HOSE

WARMING UP
Do you wear hose?
Have you seen fire fighters laying
pipes and throwing water from it?
Let us learn about hoses.

INTRODUCTION
Fire hose is a vital link between the water
supply and nozzles used to project streams on the
fire to extinguish it.
In areas where water supplies may be in short
supply, hose may be necessary to relay water over
considerable distance and special diameter hose are
designed for this.
It has been used for hundreds of years for the
extinguishment of fires and is one of the basic
elements of the fire fighters stock in trade.

AIM
To know about the hoses used in fire
service.

OBJECTIVE
On completion of the session, participants will be
able to know:

What is hose?
Types of hoses
Characteristics of hoses
Construction of hoses
Causes of deterioration of hoses
Storage and stowage of hoses
Standard tests of hoses

TYPES OF HOSES
Hoses are basically of two types:1.Delivery Hose
2.Suction Hose

DELIVERY HOSE
Delivery hose is a hose in which water
passes at a pressure above that of
atmosphere.

TYPES OF DELIVERY
HOSE

Unlined hose
Non Percolating Hose
Controlled Percolating hose
Hose reel hose

UNLINED HOSE
This hose is used in circumstances where some
degree of percolation is essential to prevent the hose
from being scorched when used over hot surfaces and
also
Where water damage because of percolation is not
of any consequence.
This hose is chiefly made from Flax because of its
strength, durability and absorbent qualities.
To a limited extent, hemp, cotton, ramie and some
other vegetable fibres are also used.

DATAS OF UNLINED HOSE AS

PER IS 4927

The hose is supplied in three sizes, the

nominal internal diameter of which may be 38,
50, 63 and 70 mm.
Length- 30 mtrs (Unless otherwise specified)
Mass per metre length
Nominal

Dia.(mm)

Max

Mass/metre

length(gm)
38
250
50
300
63
400
70
470
Coil diameter (without coupling)- should not be more
than 45 cm

NON PERCOLATING HOSE

All types of non porous delivery hose
including
rubber
lined
and
hose
manufactured from synthetic materials.
Rubber Lined or Rubberized Fabric Lined Fire
hose as per Type A of IS 636 or Indian
Standard for Higher Pressure Hoses
Normal fire hoses, rubber lined or rubberized
fabric lined, woven-jacketed with or without
elastomeric coating/covering for application
under normal conditions.

Contd.....
The hose is constructed from a circular woven
jacket having a waterproof rubber lining or
rubberized fabric lining on the inside, facing the
waterway and with or without elastomeric
coating/covering (Type A) and with elastomeric
coating/covering ( Type B ).
The jacket is seamless and compactly woven from
good quality cotton yarn or from yarn made from
suitable synthetic fibre of polyamide or polyester
type of good quality or from their combinations.
Fire hose with outer coating/ covering is
manufactured using synthetic yarn only.

TYPES OF NON
PERCOLATING HOSE

Two types.

Type A - Normal fire hoses, rubber lined or

rubberized fabric lined, woven-jacketed with or
without
elastomeric
coating/covering
for
application under normal fire conditions.
Type B - Hose to which an elastomeric outer
coating or covering has been applied or
incorporated as reinforcement to give the hoses
very low absorption of liquids such as oils,
greases, acids and alkalis, etc, and has high
resistance to abrasion and direct heat.

DATAS OF NON PERCOLATING

HOSE
ASis PER
IS 636:1988
The hose
supplied in three sizes, the nominal
internal diameter of which may be 38, 50, 63 and
70 mm.
Length- 30 mtrs (Unless otherwise specified)
Mass per metre length
Nominal Dia.(mm)
length(gm)
Type A
Type B
38 275 320
50
350
425
63
425
500
70 480 600
Coil diameter (without coupling)Type A- should not be more than 45 cm
Type B- should not be more than 55 cm

Max Mass/metre

CONTROLLED
PERCOLATING HOSE
Controlled percolating hose is usedby
the fire services in circumstances where
some degree of percolation is essential to
prevent the hose from being scorched when
used over hot surfaces and also where water
damage because of percolation is not of any
consequence.

DATAS OF CONTROLLED
PERCOLATING HOSE AS PER IS
8423in three sizes, the
The hose is supplied
nominal internal diameter of which may be 38,
50, 63 and 70 mm.
Length- 30 mtrs (Unless otherwise specified)
Mass per metre length
Nominal

Dia.(mm)

Max

Mass/metre

length(gm)
38
250
50
300
63
350
70
400
Coil diameter (without coupling)- should not be more
than 45 cm

HOSE REEL HOSE

A type of non percolating hose of small internal diameter

normally 19mm.
Generally consists of inner rubber tube or lining reinforced by
wrapping with layers or plies of rubberised woven
fabric,applied spirally. An outer cover of alcohol reisstant
rubber is then applied and then the whole is vulcanised
together.
Used for taking the hose line quickly into the buildings using
the available water supply
The hose is wound on a drum.
It is flexible and does not flatten when coiled on the drum.

MAKING OF DELIVERY HOSE

The fabric of hose consists of two sets of yarns running at
right angles to each other.
Those running lengthwise are called warp and those
running crosswise are called weft.
Weft consists of 10 to 24 single strands or plies twisted
together and
Warp consists of 3 to 9 strands twisted together.
Warp gives durability to resist wear and tear, and
Weft threads resist the tendency of water pressure to
burst the hose.
The weaving is so arranged that warp threads are on the
outside.

WEAVING OF HOSE
Hose is woven in 02 ways, Plain and Twill.
Plain woven hose- warp threads are
woven under one and over one
throughout the fabric. Normally used for
unlined hoses.
Twill woven hose- warp threads are
woven over two and under one.

Plain weaving

Twill weaving

SUCTION HOSE
This hose is employed on the inlet side of the
Pump of a tender or a portable pump
Water passing through it is either above or
below atmospheric pressure.
Used between the water supply and the pump,
It is larger and more rigid than delivery hose.
It is sufficiently strong to withstand air pressure
when a vacuum is created at the pump and strong
enough to withstand maximum hydrant pressure.

TYPES OF SUCTION
HOSE
1.Partially embedded suction hose
2.Smooth bore or Full embedded
suction hose

PARTIALLY EMBEDDED SUCTION

HOSE

This hose is usually built from a tough rubber

lining in which a spiral made from tempered galvanised
steel wire is partially embedded.

The embedding of internal wire is so arranged as

to provide a full waterway and a relatively smooth
internal surface.

The wall of the hose is built up from several

layers of canvas and rubber into which is embedded
another wire of similar material to internal wire.

The two spirals are so arranged that each turn of

one lies midway between two turns of the other.

The complete wall is consolidated by vulcanising.

SMOOTH BORE OR FULL EMBEDDED

SUCTION HOSE

This hose has a thick internal rubber lining in

which a spiral is fully embedded.

The wall is then built up in normal manner with

plies of rubber and fabric as for the partially embedded
type.

The two spirals are so arranged that each turn of

one lies midway between two turns of the other.

The complete wall is consolidated by vulcanising.

SOFT SUCTION
This term is used for delivery hose
employed on the intake side of pump.
It is used with a pressure fed supply
since any reduction of the internal
pressure below that of
atmosphere
would cause the hose to collapse.
Where hydrant pressures and flows are
good, soft suction is generally used
instead of a standard suction hose.

CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD HOSE

A good fire fighting hose must have the following
characteristics;
Flexibility
Durability
Resistance to rot
Should not change in length or diameter
Weight

CAUSES OF DECAY TO
HOSE

Abrasion
Mildew
Shock
Acid,oil, grease and petrol etc.

MAKING UP METHODS

The roll or coil

Dutch roll or roll on the bight
Flaking
Figure of eight

DUTCH ROLL OR ROLL ON THE BIGHT

THE ROLL OR COIL

FLAKING

FIGURE OF EIGHT

RUBBER ACID
Rubber lined hoses if stored without proper draining
results in pockets of water turning into acids(dilute
sulphuric acid) inside the hose.
The acid is formed by the action of micro organisms
on the sulphur used for vulcanising of rubber.
As the water evaporates thorugh slow drying, the
acid concentration increases.
Hose jackets contaminated by rubber acid may
have yellowing or brownish stains.
PREVENTION :
(i) Draining the last drop of water before drying
(ii) Proper drying of hose.

STORAGE
1) Roofs of the storage room should not be of metal, as it
encourages condensation of Moisture in wet days.
2) Wooden racks are preferable to metal ones. Wooden racks are
to be protected with Anti-rodents paint.
3) Adequate ventilation without direct exposure to sunlight
should be preferred.
4) Ideal temperature for the store room is 15C. But direct
exposure to heat over 33C will damage the fabric and lining.
5) Hose should be stored in Rolls standing on edge.
6) Keep affected lengths (by mildew or rubber acid) well away
from good ones.
7) Adequate space to be left between hoses and ceiling / floor
and form the back wall.

STOWAGE
Hose lockers on appliances should be opened daily
for allowing proper ventilation.
Chaffing of edges of rolls due to movement of
appliance is a common cause of damage. To avoid it
soft material lining may be used to the side walls of
hose lockers and in between hoses or the relative
position of rolls in lockers should be changed
periodically.
Sharp edges of couplings should be filed and
polished with fine emery.
On return from fire, hose lockers must be wiped dry
before stowing fresh hose.

CARE OF HOSES
DELIVERY HOSE
a) New hose when received should be removed from its packing and
the coils loosened.
b) Hose unused for long period, should not be allowed to remain on
the appliance.
c) Rubber lined hose should have water passed through it from time
to time to keep the lining in good condition, after which it should be
thoroughly drained and dried.
d) Rubber deteriorates at high temperatures and so rubber lined
hoses should not be exposed to hot dry air nor stored in the suns
rays.
e) Great care should be taken of rubber lined hose especially when
cooling down after serious fires, as the hose is often stretched over
debris fallen into the building, and as the brick stones etc. retain heat
for a long time the outer covering is liable to searching thereby
weakening it and shortening the life of the hose.

CARE OF HOSES
SUCTION HOSE
a) Hose should be washed after use with clean water.
b) The interior of the hose, the coupling threads and the
joint washed & examined for damage.
c) Coupling nut should be lubricated as required.
d) No dressing should be used which might cause the
rubber to perish.
e) special tunnels should be provided for the storage of
suction hose. When carried externally to be protected
from damage resulting from men stranding on it or
clambering over it.
f) Suction couplings should be treated with care and
distortion may cause air leaks. The couplings should
never be dropped or dragged along the ground and the
correct size of wrench should
always be used for
tightening the joints in case where the universal type of
wrench is not in use.

CLEANING AND DRYING :

Washing hose with anything other than plain water is not
recommended.
Petrol and other solvents, even ordinary soap, weakens the fabric.
Tar stains could be removed with the blunt edge of a knife and
finishing off by briskly rubbing with line saw dust.
Washing is best done by laying hoses straight and flat on a clean
surface and having a copious but gentle flow of water and brushing
should be from side to side, not length wise with bristle brooms ( long
bristles and not too stiff).
Hose grimed with grease or oil can be effectively cleaned by
scrubbing thoroughly with a solution of soft soap and soda in warm
water and afterwards thoroughly rinsing in clean cold water.
Draining and drying is best done in a tower by folding hose, coupling
to coupling and inserting a Hose whip toggle in the bight and then
hung double.
Mechanical drying of hose should be done.
Application of warmth and the passage of an adequate amount of air
to carry away moisture.
Unlined hose can be dried in a few hours.

MARKING OF HOSE:
Marking of hose is done for identification
purposes and is done by giving a number to each hose
which is marked on the hose near the couplings.
Marking should not be done with ordinary paints
as the oil will soak into the fabric, weaken it and
separate lining from jacket.
Water emulsion paints and wool-grease which
are cheap and long lasting should be used for the
purpose.

REPAIRS OF HOSE:

The most common damage to hose are pin holes.

May be repaired by darning or patching.
During use, holes in hose may be temporarily covered by means of a
gaiter or bandage.
Darning is carried out in the same way as darning of socks, Hemp or flax
being used to remake the broken strands of hose.
Patching is done in exactly the same way as for repairing an inner tube
of a motor vehicle. The hose is first cleaned and prepared patch is then
placed over the hole. The hose and patch are then placed over a
vulcanizer and heat applied for a specified time ( about 140 sec.) Special
hose vulcanizing outfits and standard patches are available for unlined
and rubber-lined hose. This is so designed as to enable an internal patch
to be applied without removing the hose coupling.
Not suitable for synthetic hose and special patches are required for
plastic hose.
The temperature needed for vulcanizing patches for
synthetic hose is comparatively lower and the time required for curing is
longer.
Repairs to abrasion on plastic outer covers may be affected by brushing
with an ordinary brush.
A special solution or use of heat to melt strips of plastic material into the
abraded parts is a common practice.

STANDARD TESTS :
Delivery Hose: All delivery hose and hose reel tubing should be
tested to a minimum pressure of 10.5kgf/cm
(a) every twelve
months, (b) after every fire in which it is used. In the case of delivery
hose, 12.5mm nozzle at the branch should be used and in case hose
reel hose, the hose reel nozzle should be used. If a 12.5mm nozzle is
not available, then the smallest suitable nozzle which will allow the
requisite pressure to be obtained should be employed.
The pressure should be built up gradually to allow the hose to
take the strain. Any leaks should be marked with indelible pencil and
the hose should be sent for repair. All couplings should be inspected
and tested marrying with standard coupling. Defective washers should
be replaced and lugs of instantaneous coupling should be lightly
lubricated and adjusted if necessary.
Acceptance Test : During fire fighting internal pressure may be as
high as 10.5kgf/cm, and shock pressure may be even more higher.
Actual length of hose be tested to a pressure of 21kgf/cm.

SUCTION HOSE:
Suction is normally tested quarterly, at the same time as the
quarterly vacuum test of the pump after verifying that air leaks are
present in pump or suction by means of the dry vacuum test, the
leaks are located in the suction hose on the following way :The length of suction hose is connected to a pump and placed
under hydrant pressure, care being taken to shut off the vacuum
gauge. All blank caps are remove from deliveries. One delivery is
opened to allow air to escape. The deliveries are then shut down
gradually and hydrant pressure applied to the suction hose; pressure is
not allowed to exceed 3.5kgf/cm. any leak will be indicated by water
oozing out, and step should be taken to rectify it.

REVISION
Today we have discussed :What is hose?
Types of hoses
Characteristics of hoses
Construction of hoses
Causes of deterioration of hoses
Storage and stowage of hoses
Standard tests of hoses