Chapter 10
Fire Hose and Appliances
Introduction
• Hose used to move water to fire
• Fire hose is a flexible conduit
• Today, many materials are used to
make hose
• Couplings, adapters, and appliances
used to connect hose
• Most departments use National
Standard Hose Threads
10.2
Construction of Fire Hose
• Two components: hose and
couplings
• Fire hose can be wrapped, braided,
or woven
• Specific types of hoses:
–
–
–
–
–
Attack
Supply hose
Soft suction and hard suction
Occupant use
Forestry
10.3
Figure 10-1 Woven and rubber-coated fire hose.
10.4
Care and Maintenance
of Fire Hose
• Begins with careful folding and
placement of the dry hose
• Always folded at different places
• Hose bed should be designed to
facilitate circulation of air flow
• Several steps can be taken to reduce
damage to hose
10.5
Types of Hose Coupling
• Couplings allow hose and appliances
to be joined
• Threaded and non-threaded
couplings
• Made of brass, aluminum, or an alloy
called pyrolite
• Lugs or handles are used for
tightening or breaking connection
10.6
Care and Maintenance
of Couplings
•
•
•
•
Keep clean
Store properly
Do not drag couplings
Perform a visual inspection each time
hose is reloaded
10.7
Hose Tools and Appliances
• Tools include:
–
–
–
–
–
Rope hose tools
Wrenches
Rollers
Clamps
Other items: valves, wyes, portable
hydrants, strainers, pipes, caps, etc.
10.8
Figure 10-11 Various hose tools.
10.9
Figure 10-12 Hose roller.
10.10
Coupling and Uncoupling Hose
• Connecting hose couplings can be
accomplished in several ways:
–
–
–
–
–
One-person foot-tilt method
One-person over-the-hip method
Two-person over-the-hip method
Uncoupling hose with spanners
One-person knee-press uncoupling
method
10.11
Hose Rolls
• Type of hose roll dictated by
department policy
• Firefighters should practice all types
of hose rolls
10.12
Straight/Storage
• Easiest to work with
• Often used when picking up after a
fire
• Start with hose flat on ground
• From male end, to protect threads,
roll hose straight to opposite end
• Once roll is finished, it is ready to
be moved to storage
10.13
Single Donut
• For access to either or both couplings
– Lay hose flat
– Fold hose on top of itself with male coupling
three feet short of female coupling
– Start at fold and roll toward couplings; a
second firefighter can assist
– Leave small space at center of roll to
provide handhold
• Alternative method by starting off-center
about six feet to protect male coupling
10.14
Job Performance
Requirement 10-6
• Straight or Storage Hose Roll
A Start with the hose flat on
the ground. From the male
end, to protect the threads, roll
it straight to the opposite end.
B Once the roll is finished, it
is ready to be moved to
storage.
10.15
Twin or Double Donut
• For special applications
– Laid flat with both couplings at one end
and each half lying parallel
– At center, loop is folded over top of both
halves
– Roll started toward couplings at same
time
– At end, roll may be tied together for
carrying
– Twin donut can be secured by using the
hose itself
10.16
Job Performance
Requirement 10-9
• Twin-Donut Hose Roll
A First the hose is laid flat
with both couplings at one
end and each half lying
parallel to the other.
B At the center, the loop is
folded over the top of both
halves.
10.17
Job Performance
Requirement 10-9 (cont’d.)
• Twin-Donut Hose Roll
C The roll is started toward
the couplings at the same
time.
D At the end, the roll may
be tied together for carrying.
10.18
Job Performance
Requirement 10-9 (cont’d.)
• Twin-Donut Hose Roll
E The twin donut can be secured by using the hose itself.
This is called a self-locking roll. To accomplish this, extend
the amount of hose that is used for the starting fold and
loop. Allow this excessive hose to “flop” as the twin donuts
are rolled. When finished, use the extra hose at the center
to form a bight around the two end couplings. (Photo
courtesy Loveland Fire and Rescue)
10.19
Hose Carries
• Type of hose carry is dictated by
user preference and on-scene
conditions
• Firefighters should practice to be
proficient in all types of hose carries
10.20
Drain and Carry
• Combines the two steps of draining and
carrying
• Done with one section of hose
– Starts at one end of hose; with coupling held
waist height, feeds hose over shoulder and back
to waist
– Fold is created and hose is laid on itself back to
front
– Firefighter continues to walk forward folding and
refolding hose at waist until finished
– Hose can be carried to new location
10.21
Job Performance
Requirement 10-10
• Drain and Carry
A The firefighter starts at one
end of the hose and with the
coupling held waist height feeds
the hose over the shoulder and
back down to the waist.
B A fold is created and the
hose is laid on itself back to
the front.
10.22
Job Performance
Requirement 10-10 (cont’d.)
• Drain and Carry
C The firefighter continues to walk forward folding
and refolding the hose at the waist until finished. The
hose can then be carried to the new location.
10.23
Shoulder Loop Carry
• Carry is similar to rolling an
electrical cord around one's arm but
with bigger loops
– Place nozzle or end of hose over
shoulder resting against back
– Walk forward three feet, pick up hose,
and form bight to bring hose back up
and over shoulder, creating a loop
– Continue as each section is picked up
and carried forward
10.24
Job Performance
Requirement 10-11
• Shoulder Loop Carry
A Place the
nozzle or end of
hose over the
shoulder resting
against the
back.
B Walk forward
C Continue as
about 3 feet (1 m),
each section is
pick up the hose, and picked up and
form a bight to bring carried forward.
the hose back up and
over the shoulder,
10.25
creating a loop.
Job Performance
Requirement 10-11 (cont’d.)
• Shoulder Loop Carry
D If you need to move in the
opposite direction, the loops are
collected and raised with your hands
and then rotated to the opposite
direction.
E Return the hose to the
opposite shoulder moving
forward in the new
direction.
10.26
Single-Section Street Drag
• Can move one or two hoselines
– Put end of hose over your shoulder with
coupling in front at waist height and walk
away dragging line
– Place a line over each shoulder and pull
two lines
– If additional sections are needed,
additional firefighters can do the same
10.27
Job Performance
Requirement 10-12
• Single-Section Street Drag
A Put the end of a section
of hose over your shoulder
with the coupling in front
at waist height and walk
away dragging the line.
B Place a line over
each shoulder and pull
two lines.
10.28
Job Performance
Requirement 10-12 (cont’d.)
• Single-Section Street Drag
C If additional sections are needed, additional
firefighters can do the same with the following sections
until the desired amount of hose is stretched.
10.29
Hose Loads
• Dependent on type of firefighting
operations a company will employ
• A well-trained company should be
able to perform any required fire
scene tasks
• Dutchman: short fold of hose or
reverse fold that allows coupling
placement on load
10.30
Figure 10-14 A dutchman is a short fold of hose or a
reverse fold that is used when loading hose and a
coupling comes at a point where a fold should take
place or when two couplings end up on top of each
other. The dutchman moves the coupling to another
point in the load.
10.31
Accordion Load
• Can be used for pre-connected hose
lines
• Used for providing additional supply
line
• Ideal for making up shoulder loads
10.32
Flat Load
• Used for:
– Supply lines
– Some attack lines
• Involves laying the hose flat
• Intended use dictates whether
female or male end remains
exposed when line is loaded
10.33
Figure 10-15 A straight finish load simply involves taking
the final length or two of a load and laying it flat across the
top of the load. A rope with adapters, a spanner wrench,
and a hydrant wrench attached allows the layout person
quick access to all the necessary tools and enough hose to
make the hydrant connection.
10.34
Horseshoe Load
•
•
•
•
Normally used for supply line
Relatively simple to load
Usually deploys well
Useful for operations that require
entire hoseload to be deployed at
once
10.35
Finish Loads and
Pre-connected Loads
• Utilizes the three methods of loading
previously discussed
• Straight finish load used with a straight
hose lay
• Attack line can be attached to end of a
hose load
– Backstretch
– Flying stretch
• Pre-connected lines can be made up
using any number of loads or
combinations
10.36
Figure 10-16 A reverse horseshoe load for laying out is made on top
of the hose load but in the reverse direction (front to back), and at
the center point of the “U” of the horseshoe the rope with adapters
and wrenches is attached. The first portion of the hose may need a
twist in it to get it to change direction.
10.37
(A)
(B)
Figure 10-17 Pre-connected combination loads include
horseshoe, accordion, accordion layers or alternating
horseshoe and accordion layers. (A) Horseshoe,
accordion, accordion layers. (B) Alternating horseshoe
and accordion layers.
10.38
Flat Load, Minuteman Load,
and Triple-Layer Load
• Pre-connected loads must allow rapid
removal of hose from slot or bed
• Flat load, as a pre-connect, is based on
flat load described earlier
• Minuteman is a pre-connected load using
narrower section of the hose bed
• Loads combined with each other or new
loads
• Hose load should serve needs of the
department
10.39
Stored Hose Load/Packs
• Apparatuses typically carry stored
hose rolls and special application
hose packs
• Hose rolls are extra sections of rolled
hose
• Can be stored as a straight roll,
donut roll, or double donut
• Hose packs are numerous in design
and makeup
10.40
Wildland Firefighting
Hose Loads
• Often requires firefighters to stretch
hoseline a great distance from
engine
• Hose is rolled and bundled together
• Placing two bundles together allows
each firefighter to carry 200 feet
10.41
Advancing Hoselines –
Charged/Uncharged
• Engine company's purpose is to
advance hoselines to seat of fire and
to supply water
• Tasks accomplished in most efficient
manner
• Nozzle person advances first
shoulder load with nozzle
• Officer takes second position
• Engine person takes third position in
a three-person line
10.42
Job Performance
Requirement 10-18
• Advancing a Horseshoe Load
A Place the nozzle
on the hose and
select the desired
amount of hose to
deploy.
B Pull the hose
and place it on your
shoulder.
C Step away to
pull the hose out
of the bed.
10.43
Job Performance
Requirement 10-20
• Advancing the Flat Load
from a Pre-connect Bed
A Start the flat load at the
discharge with the hose laid. At a
point from one-third to one-half
the length of the line, an ear or
row of ears should be added to
assist in pulling the line.
B To advance the line, grab the
nozzle and place it over the
shoulder with the other hand
reaching around and pulling the
ear.
10.44
Job Performance
Requirement 10-20 (cont’d.)
• Advancing the Flat Load from a Preconnect Bed
C Walk away, pulling the line behind.
10.45
Job Performance
Requirement 10-22
• Advancing the Minuteman Load
A Lift up the nozzle and
layers above it while pulling
them out and placing them
midway on the shoulder.
B Step away to remove the
remainder of the top layers.
10.46
Job Performance
Requirement 10-22 (cont’d.)
• Advancing the Minuteman Load
C Turn around and pull the D When the bottom sections are
ear to remove the remaining fully stretched out, allow the
hose.
shoulder load to flake out toward
the fire.
10.47
Job Performance
Requirement 10-24
• Advancing the Triple-Layer Load
A Grab the layer with
the nozzle and place it
on the shoulder.
B Pull the layers out of the
slot, or another firefighter can
grab the next layer.
10.48
Job Performance
Requirement 10-24 (cont’d.)
• Advancing the Triple-Layer Load
C Stretch the hose to the fire.
10.49
Into Structures
• Advancing a hoseline into a structure
requires:
– Careful placement of pumper and hoseline
– Proper selection of correct size and length
hoseline
– Skillful execution by hose crew
• Crew selects hoseline and properly
removes it from engine
• Ensure there is adequate hose available at
entry point
• Check door for heat before entering
10.50
Up and Down Stairs
• If fire does not involve stairs,
advance an uncharged line to fire
floor
• It is necessary to run hoseline up
between handrails
• Rope or strap is wrapped around the
railing and secured back on itself
• If stairwell or landing is involved with
fire, crew must advance a charged
line
10.51
Figure 10-26 A crew advancing an uncharged
hoseline up stairs.
10.52
Using a Standpipe System
• Involves two different hoseline evolutions
– Engine driver connecting to fire department
connection on structure
– Hose crew connecting to standpipe outlet and
advancing hoseline to attack fire
• Pumper first establishes a water supply
• Hose load and type of coupling determine
need for any adapters
• Pick connection that gets system into
service quickest
10.53
Figure 10-32 After connecting the hose at the outlet
and the discharge outlet of the pump, the line is
charged to the proper pressure. The driver then returns
to the outlet and opens the valve.
10.54
Working Hose Off Ladders
• Safest manner is to advance uncharged
hoseline up ladder and into building or onto
fire escape
• Other method advances a charged
hoseline up ladder and into building or
operated from ladder
• Advancing a charged hoseline over a
ladder requires multiple firefighters
• Operating a hoseline from ground ladder
requires ladder to be securely tied in and
heeled
10.55
Figure 10-36 Firefighters passing a charged hoseline up
a ladder from one firefighter to the next until it reaches
the opening.
10.56
Establishing a Water
Supply Connection
• Several different methods exist
depending on:
–
–
–
–
Type of heater source
Style of hydrant
Hose lays used
Whether a pumper will be used at the
water source
• Firefighters connect directly to fire
hydrant and assist engine driver in
making connections
10.57
From Hydrants
• Using unsupported hydrant requires
hoseline to be connected without engine at
hydrant
• Layout person picks proper hydrant outlet
• Flush hydrant before connecting hose
• Hydrant valve is opened when water is
called for
• Engine connected directly to hydrant or to
switch valve already in service to supply
attack lines
10.58
Figure 10-38 The layout person pulls the layout
section and enough hose to reach and wrap the
hydrant.
10.59
From Static Water Supplies
• Requires use of an engine and its
hard sleeves to draft water
• Must be positioned close enough
• Connecting hard sleeve to dry
hydrant is same procedure as
connecting to regular hydrant
• Vacuum must be created
10.60
Extending Hoselines
• There will be occasions when line
comes up short
– Often encountered by wildland
firefighters
• All firefighters should be familiar with
techniques used to extend hoselines:
– Break-apart nozzle
– Hose clamp
– Wildland hose advancing and extension
10.61
Replacing Sections
of Burst Hose
• Bursting of a section of hose requires
immediate attention
• Hoseline must be shut down by pump
operator
– If not possible, use other methods
• Reconnect or add a section; pump
operator will recharge line
10.62
Hose Lay Procedures
• Bring water to fire location
• SOPs should cover preferred hose
lays and water supply operations
10.63
Forward Lay
• Engine stops at water source
– Drop off supply lines
– Advances to location of fire
Figure 10-41 The forward or straight hose lay.
10.64
Reverse Lay
• Opposite of forward lay
– Supply line dropped off at fire location
– Engine laying hose toward water
source
• Less preferred method
• Used in areas with few responding
units and poor or static water
sources
10.65
Figure 10-42 The reverse hose lay.
10.66
Split Lay
• Used when fire and water source
are in two different directions
• Lay split between two engines
• First engine laying its line from a
point or intersection to fire location
• Second engine laying its line from
point to water source
10.67
Deploying Master
Stream Devices
• Master streams or heavy appliances:
– Non-handheld water applicators
– Capable of flowing 350 gallons of water per
minute
• Four basic types of master stream
devices:
–
–
–
–
Wagon pipe
Deluge set
Monitor pipe
Ladder pipe
10.68
Figure 10-45 Proper operations of portable deluge sets.
10.69
Service Testing of Fire Hose
•
•
•
•
•
•
Tested prior to being placed in use
Tested after being repaired
Testing begins with visual inspection
Test hose under pressure
Record results of testing
Hard sleeves tested by being
connected to a suction source
10.70
Lessons Learned
• Fire hose, adapters, and appliances
allow firefighters to move water from
source to pumper
• Without these tools, firefighters would be
limited in ability to move water
• Firefighters must understand the proper
use and care of tools
– How to connect, advance, and operate these
tools
• These are the basics of firefighting
– Best method for learning is practical
application
10.71