NEW FIREFIGHTER CHAPTER 12 NOTES
GRADED A+ 2023
Chapter 12 Notes
Fire hose is a flexible, portable extension of the water distribution system that carries water
from the hydrant or water source to the pumping apparatus. From there, a pump controls the
pressure and forwards the water through attack hose lines to the point where it is needed.
Fire Hose Characteristics
The primary characteristics used to describe fire hose include the type of construction and
materials used, the internal diameter, and couplings used to make connections. In general, fire
hose is used as
either supply hose or attack hose. Supply hose transports water from a fire hydrant or other
water supply source to an apparatus equipped with a pump. Attack hose transports water
or other agents, at increased pressure, from the following sources
- From the pump-equipped apparatus to a nozzle or nozzles
- From a pump-equipped apparatus to a fire department connection (FDC) mounted on a
structure
- From a building standpipe to the point the water is applied to the fire
Hose Sizes
Fire hose is manufactured in sizes and lengths based upon specifications in NFPA 1961, Standard
on Fire Hose. Hose size is described in terms of hose diameter and length.
Hose Diameter
The size of a fire hose refers to its inside diameter. According to NFPA, the hose’s internal
diameter should not be less than its advertised or labeled hose size. For example, hose labeled
3 inches (77 mm) in diameter must have an internal diameter of 3 inches (77 mm). Some types
of fire hose can expand beyond the manufactured internal diameter because of the elastic
qualities of modern materials used in its construction. Expansion increases the interior
diameter when the hose line is pressurized with water and lowers friction loss. Not all fire
hoses exhibit these characteristics. The performance of a houseline depends on the materials
and methods used in its construction. Pg. 541
Hose Length
Both attack and supply fire hose are manufactured in 50-or 100-foot (15 or 30 m) sections.
While these lengths were traditionally determined for convenience and ease of handling, the
traditional length of fire hose in North America is 50 feet (15 m) per section. Modern hose may
be manufactured or carried in longer sections because it is often constructed of high-strength,
lightweight synthetic materials that have the same relative weight of traditional sections of
hose.
Suction hose (also called intake hose), used to connect the pumper to a hydrant or other water
source, is manufactured in minimum lengths specified in NFPA 1901, Standard for Automotive
Fire Apparatus. Large soft sleeve hose connects the pumper intake to a pressurized water
source. Although historically referred to as soft suction hose, soft sleeve hose is not rigid and
cannot be used for drafting because it will collapse. Soft sleeve hose is avail-able in sizes ranging
from 21⁄2 to 6 inches (65 to 150 mm).
, NEW FIREFIGHTER CHAPTER 12 NOTES
GRADED A+ 2023
Hard suction hose is generally constructed in 10-foot (3 m) long sections and is designed for
drafting water
from static water supplies or connecting to a fire hydrant. Some hard-suction hose is
constructed of a rubberized, reinforced material; others are made of heavy-duty corrugated
plastic. Hard-suction hose is available in sizes ranging from 21⁄2 to 6 inches (65 to 150 mm
Hose Couplings
Fire hose couplings connect hose sections to form a continuous hose line and to connect fire
hoses to nozzles, hydrants, pumper connections, and FDCs. To ensure compatibility with all
brands of fire hose, NFPA 1963, Standard for Fire Hose Connections specifies fire hose
coupling design and construction. Pg.542. Threaded couplings must meet the dimensions
required of American National Fire Hose Connection Screw Threads, commonly called
National Hose (NH). Using fire hose with national standard threads means that two or more
fire departments that respond together can connect their fire hose sections.
NOTE: Some jurisdictions do not use National Standard threads. When connecting to hydrants
or apparatus in those jurisdictions as part of mutual aid, hose adapters may be needed to
complete the connection.
Both attack hose and supply hose may be equipped with either threaded or nonthreaded
couplings. Coupling and uncoupling are simple procedures for connecting and disconnecting
sections of hose with either of these types of couplings. The need for speed and efficiency
under emergency conditions requires firefighters to practice techniques for coupling and
uncoupling until they are able to perform these actions quickly and efficiently. Nozzles are
connected or removed from the fire hose using the same methods as those used for coupling
and uncoupling sections of hose.
Threaded Couplings
One of the oldest coupling designs involves the casting or machining of a spiral thread into
the face of two distinctly different couplings — male and female. A male coupling thread is
cut on the exterior surface, while a female coupling thread is on the interior surface of a free-
turning ring called a swivel. The swivel permits connecting two sections of hose without
twisting the entire hose. Each section of fire hose with threaded couplings has a male
coupling at one end and a female coupling at the other.
CAUTION: Connect couplings hand tight to avoid damage to the coupling and gasket.
A threaded coupling has several other parts. The portion of the coupling that serves as a point
of attachment to the hose is the shank. A flattened angle at the end of the threads on the male
and female couplings called the Higbee cut prevents cross-threading when couplings are
connected. The Higbee indicator (indentation) on the exterior of the coupling marks where the
Higbee cut begins. This indicator aids in matching the male coupling thread to the female
coupling thread during low-light situations or when the threaded end of the coupling is not
visible. Pg. 544
, NEW FIREFIGHTER CHAPTER 12 NOTES
GRADED A+ 2023
Unlike common pipe threads that are relatively fine, fire hose coupling threads are coarse (with
wide tolerances) which allows the couplings to be connected quickly. Some manufacturers
make the large coupling sizes (31⁄2 inches [90 mm] and above) with ball bearings or roller
bearings under the swivel to ensure their smooth operation. A removable rubber gasket
located inside the base of the female coupling ensures a tight fit and reduces water leaks.
Threaded couplings are manufactured with either lugs or handles to aid in tightening and
loosening connections. Lugs sit on the shank of a male coupling and on the swivel of a female
coupling. Lugs are grasping points where firefighters can easily hold the coupling when making
and breaking coupling connections. Connections may be made manually or with spanner
wrenches (special wrenches that fit against the lugs, also called spanners). Three types of lugs
are found: pin, recessed, and rocker.
Pin lugs, usually found on old fire hose couplings, resemble small pegs. Although still available,
pin lug couplings are infrequently ordered with new fire hose because they tend to catch
when hose is dragged over objects or deployed from the hose bed of a pumping apparatus.
Booster fire hose has couplings with recessed lugs, shallow holes drilled into the coupling. This
lug design pre-vents abrasion that would occur if the hose had protruding lugs and was wound
onto reels. Firefighters need a pin lug spanner wrench inserted into the recessed lug holes to
tighten or loosen the couplings. Pg.545
Modern threaded couplings have rounded rocker lugs. The rounded shape of rocker lugs (unlike
pin lugs) helps prevent the hose from catching on objects. On the couplings, one of the rocker
lugs on the swivel is scalloped with a shallow indentation (the Higbee indicator) to mark where
the Higbee cut begins.
Handles or extended lugs are located on the swivels of large intake supply or suction hoses.
Firefighters can grasp these handles when tightening the large coupling that connects the hose
to a pump valve intake. If necessary, striking the handles with a rubber mallet can help loosen
the coupling or tighten leaking couplings on a charged line. You may need to use the mallet for
tightening during the setup for a drafting operation, for example.
Nonthreaded Couplings
Nonthreaded couplings connect using locks or cams rather than screw threads. Although there
are some non-threaded couplings that have male and female ends, two-way couplings are more
prevalent in North America. A two-way coupling set has identical couplings rather than distinct
male and female couplings. Two-way couplings come in two varieties: quarter-turn and Storz.
The quarter-turn coupling has two hook-like lugs on each coupling. The lugs, which are grooved
on the under-side, 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
GRADED A+ 2023
Chapter 12 Notes
Fire hose is a flexible, portable extension of the water distribution system that carries water
from the hydrant or water source to the pumping apparatus. From there, a pump controls the
pressure and forwards the water through attack hose lines to the point where it is needed.
Fire Hose Characteristics
The primary characteristics used to describe fire hose include the type of construction and
materials used, the internal diameter, and couplings used to make connections. In general, fire
hose is used as
either supply hose or attack hose. Supply hose transports water from a fire hydrant or other
water supply source to an apparatus equipped with a pump. Attack hose transports water
or other agents, at increased pressure, from the following sources
- From the pump-equipped apparatus to a nozzle or nozzles
- From a pump-equipped apparatus to a fire department connection (FDC) mounted on a
structure
- From a building standpipe to the point the water is applied to the fire
Hose Sizes
Fire hose is manufactured in sizes and lengths based upon specifications in NFPA 1961, Standard
on Fire Hose. Hose size is described in terms of hose diameter and length.
Hose Diameter
The size of a fire hose refers to its inside diameter. According to NFPA, the hose’s internal
diameter should not be less than its advertised or labeled hose size. For example, hose labeled
3 inches (77 mm) in diameter must have an internal diameter of 3 inches (77 mm). Some types
of fire hose can expand beyond the manufactured internal diameter because of the elastic
qualities of modern materials used in its construction. Expansion increases the interior
diameter when the hose line is pressurized with water and lowers friction loss. Not all fire
hoses exhibit these characteristics. The performance of a houseline depends on the materials
and methods used in its construction. Pg. 541
Hose Length
Both attack and supply fire hose are manufactured in 50-or 100-foot (15 or 30 m) sections.
While these lengths were traditionally determined for convenience and ease of handling, the
traditional length of fire hose in North America is 50 feet (15 m) per section. Modern hose may
be manufactured or carried in longer sections because it is often constructed of high-strength,
lightweight synthetic materials that have the same relative weight of traditional sections of
hose.
Suction hose (also called intake hose), used to connect the pumper to a hydrant or other water
source, is manufactured in minimum lengths specified in NFPA 1901, Standard for Automotive
Fire Apparatus. Large soft sleeve hose connects the pumper intake to a pressurized water
source. Although historically referred to as soft suction hose, soft sleeve hose is not rigid and
cannot be used for drafting because it will collapse. Soft sleeve hose is avail-able in sizes ranging
from 21⁄2 to 6 inches (65 to 150 mm).
, NEW FIREFIGHTER CHAPTER 12 NOTES
GRADED A+ 2023
Hard suction hose is generally constructed in 10-foot (3 m) long sections and is designed for
drafting water
from static water supplies or connecting to a fire hydrant. Some hard-suction hose is
constructed of a rubberized, reinforced material; others are made of heavy-duty corrugated
plastic. Hard-suction hose is available in sizes ranging from 21⁄2 to 6 inches (65 to 150 mm
Hose Couplings
Fire hose couplings connect hose sections to form a continuous hose line and to connect fire
hoses to nozzles, hydrants, pumper connections, and FDCs. To ensure compatibility with all
brands of fire hose, NFPA 1963, Standard for Fire Hose Connections specifies fire hose
coupling design and construction. Pg.542. Threaded couplings must meet the dimensions
required of American National Fire Hose Connection Screw Threads, commonly called
National Hose (NH). Using fire hose with national standard threads means that two or more
fire departments that respond together can connect their fire hose sections.
NOTE: Some jurisdictions do not use National Standard threads. When connecting to hydrants
or apparatus in those jurisdictions as part of mutual aid, hose adapters may be needed to
complete the connection.
Both attack hose and supply hose may be equipped with either threaded or nonthreaded
couplings. Coupling and uncoupling are simple procedures for connecting and disconnecting
sections of hose with either of these types of couplings. The need for speed and efficiency
under emergency conditions requires firefighters to practice techniques for coupling and
uncoupling until they are able to perform these actions quickly and efficiently. Nozzles are
connected or removed from the fire hose using the same methods as those used for coupling
and uncoupling sections of hose.
Threaded Couplings
One of the oldest coupling designs involves the casting or machining of a spiral thread into
the face of two distinctly different couplings — male and female. A male coupling thread is
cut on the exterior surface, while a female coupling thread is on the interior surface of a free-
turning ring called a swivel. The swivel permits connecting two sections of hose without
twisting the entire hose. Each section of fire hose with threaded couplings has a male
coupling at one end and a female coupling at the other.
CAUTION: Connect couplings hand tight to avoid damage to the coupling and gasket.
A threaded coupling has several other parts. The portion of the coupling that serves as a point
of attachment to the hose is the shank. A flattened angle at the end of the threads on the male
and female couplings called the Higbee cut prevents cross-threading when couplings are
connected. The Higbee indicator (indentation) on the exterior of the coupling marks where the
Higbee cut begins. This indicator aids in matching the male coupling thread to the female
coupling thread during low-light situations or when the threaded end of the coupling is not
visible. Pg. 544
, NEW FIREFIGHTER CHAPTER 12 NOTES
GRADED A+ 2023
Unlike common pipe threads that are relatively fine, fire hose coupling threads are coarse (with
wide tolerances) which allows the couplings to be connected quickly. Some manufacturers
make the large coupling sizes (31⁄2 inches [90 mm] and above) with ball bearings or roller
bearings under the swivel to ensure their smooth operation. A removable rubber gasket
located inside the base of the female coupling ensures a tight fit and reduces water leaks.
Threaded couplings are manufactured with either lugs or handles to aid in tightening and
loosening connections. Lugs sit on the shank of a male coupling and on the swivel of a female
coupling. Lugs are grasping points where firefighters can easily hold the coupling when making
and breaking coupling connections. Connections may be made manually or with spanner
wrenches (special wrenches that fit against the lugs, also called spanners). Three types of lugs
are found: pin, recessed, and rocker.
Pin lugs, usually found on old fire hose couplings, resemble small pegs. Although still available,
pin lug couplings are infrequently ordered with new fire hose because they tend to catch
when hose is dragged over objects or deployed from the hose bed of a pumping apparatus.
Booster fire hose has couplings with recessed lugs, shallow holes drilled into the coupling. This
lug design pre-vents abrasion that would occur if the hose had protruding lugs and was wound
onto reels. Firefighters need a pin lug spanner wrench inserted into the recessed lug holes to
tighten or loosen the couplings. Pg.545
Modern threaded couplings have rounded rocker lugs. The rounded shape of rocker lugs (unlike
pin lugs) helps prevent the hose from catching on objects. On the couplings, one of the rocker
lugs on the swivel is scalloped with a shallow indentation (the Higbee indicator) to mark where
the Higbee cut begins.
Handles or extended lugs are located on the swivels of large intake supply or suction hoses.
Firefighters can grasp these handles when tightening the large coupling that connects the hose
to a pump valve intake. If necessary, striking the handles with a rubber mallet can help loosen
the coupling or tighten leaking couplings on a charged line. You may need to use the mallet for
tightening during the setup for a drafting operation, for example.
Nonthreaded Couplings
Nonthreaded couplings connect using locks or cams rather than screw threads. Although there
are some non-threaded couplings that have male and female ends, two-way couplings are more
prevalent in North America. A two-way coupling set has identical couplings rather than distinct
male and female couplings. Two-way couplings come in two varieties: quarter-turn and Storz.
The quarter-turn coupling has two hook-like lugs on each coupling. The lugs, which are grooved
on the under-side, 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
