How to Maintain and Care For Fire Hoses

While BullDog Hose Company hose products are in a league of their own with quality and performance, they need to be properly cared for like any other product. Fire hose is the lifeline for firefighters performing interior attack. Properly maintained hose is critical to ensure safety for all firefighters on scene. In this article we will highlight general guidelines of proper hose maintenance and care to ensure that you get the most out of your BullDog hose. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has a detailed and comprehensive guide to maintain hoses.

Cleaning Guidelines:

Properly cleaning hoses can truly extend product lifespan. Also, regularly cleaning a hose allows the user to continually gauge the condition of the hose. All hoses should be cleaned and inspected after each use before being moved to storage or back into service. Runoff water from fire may carry foreign materials that can damage hose. In the event of the hose coming in contact with oils or chemicals, a mild detergent may be applied to the affected area using a stiff brush. Then, extensively rinse the hose with clean water. Make sure to look over both sides of the hose for any slices, rips, cracked inner innings, or damaged couplings that may have occurred during use. 

Usage Guidelines:

Following proper fire hose usage during emergency situations can greatly affect how much wear and tear your hose experiences. When using the hose in fire response, avoid dragging the hose over sharp objects or abrasive surfaces. While the hose may be designed to be abrasion resistant, it is better to not risk damaging your hoses. Tools such as a hose roller or an intake strainer can help minimize the risk of damage. A hose roller helps prevent damage when dragging the hose over sharp corners such as roof edges and windowsills. Intake strainers attach to supply hoses and filter out large pieces of foreign material that may damage the interior of the hose. 

Storage Guidelines:

All hoses should be stored in cool, dry, and well-ventilated conditions. Hoses should also be drained and dried before being put into long-term storage. Keeping moisture at bay is a must. When loading hoses onto a fire apparatus, the hose should be stowed in such a way to allow air circulation and to minimize abrasion damage. All hoses should be removed from apparatus and reloaded to change the position of fold at least once every three months. If fire hose is left with the fold in the same position for a prolonged period of time, the hose can develop wear spots in the fold that could led to premature hose failure.

Hose Testing And Inspection Guidelines:

Continue to regularly test and inspect your hoses to help ensure that everything is in good working condition. All hoses should be inspected and service tested at least annually. Make sure to check that the hose and couplings are clear of debris, burns, cuts, and abrasions. When conducting service tests, all safety precautions should be closely followed in accordance with NFPA 1962 standards. For BullDog hoses, the appropriate service test pressure is stenciled on each length of hose. Be sure to also check the inner liner of the hose after testing to ensure it did not move during testing.

Detailed hose records should be maintained in order to prevent the potential for a damaged hose being put into emergency situations. Damaged hose or hose that fails hose testing for any reason should immediately be taken out of service and replaced.

For more information about BullDog Hose Company and how to properly maintain hoses, check out our blog.

The full version of the NFPA 1962 standard is available for purchase at www.nfpa.org.