Transcript Slide 1

Lead instructor Gerry Pierce
Hose Testing
Objectives
 Construction
of fire hose.
 Sizes of fire hose (used at WFRD)
 Use and care of fire hose.
 Proper cleaning of fire hose.
 Method of repairing fire hose.
 WFRD Procedures for testing hose.
History of fire hose
Fire hose dates back to 1862 it was
leather with a riveted or sewn seam. This
hose leaked badly and was prone to
rupture when under pressure.
 Brass fittings were used to couple the
hose sections together
 Suction hose was metal rings with painted
sail cloth surrounding it for an air tight
seal.
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History of Fire hose

In the late 1800’s hose was starting to be
made out of rubber with a cotton covering
for protection. This type of hose didn’t
leak as badly but the cotton covering
would retain moisture and mold easily.
Construction of modern
Fire Hose
Hose has a inner lining mostly made of synthetic
rubber, for added flexibility and reduced friction
loss.
 There is a woven Jacket of Nylon or polyester
fabric, this aids in resistance to molding and
gives added strength to the rubber lining as well
as protection. May be color coded for easy
identification.
 Aluminum couplings are used with rounded
rockers to avoid being hung on objects as the
hose is dragged.
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Double jacket fire hose.
Double jacket constructions include a
second closely woven jacket for extra
durability, safety factor, and higher test
pressures. The jackets are matched to
assure a precision fit to meet precise
hydrostatic test requirements.
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NFPA 1961 and 1962.
 ANSI- American National Standards
Institute.
 UL 19
All designate and regulate how fire hose is made
tested and inspected for safety.
There are approx 38 tests performed ranging from
varying pressure, Ozone, sun, mildew resistance,
and durability.
Sizes of Fire Hose
1¾ and 2 ½ inch attack lines are used.
 3 and 4 inch supply lines are used.
 Booster line may be ¾ or 1 inch.
 Lengths may vary but 50 foot sections are
most commonly used here.
 5 inch soft sleeves are utilized for front
intakes. Usually 15 or 20 foot lengths.

Care of fire hose
Care should be taken to keep hose from being
pinched in closing doors, pulled over abrasive or
sharp surfaces,
 Use of a hose roller is recommended when hose
is going to be taken over an edge of a building
or wall.
 A hose wringer can be used when repacking to
get air and water out of hose to allow for a
flatter load.
 When storing hose it should be rolled beginning
with couplings that have exposed threads.

Storing
Can be left hanging in hose towers or rolled
and placed in an area that is dry, and out
of sunlight.
Cleaning
Hose usually only needs to be cleaned
with plain water.
 A mild soap may be used to get any oil, or
soot off.
 If used in hazardous materials, should be
decontaminated as recommended or
disposed of properly.
 Jacketed hose should be dry
before rolled for storage.

Repairing
4” hose can be repaired by department
personnel.
 There are proper tools available at the
office
 Detailed documentation should be kept on
the department hose card file.
 Any Jacketed Hose is not considered
repairable and should be documented
when placed out of service.

Repair procedure
Select area where
hose is in need of
repair and make a
square cut on the
hose.
 Wipe the inn and
outside of the hose to
remove any residue
or dirt.

Repair procedure

Remove the bolts and
segment collars
Repair procedure
Hose will have to be
slit to release bond to
the hub
 Be careful not to
gouge the hub with
knife while cutting or
screw driver while
prying.

Repair procedure
Inspect collars for:
 “dragging” wear
 Cracks
 Scale build up
 Check threads in
segments and on
bolts as well as the
socket heads
Repair procedure
Scrape heavy build up
from hub and use a
wire brush to fully
clean.
 Ensure that hub spins
freely in coupling
 Check lock dog for
any wear or excessive
play

Inspection
Inspect gasket for
smooth sealing
surface and flexibility
for proper sealing
 Check lugs for wear,
cracks, or any
deformities.

Inspection
Also check slots and
lip that lugs connect
into.
 Rotate coupling on
hub and check for
smooth operation.
 Can submerge
coupling in mild soapy
water while rotating
to clean.

Repair completion
Slide hose onto hub
only use mild soapy
water as a lubricant,
if necessary.
 Install collars over
hose with flat side
towards coupling.
 Do not lubricate bolt
threads
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Repair completion
Start bolts evenly
keeping gaps
between collars even
while tightening.
 Hand tighten bolts
then “step torque”
bolts.

Step torque procedure
Step torque by starting at 20 foot pounds
of torque to each bolt.
 Then increase to 25 foot pounds on each
bolt.
 Make final torque of 30 foot pounds to
each bolt.
 Be sure gap remains the same between
collars.

Torque wrench used for 4” hose
repair
Stamp I D number in
two locations on
couplings near lugs.
 The smaller number
stamps do a better
job.
 Stamp a piece of
wood first to ensure
proper positioning.

Dies for stamping ID numbers
New couplings should be torqued to 40
foot pounds.
 Reused couplings collars and bolts should
be torqued to 30 foot pounds.
 Test hose and recheck repaired couplings
for hose slippage and proper bolt torque.

Attention to detail
during inspections
and testing should be
taken to ensure
reliability when
pressure is applied
during use.
Hose testing
Done on an annual basis.
 Should be performed in an area free of debris
and on a slight incline.
 Should have available markers for marking hose
at couplings to check for slippage and scribes to
clearly mark hoses with identification numbers.
 Means for recording hose after test is complete,
and a form of tagging failed hose with a
description of why.
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Team work Practicals
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Monday – Test Eng or Wag 4
Tuesday – Test Eng 5
Wednesday - Test Eng or Wag 1
Friday
- Test Wag or Eng 4.
? ANY QUESTIONS ?