Chapter 12 - Fire Hose

Question 1

Primary characteristics of fire hose

Answer 1

Construction and materials used, internal diameter and couplings used to make connections

Question 2

Supply hose

Answer 2

Transports water from a fire hydrant or other water supply source to an apparatus equipped with a pump
- CFD: Supply hose (large diameter hose) is cut and coupled in 30 m lengths (10 lengths total)

Question 3

Attack hose

Answer 3

Transports water or other agents at increased pressure from the following sources: from pump equipped apparatus to a nozzle or nozzles, pump equipped apparatus to a fire department connection (FDC) mounted on a structure, from building standpipe to the point the water is applied to the fire.
- CFD: Attack hose (small and medium diameter hoses) is usually cut into 15 m lengths with the exception of the 44 mm high-rise hose which is cut into 30 m lengths.

Question 4

NFPA 1961

Answer 4

Standard on fire hose

Question 5

Hose diameter

Answer 5

The size of a fire hose refers to its inside diameter.

Question 6

Hose length

Answer 6

Attack and supply manufactured in 15m (50ft) or 30m (100ft) sections.

Question 7

Suction hose

Answer 7

Also called intake hose, used to connect the pumper to a hydrant or other water source. Soft sleeve suction hose is not rigid and cannot be used for drafting because it will collapse. Hard suction hose is usually contsructed in 3m (10ft) long lengths. Designed for drafting water from static water supplies or connecting to a hydrant.

Question 8

Threaded couplings

Answer 8

Male thread is cut on the exterior surface. Female thread is on the interior surface of the swivel. Each section of fire hose with threaded couplings have 1 male at one end and 1 female at the other.

Question 9

Shank

Answer 9

The portion of the coupling that serves as a point of attachment to the hose.

Question 10

Higbee cut

Answer 10

A flattened angle at the end of the threads on the male and female couplings called the higbee cut prevents cross threading when couplings are connected. Indicator aids in matching the male coupling thread to the female thread.

Question 11

A removable rubber gasket is located inside which coupling to ensure a tight fit and to reduce water leaks

Answer 11

Female

Question 12

Lugs

Answer 12

Aid in tightening and loosening connections. Sit on shank of the male and swivel of female. Spanner wrenches to assist. Rocker lugs, recessed lugs and pin lug.

Question 13

Storz

Answer 13

Nonthreaded coupling commonly found on large diameter hose.

Question 14

Inspecting hose

Answer 14

NFPA 1962. Inspected and service tested every 3 MONTHS (90 days).

Question 15

Drying hose

Answer 15

Dried before being stored. Water should be drained from hose to protect lining. Avoid high temps and direct sunlight. Never store solvents, petroleum products or other chemicals close to fire hose or couplings.

Question 16

Types of damage that can occur

Answer 16

Mechanical- abrasions, cuts and tears
Thermal- exposure to fire, high heat, or freezing temp
Organic- mold and mildew
Chemical- deterioration due to solvent action on synthetic materials and natural fibres
Corrosion- rusting of metal couplings
Age deterioration- Cracking at points where hose is folded and separation of inner liner from exterior covering

Question 17

Straight roll

Answer 17

Start at male coupling end and roll toward the female end. Used for transporting damaged or dirty hose, storing sections, carrying spare sections and making hose loading easier. If male end is exposed, indicator roll needs to be serviced. Or if end is tied in a knot.

Question 18

Donut roll

Answer 18

Commonly used when hose is likely to be deployed for use directly from a roll. FF has access to both couplings. Quicker connections.

Question 19

Hose beds

Answer 19

Supply and attack generally carried in open compartments called hose beds. Front of the bed is closest to the front of the apparatus.

Question 20

3 most common loads for supply

Answer 20

Flat, accordion and horseshoe.

Question 21

Flat load

Answer 21

Less likely to damage from apparatus vibration during travel. Does contain sharp bends which requires load to be reloaded periodically to prevent damage to internal lining.

Question 22

Accordion load

Answer 22

Hose is laid on its edge. FF can easily pick up a number of folds and place them on one shoulder to carry.

Question 23

Preconnected hose lines

Answer 23

Called preconnects. Primary lines most departments use for fire attack. Hoselines connected to a discharge valve.

Question 24

Preconnected flat load

Answer 24

Place loops at regular intervals within the load so that equal portions of the load are pulled from the bed.

Question 25

Booster hose reels

Answer 25

Rubber covered hose that are usually carried preconnected and coiled on reels. Work well for quick, first attack on small exterior fires. Direct connection provides instant water flow no matter what length of hose is needed.

Question 26

Pony length

Answer 26

Any hose cut shorter than standard length is called a pony length. This is usually made from hose that has been damaged at one time and repaired. The only pony length found on CFD engines is the 125 mm pony.

Question 27

CFD supply hose (hard suction and high volume)

Answer 27

There are two types of hard suction hose, both are non-collapsible, and wire reinforced. Newer hard suction hose is made of transparent PVC and older hard suction hose is rubber-lined and rubber-covered. The length of these hoses is usually 3 m.
The hard suction hose sizes used by the CFD are:
* 65 mm
* 77 mm
* 100 mm
* 125 mm
Hard suction hoses are carried on all CFD tenders.

Question 28

High-Volume (High Vol) supply hose

Answer 28

Low Pressure High Volume (LPHV)
* 125 mm urethane-lined, synthetic rubber jacket, equipped with a 125 mm sexless Storz coupling.
* Rated to 1400 kPa (200 psi).
* Usually yellow in colour.
* Carried on all CFD Engines.
High Pressure High Vol (HPHV)
* 125 mm urethane-lined, synthetic rubber jacket, equipped with a 125 mm sexless Storz coupling.
* Rated to 2100 kPa (300 psi).
* Usually green or red in colour.
* Found on ladders and platforms

Question 29

Attack Hose Sizes & Construction CFD

Answer 29

• 19 mm synthetic, jacketed hose with couplings ◦ Commonly called forestry hose
  ◦ Yellow or Blue depending on length
  ◦ Rated to 1720 kPa (250 psi)
• 25 mm rubber-lined, rubber-covered hose, equipped with a 25 mm coupling; ◦ Commonly called a booster line
  ◦ Found on CFD Bush Buggies
  ◦ Rated to 2100 kPa (300 psi)
• 38 mm rubber-lined, double-jacketed hose with a 38 mm red or green coupling; ◦ Commonly called a wash-out hose
  ◦ Found ONLY in Station. Do not mix with engine complement
  ◦ Not rated or tested
• 44 mm rubber-lined, double-jacketed hose with a 38 mm blue or unpainted coupling ◦ Rated to 2750 kPa (400 psi)
• 65 mm rubber-lined, double-jacketed hose with a 65 mm coupling ◦ Rated to 2800 kPa (400 psi)
• 77 mm urethane-lined, synthetic rubber, jacketed hose with a 65 mm unpainted coupling ◦ Rated to 4200 kpa (600 psi)
  ◦ 4 x 15 m lengths found on all Engines

Question 30

Pyrolite

Answer 30

The most common material used is Pyrolite, which is a lightweight coupling made of an aluminum alloy with a hard coating. The advantages of using this material are that it is durable, lightweight, and resistant to corrosion.

Question 31

Engine Complement

Answer 31

CFD Engines typically carry the following:
4 lengths of 19 mm = 90 m (2-30 m, 2-15 m) Forestry hose
2 lengths of 44 mm = 30 m
The trash line or bumper line located in the front bumper
8 lengths of 44 mm = 120 m (4 yellow, 4 oranges) 2 cross-lay hose beds of 60 m each
1 cross-lay is yellow (first tranverse bed); 1 cross-lay is orange (middle transverse bed)
Pre-connected – often called leader lines
Never mix colours when loading a single transverse bed
1 length of 44 mm (30 m) Hose Bundle
1 length of 65 mm (15 m) Hose Bundle
4 lengths of 65 mm = 60 m Pre-connected in a cross-lay Also called a leader line
* 18 lengths of 65 mm = 270 m ◦ The attack bed
* 10 lengths of 125 mm = 300 m
◦ The supply bed

Question 32

The CFD employs three methods of rolling hose:

Answer 32

Service roll (straight roll)- A service roll is hose rolled with the male coupling forming the core. This roll is to be used when picking up hose at fires and storing hose in racks at the station.
Damaged roll- rolled with the female coupling forming the core. This roll is to be used for hose that needs to be repaired. Damaged hose will be tagged and marked with the necessary information regarding repairs (be specific as to the nature of the damage and mark the area if possible).
Single Doughnut Roll (125 mm Pony and 77 mm High-Pressure Hose)

Question 33

Hose testing/inspection shall be done:

Answer 33

• Annually
• After repairs
• After hard use
• On any suspicion of damage

Question 34

Damaged / Contaminated Hose

Answer 34

Hose that is damaged within 10% of its overall length from each end can be repaired.
Hose that is damaged in the middle 80% of its length cannot be repaired.

Question 35

Coupling forward Column Load for the 125 mm Supply Hose (10 x 30 m)

Answer 35

The coupling forward column load is used on CFD engines manufactured after 2016. This load saves space and allows the hose to lay flat.

Question 36

Making the Snub Loop on 125 mm Supply Hose

Answer 36

The snub loop is designed to protect the hose coupling and assist with hose deployment when making a hydrant.

Question 37

77 mm x 15 m Hose

Answer 37

Every engine is equipped with four 15 m lengths of 77 mm hose. This hose has 65 mm AMA couplings and is required when supplying water into a Fire Department Connection (FDC) as it is rated for higher pressure. 77 mm hose is donut rolled with the female coupling on the top and a swivel thickness back from the male threaded shank.

Question 38

Scorpion Load for the Bumper Lines (2 x 15 m Lengths)

Answer 38

A Scorpion load is loaded as a column load and is a minimum of 2 x 15 m lengths of 44 mm, pre-connected, with a nozzle. The first transverse bed is yellow hose, middle transverse bed is orange hose.

Question 39

The Flat Load for 44 mm/65 mm Leader Lines (4 x 15 m Lengths)

Answer 39

A leader line is a minimum of 4 x 15 m lengths of 44 mm or 65 mm hose, pre-connected, with a nozzle. A minimum of three firefighters are required for loading 44 mm/65 mm cross lays: one in the hose bed and the others to the both sides of the transverse bed.

Question 40

65 mm Attack Bed

Answer 40

The current 65 mm rear hose bed comprises of 18 lengths of 15 m hose. It is referred to
as the “devils load “or 65 tactical hose bed. It is comprised of three separate stacks, each stack contains 6 lengths of hose that are connected and loaded in two distinct tactical hose configurations, these are:
* 65 mm shoulder load
* 65 mm attack

Question 41

Hose Bundles

Answer 41

Two types of hose bundles are used by the CFD
* Single 15 m length of 65 mm hose
* Single 30 m length of 44 mm hose
Hose bundles for the high-rise packs are in a horseshoe load

Question 42

Transverse lines/leeder lines/cross lay

Answer 42

8 sections of 44mm hose (2 beds of 4 sections) and one 4 section of 65.
Fold like butterfly (straight, cross, straight, cross, etc) every second coupling should have long fold

Question 43

Devils load

Answer 43

18 sections of 65 mm. 12 sections of fast attack (2 male couplings exposed, connected couplings at front of bed) 6 sections of shoulder load (female couplings exposed)

Question 44

Hose Couplings

Answer 44

Standards are straight iron pipe thread for 38mm couplings and 8 threads per inch for 65mm couplings