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