Hose Practices (7th Edition)
Chapter 1 - Hose & Coupling Construction
"By the Numbers"
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Hose development timeline:
Year
late 1800's
1873
1898
1905
1925
1935
1955
1956
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Development
The fire service recognized the problems with fire agencies using different couplings.
Standards for fire hose screw threads was passed in a resolution from the International
Association of Fire Engineers (now the International Association of Fire Chiefs).
The NFPA began drawing up thread specifications for hose couplings.
The NFPA was appointed to standardize couplings, hose, nozzles, and accessories.
dimensions for 2 1/2", 3", 3 1/2", and 4 1/2", couplings were agreed upon as an American
National Standard.
3/4", 1", and 1 1/2" thread dimensions were standardized.
4", 5", and 6" thread dimensions were standardized.
Standard dimensions for gasket grooves and gaskets for all 10 sizes were adopted.
Standards and Requirements for Hose:
ASTM E380-78
ASTM D296
ASTM D380
ANSI A152.1
ANSI Z210.1
ANSI/UL 92
FM 2111
NFPA 14
NFPA 24
NFPA 1961
NFPA 1962
NFPA 1963
RMA, IP-12
UL Standard 19
USDA/USFS 5100-186a
USDA/USFS 5700-183f
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Standard for Metric Practice
Woven-Jacket Rubber-Lined Fire Hose for Public and Private
Department Use
Standard Method of Testing Fire Hose
Safety Standard for Unlined Fire Hose
Metric Practice Guide
Fire Extinguisher and Booster Hose
Approval Standard for 1 1/2" and 2 1/2" Lined Fire Hose
Standard for Standpipe and Hose System
Standard for Outside Protection
Standard for Fire Hose
Standard for Care, Use, and Maintenance of Fire Hose, Including
Connections and Nozzles
Standard for Screw Threads and Gaskets for Fire Hose Connections
Standard for High Pressure Fire Engine Booster and Fire
Extinguisher Hose
Woven-Jacketed Rubber-Lined Fire Hose
Hose, Cotton-Synthetic Jacketed, Lined 1" and 1 1/2" Hose
Specification for 1" and 1 1/2" Linen Hose
Threads Per Inch (per NFPA 1963):
Diameter
Number of Threads
3/4"
8
1"
8
1 1/2"
9
2 1/2"
7 1/2
3"
6
3 1/2"
6
4"
4
4 1/2"
4
5"
4
6"
4
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The most common size of standpipe hose is 1 1/2".
Booster Hose is manufactured in 3/4" and 1" sizes.
2 1/2" and 3" hose is considered Medium Diameter Hose (MDH).
3 1/2", 4", 4 1/2", 5", and 6" hose is considered Large Diameter Hose (LDH).
Soft-Sleeve and Hard Suction hose is available in sizes from 2 1/2" to 6".
Conventional extinguisher hose is used on extinguishers that discharge at 400 psi or less, while high-pressure
extinguisher hose withstands pressures up to 1,250 psi.
Thermoplastic hose linings have 5 to 6 times more tensile strength and often weigh 40% less than rubber
linings.
Brass is usually composed of not less than 83% copper and 5% tin; and not more than 7% zinc and 3% lead.
Coupling sizes available for fire hose:
Hose Size
3/4"
1"
X
1"
X
1 1/2"
1 1/2"
X
1 3/4"
X
2"
X
2 1/2"
Coupling Sizes Available
3"
3 1/2"
4"
2 1/2"
X
3"
X
X
3 1/2"
X
X
4 1/2"
5"
6"
X
4"
X
X
X
X
4 1/2"
X
X
X
X
5"
6"
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
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Sexless couplings rotate 90 degrees clockwise to lock.
Storz couplings rotate 1/3 turn to lock or break.
There are 5 different components/methods for attaching couplings to fire hose.
The collar method attachment on 4 inch hose will reduce the waterway through the coupling by 1/2 inch.
Hose Practices (7th Edition)
Chapter 2 -Care, Maintenance, & Testing
"By the Numbers"
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100% polyester hose is particularly susceptible to wear when loaded on edge.

The bolts on bolt-on collars should be tightened to approximately 40 foot pounds of torque.
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A hose test gate valve has a 1/4 inch hole in the gate that permits pressurizing hose but will not allow water to
surge through the hose if it fails.
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Hose test lengths should not exceed 300 feet.
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When testing hose, a rope, rope hose tool, or hose strap should be tied 10 to 15 inches from the test valve
connection.
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When testing hose, fill the hose using 50 psi, then purge air from hose.
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Test pressure for hose should be maintained for 5 minutes.
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1/16 to 1/8 inch uniform movement of the coupling on newly coupled hose is to be expected.
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When testing linen hose, fill the hose using 50psi for 10 minutes prior to applying test pressure. This allows
the linen yarn to swell, which reduces leakage.
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Linen hose should not leak more than 20 gpm when tested.
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When testing hard suction hose, prime the pump to at least 22 inches of mercury. No more than 10 inches of
vacuum should be lost within 10 minutes.
Hose Practices (7th Edition)
Chapter 3 - Hose Appliances & Tools
"By the Numbers"
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Smoothbore tips on handlines deliver an optimum stream at 50 psi.
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Master stream smoothbore tips operate best at 80 psi.
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Most fog nozzles are designed to operate at 100 psi.
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With a fog nozzle operating at a pressure less than 100 psi, the volume will decrease but the nozzle will
maintain the same reach and quality as a stream at a higher pressure.
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A fan-shaped stream produced by a water curtain is approximately 35 feet wide and 2 stories high.
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Master stream devices (monitors, deluges, turret pipes, and ladder pipes) supply 400 gpm or more volume.
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A turret pipe or deck gun is capable of flows in excess of 2,500 gpm.
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Ball valves operate with a 1/4 turn handle.
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Butterfly valves are most commonly used on 4 1/2 inch or larger pumper intake orifices.
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An LDH-supplied manifold can support 3 or more 2 1/2 inch attack lines.
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A water thief has 1/4 turn gate valves on threaded 1 1/2 inch outlets and may have a valve on the 2 1/2 inch
threaded outlet.
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A water thief allows 1 1/2 inch or 2 1/2 inch hoseline to be used as needed.
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Water thief appliances are available in 1 1/2 inch with 2 1/2 inch or models with 1 1/2 inch only.
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If an appliance is damaged and repaired, it should be service tested at 250 psi.
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A hose control device is used to hold the nozzle end of a 2 1/2 inch hoseline in a static position.
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Hose jackets are made in 2 1/2 inch and 3 inch sizes.
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Hose clamps should be applied at least 20 feet behind apparatus and no farther than 5 feet from the coupling
on the incoming water side.
Hose Practices (7th Edition)
Chapter 4 - Basic Methods of Handling Hose
"By the Numbers"
Many of the numbers pulled from this chapter are parts of steps for the different hose handling methods. It is
suggested that you study the steps in their entirety since the numbers are the only thing presented here.
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In a donut roll, the couplings should be within 12 inches of each other in the completed roll.
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In a one-person donut roll (method 1), the measurement for forming the initial bite to start the roll is 30 inches
for 2 1/2 inch hose and about 18 inches on 1 1/2 inch hose.
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In a 1 person donut roll (method 2), a point 5 or 6 feet from midpoint is where the bight is formed to start the
roll.
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In a 2 person donut roll, the male coupling is places 3 to 4 feet short of the female coupling.
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The twin donut roll is best suited for 1 1/2 inch hose.
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In a twin donut roll, the hose is crossed at the 1/3 point and again at the 2/3 point.
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After making a bowl-like loop in a self-locking twin donut roll, walk 10 feet then step over to the opposite
side.
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In the shoulder carry loop, you should step forward to make a 3 foot loop behind you. Repeat this as you walk
forward. After loading the desired amount of hose, step forward 15 feet to allow the next person to load their
hose.
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The shoulder carry loop will not work when hose beds exceed 10 feet in length.
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When unloading hose from an accordion-loaded hosebed, carry the section of folds 15 feet from the apparatus
then pause for the next person to grasp their folds. The 2nd person pulling hose should rotate the hose 90
degrees so that the running length is on bottom.
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The modified accordion shoulder carry is designed for moving 2 1/2 inch or 3 inch hose long distances.
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When performing the modified accordion shoulder carry, hose should be folded back onto itself approximately
5 1/2 feet (or 1/9 the section length). The opposite coupling is placed approximately 4 feet to the side and
even with the folded end. This finished bundle has 9 folds of equal length.
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The horseshoe shoulder carry starts by placing couplings approximately 12 inches from each other.
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Method 2 of unloading multiple sections starts by placing the nozzle on the ground approximately 25 feet
behind the tailboard. As each person grasps their load, they walk forward approximately 25 feet.
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It is recommended that when 2 or more persons are used to advance hose that they be on the same side and
spaced at 10 foot intervals.
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When advancing hose up a ladder, personnel with hose straps should be spaced at 10 foot intervals.
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When advancing a charged line of larger diameter, spacing should be increased above 10 feet and the persons
should lock in and pass the hose up hand over hand.
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When 1 person handles a hoseline, the hose should be straight for at least 10 feet behind the nozzle.
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Water flowing through any hoseline larger than 1 inch usually causes significant nozzle reaction.
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When implementing the "O" pattern attack, it is usually easier to grasp the hose approximately 2 feet back
from the nozzle with both hands.
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For 1 person to control a large diameter hose, take a 25 foot length of hose and make a large loop so that it
rests hose approximately 2 feet back from the nozzle.
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For 2 persons to handle a hoseline, a straight bar about 4 feet long can be strapped to the hose just behind the
nozzle. For 3 persons, the straight bar can be applied 6 to 8 feet behind the nozzle.
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Spacing for 3 person on a hoseline is: 1st-at nozzle, 2nd-4 feet back, 3rd-10 foot from 2nd person.
Hose Practices (7th Edition)
Chapter 5 - Supply Hose Loads & Layout Procedures
"By the Numbers"
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It takes at least 5 sections of 2 1/2 inch hose to deliver 1,000 gpm of water at the same pump pressure as one 5
inch hose section.
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The pump pressure required to move 1,000 gpm through two-100 foot 2 1/2 inch hoses would move the same
amount of water through one-5 inch hose a distance of 750 feet.
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An apparatus with either 2 1/2 inch or 3 inch hose can use the entire load for either supply or attack.
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NFPA 1901, Standard for Automotive Fire Apparatus recommends that a minimum of 1,500 feet of 2 1/2 inch
or larger hose be carried. With pumps of 1,000 gpm or larger, this is a bare minimum.
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When loading hose, the bends of every other fold should be approximately 2 inches shorter.
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Hose should be laid from a bed generally between 5 and 10 mph.
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When anchoring a line to lay out a hosebed, the apparatus should be pulled to approximately 10 feet past the
hydrant.
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Amount of water delivered by supply hose:
Hose Diameter
2 1/2"
3"
4"
5"
Gallons Per Minute
200-250 gpm
300-350 gpm
750-1,000 gpm
1,200-1,500 gpm
Hose Practices (7th Edition)
Chapter 6 - Attack Hose Loads & Layout Procedures
"By the Numbers"
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When laying a single attack hose in a forward lay, apply a hose clamp 5 feet from the coupling on the hydrant
side.
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When pulling folds, make sure they clear the tailboard by 10 feet.
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A Cisco finish or horseshoe finish is made of two-100 foot lengths of 1 1/2 inch, 1 3/4 inch, or 2 1/2 inch
hose. A 2 1/2" x 1 1/2" gated reducing wye is required for 1 1/2 inch and 1 3/4 inch hose, while a 2 1/2" x 2
1/2" gated wye is required for 2 1/2 inch hose.
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A skid load finish requires 3 sections of 2 1/2 inch hose and a nozzle.
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The skid load finish has 2 loops that extend 6 inches beyond the hosebed under the finish.
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Skid load finishes can be pulled by 1 person. The finish should be pulled approximately 15 feet back from the
tailboard. If no shutoff valve is present, place a hose clamp approximately 5 feet back from the connection
point at the end of the finish.
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2 1/2 inch and 3 inch hose in a reverse horseshoe load is best suited for a wide hosebed.
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When loading a reverse horseshoe, the load should not go farther than 5 feet back into the hosebed.
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When loading hose in a transverse hosebed, a fold that extends approximately 8 inches beyond the load should
be placed at approximately 1/3 the total length of the load (serves as a pull handle). This should be repeated at
approximately the 2/3 point with a 14 inch fold.
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A disadvantage of a triple-layer load is that the 3 layers may be as long as 50 feet and the entire load must be
removed to use the hose.
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The wyed flat load (formerly called "combination load") consists of two-2 1/2", 1 3/4", or 1 1/2" hoselines
connected to a wye.
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In the wyed flat load, one-150 foot section is connected to each side of the wye.
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The wyed load has a fold that extends 10 to 12 inches beyond the hose bed.
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A typical hand-carried hose pack contains a 100 foot length of 1 1/2 inch 800 psi proof tested lightweight hose
with a 2 1/2" x 1 1/2" reducer.
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A wildland pack is made of two-100 foot sections of 1 1/2" single-jacket hose with eight 52 inch cords to tie
the pack together.
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Wildland pack construction starts by laying the male end tightly around the center form in a 3 foot diameter
circle.
Hose Practices (7th Edition)
Chapter 7 - Special Hose Operations
"By the Numbers"
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The flow of water at 80 to 100 psi nozzle pressure produces significant nozzle reaction.
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To secure hose to a ladder, pass the nozzle 2 foot beyond the rung where it is needed before attaching it to the
ladder.
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To hoist an uncharged hoseline, fold the first 6 feet of hose back on to itself.
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Before hoisting a hoseline, a half-hitch should be place about 6 inches from the doubled end.
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When hoisting a charged hoseline, tie the rope approximately 6 feet below the nozzle with half-hitches
between that point and the nozzle.
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To pass a hoseline upward without rope, fold 3 feet of hose back on to itself and attach a hose strap so that it
can be grasped with a pike pole.