CVFD Training – Hose Practices SFFMA Training Objectives: 4-01.01,.02,.05,.06,.07,.08,.09,.10,.11,.13,.14 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) (Continued) Firefighter I 13–2 Fire Hose Firefighter I 13–3 Intake Hose • Used to connect fire department pumper or portable pump to water source • Two groups – Soft intake hose – Hard intake hose Firefighter I 13–4 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 (Continued) Firefighter I 13–5 NFPA® Standards • NFPA® 1901, Standard for Automotive Fire Apparatus, requires pumpers to carry varying sizes/amounts of hose Firefighter I 13–6 Fire Hose Damage — Mechanical • Slices, rips, abrasions on coverings • Crushed/damaged couplings • Cracked inner linings • Certain practices prevent damage Firefighter I 13–7 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 Firefighter I 13–8 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 (Continued) Firefighter I 13–9 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 Firefighter I 13–10 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 (Continued) Firefighter I 13–11 Fire Hose Damage — Chemical Runoff water from fire may carry foreign materials that can damage hose Certain practices prevent damage Firefighter I 13–12 Washing Hose • Method depends on type of hose – Hard rubber booster hose, hard intake hose, rubber-jacket collapsible hose – Woven-jacket fire hose (Continued) Firefighter I 13–13 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 (Continued) Firefighter I 13–14 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 – Movement of water assists in propelling hose through device (Continued) Firefighter I 13–15 Washing Hose • Hose washing machines – Hoseline that supplies water can be connected to pumper or used from hydrant – Higher water pressure equals better results – Cabinet-type machine Firefighter I Courtesy of Thomas Locke and South Union Volunteer Fire Company. 13–16 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 13–17 DISCUSSION QUESTION How is hose washed in your department? Firefighter I 13–18 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 (Continued) Firefighter I 13–19 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 13–20 Threaded Fire Hose Couplings • Consist of two major components – Male — External threads – Female — Internal threads Firefighter I (Continued) 13–21 DISCUSSION QUESTION Why is it important to be able to differentiate between the male and female couplings during search and rescue operations? Firefighter I 13–22 Threaded Fire Hose Couplings • Disadvantage — One male, one female necessary to make connection unless doublemale or double-female adapter used (Continued) Firefighter I 13–23 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 • Shank — Portion of coupling that serves as point of attachment to hose (Continued) Firefighter I 13–24 Threaded Fire Hose Couplings • Lugs – Aid in tightening, loosening couplings – Aid in grasping coupling when making, breaking coupling connections – Types (Continued) Firefighter I 13–25 DISCUSSION QUESTION Which lugs do you think are the best to use? Why? Firefighter I 13–26 Threaded Fire Hose Couplings • Higbee cut – Special type of thread design – Eliminates crossthreading – One rocker lug on each half has small indentation to mark where Higbee cut begins Firefighter I 13–27 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 (Continued) Firefighter I 13–28 Storz Couplings • Have lugs, slots built into swivel rings of each coupling for locking • Must have locking devices if attached to largediameter hose Firefighter I 13–29 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 (Continued) Firefighter I 13–30 Rules for Care of Fire Hose Couplings • Clean threads to remove tar, dirt, gravel, oil • Inspect gasket, replace if cracked/ creased Firefighter I 13–31 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 (Continued) Firefighter I 13–32 Cleaning Fire Hose Couplings • Male threads should be cleaned with stiff brush • Wire brush may be necessary • Swivel gasket • Expansion-ring gasket Firefighter I 13–33 DISCUSSION QUESTION What is a complete hose layout? Firefighter I 13–34 Hose Appliances • Any piece of hardware used with fire hose to deliver water (Continued) Firefighter I 13–35 Hose Appliances • Valves – Control flow of water in hoselines, at hydrants, at pumpers – Ball valves – Gate valves – Butterfly valves – Clapper valves (Continued) Firefighter I 13–36 Hose Appliances • Valve devices – Allow number of hoselines operating on fire ground to be increased/decreased – Wye appliances – Siamese appliances (Continued) Firefighter I 13–37 Hose Appliances • Valve devices – Water thief appliances – Large-diameter hose appliances – Hydrant valves (Continued) Firefighter I 13–38 DISCUSSION QUESTION What are some other names for hydrant valves? Firefighter I 13–39 Hose Appliances • Fittings (Continued) Firefighter I 13–40 Hose Appliances • Intake strainers – Devices attached to drafting end of hard intake to keep debris from entering fire pump – Guidelines for use Firefighter I 13–41 Hose Tools • Hose roller – Prevents damage to hose that can occur when dragged over sharp corners such as roof edges, windowsills (Continued) Firefighter I 13–42 Hose Tools • Hose roller – Consists of metal frame with two or more rollers – Can be used for protecting rope from similar edges (Continued) Firefighter I 13–43 Hose Tools • Hose jacket – Can be installed on ruptured section of hoseline to temporarily close rupture (Continued) Firefighter I 13–44 Hose Tools • Hose jacket – Consists of hinged two-piece metal cylinder – Made in two sizes – Encloses hose so can operate at full power – Can be used to connect mismatched hose (Continued) Firefighter I 13–45 Hose Tools • Hose clamp – Can be used to stop flow of water in hoseline (Continued) Firefighter I 13–46 Hose Tools • Hose clamp – Three types — Screw-down, press-down, hydraulic press – Can injure firefighters/damage hose – Several general rules for use (Continued) Firefighter I 13–47 Hose Tools • Spanner – Used to tighten/loosen couplings – May have other built-in features (Continued) Firefighter I 13–48 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 (Continued) Firefighter I 13–49 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 (Continued) Firefighter I 13–50 Hose Tools • Chafing blocks – Used to protect fire hose where subjected to rubbing from vibrations – Useful where intake hose comes in contact with pavement (Continued) – May be wood, leather, old truck tires Firefighter I 13–51 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 13–52 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 (Continued) Firefighter I 13–53 Straight Roll • 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 13–54 Donut Roll • Used in situations where hose is likely to be deployed for use directly from roll (Continued) Firefighter I 13–55 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 13–56 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 13–57 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 13–58 DISCUSSION QUESTION Are there any hose rolls specific to your department or jurisdiction? Firefighter I 13–59 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 13–60 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 (Continued) Firefighter I 13–61 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 (Continued) Firefighter I 13–62 Hose Loading Guidelines • Load large-diameter hose with all couplings near front of bed • Do not pack too tightly; should permit gloved hand between folds Firefighter I 13–63 Accordion Load • Derives name from manner in which it appears after loading • Procedure • Advantages Firefighter I 13–64 Horseshoe Load • Named for way it appears after loading • Procedure • Advantage • Disadvantages (Continued) Firefighter I 13–65 Horseshoe Load • In single hose load, may be started on either side • Steps for split hose bed Firefighter I 13–66 Flat Load • Easiest to load • Suitable for any size supply hose • Best way for largediameter hose • Advantage • Disadvantage Courtesy of Sam Goldwater. Firefighter I (Continued) 13–67 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 13–68 Finishes for Forward Lays • Designed to facilitate making hydrant connection • Not as elaborate as finishes for reverse lays (Continued) Firefighter I 13–69 Finishes for Forward Lays • Straight finish – Last length or two of hose flaked loosely back and forth across top of hose load – Associated with forwardlay operation – Hydrant wrench, gate valve, adapters strapped to hose near female coupling Firefighter I 13–70 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 (Continued) Firefighter I 13–71 Finishes for Reverse Lays • Reverse horseshoe finish (Continued) Firefighter I 13–72 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 (Continued) Firefighter I 13–73 Finishes for Reverse Lays Firefighter I 13–74 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 13–75 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 13–76 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 13–77 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 13–78 Booster Hose Reels • Used for booster lines • May be mounted in any of several places on apparatus • Should be loaded one layer at a time in an even manner • May be hand- or power-operated Firefighter I 13–79 DISCUSSION QUESTION What hose loads are used in your department? Firefighter I 13–80 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 13–81 Forward Lay (Continued) Firefighter I 13–82 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 (Continued) Firefighter I 13–83 Forward Lay • • • • • Advantages Disadvantages Information for firefighter at hydrant Making hydrant connection Using four-way hydrant valves Firefighter I 13–84 Reverse Lay (Continued) Firefighter I 13–85 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 (Continued) Firefighter I 13–86 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 (Continued) Firefighter I 13–87 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 (Continued) Firefighter I 13–88 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 (Continued) Firefighter I 13–89 Reverse Lay • Making hydrant connections with soft intake hose • Making hydrant connections with hard intake hose Firefighter I 13–90 Split Lay (Continued) Firefighter I 13–91 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 13–92 Pulling Preconnected Hoselines • Preconnected flat load • Minuteman load • Triple layer load Firefighter I 13–93 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 13–94 Working Line Drag • One of quickest, easiest ways to move fire hose at ground level • Use limited by available personnel Firefighter I 13–95 Advancing Hoselines • Difficult when deploying up or down stairways, from standpipes, up ladders, deep into buildings • Easier when uncharged Firefighter I 13–96 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 (Continued) Firefighter I 13–97 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 13–98 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 13–99 DISCUSSION QUESTION Why should hose be uncharged when advancing up a stairway? Firefighter I 13–100 Advancing Hose Down Stairway • Advancing uncharged hoseline easier than charged • Advancing uncharged line recommended only when no fire, very minor fire (Continued) Firefighter I 13–101 Advancing Hose Down Stairway • Excess hose should be flaked outside stairwall • Firefighters must be positioned at corners, pinch points Firefighter I 13–102 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 (Continued) Firefighter I 13–103 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 (Continued) Firefighter I 13–104 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 (Continued) Firefighter I 13–105 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 Firefighter I 13–106 Advancing Hose Up Ladder • Easier and safer with uncharged line • Advancing charged line • Operating hoseline from ladder Firefighter I 13–107 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 13–108 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 13–109 Operating Small Handlines — OneFirefighter 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 13–110 Operating Small Handlines — TwoFirefighter Method • Usually needed when nozzle must be advanced • Nozzle operator duties • Backup firefighter duties Firefighter I 13–111 Operating Large Handlines — OneFirefighter Method • NOT recommended when nozzle is connected to large handline • May be used during exposure protection/overhaul operations if master stream device unavailable (Continued) Firefighter I 13–112 Operating Large Handlines — OneFirefighter Method • Large loop formed that crosses over line behind nozzle • Firefighter sits on intersection where hose crosses and directs stream (Continued) Firefighter I 13–113 Operating Large Handlines — OneFirefighter 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 Firefighter I 13–114 Operating Large Handlines — TwoFirefighter Method #1 • Uses means of anchoring hose because of nozzle reaction • Nozzle operator duties • Backup firefighter duties Firefighter I 13–115 Operating Large Handlines — TwoFirefighter Method #2 • Uses hose rope tools or utility straps to assist in anchoring hose • Nozzle operator duties • Backup firefighter duties Firefighter I 13–116 Operating Large Handlines — Three-Firefighter Method • In all cases, positioning of nozzle operator same as for two-firefighter method (Continued) Firefighter I 13–117 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 13–118