Of all the various types of tools and equipment utilized by the fire service, the common hose coupling is arguably the most underrated and least appreciated piece of equipment in use today.
Consider that high-tech apparatus, pumps, hoses, water additives, nozzles, and personnel would be ineffective in “putting the wet stuff on the red stuff” if hoses were unable to be attached to pumps and nozzles, and that fire-attack personnel could not effectively follow a hoseline out of a building (in an emergency) if sections of hose were not able to be connected together.
With these thoughts in mind, let’s consider how we can increase the effectiveness of most hose couplings when applied to fireground operations.
Currently, most hose couplings are manufactured in male or female configurations. The portion of a coupling attached to a hose is referred to as a “bowl.”
Interestingly, bowls are commonly produced with a straight cut at the rear of a bowl (where the hose enters a coupling). This results in a sharp edge that can restrict the movement of the hose when being pulled around corners in structures, and across concrete, asphalt, and other similar surfaces. This is graphically demonstrated by observing the abrasion marks on most couplings.
To minimize this condition, hose couplings can be ordered with “tapered bowls” which eliminate the sharp edge at the end of the bowl, resulting in hoses that are much easier to pull around corners and across ground surfaces. (Notice the lack of abrasion marks on the tapered bowl ends).
Additionally, a tapered bowl does not have a tendency to “hang-up” on a corner when being advanced in the interior of a structure. Remember that some hose manufacturers do not make hoses with a tapered bowl unless it is specifically requested (normally at a minimal cost).
DIRECTION OF TRAVEL
Occasionally, it is necessary for fireground personnel to follow hoselines for the following considerations:
Although the concept of personnel following a hoseline to reach a specific location may seem simplistic, implementation can be difficult due to the following factors:
Therefore, it is imperative that personnel practice and become familiar with the concept of following a hoseline with only their hands as a reference point.
Personnel can easily determine the proper direction of travel along a hoseline if they are able to feel a coupling with their gloved hands. Here's how:
Assume a nozzle is connected to a male coupling. Following the hose behind male couplings will lead towards the pump (outside the structure), and following the hose behind female couplings will lead towards the nozzle (into the structure).
With practice, it is easy to distinguish between a male and female coupling by feel only. The lug on a female coupling is one-third to one-half the length of a lug on a male coupling. With this knowledge, any firefighter can grasp a coupling on a hoseline and quickly determine which direction will lead to a desired location as follows (assuming a forward lay):
Additionally, before entering a structure for a search-and-rescue operation that will depend on a search team following a hoseline, determine (from the appropriate pump operator) the appropriate hoseline to follow into the structure, how many feet of line are into the structure, and what is the type of hose lay (forward or reverse). Remember that a 2½-inch line can be forward or reverse and 1¾-, 1½-, and 1-inch lines are forward only. Every firefighter should be familiar with this concept.
OPERATIONS
Of all the hose sizes that are available to fireground personnel, what size of hose is most commonly used to extinguish fire? Answer: 1¾-inch. The reason is simple: 1¾-inch hoses can be implemented by one firefighter; they are capable of 200 gpm; AND they are capable of extinguishing most fires.
However, some fires require more than 200 gpm in concert with the ability to deliver that water to the seat of a large fire. Question: Why do a high percentage of fireground pictures in fire service magazines depict 1¾-inch lines being used on large fires that require “firepower”? Answer: When 1¾-inch lines are commonly used for the “day-to-day” fires, they will also be used on larger fires.
Furthermore, have you also wondered why spray nozzles are commonly used for defensive operations when these types of fires often require depth and penetration of hose streams? Answer: As the spray nozzle is the most flexible nozzle, it is normally pre-connected to master stream appliances and attack lines. Therefore, unless a company officer specifically requests the use of a specific hose or appliance with the appropriate nozzle that will effectively deliver the appropriate amount of water to the necessary location, fireground personnel will not be as effective as their equipment is capable of making them.
Chief Mittendorf's newest book, Truck Company Operations, is available for purchase by clicking here.
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