Fire hoses

What are the key features of a fire hose?

The key features of a fire hose are its reliability and durability. As a fire hose helps to protect human life and health, it must meet certain expectations. Therefore, pay particular attention to the following points when choosing the most suitable product:

• flexibility,
• appropriate material,
• mechanical strength,
• compliance with standards.
  

Flexibility

A flexible fire hose makes it much easier to fight the elements - which is why this feature is so important. Sufficient flexibility makes the hose easier to roll and transport.

It should also have a special inner liner that reduces resistance when pumping water.

Appropriate material

A good fire extinguishing hose is always made from materials that ensure it can withstand varying weather conditions, such as extreme temperatures.  Whether it is hot or cold, the hose must retain its properties.

Therefore, the most popular material for firefighting hoses is polyester yarn.

Mechanical strength

As you may have guessed, fire hose very often works in harsh conditions.  Therefore, another of its important characteristics is its resistance to mechanical damage, such as abrasion, tearing or cracking.

Compliance with standards

Last but not least when choosing the right hose is whether the fire hose or fire hose fitting in question has been manufactured following standards - both European and national. Meeting these requirements gives you confidence that the hose is suitable for firefighting work.

What are the different types of fire hoses?

Three basic types of fire hoses are:

• Single-walled hose; 
• Double-walled hose;
• Rubber-covered, flat hose.

Single-jacket fire hoses have only one layer of polyester fabric that surrounds the inner rubber hose. They are therefore best suited to short-term or periodic applications.  They are also usually the most economical option of the three basic hose types.

As for the double jacket fire hoses, they are characterised by a double polyester layer that protects the inner rubber hose. This makes them resistant to higher working pressures, as well as to mould, fungi, and abrasion. In addition, they have on average twice the service life of the single jacket versions.

Finally, the rubber-coated fire hose is distinguished by its resistance to ozone, oxidation and most chemical/petroleum products. In addition, it has a 100% synthetic yarn reinforcement that is designed to ensure that the hose will not be damaged when it comes into contact with fuel, oil and most low-concentration chemicals.

What are the different sizes of a fire hose?

When it comes to fire hose sizes, you will most often come across three:

• fire hose 52 mm, 
• fire hose 75 mm,
• fire hose 110 mm.

These are the most popular hose diameters and are the ones that are mostly used in firefighting.