Hose Line Replacement and Testing

Hose lines are one of the most important and relied-upon tools a firefighter carries.  Hose has changed significantly with higher pressures and better product construction materials now available.  All too often departments will place a new pumper into service with the 20-year-old hose off of their replaced vehicle. 

The 2013 standard, NFPA 1962, Care, Use, Inspection, Service Testing, and Replacement of Fire Hose, Couplings, Nozzles, and Fire Hose Appliances, includes for the first time the word “replacement” in the title and now covers formal replacement of hose and couplings.  The new standard was established to provide a reasonable level of safety for users along with a reasonable degree of assurance the equipment will perform as designed.  The standard requires attack fire hose to be service tested at least annually to a minimum of 300 psi and supply hose shall be service tested to a minimum of 200 psi. 

We recommend your organization develop an annual hose testing program in conjunction with a replacement schedule for their hose equipment which takes into consideration the use, age and testing results.    

Available Resources

• NFPA 1962 Standard for Care for Hose & Appliances