Fire Hose Basics

Fire Hose Basics	Fire hose is the most used item in the fire service.
	Larger diameter hose can carry more water at lower pressures.
	Smaller diameter hose can carry less water and will require higher pressure.
	Hose diameter is the most important factor in determining volume of water delivered.
	Attack lines are Booster Lines, 1 3/4”, 2 1/2”.
	Supply Lines are 3", 4", 5" and 6".
	Fire hose is manufactured in different configurations: Single jacket Double jacket Rubber single jacket Hard rubber noncollapsing types
	Fire Hose Sizes: Each hose is designed for a specific purpose Diameter of fire hose refers to the dimensions of the inside of the hose Fire hose is most commonly cut and coupled into lengths of 50 or 100 feet
	Intake hose is used to connect a fire department pumper or a portable pump to a near-by water source: Hydrant Another Engine Tanker Body of Water Ocean Lake River Stream Pools Ponds Portable Ponds Wells
	There are two groups of intake hose: Soft sleeve – transfer water from a pressurized source. Hard suction – used primarily to draft water from an open water source.

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.
	NFPA 1901, Standard for Automotive Fire Apparatus – Requires pumpers to carry: 15 feet of large soft sleeve hose or 20 feet of hard suction hose 1200 feet of 2 ½ inch or larger supply hose 400 feet of 1 ½ , 1 ¾, or 2 inch attack hose
	NFPA # 1964 - Spray Nozzles: 2-1.1 Rated pressure for spray nozzles shall be 100 psi. The nozzle discharge rating shall be expressed as a rated discharge at a rated pressure [e.g., 60 gpm at 100 psi.]

Suction Hose Hard Suction	Hose that is designed to prevent collapse under vacuum conditions so that it can be used for drafting water from below the pump (lakes, rivers, wells, etc.).
Soft Suction	Hose that is designed to carry water between: Hydrant to Engine Engine to Engine Tanker to Engine

Attack Hose	Hose designed to be used to combat fires beyond the incipient stage.
	Attack hose shall have a minimum design operating test pressure of 275 psi.
Attack Hose-1” Booster Line	Rubber Hose: Used for Rubbish, Brush, Washdowns Requires High Pressure (approx. 200 psi) Delivers low volume (approx. 50 gpm) Highly mobile - can be handled by 1 firefighter Uses a fog type nozzle
Attack Hose -1 3/4"	Primary Attack Line for House and Vehicle Fires
	Double Jacketed 275 psi max. operating pressure
	Can be operated by 2 - 3 firefighters
	Can deliver 140 - 200 gpm
	Working pressure and volume varies with nozzle type
	Used with both solid bore and fog type nozzles
Attack Hose - 2 1/2"	Primary attack line in Commercial Buildings and Exterior attacks
	Used to back up smaller hand lines
	Double Jacketed 275 psi max. operating pressure
	Needs 3 - 4 or more firefighters to operate
	Delivers high volume of water (200- 300 gpm)
	Relatively difficult to operate, especially in tight spaces
	Used with both solid bore and fog type nozzles