Winchester Fire Rescue
Hoselines
Definition- Fire hose is identified as a type
of flexible tube used by firefighters to
carry water under pressure from the
source of supply to a point where it is
discharged.
Hose Construction-Depending on its
intended use, fire hose is manufactured in
different configurations such as single-jacket,
double-jacket, rubber single-jacket, hardrubber non-collapsing types.
 Sizes- Each size of hose is designed for a
specific purpose. Sizes range from 1 ½ - 6
inches and is most commonly cut and
coupled into lengths of 50 and 100 feet for
convenience of handling and replacement,
but other sizes may be obtained.
Note: Reference made to diameter of fire hose
refers to the dimensions of the inside
diameter of the hose.
HOSE
CONSTRUCTION
Type
VS 12A-1
Description
Booster Hose
¾- or 1-Inch
(19 mm to 25 mm)
• Rubber Covered
• Rubber Lined
• Fabric Reinforced
Woven Jacket Hose
1- to 6-Inch
(25 mm to 150 mm)
• One or Two Woven
Fabric Jackets
• Rubber Lined
Impregnated SingleJacket Hose
1½ to 5-Inch
(38 mm to 125 mm)
• Polymer Covered
• Polymer Lined
Noncollapsible
Intake Hose
2½- to 6-Inch
(65 mm to 150 mm)
Flexible Noncollapsible
Intake Hose
2½- to 6-Inch
(65 mm to 150 mm)
• Rubber Covered
• Fabric and Wire (Helix)
Reinforced
• Rubber Lined
• Rubber Covered
• Fabric and Plastic (Helix)
Reinforced
• Rubber Lined
Fire hose couplings
 Couplings are used to connect fire hose
with appliances, other fire hose and fire
department apparatus.
 There are several different types of fire
hose couplings used in the fire service.
 The most commonly used fire hose
couplings are the threaded and storz type.
VS 12A-2
TYPES OF HOSE COUPLINGS
Threaded
Three-Piece
Quarter-Turn
Coupling
Snap
Coupling
Threaded Five-Piece
Reducing
Storz Quick
Connect
(Sexless Coupling)
Threaded
Each threaded coupling is manufactured with
lugs to aid in tightening and loosening
connections.
 There are three types of lugs: pin, rocker and
recessed.
 Pin lugs are not commonly ordered with new
hose because of their tendency to snag when
hose is dragged over objects.
 Recessed lugs are commonly found on Booster
hose, are shallow holes drilled into the coupling,
and are designed to accept a special spanner
wrench.
Note: Spanner wrenches are wrenches used to
tighten and un-tighten fire hose couplings.
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Most hose purchased today comes equipped with
rocker lugs to help the coupling slide over
obstructions when the hose is moved on the
ground or around objects.
An added feature that may be obtained with the
threaded couplings is the Higbee cut and
indicator.
The Higbee cut is a special type of thread design
in which the beginning of the thread is “cut” to
provide a positive connection between the first
threads of the opposing couplings, which tends
to eliminate cross threading.
VS 12A-3
TYPES OF COUPLING LUGS
Extended Handle
Recessed Lug
Rocker Lugs
Pin Lug
One of the rocker lugs on the swivel
(female end) is scalloped with a shallow
indention, the Higbee indicator, to mark
where the Higbee cuts begins.
 This indicator aids in the matching of the
male coupling thread to the female
coupling thread, which is not readily
visible.

Storz couplings
 Storz couplings are sometimes referred to
as sexless couplings because there are no
distinct male or female components.
 When mated, the lugs of each coupling fit
into the recesses in the opposing ring and
then slide into locking position with a 1/3
turn.
Types of Fire Hose
Intake
 Supply
 Attack

TS 12A–2

Attack hose — 400 ft. (122 m) of 1½-,
1¾-, or 2-in. (38 mm, 45 mm, or 50 mm)

Supply hose — 1,200 ft. (366 m) of 2½in. (65 mm) or larger

Soft-sleeve intake hose — 15 ft. (5 m),
large diameter, or hard-suction intake
hose — 20 ft. (6 m)
NFPA 1901 PUMPER
HOSE REQUIREMENTS
Intake
 There are two groups within this
category: soft sleeve and hard suction.
 Soft sleeve is used to transfer water
from a pressurized water source, such as
a fire hydrant, to the pump intake and is
available in sizes ranging from 2 ½ to 6
inches.

Hard suction hose (also called hard
sleeve) is used primarily to draft water
from an open water source and is also
available in sizes ranging from 2 ½ to 6
inches.
Supply Line
 Supply line is identified as the hose
between the water source and the attack
pumper to provide large volumes of water.
 Supply line sizes range from 2 ½ to 5 inch
hose.
 Other sizes are available, but these are
the most commonly found sizes.
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Supply Line Lays
There are three basic hose lays for supply
hose: forward lay, reverse lay and split
lay.
With the forward lay, hose is laid from the
water source to the fire.
With the reverse lay, hose is laid from the
fire to the water source.
The term split lay can refer to any one of
a number of ways to lay multiple supply
hoses.
FORWARD HOSE LAY
VS 12B-1
REVERSE HOSE LAY
VS 12B-2
SPLIT HOSE LAY
VS 12B-4
Friendship- Both the Wagon and Rescue
Engine carry 1200 feet of 4” and 500 feet
of 3”.
 Shawnee- Both the Wagon and Engine
carry 1000 feet of 4” and 500 feet of 3”.
 South End- Both the Wagon and Engine
carry 1000 feet of 4” and 300 feet of 3”.

Special considerations referring to supply line in
Winchester City Fire-Rescue.
 A nominal expectation of a gutterlined 4” supply line
is 400 GPM and 500 feet. Which means if you’re
going to supply yourself without another pumper
between you and the hydrant, you should not flow
more than 400 GPM and be any farther than 500 feet
from the hydrant, per SOG-06-06.
 Supply Operations: A minimum of 25 feet of hose is
to accompany the coupling when the line is pulled.
Which means whenever supply line is laid regardless
of which type of lay, a minimum of 25 feet is to
accompany the coupling/hydrant adapter, per SOG06-06.
Preconnected Hose Loads/Attack Line
 Attack line is defined as hose between the attack
pumper and the nozzle used to control and
extinguish fire.
 Medium attack line sizes range from 1½ to 2 inch
hose.
 There are several different ways of
packing/loading pre-connected attack lines on
fire apparatus.
Crosslays
Friendship
uses a version
of the
Minuteman
Hose Load on
both the Rescue
Engine and the
Wagon
Crosslays
Shawnee uses the
same version of
the Minuteman
Hose Load on the
Engine which
utilizes “speed
trays” and uses the
Pre-connected Flat
Load on the
Wagon.
Crosslays
South End uses a
different version
of the Minuteman
Hose Load on both
the Engine and the
Wagon.
Note: All city engine company’s medium
sized attack line “crosslays” are 1-¾”
hose and 200 feet long.
Note: “Speed Trays” are trays placed on
the ground that a preconnected hose line
is packed/loaded in so hose can be loaded
and unloaded quickly on/off fire
apparatus.
Note: Each of the above mentioned hose
loads will be demonstrated and you will
have the opportunity to practice loading
and pulling each after the lecture.
Pre-connected attack lines other than
crosslays in the City of Winchester
 Friendship- Both the Wagon and the Rescue
Engine have a 300 ft. “Apartment line” made up
of 150 feet of 1-¾”, and 150 feet of 2-½” hose.
A 200 ft. “Blitz line” which is made up of 2-½”
hose.
 The Rescue Engine has a 300ft. 1-¾” attack line
loaded on the rear.
 The Wagon has a 200ft. ¾” booster reel
mounted on the top and a 100 ft. 1-¾” “Bumper
line” on the bumper.
Shawnee- Both the Wagon and the
Engine have a 300 ft. “Apartment line”
made up of 150 feet of 1-¾”, and 150 feet
of 3” hose.
 Both also have a 100ft. 1-¾” “Bumper
line” on the bumper.
 The Engine has a 200ft. ¾” booster reel
mounted on top and a 200ft. 2-½” line
attached to the “Blitz Fire”.
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South End- Both the Wagon and the Engine
have a 400 ft. “Apartment line” made up of 200
feet of 1-¾”, and 200 feet of 2½” hose.
Both also have a 100ft. 1-¾” “Bumper line” on
the bumper and a 150ft. ¾ ” booster reel
mounted on top.
The Engine has a 200ft. 2-½” line attached to
the “Blitz Fire”.
The Wagon has 200ft. 1-¾” pre-connect loaded
on the rear.
VS 12B-18
ADVANCING AN UNCHARGED LINE
UP AN EXTERIOR STAIRWAY
Pike Pole
Method
VS 12B-19
Connection One
Floor Below Fire Floor
ADVANCING A LINE FROM AN
UPPER-FLOOR STANDPIPE
VS 12B-22
HOISTING HOSE
Uncharged Line
Charged Line
VS 12B-24
OPERATING AN ATTACK
LINE FROM A LADDER
VS 12B-28
HANDLING A LARGE-SIZED CHARGED
HOSELINE (ONE FIREFIGHTER)
Nozzle Under
Loop
Sitting on Hose at Point
Where it Crosses
VS 12B-29
HANDLING A LARGE-SIZED CHARGED
HOSELINE (TWO FIREFIGHTERS)
• Firefighters on Same
Side of Hose
• Using Rope Hose Tool or
Strap to Support Hose
Feet Braced Against Each Other
• Nozzle at Waist Level
• Feet Spread Apart for Balance
• Hand on Nozzle Bale
Service Testing Fire Hose
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Fire Hose is required to be tested annually.
Fire Hose should also be tested after being
repaired and after being run over by a vehicle.
All new hose has the service test pressure
stamped on the hose.
Per AP-06-11, hose should be laid in lengths of
no more than 300ft.
Connect lines to be tested to gated outlets of the
pumper. Attach shut-off nozzles to the far end of
lines.
Secure both ends of the hose line.
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Support the hose line being tested with a belt tie
and or a rope hose tool at a point 10 or 15
inches from the butt coupled to the pumper
discharge.
Connect lines to be tested to gated outlets of the
pumper.
Attach shut-off nozzles to the far end of lines.
Secure both ends of the hose line.
Support the hose line being tested with a belt tie
and or a rope hose tool at a point 10 or 15
inches from the butt coupled to the pumper
discharge.
With the gate valves open and the nozzle open,
fill the hose with the water at a pressure not
exceeding 100 PSI to allow air to be exhausted
from the hose.
 Once all the air is exhausted close gates.
 The hose is to be pressurized at 250 psi for 5
minutes for all rubber jacketed hose.
 4” hose is to be tested at 200 psi for 5 minutes.
 Personnel should keep a distance of 15 feet
unless inspecting the hose/coupling.
 Hose that leaks may need a rubber gasket.

VS 12A-4
REPLACING A HOSE COUPLING
GASKET
1. Remove old or
damaged gasket.
2. Hold new gasket
between middle
finger and thumb,
with index finger
on inside rim.
3.
Fold outer rim
upward with index
finger; then slip
gasket into swivel,
large loop first.
If hose continues to leak it should taken out of
service and repaired.
 If a coupling has moved during the test, tag the
hose section for re-coupling.
 Tag all hose that has leaked or failed in any other
way.
Note: Expect a 1/16” to 1/8” uniform movement
of the coupling on newly coupled hose. This
slippage is normal during initial testing but
should not occur during subsequent tests. If
movement is indicated during subsequent
testing, note for record

General care and Maintenance of Fire
Hose
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If fire hose is properly cared for, it’s life span can
be extended appreciably.
Dirt and dust can be brushed away, any dirt that
can not be removed from brushing should be
washed and scrubbed with water.
Hose that has been exposed to oil, should be
washed with mild soap or detergent, making sure
that all the oil is completely removed and then
rinsed thoroughly with water.
VS 12B-32
TYPES OF HOSE DAMAGE
Mechanical Damage
Mildew and Mold Damage
Thermal Damage
Chemical Damage
VS 12B-33
WASHING HOSE COUPLINGS
Mechanical
Manual
(Woven Jacket)
Female Coupling
Male Coupling
Hose should be dried before repacking or
placed in storage.
 Hose should be dried in accordance with
local procedures and manufacturer’s
recommendations.
 Locally, hose is washed and hung in a
hose tower until dry.

VS 12B-34
DRYING HOSE
Rack
Mechanical
Tower
References
Winchester Fire–Rescue Department
Manual
 Apparatus & Equipment, AP-06-11(Hose
Testing)
 Operations, Standard Operating
Guidelines, SOG-06-06 (Standard
Hydraulic Practices)
References
IFSTA, Essentials of Firefighting, 4th
Edition
 Chapter 12(Fire Hose)
References
NFPA Standards
 NFPA 1961(Standard on Fire Hose)
 NFPA 1963(Standard for Fire Hose
Connections)
 NFPA 1901(Standard for Automatic Fire
Apparatus)
 NFPA 1962(Care, Use and Service testing
of Fire Hose including Coupling and
Nozzles)
 Questions?
 Comments?
 Concerns?