Essentials of Fire Fighting

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5 th Edition Chapter 13 — Fire Hose Firefighter II

Chapter 13 Lesson Goal

• After completing this lesson, the student shall be able to use various hose appliances and tools, prepare a test site for service testing, and service test fire hose following the policies and procedures set forth by the authority having jurisdiction.

Firefighter II 13–1

Specific Objectives

1. Describe the characteristics of hose appliances and tools. 2. Explain service testing fire hose. 3. Discuss test site preparation for service testing fire hose.

(Continued)

Firefighter II 13–2

Specific Objectives

4. List equipment necessary to service test fire hose. 5. Explain the service test procedure. 6. Service test fire hose. (Skill Sheet 13 II-1)

Firefighter II 13–3

Hose Appliances

• Any piece of hardware used with fire hose to deliver water

(Continued)

Firefighter II 13–4

Hose Appliances

• – – – – Valves – Control flow of water in hoselines, at hydrants, at pumpers Ball valves Gate valves Butterfly valves Clapper valves

(Continued)

Firefighter II 13–5

Hose Appliances

• – – – – – Valve devices – Allow number of hoselines operating on fire ground to be increased/decreased Wye appliances Siamese appliances Water thief appliances Large-diameter hose appliances Hydrant valves

(Continued)

Firefighter II 13–6

Hose Appliances

• – – – – – Fittings – Connect hose of different diameters, thread types Adapter Reducer Elbow Hose cap Hose plug

(Continued)

Firefighter II 13–7

Hose Appliances

• Intake strainers – – Devices attached to drafting end of hard intake to keep debris from entering fire pump Guidelines for use

Firefighter II 13–8

Hose Tools

• Hose roller – – – Prevents damage to hose that can occur when dragged over sharp corners such as roof edges, windowsills Consists of metal frame with two or more rollers Can be used for protecting rope from similar edges

(Continued)

Firefighter II 13–9

Hose Tools

• – – – – Hose jacket – Can be installed on ruptured section of hoseline to temporarily close rupture 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

(Continued)

Firefighter II 13–10

Hose Tools

• Hose clamp – – – – Can be used to stop flow of water in hoseline Three types — Screw-down, press-down, hydraulic press Can injure firefighters/damage hose Several general rules for use

(Continued)

Firefighter II 13–11

Hose Tools

• Spanner – – Used to tighten/loosen couplings May have other built-in features

Firefighter II 13–12

(Continued)

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

(Continued)

Firefighter II 13–13

Hose Tools

• • Rubber mallet — Strike lugs to tighten/loosen couplings Hose bridge/ramp – – – – Help prevent damage to hose Should be used where hose laid across street Can be positioned over small spills Can be used as chafing blocks

(Continued)

Firefighter II 13–14

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

(Continued)

Firefighter II 13–15

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 II 13–16

Acceptance Testing Hose

• • • • Performed by manufacturer before hose shipped Relatively rigorous Subjects hose to pressures much higher than anticipated in field Should not be attempted by fire department personnel

Firefighter II 13–17

Service Testing Hose

• • • Performed periodically to ensure hose still capable of performing as required Should be performed according to NFPA ® 1962 guidelines May be done by private contractors/fire department personnel

(Continued)

Firefighter II 13–18

Service Testing Hose

• • Should be done after being repaired, after being run over by vehicle Before testing, examine for – – – Excessive wear/damage to jacket Coupling damage Missing gaskets

Firefighter II 13–19

Preparing Site for Service Testing

• • • Hose should be tested in paved or grassy area or level ground Site should be protected from vehicular traffic If nighttime, area should be well lit

(Continued)

Firefighter II 13–20

Preparing Site for Service Testing

• • • Test area should be smooth, free from rock, debris Slight grade to facilitate draining of water helpful Water source should be sufficient for filling hose

Firefighter II 13–21

Equipment Needed to Service Test Hose

• • • Hose testing machine, portable pump, fire department pumper equipped with gauges certified as accurate Hose test gate valve Means of recording hose numbers, test results

(Continued)

Firefighter II 13–22

Equipment Needed to Service Test Hose

• • • Tags/other means to identify sections that fail Nozzles with shutoff valves Means of marking each length with year of test

Firefighter II 13–23

Service Test Procedure

• • Exercise care when working with hose Use specially designed hose test gate valve to prevent hose rupture

(Continued)

Firefighter II 13–24

Service Test Procedure

• • • When using fire department pumper, connect hose to discharges on side of apparatus opposite pump panel Close all valves slowly to prevent water hammer Test lengths of hose should not exceed 300 feet (100 m)

(Continued)

Firefighter II 13–25

Service Test Procedure

• • Laying large-diameter hose flat on ground before charging helps prevent unnecessary wear at edges Stand away from discharge valve connection when charging

(Continued)

Firefighter II 13–26

Service Test Procedure

• • Keep hose testing area as dry as possible when filling, discharging air from hose During testing, this air aids in detecting minor leaks around couplings

Firefighter II 13–27

Summary

• To fight fires safely and effectively, firefighters must know the capabilities and limitations of the various types of fire hose and the various kinds of hose appliances that will be used on the fireground.

(Continued)

Firefighter II 13–28

Summary

• Firefighters must also know how to maintain and test fire hose.

Firefighter II 13–29

Review Questions

1. What are the following valves used for: ball valves, gate valves, butterfly valves, and clapper valves?

2. What are wye appliances and siamese appliances?

3. What is a hose clamp used for?

(Continued)

Firefighter II 13–30

Review Questions

4. What are the two types of tests for fire hose?

5. What equipment is needed to service test hose?

Firefighter II 13–31