frozen to an ice-
covered surface, it can be removed by:
Melting the ice with
steam-generating
devices

Chopping the hose

loose with axes - all
cuts must be away
from the hose
Leaving the hose in
place until the
weather warms
If fire hose has frozen:
Avoid using exhaust
manifold heat from
apparatus because of
the heat produced

Wait until thawed

before folding the hose

If hose can be
uncoupled, load the
hose onto a flatbed
vehicle and take it to a
location where it can
be thawed
CAUSES OF FIRE HOSE DAMAGE
If mildew is found on hose:
Scrub the outer
jacket with a
very mild soap
and bleach
solution (5% in
water)
Rinse well
Dry completely

Inspect within a few days for mildew

If hose has been exposed to chemicals, scrub
it with a solution of bicarbonate of soda and
water
Test hose for possible damage that may have
occurred
Dispose of hose contaminated by haz mat
Hose left in a hosebed for a long time can
deteriorate and crack at the sharp folds
Hose loads should be removed and
replaced every six months
When reloading the hose, make sure the
folds are not in the previous locations
NFPA requires that hose be inspected and
service tested:
INSPECTING FIRE HOSE
Check the
expansion rings at
both ends of the
hose for burrs,
looseness, or
damage

Check inner lining of hose at both

hose couplings for signs of
cracks, age, or defects
INSPECTING FIRE HOSE
Check outer hose
jacket for signs of:
Mechanical
damage such as
cuts, abrasions,
tears, dirt, or
stress
Heat damage
Mold or mildew
damage
Chemical damage
INSPECTING COUPLINGS
Check coupling for:
Chips, burrs, or
damage
Shape and out-of-
roundness damage
Tightness and
proper mounting on
hose
Function and
freedom of
movement
Hard rubber and rubber-jacket hose can be
cleaned with water and a mild detergent

Remove dirt and dust by sweeping

Wash with water and mild
detergent
High-pressure power
washers can cause the
jacket to separate from
the lining
 Never dry
hose on hot
pavement in
direct
sunlight
Air dry on
rack or in a
hose tower

Commercial
hose dryers
are
available
Hose should be
stored rolled on hose
racks in well-ventilated areas
CARE AND MAINTENANCE OF COUPLINGS
Avoid dropping or
dragging couplings
Do not permit vehicles to
run over hose
Examine couplings when
hose is washed and dried
Use soapy water to free
swivels; do not oil
Use a brush to remove
dirt and tar from threads
 Hose Appliances:
allow water to flow through them

Ball valves
Used in pumper discharges and gated wyes
Open when the handle is in line with the hose
Gate Valves

Used to control the flow

from a hydrant
Uses a baffle moved by
a handle and screw
arrangement
BUTTERFLY VALVES

Used on large
pumper intakes
Uses a flat baffle
operated by a
quarter-turn
handle
CLAPPER VALVES
Used in siamese
appliances and
fire department
sprinkler system
connections

Allows water to flow only one

direction and prevent water from
flowing from unused ports
Gated Wye Appliances

Divides one
hose into two
or more with
ball valves to
control the
flow
Most common: 21/2” inlet to two 11/2” outlets
Used to
combine two
or more hoses
into one
hoseline or
appliance

Will have two or more female connections

coming in and a male discharge exiting
Will have clapper valves to allow one hose to be
attached without water flowing from the open
connections
 Allow a supply line to be
connected to a hydrant and
charged

Additional hoselines can

be laid to the hydrant, a
supply pumper connected
to the hydrant and
pressure boosted without
interrupting flow to the first
supply line
 Elbows: change the
water flow direction

Hose caps: to
close off male
couplings

Hose plugs: to
close off female
couplings
 Suction hose strainers:
attached to hard suction
to prevent debris from
entering the pump

Low-level strainers
Used with portable
water dump tanks

Allows water to be
drafted from the tank
when near the tank
bottom
 Hose tools:
water does not flow through hose tools

HOSE ROLLER Used to prevent damage

to hose when being
dragged over roof
edges and windowsills

Can also be
used to protect
rope from
similar edges
 Leather hose jacket:
wrapped around the hose
leak and buckled
Used to stop the flow of
water in a hoseline to:
Prevent charging hose
in the hose bed during
hose laying
Replacement of a burst
section of hose
Extend a hoseline without shutting down
the water supply
Allow advancement of a charged line up
stairs
Hydraulic
press
Apply at least 20 feet behind
the apparatus
Apply about 5 feet from the
coupling on the incoming
water side
Center the hose evenly in the
clamp jaws to avoid pinching
the hose
Close and open the clamp slowly
Stand to one side when using a press-down
clamp in case the handle suddenly snaps open
 Used to prevent
hose damage from
vehicles crossing it
Can be used as
chafing blocks

Used to protect hose where it is subject to

rubbing from vibrations
A hose roll can be placed under hose as a
chafing block
Aids in carrying and handling
charged hoselines
Gives a secure means to handle
pressurized lines
Can be used to secure ladders to
fixed objects
Straight Roll
simplest of
all rolls

Used for:
Storage
Loading hose
on apparatus
Carrying hose to quarters for washing
Straight Roll Start rolling the hose at male
end to protect threads and
roll hose from male end to
female
Lay out the hose straight and
flat on a clean surface
Roll the male coupling over
onto the hose to start
Continue rolling the coupling
over onto the hose to form an
even roll
Lay the completed roll on the
ground and tamp any coils
down into the roll with a foot
DONUT ROLL
For situations
when hose is
going to be
deployed
from the roll
for use

Both ends are available

Can be quickly unrolled
Hose is less likely to spiral when unrolled
 Lay the hose in straight line
DONUT ROLL
Start the roll about five feet off
center closer to male coupling
Roll toward the female end,
leaving sufficient space at the
center loop to insert a hand
for carrying
Extend the short length of
hose at the female end over
the male threads to protect
them
The couplings should be
within about 12-inches of each
other
 TWIN
DONUT
ROLL
A compact roll
transportable
for special
application,
such as high-
rise situations

Both couplings ends are available for unrolling

TWIN DONUT ROLL
Place the male and female
couplings together and lay the
hose flat forming two parallel
lines
Fold the loop
end over and on
to the two lines

Roll both lines

simultaneously
to the couplings
 Self-locking twin
donut roll: same
features as twin
donut but hose is
secured together
using a portion of
the hose itself

High-rise packs:
usually several lengths
of 11/2" or 13/4" hose
plus selected tools
and appliances
HOSE Rear:
BED toward
the rear
of the
May be apparatus
divided to
hold two
or more
separate
hose Front:
loads toward
the front
of the
apparatus
Dutchman
A short fold or
reverse bend
in a hose load
Changes the
direction of
hose and the
location of a
coupling
FLAT LOAD
Easiest to load and
suitable for any size
hose

Hose is less subject

to wear by vibration
Hose fold have sharp
bends so the hose should
be reloaded periodically
to change bend locations
and prevent lining
damage
FLAT LOAD
Lay the first length
flat along the side of
the bed or partition

Fold the hose back

on itself at the front
and lay it back to the
rear on top of the
first length
Fold the hose at the
rear
FLAT LOAD
Lay the next length back
to the front, angling it to
the side of the first
length for the next
length

Continue placing the

hose in the same
manner across the bed
Start the second layer in
the same method
ACCORDION LOAD
Easy to load and
advance
Hose sets on edge
Places bends at
each end of hose
bed
All flakes are about
the same length
ACCORDION LOAD
Lay the first section of
hose in the bed on
edge against the bed
side
Fold the hose at the
front of the bed and
back on itself
Lay the hose back to
the rear next to the
first length
Continue laying
lengths of the hose to
the front and rear
ACCORDION LOAD
HORSESHOE Fewer bends than
LOAD accordion or flat loads
Hose is loaded on edge
around the perimeter of
the hose bed in a “U”
shape
Each length is laid from
the outside toward the
inside
When laid, hose typically
comes out in a wavy or
snakelike lay on the
ground
HORSESHOE
LOAD
Place the female coupling
in a front corner of the
bed
Lay the first length along
the bed wall
Make the first fold even with the rear of the bed
Bring the hose back to the front of the bed along the first
length and place it along the outer perimeter of the bed to
the opposite side
Make a fold at the end and lay the next length along the
perimeter inside of the first length
Continue placing additional lengths along the inside of
the preceding lengths
 COMBINATION
- SPLIT
LOAD

Used with split hose beds

Allows for a forward lay from the water

source to the fire and a reverse lay back to
the water source
The hose on one side of the hose bed is
loaded with the female coupling exposed
 COMBINATION
- SPLIT
LOAD

The second side of the hose bed is loaded

with the male coupling exposed
A double-female adapter is used to
connect the two beds together
Can be a flat, accordion, or horseshoe
load
 Another version
can be with LDH
supply hose on one
side and smaller
attack line on the
other side
The LDH can be used for the pumper to lay
its own supply line
The smaller diameter hose can be used for
a supply line when less water supply is
needed
 Hose load finishes are
loaded to provide
enough hose for a
hydrant connection or a
working line at a scene
Finishes for forward lays
(straight lay) are not as
elaborate as finishes for
reverse lays

Reverse lay finishes are

designed to provide hose
at the scene for initial fire
attack
Straight Finish
Last length or two
flaked loosely on top
of hose load
Usually used as supply
line in forward lay
operations from
hydrant
Hydrant wrench and
gate valves should be
strapped to hose near
female coupling
REVERSE HORSESHOE LOAD FINISH
Similar to the horseshoe
load except the bottom of
the “U” portion of the
horseshoe is at the rear of
the hose bed
Usually made of one or two
100-foot lengths of 21/2” or
3” hose with a wye
connecting two 11/2” or 13/4”
attack lines with nozzles
attached
Large loop is at rear of hose
bed to aid in advancement
Primary lines
for fire attack

Connected to
a pump
discharge and
a nozzle
preconnected
for quick
deployment
Can be carried on apparatus in:
Longitudinal beds: divided
hose beds with supply lines
on one side and preconnected
lines on the other
Raised trays
Transverse beds: referred to
as “crosslays”
Tailboard compartments
Side compartments or bins
Front bumper wells
Reels
Preconnected Similar to the
Flatload flatload for supply
lines
Often used as
crosslays
Loops are placed
at regular intervals
within the load for
pulling from the
bed
 LOADING A PRECONNECTED FLATLOAD

Attach the female coupling

to the discharge outlet

Lay the first length of hose

flat in the bed against the
sidewall
Angle the hose to lay the
next fold adjacent to the first
fold and continue building
the first tier
 LOADING A PRECONNECTED FLATLOAD
Make a fold that extend about 8”
beyond the bed at a point about
one-third the total length of the
load (serves as a pull handle)

Continue laying the hose

building each tier across the
bed

Make a fold that extends about

14” beyond the load at a point
about two-thirds the total length
of the bed for a pull handle
TRIPLE LAYER LOAD
The hose is folded in
three layers outside of
the bed
The three folds are
placed in the bed in an
“S” shaped fashion
Designed to be pulled by
one fire fighter
The entire load must be
pulled from the bed
before used
 LOADING A TRIPLE LAYER LOAD
Start the load with
sections of hose
connected and the
nozzle attached
Connect the female
coupling to the
discharge

Extend the hose in a straight line from the hose

compartment
Pick up the hose at a point two-thirds of the
distance from the apparatus to the nozzle
 LOADING A TRIPLE LAYER LOAD
Carry this hose to
the truck

Using several fire

fighters, pickup
the entire length
of the three layers
Begin laying the hose in to the bed by folding
over the three layers into the hose bed
Fold the layers over the front of the bed
Continue to lay the hose into the bed in an “S”
shaped configuration until the length is loaded
MINUTEMAN LOAD
Designed to be pulled and
advanced by one person
The load is carried on the
shoulder and plays off of the
top
Can be awkward when
wearing SCBA
If load is in a single stack, it
may collapse on the shoulder
if not held tightly
 BOOSTER HOSE REELS

Rubber-covered hose
carried preconnected
and coiled on reels
Booster lines have a
maximum output of 40
gpm
Should never be used
for interior fire attack
Should only be used for
low-intensity fires and
mop-up
 Fire fighters
must remain
seated whenever
apparatus is
moving

When laying hose, the apparatus should

travel no faster than 5 to 10 mph to allow the
coupling to clear the tailboard as the hose
leaves the hose bed

Hose should be laid to one side of a roadway

but not in the gutter
Hose is laid from the
water source to the
fire
Often used when
hydrants are
available and the
pumper must be at
scene
For forward lays, the
first coupling to
come off the hose
bed is female
One member of the crew is
temporarily unavailable by
staying at the hydrant to
connect the hose and open
the hydrant

A second may be needed

to boost the flow pressure
if a long lay of 21/2” or 3”
hose is necessary or the
hydrant has inadequate
pressure
 A four-way hydrant valve allows for a
forward-laid supply line to be charged and
another pumper to connect to the hydrant

The second pumper can

supply additional supply
lines or boost the pressure
to the original line

Some departments
preconnect the hydrant
valve to the end of the
supply line in the hose bed
The pumper stops at the hydrant and the fire
fighter dismounts and goes to
the tailboard of the apparatus

Enough hose is grabbed to

reach the hydrant
The fire fighter steps off the
tailboard with the hose

The hose is looped around

the hydrant and the driver is
signaled to proceed to the
scene
A cap is removed is
removed from the
hydrant and the
hydrant wrench placed
on the stem operating
nut

When enough hose

has played from the
apparatus hose bed,
the hose is unwrapped
from the hydrant
The hose is
connected to the
open outlet (a
hydrant valve may
also be used)

When signaled,
the hydrant is fully
opened
 Hose is laid
from the fire
to the water
source

Allows a pumper to go to the fire and then lay

a supply line to a water source for drafting
operations or to boost hydrant pressure

Hose is loaded so the male coupling comes

off the bed first
 Used when
setting up
relay
pumping
operations
The biggest disadvantage is that all
needed fire equipment and attack hose
must be unloaded at the scene before the
pumper proceeds to the water source
 The first-arriving
pumper goes directly
to the scene to start
the initial attack using
water from its tank

A second pumper lays

hose from the attack
pumper to the water
source and relays
water to the attack
pumper at the scene
Sufficient hose is
pulled to reach the
intake valve on the
attack pumper

The hose is anchored

under the wheel on
the attack pumper as
the supply pumper
proceeds to the water
supply
Fire fighters may have to
assist pumper operators
with making hydrant
connections following a
reverse lay

Hard intake which is marked “For Vacuum Use

Only” should not be used for hydrant connections

The first point in making these connections is

that the pumper must be positioned properly
for the length of hose to be used
 By dividing a hose bed into two or more
sections, multiple lines can be laid
If a split hose bed is set up for forward or reverse
lays, hose may be laid in the following:
Two lines in forward lay
Two lines in a reverse lay
Forward lay followed by reverse lay
Reverse lay followed by forward lay
Two lines laid forward followed by one or more in a
reverse lay
The method to pull preconnected hoselines
varies with the type of hose load

One arm is placed through the

longer loop
The shorter is grasped with the
same hand
The nozzle is grasped with the
other hand
The load is pulled from the bed
using the loops
The fire fighter walks toward the
fire until the hose is fully extended
The nozzle and fold of the first tier is placed over
the shoulder

The fire fighter walks away

from the apparatus,
pulling the hose
completely out of the bed
The folded end is dropped
when the hose has cleared
the bed
The nozzle is then
advanced until the line
has been fully extended
Performs two
tasks at once -
water drains as
the hose is
picked up

Hose should be
in a straight
line, no bends,
before starting
Pick up one end
and allow water to
flow forward

Place the coupling

in front of body
with hose looped
over shoulder
Walk down the
hose, placing
loops on
shoulder
 Stand next to the hose at a
coupling or nozzle, facing the
direction of travel
Place the hose over the
shoulder with the coupling or
nozzle in front
Hold the coupling or nozzle
and pull with the shoulder
Position other fire fighters at each coupling to
assist in advancing the hose
 All fire fighters should
be on the same side
of the hose

The fire fighter on the

line just behind the
nozzle operator should
be close enough to help
relieve hose pressure
from the operator

Other fire fighters on the line should be spaced

apart to help maneuver the hoseline
Feel door for heat before
opening

Bleed air before entering

Set nozzle pattern for

desired configuration

Stay low and out of doorway

when opening the door

Block doors open to prevent

the hose from being
pinched by the door
Advance the line using
the working line drag

Position fire fighters

along the route to help
feed the hose and keep
it on the outside of the
staircase

Advance up the stairs

against the outside wall,
maintaining spacing
between personnel
Make a large loop
of hose on the
floor above the fire
floor for excessive
line before
advancement

Advance the hose

down the stairs to
the fire floor using
the working line
drag
Position personnel about 25 feet apart and
facing the nozzle for shouldering the line
Fire fighters place hose bundles on their
shoulders to advance
After their shoulder loads have
played out, the last fire fighters on
the line should position
themselves along the stairs to
help feed the hose
The hoseline should be advanced
down the stairs against the
outside wall avoiding sharp bends
Advance the line using
the working line drag

Position fire fighters

along the route to help
feed the hose and keep it
on the outside of the
staircase
Advance down the stairs
against the outside wall,
maintaining spacing
between personnel
 Many fire departments prepare
high-rise packs or high-rise hose
bundles to be carried to up to fire
floors
Normally hose is connected
to a standpipe one floor below
the fire floor
The standpipe connection is
usually in or near the stairwell
If in an enclosed stairwell, the hose may be
hooked to the standpipe on the fire floor
At the standpipe connection,
remove the outlet cap and
check for foreign objects in
the discharge
Connect the hose to the
standpipe outlet

If 11/2” or 13/4” hose in used, a

gated wye should be placed
on the standpipe outlet

Any extra hose should be

flaked up the stairs
 An improvised standpipe can be used to
supply hoselines to the upper levels of an
older building without a standpipe
Interior stairway stretch
Labor-intensive and only used
in stairwell with an open shaft
or stairwell in the center
An uncharged hoseline is
suspended in the middle of the
stairs instead of laying it on the
stairs
 An improvised standpipe can be used to
supply hoselines to the upper levels of an
older building without a standpipe
Interior stairway stretch
Hose rolls are carried up the
stairs, secured to hand rails,
and the end lowered to where
another section is attached

Hose is secured to hand rails

for support at intervals
Position fire fighters about 10 feet apart on the
same side of the line and facing the nozzle

The lead fire fighter drapes the

nozzle over the shoulder from
the front on the side which the
hose is being carried
The other fire fighters drape
the hose over their shoulder on
the same side
The fire fighters climb the
ladder, limiting one fire fighter
per fly section
Position fire fighters on a ladder within reach
of each other with each secured to the ladder

Each fire fighter must be

secured with a leg lock

Fire fighters on the ground

extend the charged hose up
to the fire fighter lowest on
the ladder
The hose is then pushed
from fire fighter to fire
fighter
The hose is secured to the ladder with a hose
strap several rungs below where the nozzle
operator is standing
All personnel on the ladder
must be secured to the
ladder
The fire fighter at the nozzle,
projects it through the ladder
and secured it to the ladder
with a strap
The nozzle should be opened
only after all personnel are
secured to the ladder
Operating small handlines: 11/2”, 13/4”, 2”:
One-fire fighter method

Fire fighters should never be assigned to

operate a hoseline alone except during
overhaul or at small nuisance fire

If one fire fighter is

operating a small
hoseline, the
hoseline should be
straight behind the
nozzle for at least
10 feet
Operating small handlines: 11/2”, 13/4”, 2”:
One-fire fighter method

The fire fighter should

hold the nozzle with one
hand and the hose with
the other

When standing, the hose

is cradled against the
inside of the closest leg
or hold it against the hip

A foot in placed on the

hose to anchor it in place
Operating small handlines: 11/2”, 13/4”, 2”:
Two-fire fighter method

A minimum of
two fire fighters
should be on an
attack line in an
interior attack

The fire fighter at the nozzle holds it

with one hand with the other hand
on the hose behind the nozzle
Operating small handlines: 11/2”, 13/4”, 2”:
Two-fire fighter method

The backup fire

fighter stands on
the same side of
the hose about
three feet behind
the nozzle
operator

The second fire fighter holds the hose

with both hands and rests it against the
hip or braces it with a leg
Operating small handlines: 11/2”, 13/4”, 2”:
Two-fire fighter method

The backup fire

fighter should keep
both hands on the
hose and not place
a hand on the back
or shoulder of the
nozzle operator

The backup fire fighter’s job is to keep the

hose straight and take some of the pressure
off of the nozzle operator
Operating 21/2” and larger fire streams
One-fire fighter unaided with high-pressure loop

A large loop is formed

with the hose behind
the nozzle

The loop is crossed

over the line about two
feet behind the nozzle

The fire fighter sits

where the loop crosses
and directs the stream
Operating 21/2” and larger fire streams
Two-fire fighter Method - Grounding

The nozzle operator

holds the nozzle and
rests the line against the
waist and across the hip

The backup fire fighter

holds the hose with both
hands and places one
knee on the hose about
three feet behind the
nozzle operator
Operating 21/2” and larger fire streams
Two-fire fighter Method – Rope Hose Tools

The nozzle operator places a rope hose tool just

behind the nozzle and places a large loop
behind the back and over the outside shoulder
The rope hose tool is
wrapped on the line
behind the nozzle
operator
The backup fire fighter
also uses a rope hose
tool about three feet
behind the nozzle
operator
Operating 21/2” and larger fire streams
Three-fire fighter Method

The nozzle operator is in the same position as

with the two-person method

Some departments
prefer the first back up
fire fighter directly
behind the nozzle
operator to relieve some
of the back pressure
The third fire fighter
kneels on the hose
behind the second fire
fighter
Bring an additional
section(s) of hose to
the nozzle

Apply a hose clamp correctly at

approximately five feet behind nozzle and
open nozzle

Remove the nozzle and attach the new line

Stretch the line out and reattach the nozzle
Slowly release the hose clamp
Use two sections to replace one
section because hoselines stretch
under pressure
Apply a hose clamp approximately
five feet behind coupling of
damaged section
Remove the burst section
Replace one defective section with two lengths
Flake hose out avoiding kinks
Slowly release the hose clamp
Can be a very
dangerous
situation
because of the
whipping of a
pressurized
hoseline
 The fire fighter must be in full protective
gear with the faceshield lowered
The fire fighter then kneels onto the hose
about 30 to 40 feet from the uncontrolled end
of the line
Moving cautiously, the fire fighter crawls
toward the uncontrolled end

The end is pinned to

the ground to control
it until the line can
be shut down
Close the valve at the pumper or use a hose
clamp at a stationary point on the line

Kink the hose away from the break

Form a loop in the line by bending the line
over itself
Apply body
weight to the
bend to kink
the hose and
stop the flow of
water
Acceptance testing (proof testing)
Pre-service tests performed at the factory or
after delivery to assure it meets specifications
Done at pressures higher than anticipated in
the field
 Pressurized hose during testing is
potentially dangerous
In April 2000, a Georgia fire chief died from
head injuries when a coupling separated from
a hose jacket during hose service testing
All personnel operating in the
area of hose testing should
wear at least a helmet and be
at least 15 feet away from the
pressurized hose
Hose testing machine or pumper
Hose test gate valve: a hose test gate valve with
a one-quarter inch hole in the gate which permits
the hose to be pressurized but not surge if the
hose fails should be used
Hose test records
Tags or means to
identify failed sections
Nozzles with shut off
valves
Marking equipment
 Keep a written
record of the
test

Visually inspect
the hose for
damage and all
gaskets before
testing
 Mark the hose behind
the couplings to
determine if any move
or begin to separate
under pressure

All hose lays for

testing must be no
longer than 300 feet
Each lay must have
a nozzle on the end
 Pressure is slowly
raised as the lines
are filled and the air
bled from each line

The pressure is
reduced and the lines
shut down to check
for leaks and the
couplings are
tightened
The pressure is
again increased
for the test
Hose should be
tested to the testing
pressure recommended by the manufacturer,
which is normally printed on the hose
Attack fire hose is to be tested to a minimum of 300
psi or a pressure not to exceed the service test
pressure marked on the hose
Supply fire hose is to be tested to a minimum of 200
psi or a pressure not to exceed the service test
pressure marked on the hose
The recommended
pressure is held on the
hose for 3 minutes
After the allotted time, the
pressure is slowly
decreased and the lines
emptied
All hoses should then be
checked for slipped
couplings

All defective hoses must

be marked for repairs
Improperly
used, fire hose
can be
dangerous to
both fire
personnel and
the public and
damage
property
beyond what a
fire has done