0. Essentials of Fire Fighting, 5th Edition
Chapter 13 — Fire Hose
Firefighter II

1. Chapter 13 Lesson Goal
After completing this lesson, the student shall be able to use various hose appliances and tools, prepare a test site for service testing, and service test fire hose following the policies and procedures set forth by the authority having jurisdiction.
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2. Specific Objectives
1. Describe the characteristics of hose appliances and tools.
2. Explain service testing fire hose.
3. Discuss test site preparation for service testing fire hose.
(Continued)
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3. Specific Objectives
4. List equipment necessary to service test fire hose.
5. Explain the service test procedure.
6. Service test fire hose. (Skill Sheet 13-II-1)
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4. Hose Appliances
Any piece of hardware used with fire hose to deliver water
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5. Hose Appliances Valves
Control flow of water in hoselines, at hydrants, at pumpers
Ball valves
Gate valves
Butterfly valves
Clapper valves
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6. 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
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7. Hose Appliances Fittings
Connect hose of different diameters, thread types
Adapter
Reducer
Elbow
Hose cap
Hose plug
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8. Hose Appliances Intake strainers
Devices attached to drafting end of hard intake to keep debris from entering fire pump
Guidelines for use
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9. Hose Tools
Hose roller
Prevents damage to hose that can occur when dragged over sharp corners such as roof edges, windowsills
Consists of metal frame with two or more rollers
Can be used for protecting rope from similar edges
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10. 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 mismatched hose
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Firefighter II

11. 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
Several general rules for use
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12. Hose Tools Spanner Used to tighten/loosen couplings
May have other built-in features
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13. 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
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14. Hose Tools Rubber mallet — Strike lugs to tighten/loosen couplings
Hose bridge/ramp
Help prevent damage to hose
Should be used where hose laid across street
Can be positioned over small spills
Can be used as chafing blocks
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15. 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
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16. 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
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17. Acceptance Testing Hose
Performed by manufacturer before hose shipped
Relatively rigorous
Subjects hose to pressures much higher than anticipated in field
Should not be attempted by fire department personnel
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18. Service Testing Hose
Performed periodically to ensure hose still capable of performing as required
Should be performed according to NFPA® 1962 guidelines
May be done by private contractors/fire department personnel
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19. Service Testing Hose
Should be done after being repaired, after being run over by vehicle
Before testing, examine for
Excessive wear/damage to jacket
Coupling damage
Missing gaskets
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20. Preparing Site for Service Testing
Hose should be tested in paved or grassy area or level ground
Site should be protected from vehicular traffic
If nighttime, area should be well lit
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21. Preparing Site for Service Testing
Test area should be smooth, free from rock, debris
Slight grade to facilitate draining of water helpful
Water source should be sufficient for filling hose
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22. Equipment Needed to Service Test Hose
Hose testing machine, portable pump, fire department pumper equipped with gauges certified as accurate
Hose test gate valve
Means of recording hose numbers, test results
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23. Equipment Needed to Service Test Hose
Tags/other means to identify sections that fail
Nozzles with shutoff valves
Means of marking each length with year of test
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24. Service Test Procedure
Exercise care when working with hose
Use specially designed hose test gate valve to prevent hose rupture
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25. Service Test Procedure
When using fire department pumper, connect hose to discharges on side of apparatus opposite pump panel
Close all valves slowly to prevent water hammer
Test lengths of hose should not exceed 300 feet (100 m)
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26. Service Test Procedure
Laying large-diameter hose flat on ground before charging helps prevent unnecessary wear at edges
Stand away from discharge valve connection when charging
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27. Service Test Procedure
Keep hose testing area as dry as possible when filling, discharging air from hose
During testing, this air aids in detecting minor leaks around couplings
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28. Summary
To fight fires safely and effectively, firefighters must know the capabilities and limitations of the various types of fire hose and the various kinds of hose appliances that will be used on the fireground.
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29. Summary
Firefighters must also know how to maintain and test fire hose.
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30. Review Questions
1. What are the following valves used for: ball valves, gate valves, butterfly valves, and clapper valves?
2. What are wye appliances and siamese appliances?
3. What is a hose clamp used for?
(Continued)
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31. Review Questions 4. What are the two types of tests for fire hose?
5. What equipment is needed to service test hose?
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