The firefighter ensemble, including personal protective equipment (PPE), self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), electronics, and tools, is a vital part of a firefighter’s equipment in the fire environment. Attack fire hose, used to protect firefighters in rescue efforts and extinguish the fire, is also an important part of the equipment subject to the firefighter operational environment. NFPA 1961 Standard on Fire Hose, has provided the fire service and industry with a minimum standard of fire hose manufacturing since 1898. There are several other fire hose test standards including: UL 19, FM 2111, DIN 14811, and BS 6391.
Hose failure has been mentioned as a factor during incidents. This workshop aims to share information, receive stakeholder feedback, engage conversation to enhance understanding, and consider the question “Can fire hose be improved?” Several groups have begun to investigate failure of fire hose in the firefighter operational environment. As fire hose failure is investigated, it is important to consider fire hose characteristics (mechanical failure resistance, thermal impact, flow properties, usability, selection, care and maintenance, etc.) in the process moving forward.
The goal of this workshop is to support the Technical Committee on Fire Hose with the information necessary to ensure first responders have the fire hose to be safe and effective. Several objectives of the workshop include:
- Clarify fire fighter expectations for fire hose capabilities and characteristics
- Answer the question: Can fire hose be improved?
- Identify gaps, prioritize, and provide recommended approach forward
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The Research Foundation conducted this workshop at the DoubleTree by Hilton Denver, CO on Tuesday and Wednesday, May 24-25, 2016. Immediately following the workshop the Technical Committee on Fire Hose held a technical committee meeting for the revisions of NFPA 1961 and 1962.