Essentials of Fire Fighting,

5th Edition

Chapter 13 Fire Hose

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.

(Continued)
Firefighter I

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.
(Continued)
Firefighter I

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.
(Continued)
Firefighter I

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.

(Continued)
Firefighter I

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.
(Continued)
Firefighter I

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)
(Continued)
Firefighter I

Specific Objectives
21. Couple a hose. (Skill Sheet 13-I-4)
22. Uncouple a hose. (Skill Sheet 13I-5)
23. Make the accordion hose load.
(Skill Sheet 13-I-6)
24. Make the horseshoe hose load.
(Continued)
(Skill Sheet 13-I-7)
Firefighter I

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)
(Continued)
Firefighter I

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)
(Continued)
Firefighter I

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)
(Continued)
Firefighter I

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)
(Continued)
Firefighter I

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-I21)

(Continued)
Firefighter I

Specific Objectives
39. Advance a charged line up a
ladder into a window. (Skill Sheet 13-I22)
40. Extend a hoseline. (Skill Sheet 13-I23)
41. Simulate the procedure for
controlling a loose hoseline. (Skill Sheet
(Continued)
13-I-24)
Firefighter I

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)

(Continued)
Firefighter I

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

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
NFPA

(Continued)
Firefighter I

NFPA Standards

1901, Standard for Automotive

Fire Apparatus, requires pumpers to carry
varying sizes/amounts of hose

NFPA

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

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
(Continued)
Firefighter I

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

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

Fire Hose Damage Chemical

Runoff water from fire may carry foreign

materials that can damage hose
Certain practices prevent damage
Firefighter I

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

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

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

(Continued)
Firefighter I

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,
manufacturers 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

(Continued)
Firefighter I

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
Firefighter I

(Continued)

Threaded Fire Hose Couplings

Disadvantage

One male, one female

necessary to make connection unless
double-male or double-female adapter
used

(Continued)
Firefighter I

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
(Continued)
Firefighter I

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
(Continued)
Firefighter I

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

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
(Continued)
Firefighter I

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
(Continued)
Firefighter I

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

(Continued)
Firefighter I

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

(Continued)
Firefighter I

Hose Appliances
Valves

Control flow of water in hoselines, at

hydrants, at pumpers
Ball valves
Gate valves
Butterfly valves
Clapper valves
(Continued)
Firefighter I

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
(Continued)
Firefighter I

Hose Appliances
Fittings

Connect hose of different diameters,

thread types
Adapter
Reducers
Elbows
Hose caps
Hose plugs
(Continued)
Firefighter I

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
(Continued)
Firefighter I

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
(Continued)
Firefighter I

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
(Continued)
Firefighter I

Hose Tools
Spanner

Used to tighten/loosen couplings

May have other built-in features

(Continued)
Firefighter I

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

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

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

(Continued)

Firefighter I

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
(Continued)
Firefighter I

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

Donut Roll

Used

in situations where hose is likely to

be deployed for use directly from roll
(Continued)
Firefighter I

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 1-inch
(38 mm) and 1-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
(Continued)
Firefighter I

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

(Continued)
Firefighter I

Horseshoe Load
In

single hose load, may be started on

either side
Steps for split hose bed

Firefighter I

Flat Load
Easiest

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

(Continued)
Firefighter I

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

(Continued)
Firefighter I

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
(Continued)
Firefighter I

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
(Continued)
Firefighter I

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
(Continued)
Firefighter I

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
2-inch or 3-inch (65 or 77 mm) hose as
supply line
(Continued)
Firefighter I

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

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

Reverse Lay
Making

hydrant connections with soft

intake hose
Making hydrant connections with hard
intake hose

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

2-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

(Continued)
Firefighter I

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

(Continued)
Firefighter I

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

(Continued)
Firefighter I

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

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

Advancing Hose From Standpipe

2-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

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
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

(Continued)
Firefighter I

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

(Continued)
Firefighter I

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

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
(Continued)
Firefighter I

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.

(Continued)
Firefighter I

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.

(Continued)
Firefighter I

Review Questions
2. What is the difference between
threaded couplings and nonthreaded
couplings?
3. List common hose rolls.

(Continued)
Firefighter I

Review Questions
4. List four general loading guidelines.
5. What are general safety guidelines
when advancing hose into a burning
structure?

Firefighter I