1. CVFD Training – Hose Practices
SFFMA Training Objectives:
,.02,.05,.06,.07,.08,.09,.10,.11,.13,.14

2. Fire Hose Produced in different diameters, each for specific purposes
Size refers to outside diameter
Most commonly cut, coupled into pieces of 50 or 100 feet (15 or 30 m)
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Firefighter I

3. Fire Hose
Firefighter I

4. Intake Hose
Used to connect fire department pumper or portable pump to water source
Two groups
Soft intake hose
Hard intake hose
Firefighter I

5. NFPA® 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
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Firefighter I

6. NFPA® Standards
NFPA® 1901, Standard for Automotive Fire Apparatus, requires pumpers to carry varying sizes/amounts of hose
Firefighter I

7. Fire Hose Damage — Mechanical
Slices, rips, abrasions on coverings
Crushed/damaged couplings
Cracked inner linings
Certain practices prevent damage
Firefighter I

8. Fire Hose Damage — Thermal
Excessive heat/direct flame contact can char, melt, weaken outer jacket and dehydrate rubber lining
Inner linings can be dehydrated when hose hangs to dry too long
Certain practices prevent damage
Firefighter I

9. Fire Hose Damage — Organic
Rubber-jacket hose not subject to damage caused by living organism, but this is a problem on hose with woven jacket of natural fiber if stored wet
Mildew, mold rot fibers of hose jacket, causing hose to rupture under pressure
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Firefighter I

10. Fire Hose Damage — Organic
If outer jacket made of synthetic fibers, will resist organic damage
Outer jacket of some natural-fiber hose has been chemically treated to resist mildew, mold; not always 100 percent effective
Certain practices prevent damage
Firefighter I

11. Fire Hose Damage — Chemical
Chemicals, chemical vapors can damage outer jacket on hose or cause rubber lining to separate from inner jacket
When hose exposed to petroleum products, paints, acids, alkalis, may be weakened
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Firefighter I

12. Fire Hose Damage — Chemical
Runoff water from fire may carry foreign materials that can damage hose
Certain practices prevent damage
Firefighter I

13. Washing Hose Method depends on type of hose
Hard rubber booster hose, hard intake hose, rubber-jacket collapsible hose
Woven-jacket fire hose
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Firefighter I

14. Washing Hose When jacket exposed to oil
Wash with mild soap/detergent using common scrub brush
Make sure oil completely removed
Thoroughly rinse with clear water
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Firefighter I

15. Washing Hose Hose washing machines Can make care, maintenance easier
Wash almost any size fire hose up to 3 inches (77 mm)
Flow of water into device can be adjusted as desired
Movement of water assists in propelling hose through device
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Firefighter I

16. Washing Hose Hose washing machines
Hoseline that supplies water can be connected to pumper or used from hydrant
Higher water pressure equals better results
Cabinet-type machine
Courtesy of Thomas Locke and South Union Volunteer Fire Company.
Firefighter I

17. Drying Hose
Woven-jacket must be thoroughly dried before being reloaded on apparatus
Methods depend on type of hose
Should be in accordance with SOP, manufacturer’s recommendations
Some may be placed on apparatus wet with no ill effects
Firefighter I

18. DISCUSSION QUESTION How is hose washed in your department?
Firefighter I

19. Storing Hose
After hose has been brushed, washed, dried, should be rolled and stored in suitable racks unless it is to be placed back on apparatus
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Firefighter I

20. Storing Hose Hose racks
Located in clean, well-ventilated room or close to apparatus
Can be freestanding on floor or mounted permanently on wall
If mobile, can be used to store and move hose
Firefighter I

21. Threaded Fire Hose Couplings
Consist of two major components
Male — External threads
Female — Internal threads
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Firefighter I

22. DISCUSSION QUESTION
Why is it important to be able to differentiate between the male and female couplings during search and rescue operations?
Firefighter I

23. Threaded Fire Hose Couplings
Disadvantage — One male, one female necessary to make connection unless double-male or double-female adapter used
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Firefighter I

24. Threaded Fire Hose Couplings
Intake hose
Sometimes equipped with two-piece female hose couplings on each end
Threaded hose couplings on large intake hose equipped with extended lugs providing handles for attaching to hydrant outlet/pump intake
Shank — Portion of coupling that serves as point of attachment to hose
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Firefighter I

25. Threaded Fire Hose Couplings
Lugs
Aid in tightening, loosening couplings
Aid in grasping coupling when making, breaking coupling connections
Types
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Firefighter I

26. DISCUSSION QUESTION Which lugs do you think are the best to use? Why?
Firefighter I

27. Threaded Fire Hose Couplings
Higbee cut
Special type of thread design
Eliminates cross-threading
One rocker lug on each half has small indentation to mark where Higbee cut begins
Firefighter I

28. Storz Couplings Referred to as sexless couplings
No distinct male/female components
Identical to, may be connected to other Storz couplings of same size
Designed to be connected/disconnected with quarter turn
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Firefighter I

29. Storz Couplings
Have lugs, slots built into swivel rings of each coupling for locking
Must have locking devices if attached to large-diameter hose
Firefighter I

30. Rules for Care of Fire Hose Couplings
Avoid dropping/dragging
Do not permit vehicles to run over hose
Inspect couplings when hose washed/ dried
Remove gasket, twist swivel in warm, soapy water
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Firefighter I

31. Rules for Care of Fire Hose Couplings
Clean threads to remove tar, dirt, gravel, oil
Inspect gasket, replace if cracked/ creased
Firefighter I

32. Cleaning Fire Hose Couplings
Hose-washing machines will not clean sufficiently
Swivel part should be submerged in warm, soapy water and worked forward and backward
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Firefighter I

33. Cleaning Fire Hose Couplings
Male threads should be cleaned with stiff brush
Wire brush may be necessary
Swivel gasket
Expansion-ring gasket
Firefighter I

34. DISCUSSION QUESTION
What is a complete hose layout?
Firefighter I

35. Hose Appliances
Any piece of hardware used with fire hose to deliver water
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Firefighter I

36. Hose Appliances Valves
Control flow of water in hoselines, at hydrants, at pumpers
Ball valves
Gate valves
Butterfly valves
Clapper valves
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Firefighter I

37. Hose Appliances Valve devices
Allow number of hoselines operating on fire ground to be increased/decreased
Wye appliances
Siamese appliances
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Firefighter I

38. Hose Appliances Valve devices Water thief appliances
Large-diameter hose appliances
Hydrant valves
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Firefighter I

39. DISCUSSION QUESTION What are some other names for hydrant valves?
Firefighter I

40. Hose Appliances
Fittings
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Firefighter I

41. Hose Appliances Intake strainers
Devices attached to drafting end of hard intake to keep debris from entering fire pump
Guidelines for use
Firefighter I

42. Hose Tools
Hose roller
Prevents damage to hose that can occur when dragged over sharp corners such as roof edges, windowsills
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Firefighter I

43. Hose Tools
Hose roller
Consists of metal frame with two or more rollers
Can be used for protecting rope from similar edges
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Firefighter I

44. Hose Tools
Hose jacket
Can be installed on ruptured section of hoseline to temporarily close rupture
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Firefighter I

45. Hose Tools Hose jacket Consists of hinged two-piece metal cylinder
Made in two sizes
Encloses hose so can operate at full power
Can be used to connect mismatched hose
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Firefighter I

46. Hose Tools Hose clamp Can be used to stop flow of water in hoseline
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Firefighter I

47. Hose Tools
Hose clamp
Three types — Screw-down, press-down, hydraulic press
Can injure firefighters/damage hose
Several general rules for use
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Firefighter I

48. Hose Tools Spanner Used to tighten/loosen couplings
May have other built-in features
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Firefighter I

49. Hose Tools Hydrant wrench
Used to remove caps from hydrant outlets, open hydrant valves
Equipped with pentagonal opening fitting most standard hydrant operating nuts
May be equipped with spanner
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Firefighter I

50. Hose Tools Rubber mallet — Strike lugs to tighten/loosen couplings
Hose bridge/ramp
Helps prevent damage to hose
Should be used where hose laid across street
Can be positioned over small spills
Can be used as chafing blocks
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Firefighter I

51. Hose Tools Chafing blocks
Used to protect fire hose where subjected to rubbing from vibrations
Useful where intake hose comes in contact with pavement
May be wood, leather, old truck tires
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Firefighter I

52. Hose Tools Hose strap, hose rope, hose chain
Used to carry, pull fire hose
Provide more secure means to handle pressurized hose when applying water
Firefighter I

53. Straight Roll Simplest
Starts at one end, usually male coupling; to complete roll hose toward other end
When complete, female end exposed and male protected in center of roll
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Firefighter I

54. Straight Roll Used in situations Easy loading of minuteman load
When loaded back on apparatus at fire
When returned to quarters for washing
When placed in storage
Easy loading of minuteman load
Methods to indicate need for repair/test
Firefighter I

55. Donut Roll
Used in situations where hose is likely to be deployed for use directly from roll
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Firefighter I

56. Donut Roll Advantages over straight roll
Better control
Hose rolls out easier
Facilitates connecting to other couplings
Can be performed by 1-2 firefighters
Firefighter I

57. Twin Donut Roll Works well on 1½-inch (38 mm) and 1¾-inch (45 mm) hose
Creates compact roll that is easily transported, carried
If couplings offset about 1 foot (0.3 m), can be coupled together after roll tied
Firefighter I

58. Self-Locking Twin Donut Roll
Twin donut roll with built-in carrying loop formed from hose itself
Loop locks over couplings to keep intact
Length of carrying loop may be adjusted
Firefighter I

59. DISCUSSION QUESTION
Are there any hose rolls specific to your department or jurisdiction?
Firefighter I

60. Hose Beds Hose compartments on fire apparatus Vary in size, shape
Sometimes built for specific needs
Front of hose bed
Rear of hose bed
Split beds
Firefighter I

61. Hose Loading Guidelines
Check gaskets, swivel before connecting couplings
Keep flat sides of hose in same plane when two sections connected
Tighten couplings hand-tight
Remove kinks, twists when bent to form loop in hose bed
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Firefighter I

62. Hose Loading Guidelines
Make short fold/reverse bend in hose during loading so couplings not too close to front or rear of hose bed and will not flip over when pulled out of bed
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Firefighter I

63. Hose Loading Guidelines
Load large-diameter hose with all couplings near front of bed
Do not pack too tightly; should permit gloved hand between folds
Firefighter I

64. Accordion Load
Derives name from manner in which it appears after loading
Procedure
Advantages
Firefighter I

65. Horseshoe Load Named for way it appears after loading Procedure
Advantage
Disadvantages
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Firefighter I

66. Horseshoe Load In single hose load, may be started on either side
Steps for split hose bed
Firefighter I

67. Flat Load Easiest to load Suitable for any size supply hose
Best way for large-diameter hose
Advantage
Disadvantage
Courtesy of Sam Goldwater.
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Firefighter I

68. Flat Load May be started on either side of single hose bed
In split hose bed, lay first length against partition with coupling hanging appropriate distance below hose bed
Large-diameter hose
Firefighter I

69. Finishes for Forward Lays
Designed to facilitate making hydrant connection
Not as elaborate as finishes for reverse lays
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Firefighter I

70. Finishes for Forward Lays
Straight finish
Last length or two of hose flaked loosely back and forth across top of hose load
Associated with forward- lay operation
Hydrant wrench, gate valve, adapters strapped to hose near female coupling
Firefighter I

71. Finishes for Reverse Lays
Reverse horseshoe finish
Similar to horseshoe load
One or two 100-foot (30 m) lengths of hose
Can be used with any size attack hose
Can be used for preconnected line
Can be loaded in two or three layers
Can be pulled from bed for arm carry
(Continued)
Firefighter I

72. Finishes for Reverse Lays
Reverse horseshoe finish
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Firefighter I

73. Finishes for Reverse Lays
Skid load finish
Folding last three lengths of hose into compact bundle on top of rest of load
Begins by forming 3+ pull loops extending beyond end of hose load
Rest of hose accordion-folded across hose used to form pull loops
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Firefighter I

74. Finishes for Reverse Lays
Firefighter I

75. Preconnected Hose Loads for Attack Lines
Primary lines used for fire attack by most departments
Connected to discharge valve, placed in area other than main hose bed
Range from feet (15-75 m)
Can be carried in several places
Firefighter I

76. Preconnected Flat Load
Adaptable for varying widths of hose beds
Often used in transverse beds
Similar to flat load for large supply hose except
Preconnected
Loops provided to aid in pulling from bed
Firefighter I

77. Triple Layer Load Begins with hose folded in three layers
Designed to be pulled by one person
Disadvantage
Can be used for all sizes attack lines
Often preferred for larger lines
Firefighter I

78. Minuteman Load Designed to be pulled, advanced by one Advantage
Pays off shoulder as firefighter advances toward fire
Well suited for narrow hose bed
Disadvantages
Firefighter I

79. Booster Hose Reels Used for booster lines
May be mounted in any of several places on apparatus
Should be loaded one layer at a time in an even manner
May be hand- or power-operated
Firefighter I

80. DISCUSSION QUESTION What hose loads are used in your department?
Firefighter I

81. Guidelines When Laying Hose
Do not ride in standing position to lay hose when apparatus moving
Drive apparatus at speed no greater than one that allows couplings to clear tailboard as hose leaves bed
Lay hose to one side of roadway
Firefighter I

82. Forward Lay
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Firefighter I

83. Forward Lay Hose laid from water source to fire
Used when source is a hydrant and pumper must be positioned near fire
Hose beds should be loaded so first coupling off is female
Operation
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Firefighter I

84. Forward Lay Advantages Disadvantages
Information for firefighter at hydrant
Making hydrant connection
Using four-way hydrant valves
Firefighter I

85. Reverse Lay
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Firefighter I

86. Reverse Lay Hose laid from fire to water source
Used when pumper must first go to fire location so size-up can be made before laying supply line
Most expedient way to lay hose if apparatus must stay close to water
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Firefighter I

87. Reverse Lay
Hose beds should be loaded so first coupling off hose bed is male
Has become standard method for setting up relay pumping operation when using 2½-inch or 3-inch (65 or 77 mm) hose as supply line
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Firefighter I

88. Reverse Lay
Long lays of large hose may require pumper at hydrant to increase pressure in supply hose
Most direct way to supplement pressure, set up drafting operations
Disadvantages
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Firefighter I

89. Reverse Lay Procedures if operation involves two pumpers
Does not require four-way hydrant valve
Also used when pumper arrives at fire and must work alone for extended time
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Firefighter I

90. Reverse Lay Making hydrant connections with soft intake hose
Making hydrant connections with hard intake hose
Firefighter I

91. Split Lay
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Firefighter I

92. Split Lay
Any of a number of ways to lay multiple supply hoses with a single engine
Various types
If equipped with sexless couplings, direction of lay is unimportant
May other options when hose bed is divided
Firefighter I

93. Pulling Preconnected Hoselines
Preconnected flat load
Minuteman load
Triple layer load
Firefighter I

94. Other (Not Preconnected) Hoselines
Usually 2½-inches (65 mm) or larger
Wyed lines
Shoulder loads from flat/horseshoe loads
Shoulder loads from accordion or flat loads
Firefighter I

95. Working Line Drag
One of quickest, easiest ways to move fire hose at ground level
Use limited by available personnel
Firefighter I

96. Advancing Hoselines
Difficult when deploying up or down stairways, from standpipes, up ladders, deep into buildings
Easier when uncharged
Firefighter I

97. Guidelines When Advancing Hoseline into Burning Structure
Bleed air from charged hoselines before entering
Position nozzle operator, all members of hose team on same side of hoseline
Check doors for heat before opening
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Firefighter I

98. Guidelines When Advancing Hoseline into Burning Structure
Stay low, avoid blocking ventilation openings
Chock self-closing doors open
Check for, remove kinks from line
Firefighter I

99. Advancing Hose Up Stairway
Should be advanced up stairways uncharged when conditions allow
Lay uncharged hose against outside wall to keep stairs clear as possible, avoid sharp bends and kinks in hose
If possible, position firefighter at every turn/point of resistance
Firefighter I

100. DISCUSSION QUESTION
Why should hose be uncharged when advancing up a stairway?
Firefighter I

101. Advancing Hose Down Stairway
Advancing uncharged hoseline easier than charged
Advancing uncharged line recommended only when no fire, very minor fire
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Firefighter I

102. Advancing Hose Down Stairway
Excess hose should be flaked outside stairwall
Firefighters must be positioned at corners, pinch points
Firefighter I

103. Advancing Hose From Standpipe
Getting hose to upper floors of high-rise buildings can be challenging
One solution is to have hose rolls or packs on apparatus ready to carry aloft and then connect to standpipe system
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Firefighter I

104. Advancing Hose From Standpipe
Hose must be brought to fire floor over aerial ladder or by interior stairway
Crews normally stop one floor below fire floor and connect to standpipe
If standpipe in enclosed stairwell, it is acceptable to hook up on fire floor
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Firefighter I

105. Advancing Hose From Standpipe
Steps once at standpipe connection
Be alert for pressure-relief devices and follow SOPs for removal/connection
If using certain sizes of hose, place gated wye on standpipe outlet
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Firefighter I

106. Advancing Hose From Standpipe
2½-inch (65 mm) attack line may be used depending on size, nature of fire
Extra hose should be flaked up stairs toward floor above fire
During pickup operations, carefully drain water to prevent unnecessary damage
Firefighter I

107. Advancing Hose Up Ladder
Easier and safer with uncharged line
Advancing charged line
Operating hoseline from ladder
Firefighter I

108. Controlling Loose Hoseline
Very dangerous because it may flail about or whip back and forth
Firefighters, bystanders may be seriously injured or killed
Methods for controlling
Firefighter I

109. Replacing Burst Sections
Hose clamp or kink can be used to stop flow of water when replacing burst section of hose
Two additional sections of hose should be used to replace any one bad section
Firefighter I

110. Operating Small Handlines — One-Firefighter Method
Only used during overhaul after fire or for very small outdoor nuisance fires
Requires hoseline to be straight at least 10 feet (3 m) behind nozzle
Firefighter should hold nozzle with one hand and hose with the other
Firefighter I

111. Operating Small Handlines — Two-Firefighter Method
Usually needed when nozzle must be advanced
Nozzle operator duties
Backup firefighter duties
Firefighter I

112. Operating Large Handlines — One-Firefighter Method
NOT recommended when nozzle is connected to large handline
May be used during exposure protection/overhaul operations if master stream device unavailable
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Firefighter I

113. Operating Large Handlines — One-Firefighter Method
Large loop formed that crosses over line behind nozzle
Firefighter sits on intersection where hose crosses and directs stream
(Continued)
Firefighter I

114. Operating Large Handlines — One-Firefighter Method
To reduce fatigue, nozzle operator can use hose strap or utility strap looped over shoulder or reduce nozzle flow if conditions allow
Does not permit much maneuvering
Firefighter I

115. Operating Large Handlines — Two-Firefighter Method #1
Uses means of anchoring hose because of nozzle reaction
Nozzle operator duties
Backup firefighter duties
Firefighter I

116. Operating Large Handlines — Two-Firefighter Method #2
Uses hose rope tools or utility straps to assist in anchoring hose
Nozzle operator duties
Backup firefighter duties
Firefighter I

117. Operating Large Handlines — Three-Firefighter Method
In all cases, positioning of nozzle operator same as for two-firefighter method
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Firefighter I

118. Operating Large Handlines — Three-Firefighter Method
Some departments prefer first backup firefighter to stand behind nozzle operator with third firefighter kneeling on hose behind second firefighter
Another method is for all firefighters to use hose straps and remain standing
Firefighter I