1. Carpentersville Fire Department
Firefighter Level III
Fire Hose and Appliances

2. Objectives
Identify the adapters and appliances to be used in three specific fire ground situations (4-12.2)
Demonstrate the annual service test for fire hose (4-12.4)
Demonstrate the proper procedure for cleaning and maintaining fire hose (4-12.3)
Demonstrate the proper procedure for cleaning and maintaining couplings

3. Objectives
Demonstrate the proper procedure for cleaning and maintaining nozzles (4-12.3)
Demonstrate the proper procedure for inspecting couplings for damage (4-12.3)
*( ) indicates reference to NFPA

4. References: Essentials of Fire Fighting, 3rd Edition Chapter 11

5. Objective
Identify the adapters and the appliances to be used in three specific fire ground situations
(4-12.2)

6. Valve Devices
Wye Appliance- divides one hose line into two or more lines. Wye appliances are gated and may be controlled at the gate.
Siamese Appliance- takes two or more hose lines and makes one hoseline or device. May or may not have a clapper. Usually used to overcome problems encountered due to friction loss in hose lays which need to carry a large flow or cover a long distance. Also used to supply ladder pipes that do not have permanent waterway.

7. Valve Devices
Water Thief- it’s a variation of a wye. Most commonly consists of an INLET and two 1 1/2 DISCHARGE outlets. Its intended use is on a 2 1/2 near the nozzle, so that a 2 1/2 and two 1 1/2 may used in the same layout.

8. Large Diameter Hose Appliances
Hydrant Valves- used when a forward lay is made from the water supply to the fire scene Allows for the flow of the water pressure to be boosted, additional lines laid, and other arriving pumpers to connect for operations. All this is done without interrupting the initial water flow.

9. Adapters & Appliances Valves
Gate- used to control the flow from a hydrant. Has a baffle that is moved by a handle and screw.
Butterfly- used on large pump intakes. Uses a flat baffle operated by a quarter-turn handle. The baffle is in the center when the valve is open.
Clapper- Used in a Siamese and sprinkler connection to allow only hose to be connected if need be. The clapper is a flat disk that is hinged on one side and swings in door-like manner.

10. Adapters & Appliances Valves
Ball- open when handle is in line with hose and closed when when at a right angle. Mainly used on fire pump piping systems.

11. Fittings Double Males Double Females Reducers Elbow Fittings
Coupling/Hose Caps- for male couplings
Plug- for female couplings

12. Demonstrate the annual service test for fire hose. (4-12.2)
OBJECTIVE
Demonstrate the annual service test for fire hose.
(4-12.2)

13. Service Testing Fire Hose
Required annually
Two types of testing
Acceptance test- done before hose is shipped to a buyer and it is a lot more rigorous and at extremely high pressures.
Service test- is done to determine that the hose is still able to perform
NFPA 1962
Testing to be done annually and after any repairs or damages are noted.

14. Service Testing Fire Hose
Before testing examine hose jacket for any defects, coupling damage, worn or defective gaskets. Obviously if any of the such is noted, it should be repaired prior to testing and if cannot be corrected, it is to be taken OUT OF SERVICE.

15. Service Testing Fire Hose
Test Site
large enough to lay hoses with out bends or kinks
isolated from traffic and public interference
well lighted if done at night
smooth and free from dirt, glass, oil, and any other damaging debris
a slight grade is beneficial to aid in draining hose
a water source sufficient enough to fill hoses

16. Service Testing Fire Hose
Equipment needed
hose testing machine, fire pumper, portable pump
hose gate valves
means of recording hose numbers and test results
tags or other means to identify sections that fail
means of marking each length with the year of test and to mark the couplings to see if pulling has occurred

17. Service Testing Fire Hose
Safety at Testing Site
exercise care as you will be working with hose that is under pressure and has a potential to EXPLODE
use helmet and gloves and eye protection, if using a fire pumper use hearing protection
if possible DO NOT connect hoses to a pump panel where personnel will be operating
open and close ALL valves SLOWLY
DO NOT exceed hose lays of 300 feet
keep testing areas free of water, this aids in detecting leaks from couplings

18. Service Testing Fire Hose
lay large diameter hose flat on ground before charging
follow NFPA guidelines
hose made prior to 1978 service test to 250 psi
hose made after 1978 follow manufactures recommendations or 400 psi
double (inner/outer) rubber jacket hose 300 psi
let only those QUALIFIED operate testing machines if you DO NOT KNOW, DO NOT TOUCH!

19. Service Testing Fire Hose
Service Test Procedure
Step 1
lay hose out in a number of sections not to exceed 300 feet
check gaskets and then tighten sections together with spanner wrenches

20. Service Testing Fire Hose
Step 2
connect an open test valve to each discharge valve using spanners. A test valve gate is a specially designed valve to be used when hose testing. It has a 1/4 inch (6mm) hole in the gate that lets the hose get pressurized but will not allow water to surge through the hose if it fails. Even when using a hose test valve gate NEVER stand or walk near hose that is pressurized!

21. Service Testing Fire Hose
Step 3
connect test length to each test valve and tighten with spanner
Step 4
tie a rope or rope hose tool or hose strap to each test length of hose 10 to 15 inches from the test valve connections. Secure the other end to the discharge pipe or other anchor.

22. Service Testing Fire Hose
Step 5
attach a shutoff nozzle(or any other device that will permit air and water to drain from hose) to the open end of each test length
Step 6
fill each hoseline with water with a pump pressure of 50 psi (350kPa) or to hydrant pressure.
open nozzles as hoses are filling, hold them above the pump level to discharge all the air from the hoselines. Discharge the water away from the test site.

23. Service Testing Fire Hose
Step 7
close all nozzles after air is purged
mark each length of hose on jacket at couplings
make sure there are no kinks or twist and no couplings are leaking
if leak is after coupling take hose out of service until repaired
if leak is from coupling and cannot be stopped, depressurize hose and replace gasket, and then retest length of hose

24. Service Testing Fire Hose
Step 8
close each hose gate valve
Step 9
increase the pump pressure to the required test pressure per NFPA 1962
monitor connections for leakage as pressure increases
Step 10
maintain test pressure for five minutes and check for leaking

25. Service Testing Fire Hose
Step 11
slowly reduce pump pressure
Step 12
slowly open each nozzle and bleed off pressure of each hose length
break all connections and bleed water off away from test site
Step 13
check the marks on the hose jacket at the couplings, if it moved take hose o.o.s. and tag it

26. Service Testing Fire Hose
Step 14
record the test results for each section of hose

27. OBJECTIVE
Demonstrate the procedure for cleaning and maintaining fire service hose(4-12.3)

28. Care & Maintenance of Fire Hose
Types of damage
mechanical
chemical
thermal
heat & cold
mildew & mold
Washing
Drying
Maintaining

29. Mechanical Damage
Occurs when an object comes in contact with hose, somewhere along its length and cuts, abrades, tears, or stresses the inner or outer jackets
Hose is damaged when it is pulled over sharp edges
can be prevented by using a hose roller or some other type of padding
may not be practical during initial stages of fire, but should be done during training and overhaul ops.

30. Mechanical Damage
Hose may be damaged when it is advanced through openings with broken glass
windows that have been removed for any number of reasons
make sure all the glass is cleaned from the sash to prevent glass from cutting the hose jacket

31. Mechanical Damage
Damage occurs also when hose is dragged through debris, it usually contains
glass
nails
metal
This causes damage to the jacket

32. Mechanical Damage
Tools or equipment stored on top of the hose in the hose bed may damage hose
store all tools and equipment in places other than the hose bed, even if it is temporary
Tools do little damage if stored on top of the hose, the damage occurs when the hose pulled with the tools on top

33. Mechanical Damage
Abrasions can occur when the hose is advanced over rough surfaces
this actually occurs more often during non-emergency events and training rather than during actual incidents
when dragged over asphalt repeatedly the outer jacket weakens and tears and eventually fails

34. Mechanical Damage
Hose suffers damage when it is dragged behind a moving apparatus
occurs when laying a line and it gets hung up in the bed
occurs when you accidentally loose your hose load onto the roadway because of poor loading

35. Mechanical Damage Damage occurs when hose is run over by vehicles
when vehicle runs over a section of hose, it damage may not be immediately noticeable
when a vehicle runs over the hose the outer jacket and the inner jacket may become unbound
provide traffic control on scenes and lay hoses out of the way of moving vehicles
if it is necessary to drive over hose make sure it is a charged line instead of uncharged

36. Mechanical Damage
If large diameter hose is laid and must be driven over, lay a tarp over it so it does not get caught up in the dual axles and pass over on an angle

37. Mechanical Damage Chaffing may occur from vibrations from the pumper
hose connected to a pumper with excessive vibration cause chaffing of the hose where it meets the street
use a block or chafing block to prevent this

38. Mechanical Damage
Reloading dirty hose back into a hose bed may cause damage
dirt and grit abrades the jacket, like sandpaper

39. Mechanical Damage Loading hose on its edges
NFPA and manufactures recommends hose be loaded flat, especially LDH, because a horseshoe and accordion load wears out the edges
Hose damage occurs when hose is left loaded with sharp edges for a long period of time
tightly loaded hose that remains for long time can develop cracks
NFPA recommends hose be pulled and reloaded 4 (four) times a year

40. Mechanical Damage Damage may occur if a water hammer occurs
a sudden increase in water pressure, or water hammer, caused by “slamming shut” a nozzle bale
may cause hose and couplings, that are weak, to burst
use pressure governors and in-line pressure reliefs valves

41. Mechanical Damage
Damage occurs if hose is left hanging in a tower for extended periods of time
inner lining of hose can be damaged where hose rests over the peg
if hose is to be left in the hose tower for an extended period of time rotate the hoses position on the peg

42. Heat & Cold Damage
HEAT DAMAGE
Heat damage occurs when the hose comes in contact with hot debris from a fire
Causes charring, melting, and weakening of the jackets fibers
Will also cause jacket to dry out causing cracking
Similar damage occurs when you leave the hose near an apparatus’s exhaust pipe

43. Heat & Cold Damage
Obviously route hose away from the exhaust pipe to prevent this damage
Heat damage also occurs when you leave hose in an ambient air temperature, like a hose dryer or in direct sunlight for extended period of time

44. Heat & Cold Damage
COLD DAMAGE
Cold damage occurs when water within the hose freezes
Allow water to flow uninterrupted through lines during cold weather operations by leaving nozzles slightly open
Immediately drain and roll hose after use
Prevent intake hose from freezing by recirculating water and by dumping excess onto ground away from hoses, try for gutters

45. Heat & Cold Damage
Prevent couplings for leaking by tightening all connections
Prevent couplings and discharges from freezing by prelubricating them with anti-freeze
If hose becomes frozen in ice during operations, melt it in one on three ways
melt ice with steam, not fire
chop lose with axes
or leave hose until it warms up

46. Heat & Cold Damage
Break frozen couplings by pouring warm water over them, but first wrap them in a towel
Or place them near rigs exhaust
Do not thaw with a torch or any other high heat device as damage can occur to coupling and/or gasket
Never load or fold frozen hose
Before placing frozen hose back into service it must be service tested

47. Mold and Mildew Damage
Hose jackets are woven from organic fibers, such as, cotton or flax, and are very susceptible to attack from fungus
Mildew weakens the hose jacket as fungus consumes the fibers
Ideal condition exist within hose storage racks and hose beds where evaporation may be inhibited

48. Heat & Cold Damage Prevention
make sure totally dried before loading or storing
cover hose beds with water repellant tarps or covers
check hose beds and storage areas for a wet musty odor indicating hidden mildew
ventilate areas where hose is stored, including hose beds
Immediately wash hose, if mildew is located, with a mild soap solution and dry completely

49. Chemical Damage
Many chemicals in liquid and gaseous states enter woven jackets and destroy the rubber inside jackets of hose
gas
oil
battery acid
other petrochemicals

50. Chemical Damage Prevention
avoid laying hoses in curbs or gutters or where oil, gasoline, and run off from fire fighting runoff water could contain harmful chemicals
scrub hose thoroughly if suspected coming in contact with acids, scrub with a bicarbonate solution, the solution bubbling on the jacket will indicate if the hose jacket did absorb acids
test and inspect all inactive hose
test hose if any suspicion of chemical damage

51. Cleaning Hose Scrub hose thoroughly with warm water and mild soap
Scrub hose with broom to remove stains
Rinse
Remove hose to hose tower or dryer and thoroughly dry hose

52. Objective
Demonstrate the procedure for cleaning and maintaining couplings.
(4-12.3)

53. Cause and Prevention of Coupling Damage
Usually caused by personnel neglecting hose couplings, being run over by vehicles, or by being dropped
Dropping
causes misshapen
damage
chipping
cracking

54. Cause and Prevention of Coupling Damage
Couplings cannot withstand the weight of fire apparatus and may not be able to tolerate weight of regular vehicles
As tires roll over a coupling connection can be slightly flattened
Easily detected because the female swivel will not spin freely anymore and will not take the male coupling anymore
If vehicles run over just near the coupling the hose may be pulled from the coupling

55. Cause and Prevention of Coupling Damage
Obviously lay hose out of the path of vehicles and apparatus
If vehicles must pass over hose try and do it over the middle of the length between the two couplings
When dragging hose behind a moving apparatus male couplings can be damaged by chipping or become worn down

56. Cause and Prevention of Coupling Damage
Female couplings can become misshapen, if you must drag hose, try and fold it over the hose
Screw threads can be damaged if cross threaded or if mismatched with the threads of different coupling
Use a Higbee indicator to prevent cross threading
If couplings become difficult to swivel when connecting, stop and do not force it or continue

57. Coupling Repair If misshapen, remove it and replace it if possible
My be able to restore its original shape
If threads have been damaged they may be able to be repaired
Attempt to repair with a file, thread tap, or die tool
Remove burrs and abrasions with a fine three cornered file

58. Coupling Repair Remove gasket and wash in warm water
Clean threads to remove tar, dirt, gravel, and oil
Inspect gasket and replace if cracked or creased

59. Objective
Demonstrate the procedures for cleaning and maintaining nozzles
(4-12.3)

60. Cleaning and Maintaining Nozzles
Check the gasket
Check for external damage
Check for internal damage or debris
Check for ease of operation
Wash with soap and water, using a soft bristle brush
If gasket is worn or missing, replace it
If something is sticking or hard to move, lube it

61. OBJECTIVE 3-6.6
Demonstrate the procedures for inspecting couplings for damage
(4-12.3)

62. Inspecting couplings for damage
All parts of a coupling are susceptible to damage
threads
swivels
gaskets
lugs
Obviously couplings are less susceptible to damage when coupled and taken care of

63. Inspecting couplings for damage
Avoid dropping and/or dragging
Do not permit vehicles to run over couplings
Examine couplings when washed and dried
Remove the gasket and twist the swivel in warm, soapy water
Clean threads to remove tar, dirt, gravel, and oil
Inspect gasket, and replace if cracked or creased

64. Inspecting couplings for damage
Replacing and inspecting the gasket
hold gasket between your middle finger and thumb wit your index finger resting on the inside rim of the gasket
fold the outer rim of gasket upward by pulling with your index finger, and place the gasket into the swivel by permitting the large loop of the gasket to enter into the coupling swivel at the place provided for the gasket

65. Inspecting couplings for damage
allow the small loop to fall into place by releasing your grip on the gasket
if swivel has become stiff or sluggish, place the swivel in warm, soapy water and work the swivel forward and backward
When coupling has been severely bent (into an egg shape) the usual solution is to replace coupling

66. Inspecting couplings for damage
There are some cases when it is only slightly bent or egg shaped, that it can be straightened, but this should ONLY be done someone who is trained.
Obviously the hose length will have to be tested before it can be placed back in service
Also inspect threads, if there are any splinters or burrs, make sure you file them down, this is done only with a three-cornered file

67. This completes the Fire Hose and Appliances section of the Firefighter Level III training program