IFSTA CH 12 Fire Hose Flashcards
The primary characteristics to describe fire hose include
type of construction/materials used
internal diameter
couplings used to make connections
supply hose
transports water from a hydrant or other water supply to an apparatus equipped with a pump
attack hose
transports water at increased pressure from the following sources
- pump-equipped apparatus to nozzles
- pump-equipment apparatus to a FDC
- building standpipe tot he point the water is applied to the fire
hose diameter
the size of a fire hose refers to its inside diameter
hose length
both attack and supply hose are manufactured in 50ft (15m) to 100ft (30m) sections
meters to feet conversion
1m = 3.2ft
suction hose (intake hose)
used to connect the pumper to a hydrant or other water source
hard suction hose
generally constructed in 10ft long sections and is designed for drafting water from static water supplies or connecting to fire hydrant
hose couplings
connect hose sections to form a continuous hose line and to connect fire hoses to nozzles, hydrants, pumper connections and FDCs
two different threaded couplings
male and female
male coupling thread
is cut on the exterior surface
female coupling thread
is on the interior surface of a free-turning ring called a swivel
shank
portion of the coupling that serves as a point of attachment to the hose
higbee cut
flattened angle at the end of the threads on the male and female coupling that prevents cross-threading when couplings are connected
higbee indicator
indentation on the exterior of the coupling marks where the higbee cut begins
lugs
gasping points where FF can easily hold the couplings when making and breaking coupling connections
three types of lugs are found
pin
recessed
rocker
nonthreaded couplings
using locks or cams rather than screw heads
two varieties of nonthreaded couplings
quarter-turn
storz
quarter-turn coupling
has two hook-like lugs on each coupling
the lugs which are grooved on the underside, extend past a raised lip or ring on the open end of the coupling
When the couplings are mated, the lug of one coupling slips over the ring of the opposite coupling and then rotates 90 degrees clockwise to lock
storz
most commonly found on large diameter hose
they are joined and then rotated until locked in place to form a connection
non threaded coupling advantages
fire hose can be connected quickly
there is no risk of cross threading
double-male or double-female adapters are not needed
non-threaded coupling disadvantages
Hose can become uncoupled, often suddenly and violently, if a complete connection has not been made
Hydrants require adapters to make connections
Dirt and large debris can become lodged inside the couplings grooves, giving the impression of a tight seal when a hose is actually not connected
inspecting hose
hose should be inspected and service-tested within 90-days before being placed in service for the first time and at least annually thereafter
washing hard rubber booster hose/hard intake hose/rubber-jacket collapsible hose
only require rinsing with clear water, although mild soap may be used if necessary
washing woven-jacket hose
requires a little more care
any dust and dirt should be thoroughly brushed or swept off of the hose
drying hose
should be dried before being stored
Take the following precautions to prevent damage to hose stored in racks
Locate hose racks in a clean, well-ventilated room that is easily accessible to the apparatus room/bay
Store hose where it is not exposed to direct sunlight
Pack cotton fabric hose loosely so that air circulates around it
Store hose so that couplings are not in walkways and will not come into contact with equipment or passing personnel
Roll the hose with the male end inside the roll to protect the male coupling threads
Place two-way couplings in a storage rack in a way that prevents dirt or other foreign objects from collecting in their ramp grooves
damage to hose
mechanical
thermal
organic
chemical
corrosion
age
mechanical damage
abrasions, cuts and tears
thermal damage
exposure to fire, heat or freezing temperatures
organic damage
mold and mildew
chemical damage
deterioration due to solvent action on synthetic materials and natural fibers
corrosion damage
rusting of metal couplings
age deterioration
cracking at points where hose is folded and separation of inner liner from exterior covering
straight roll
start at the male coupling end and roll toward the female coupling end
simplest of all hose rolls
straight roll is commonly used for hose in the following situations
Transporting damage or dirty hose to the station for repair, replacement or cleaning
Storing sections of hose in a storage rack or other location
Carrying spare sections of hose in apparatus compartments
Making hose loading easier
donut roll
commonly used when hose is likely to be deployed for use directly from a roll
donut roll advantages
FF has control of both couplings, which protects them from damage
hose rolls out easier with fewer twist or kinks
holding both couplings enables a quicker connection to other couplings
hose loads
there must be a minimum of 800ft (240m) of larger supply hose and 400ft (140m) of attack fire hose
three most common loads for supply hose lines are
flat
accordion
horseshoe
flat hose load
easiest to load
works for any size of supply hose and is the best way to load large diameter hose
less likely to damage from apparatus vibration during travel
disadvantage of the flat hose load
is the hose folds contain sharp bends at both ends of the bed, which requires the hose to be reloaded periodically to change the location of the bends
accordion hose load
hose is laid on edge in folds that like adjacent to each other
combination load
This load permits the apparatus to make a forward lay from the water source to the fire, followed by a revers lay back to the water source
One half of the bed is loaded with female coupling exposed and other half ahs the male coupling exposed
dutchman serves two purposes
changes the direction and/or location of a coupling
preconnects
primarily lines most fire departments use for fire attack
generally range from 50ft to 250ft in length
clearing the bed
regardless of the type of load used, the preconnect hose must be fully deployed from the hose bed before charging the line
preconnect flat load
adaptable for varying sizes of hose beds and is often used in transverse beds
is similar to a flat load except that exposed loops are provided for pulling hose from the bed
triple layer load
The load begins with hose folded in three layers, the three folds are then laid into the bed in an S-shaped fashion
Load is designed for one person to pull
minuteman load
One person can pull and advance this load
This load can be carried on the shoulder, completely clear of the ground, which makes it less likely that the hose will catch on obstacles
The load deploys from the shoulder as the firefighter advances towards the fire
Booster hose reels
Are rubber-covered hose that are usually carried preconnected and coiled on reels
The hose works well for a quick, first attack on small exterior fires
Direct connection provides instant water flow no matter what length of hose is needed
