Essentials of Fire Fighting,

5^th Edition

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Chapter 13 — Fire Hose

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Firefighter I

Chapter 13 Lesson Goal

• After completing this lesson, the student shall be able to use, care for, and perform maintenance on fire hose, couplings, hose appliances, and tools and perform various hose loads and finishes according to the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ).

Firefighter I

Specific Objectives

1. Discuss fire hose sizes.

2. Describe types of fire hose damage and practices to prevent such damage.

3. Discuss general care and maintenance of fire hose.

Firefighter I

(Continued)

Specific Objectives

4. Distinguish between characteristics of threaded couplings and nonthreaded couplings.

5. Discuss care of fire hose couplings.

6. Describe the characteristics of hose appliances and tools.

Firefighter I

(Continued)

Specific Objectives

7. Describe common hose rolls.

8. List general hose loading guidelines.

9. Describe common hose loads.

10. Describe hose load finishes.

11. Discuss preconnected hose loads for attack lines.

Firefighter I

(Continued)

Specific Objectives

12. List guidelines when laying hose.

13. Describe the basic hose lays for supply hose.

14. Describe procedures for handling preconnected and other hose.

Firefighter I

(Continued)

Specific Objectives

15. List general safety guidelines that should be followed when advancing a hoseline into a burning structure.

16. Discuss procedures for advancing hose.

17. Describe techniques for operating hoselines.

Firefighter I

(Continued)

Specific Objectives

18. Inspect and maintain hose. (Skill Sheet 13-I-1)

19. Make a straight hose roll. (Skill Sheet 13-I-2)

20. Make a donut hose roll. (Skill Sheet 13-I-3)

Firefighter I

(Continued)

Specific Objectives

21. Couple a hose. (Skill Sheet 13-I-4)

22. Uncouple a hose. (Skill Sheet 13-I-5)

23. Make the accordion hose load. (Skill Sheet 13-I-6)

24. Make the horseshoe hose load. (Skill Sheet 13-I-7)

Firefighter I

(Continued)

Specific Objectives

25. Make the flat hose load. (Skill Sheet 13-I-8)

26. Make the preconnected flat hose load. (Skill Sheet 13-I-9)

27. Make the triple layer hose load. (Skill Sheet 13-I-10)

Firefighter I

(Continued)

Specific Objectives

28. Make the minuteman hose load. (Skill Sheet 13-I-11)

29. Connect to a hydrant using a forward lay. (Skill Sheet 13-I-12)

30. Make the reverse hose lay. (Skill Sheet 13-I-13)

Firefighter I

(Continued)

Specific Objectives

31. Advance the preconnected flat hose load. (Skill Sheet 13-I-14)

32. Advance the minuteman hose load. (Skill Sheet 13-I-15)

33. Advance the triple layer hose load. (Skill Sheet 13-I-16)

Firefighter I

(Continued)

Specific Objectives

34. Advance hose — Shoulder-load method. (Skill Sheet 13-I-17)

35. Advance hose — Working line drag method. (Skill Sheet 13-I-18)

36. Advance a line into a structure. (Skill Sheet 13-I-19)

Firefighter I

(Continued)

Specific Objectives

37. Advance a line up and down an interior stairway. (Skill Sheet 13-I-20)

38. Advance an uncharged line up a ladder into a window. (Skill Sheet 13-I-21)

Firefighter I

(Continued)

Specific Objectives

39. Advance a charged line up a ladder into a window. (Skill Sheet 13-I-22)

40. Extend a hoseline. (Skill Sheet 13-I-23)

41. Simulate the procedure for controlling a loose hoseline. (Skill Sheet 13-I-24)

Firefighter I

(Continued)

Specific Objectives

42. Replace a burst hoseline. (Skill Sheet 13-I-25)

43. Operate a charged attack line from a ladder. (Skill Sheet 13-I-26)

Firefighter I

Fire Hose

• Produced in different diameters, each for specific purposes
• Size refers to outside diameter
• Most commonly cut, coupled into pieces of 50 or 100 feet (15 or 30 m)

Firefighter I

(Continued)

Fire Hose

Firefighter I

Intake Hose

• Used to connect fire department pumper or portable pump to water source
• Two groups
• Soft intake hose
• Hard intake hose

Firefighter I

NFPA^® Standards

• NFPA^® 1961, Standard on Fire Hose, lists specifications for fire hose
• NFPA^® 1963, Standard for Fire Hose Connections, lists specifications for fire hose couplings and screw threads

Firefighter I

(Continued)

NFPA^® Standards

• NFPA^® 1901, Standard for Automotive Fire Apparatus, requires pumpers to carry varying sizes/amounts of hose

Firefighter I

Fire Hose Damage — Mechanical

• Slices, rips, abrasions �on coverings
• Crushed/damaged �couplings
• Cracked inner linings
• Certain practices prevent damage

Firefighter I

Fire Hose Damage — Thermal

• Excessive heat/direct flame contact can char, melt, weaken outer jacket and dehydrate rubber lining
• Inner linings can be dehydrated when hose hangs to dry too long
• Certain practices prevent damage

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Firefighter I

Fire Hose Damage — Organic

• Rubber-jacket hose not subject to damage caused by living organism, but this is a problem on hose with woven jacket of natural fiber if stored wet
• Mildew, mold rot fibers of hose jacket, causing hose to rupture under pressure

Firefighter I

(Continued)

Fire Hose Damage — Organic

• If outer jacket made of synthetic fibers, will resist organic damage
• Outer jacket of some natural-fiber hose has been chemically treated to resist mildew, mold; not always 100 percent effective
• Certain practices prevent damage

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Firefighter I

Fire Hose Damage — Chemical

• Chemicals, chemical vapors can damage outer jacket on hose or cause rubber lining to separate from inner jacket
• When hose exposed to petroleum products, paints, acids, alkalis, may be weakened

Firefighter I

(Continued)

Fire Hose Damage — Chemical

Firefighter I

Runoff water from fire may carry foreign materials that can damage hose

Certain practices prevent damage

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Washing Hose

• Method depends on type of hose
• Hard rubber booster hose, hard intake hose, rubber-jacket collapsible hose
• Woven-jacket fire hose

Firefighter I

(Continued)

Washing Hose

• When jacket exposed to oil
• Wash with mild soap/detergent using common scrub brush
• Make sure oil completely removed
• Thoroughly rinse with clear water

Firefighter I

(Continued)

Washing Hose

• Hose washing machines
• Can make care, maintenance easier
• Wash almost any size fire hose up to 3 inches (77 mm)
• Flow of water into device can be adjusted as desired

Firefighter I

(Continued)

Washing Hose

• Hose washing machines
• Movement of water assists in propelling hose through device
• Hoseline that supplies washer with water can be connected to pumper or used directly from hydrant
• Higher water pressure = Better results
• Cabinet-type machine

Firefighter I

Drying Hose

• Woven-jacket must be thoroughly dried before being reloaded on apparatus
• Methods depend on type of hose
• Should be in accordance with SOP, manufacturer’s recommendations
• Some may be placed on apparatus wet with no ill effects

Firefighter I

Storing Hose

• After hose has been brushed, washed, dried, should be rolled and stored in suitable racks unless it is to be placed back on apparatus

Firefighter I

(Continued)

Storing Hose

• Hose racks
• Located in clean, well-ventilated room or close to apparatus
• Can be freestanding on floor or mounted permanently on wall
• If mobile, can be used to store and move hose

Firefighter I

Threaded Fire Hose Couplings

• Consist of two major components
• Male — External threads
• Female — Internal threads

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Firefighter I

(Continued)

Threaded Fire Hose Couplings

• Disadvantage — One male, one female necessary to make connection unless double-male or double-female adapter used

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Firefighter I

(Continued)

Threaded Fire Hose Couplings

• Intake hose
• Sometimes equipped with two-piece female hose couplings on each end
• Threaded hose couplings on large intake hose equipped with extended lugs providing handles for attaching to hydrant outlet/pump intake

Firefighter I

(Continued)

Threaded Fire Hose Couplings

• Shank
• Portion of coupling that serves as point of attachment to hose
• Lugs
• Aid in tightening, loosening couplings
• Aid in grasping coupling when making, breaking coupling connections
• Types

Firefighter I

(Continued)

Threaded Fire Hose Couplings

• Higbee cut
• Special type of thread design
• Tends to eliminate cross-threading
• One rocker lug on each half of coupling has small indentation to mark where Higbee cut begins

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Firefighter I

Storz Couplings

• Referred to as sexless couplings
• No distinct male/female components
• Identical to, may be connected to other Storz couplings of same size
• Designed to be connected/disconnected with quarter turn

Firefighter I

(Continued)

Storz Couplings

• Have lugs, slots built into swivel rings of each coupling for locking
• Must have locking devices if attached to large-diameter hose

Firefighter I

Rules for Care of Fire Hose Couplings

• Avoid dropping/dragging
• Do not permit vehicles to run over hose
• Inspect couplings when hose washed/�dried
• Remove gasket, twist swivel in warm, soapy water

Firefighter I

(Continued)

Rules for Care of Fire Hose Couplings

• Clean threads to remove tar, dirt, gravel, oil
• Inspect gasket, replace if cracked/�creased

Firefighter I

Cleaning Fire Hose Couplings

• Hose-washing machines will not clean sufficiently
• Swivel part should be submerged in warm, soapy water and worked forward and backward

Firefighter I

(Continued)

Cleaning Fire Hose Couplings

• Male threads should be cleaned with stiff brush
• Wire brush may be necessary
• Swivel gasket
• Expansion-ring gasket

Firefighter I

Hose Appliances

• Any piece of hardware used with fire hose to deliver water

Firefighter I

(Continued)

Hose Appliances

• Valves
• Control flow of water in hoselines, at hydrants, at pumpers
• Ball valves
• Gate valves
• Butterfly valves
• Clapper valves

Firefighter I

(Continued)

Hose Appliances

• Valve devices
• Allow number of hoselines operating on fire ground to be increased/decreased
• Wye appliances
• Siamese appliances
• Water thief appliances
• Large-diameter hose appliances
• Hydrant valves

Firefighter I

(Continued)

Hose Appliances

• Fittings
• Connect hose of different diameters, thread types
• Adapter
• Reducers
• Elbows
• Hose caps
• Hose plugs

Firefighter I

(Continued)

Hose Appliances

• Intake strainers
• Devices attached to drafting end of hard intake to keep debris from entering fire pump
• Guidelines for use

Firefighter I

Hose Tools

• Hose roller
• Prevents damage to hose that can occur when dragged over sharp corners
• Consists of metal frame with two or more rollers
• Can be used for protecting rope from similar edges

Firefighter I

(Continued)

Hose Tools

• Hose jacket
• Can be installed on ruptured section of hoseline to temporarily close rupture
• Consists of hinged two-piece metal cylinder
• Made in two sizes
• Encloses hose so can operate at full power
• Can be used to connect hose with mismatched couplings

Firefighter I

(Continued)

Hose Tools

• Hose clamp
• Can be used to stop flow of water in hoseline
• Three types — Screw-down, press-down, hydraulic press
• Can injure firefighters/damage hose if applied incorrectly
• Several general rules for use

Firefighter I

(Continued)

Hose Tools

• Spanner
• Used to tighten/loosen couplings
• May have other built-in features

Firefighter I

(Continued)

Hose Tools

• Hydrant wrench
• Used to remove caps from hydrant outlets, open hydrant valves
• Equipped with pentagonal opening fitting most standard hydrant operating nuts
• May be equipped with spanner

Firefighter I

(Continued)

Hose Tools

• Rubber mallet — Strike lugs to tighten/loosen couplings
• Hose bridge/ramp
• Helps prevent damage to hose
• Should be used where hose laid across street
• Can be positioned over small spills
• Can be used as chafing blocks

Firefighter I

(Continued)

Hose Tools

• Chafing blocks
• Used to protect fire hose where subjected to rubbing from vibrations
• Useful where intake hose comes in contact with pavement
• May be wood, leather, old truck tires

Firefighter I

(Continued)

Hose Tools

• Hose strap, hose rope, hose chain
• Used to carry, pull fire hose
• Provide more secure means to handle pressurized hose when applying water

Firefighter I

Straight Roll

• Simplest
• Starts at one end, �usually male coupling; �to complete roll hose �toward other end
• When complete, female end exposed and male protected in center of roll

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Firefighter I

(Continued)

• Used in situations
• When loaded back on apparatus at fire
• When returned to quarters for washing
• When placed in storage
• Easy loading of minuteman load
• Methods to indicate need for repair/test

Firefighter I

Straight Roll

Donut Roll

• Used in situations where hose is likely to be deployed for use directly from roll

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Firefighter I

(Continued)

Donut Roll

• Advantages over straight roll
• Better control
• Hose rolls out easier
• Facilitates connecting to other couplings
• Can be performed by 1-2 firefighters

Firefighter I

Twin Donut Roll

• Works well on 1½-inch �(38 mm) and 1¾-inch �(45 mm) hose
• Creates compact roll �that is easily transported, carried
• If couplings offset about 1 foot (0.3 m), can be coupled together after roll tied

Firefighter I

Self-Locking Twin Donut Roll

• Twin donut roll with built-in carrying loop formed from hose itself
• Loop locks over couplings to keep intact
• Length of carrying loop may be adjusted

Firefighter I

Hose Beds

• Hose compartments on fire apparatus
• Vary in size, shape
• Sometimes built for specific needs
• Front of hose bed
• Rear of hose bed
• Split beds

Firefighter I

Hose Loading Guidelines

• Check gaskets, swivel before connecting couplings
• Keep flat sides of hose in same plane when two sections connected
• Tighten couplings hand-tight
• Remove kinks, twists when bent to form loop in hose bed

Firefighter I

(Continued)

Hose Loading Guidelines

• Make short fold/reverse bend in hose during loading so couplings not too close to front or rear of hose bed and will not flip over when pulled out of bed
• Load large-diameter hose with all couplings near front of bed
• Do not pack too tightly

Firefighter I

Accordion Load

• Derives name from manner in which it appears after loading
• Procedure
• Advantages

Firefighter I

Horseshoe Load

• Named for way it �appears after loading
• Procedure
• Advantage
• Disadvantages

Firefighter I

(Continued)

Horseshoe Load

• In single hose load, may be started on either side
• Steps for split hose bed

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Firefighter I

Flat Load

• Easiest to load
• Suitable for any size supply hose
• Best way for large-diameter hose
• Advantage
• Disadvantage

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Firefighter I

(Continued)

Flat Load

• May be started on either side of single hose bed
• In split hose bed, lay first length against partition with coupling hanging appropriate distance below hose bed
• Large-diameter hose

Firefighter I

Finishes for Forward Lays

• Designed to facilitate making hydrant connection
• Not as elaborate as finishes for reverse lays

Firefighter I

(Continued)

Finishes for Forward Lays

• Straight finish
• Last length or two of hose flaked loosely back and forth across top of hose load
• Associated with forward-lay operation
• Hydrant wrench, gate valve, adapters strapped to hose near female coupling

Firefighter I

Finishes for Reverse Lays

• Reverse horseshoe finish
• Similar to horseshoe load
• One or two 100-foot (30 m) lengths of hose
• Can be used with any size attack hose
• Can be used for preconnected line
• Can be loaded in two or three layers
• Can be pulled from bed for arm carry

Firefighter I

(Continued)

Finishes for Reverse Lays

• Skid load finish
• Folding last three lengths of hose into compact bundle on top of rest of load
• Begins by forming 3+ pull loops extending beyond end of hose load
• Rest of hose accordion-folded across hose used to form pull loops

Firefighter I

Preconnected Hose Loads for Attack Lines

• Primary lines used for fire attack by most departments
• Connected to discharge valve, placed in area other than main hose bed
• Range from 50-250 feet (15-75 m)
• Can be carried in several places

Firefighter I

Preconnected Flat Load

• Adaptable for varying �widths of hose beds
• Often used in transverse �beds
• Similar to flat load for large supply hose except
• Preconnected
• Loops provided to aid in pulling from bed

Firefighter I

Triple Layer Load

• Begins with hose folded �in three layers
• Designed to be pulled by �one person
• Disadvantage
• Can be used for all sizes attack lines
• Often preferred for larger lines

Firefighter I

Minuteman Load

• Designed to be pulled, �advanced by one
• Advantage
• Pays off shoulder as �firefighter advances toward fire
• Well suited for narrow hose bed
• Disadvantages

Firefighter I

Booster Hose Reels

• Used for booster lines
• May be mounted in any of several places on apparatus
• May be hand- or power-operated
• Should be loaded one layer at a time in an even manner

Firefighter I

Guidelines When Laying Hose

• Do not ride in standing position to lay hose when apparatus moving
• Drive apparatus at speed no greater than one that allows couplings to clear tailboard as hose leaves bed
• Lay hose to one side of roadway

Firefighter I

Forward Lay

• Hose laid from water source to fire
• Used when source is a hydrant and pumper must be positioned near fire
• Hose beds should be loaded so first coupling off is female
• Operation

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Firefighter I

(Continued)

Forward Lay

• Advantages
• Disadvantages
• Information for firefighter at hydrant
• Making hydrant connection
• Using four-way hydrant valves

Firefighter I

Reverse Lay

• Hose laid from fire to water source
• Used when pumper must first go to fire location so size-up can be made before laying supply line
• Most expedient way to lay hose if apparatus must stay close to water

Firefighter I

(Continued)

Reverse Lay

• Hose beds should be loaded so first coupling off hose bed is male
• Has become standard method for setting up relay pumping operation when using 2½-inch or 3-inch (65 or 77 mm) hose as supply line

Firefighter I

(Continued)

Reverse Lay

• Long lays of large hose may require pumper at hydrant to increase pressure in supply hose
• Most direct way to supplement pressure, set up drafting operations
• Disadvantages

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Firefighter I

(Continued)

Reverse Lay

• Procedures if operation involves two pumpers
• Does not require four-way hydrant valve
• Also used when pumper arrives at fire and must work alone for extended time

Firefighter I

(Continued)

Reverse Lay

• Making hydrant connections with soft intake hose
• Making hydrant connections with hard intake hose

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Firefighter I

Split Lay

• Any of a number of ways to lay multiple supply hoses with a single engine
• Various types
• If equipped with sexless couplings, direction of lay is unimportant
• May other options when hose bed is divided

Firefighter I

Pulling Preconnected Hoselines

• Preconnected flat load
• Minuteman load
• Triple layer load

Firefighter I

Other (Not Preconnected) Hoselines

• Usually 2½-inches (65 mm) or larger
• Wyed lines
• Shoulder loads from flat/horseshoe loads
• Shoulder loads from accordion or flat loads

Firefighter I

Working Line Drag

• One of quickest, easiest ways to move fire hose at ground level
• Use limited by available personnel

Firefighter I

Advancing Hoselines

• Difficult when deploying up or down stairways, from standpipes, up ladders, deep into buildings
• Easier when uncharged

Firefighter I

Guidelines When Advancing Hoseline into Burning Structure

• Bleed air from charged hoselines before entering
• Position nozzle operator, all members of hose team on same side of hoseline
• Check doors for heat before opening

Firefighter I

(Continued)

Guidelines When Advancing Hoseline into Burning Structure

• Stay low, avoid blocking ventilation openings
• Chock self-closing doors open
• Check for, remove kinks from line

Firefighter I

Advancing Hose Up Stairway

• Should be advanced up stairways uncharged when conditions allow
• Lay uncharged hose against outside wall to keep stairs clear as possible, avoid sharp bends and kinks in hose
• If possible, position firefighter at every turn/point of resistance

Firefighter I

Advancing Hose Down Stairway

• Advancing uncharged hoseline easier than charged
• Advancing uncharged line recommended only when no fire, very minor fire

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Firefighter I

(Continued)

Advancing Hose Down Stairway

• Excess hose should be flaked outside stairwall
• Firefighters must be positioned at corners, pinch points

Firefighter I

Advancing Hose From Standpipe

• Getting hose to upper floors of high-rise buildings can be challenging
• One solution is to have hose rolls or packs on apparatus ready to carry aloft and then connect to standpipe system

Firefighter I

(Continued)

Advancing Hose From Standpipe

• Hose must be brought to fire floor over aerial ladder or by interior stairway
• Crews normally stop one floor below fire floor and connect to standpipe
• If standpipe in enclosed stairwell, it is acceptable to hook up on fire floor

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Firefighter I

(Continued)

Advancing Hose From Standpipe

• Steps once at standpipe connection
• Be alert for pressure-relief devices and follow SOPs for removal/connection
• If using certain sizes of hose, place gated wye on standpipe outlet

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Firefighter I

(Continued)

Advancing Hose From Standpipe

• 2½-inch (65 mm) attack line may be used depending on size, nature of fire
• Extra hose should be flaked up stairs toward floor above fire
• During pickup operations, carefully drain water to prevent unnecessary damage

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Firefighter I

Advancing Hose Up Ladder

• Easier and safer with uncharged line
• Advancing charged line
• Operating hoseline from ladder

Firefighter I

Controlling Loose Hoseline

• Very dangerous because it may flail about or whip back and forth
• Firefighters, bystanders may be seriously injured or killed
• Methods for controlling

Firefighter I

Replacing Burst Sections

• Hose clamp or kink can be used to stop flow of water when replacing burst section of hose
• Two additional sections of hose should be used to replace any one bad section

Firefighter I

Operating Small Handlines — One Firefighter Method

• Only used during overhaul �after fire or for very small �outdoor nuisance fires
• Requires hoseline to be straight at least 10 feet (3 m) behind nozzle
• Firefighter should hold nozzle with one hand and hose with the other

Firefighter I

Operating Small Handlines — Two Firefighter Method

• Usually needed when nozzle must be advanced
• Nozzle operator duties
• Backup firefighter duties

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Firefighter I

Operating Large Handlines — One Firefighter Method

• NOT recommended when nozzle is connected to large handline
• May be used during exposure protection/overhaul operations if master stream device unavailable

Firefighter I

(Continued)

Operating Large Handlines — One Firefighter Method

• Large loop formed that crosses over line behind nozzle
• Firefighter sits on intersection where hose crosses and directs stream

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Firefighter I

(Continued)

Operating Large Handlines — One Firefighter Method

• To reduce fatigue, nozzle operator can use hose strap or utility strap looped over shoulder or reduce nozzle flow if conditions allow
• Does not permit much maneuvering

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Firefighter I

Operating Large Handlines — Two Firefighter Method #1

• Uses means of anchoring hose because of nozzle reaction
• Nozzle operator duties
• Backup firefighter duties

Firefighter I

Operating Large Handlines — Two Firefighter Method #2

• Uses hose rope tools or utility straps to assist in anchoring hose
• Nozzle operator duties
• Backup firefighter duties

Firefighter I

Operating Large Handlines — Three Firefighter Method

• In all cases, positioning of nozzle operator same as for two-firefighter method

Firefighter I

(Continued)

Operating Large Handlines — Three Firefighter Method

• Some departments prefer first backup firefighter to stand behind nozzle operator with third firefighter kneeling on hose behind second firefighter
• Another method is for all firefighters to use hose straps and remain standing

Firefighter I

Summary

• To fight fires safely and effectively, firefighters must know the capabilities and limitations of the various types of fire hose used in their departments.

Firefighter I

(Continued)

Summary

• Firefighters must know the differences between supply hose and attack hose and how to use each one.
• Firefighters must know how to load hose onto apparatus and how to make the various hose load finishes used in their department.

Firefighter I

Review Questions

1. List three methods to prevent each of the following types of fire hose damage: mechanical damage, thermal damage, organic damage, and chemical damage.

Firefighter I

(Continued)

Review Questions

2. What is the difference between threaded couplings and nonthreaded couplings?

3. List common hose rolls.

Firefighter I

(Continued)

Review Questions

4. List four general loading guidelines.

5. What are general safety guidelines when advancing hose into a burning structure?

Firefighter I