Fire hoses are designed to handle high pressure and deliver water or flame retardants to a fire. They have evolved over time and are sold by companies that make firefighting equipment. Firefighters regularly inspect and maintain their hoses.
A fire hose is a hose that has been designed to handle very high pressures, so it can be used to quickly deliver flame retardants to a fire. Fire hoses are extremely robust and heavily reinforced, as they must be able to operate at pressure levels that can reach 300 psi (20 bar), with a burst point that can be up to four times higher. These hoses are sold by companies that make fire fighting equipment and can be quite expensive.
Being able to supply water or chemical flame retardants to a fire is a key part of fighting a fire, both to put out the fire and to stop it from spreading. The earliest versions of the fire hose date back to around 1600 when the Dutch first developed this fire-fighting tool as a replacement for bucket brigades. Over time, fire hose has evolved to handle more pressure, with hoses in a wide variety of widths available for different purposes.
For ease of storage, fire hoses are usually laid flat so they can be neatly folded or rolled up. One end of the hose is designed to connect to a water source, with some hoses having adapters to fit various faucets. The other end of the hose has a nozzle that can be adjusted to modulate the strength of the water jet. When a fire hose is filled and the nozzle is opened, the pressure can be enough to knock someone over, which is why firefighters often work in pairs or groups with a fire hose.
In large structures or structures prone to fire, fire hoses are often installed at convenient access points along the walls and connected to a standpipe. If a fire breaks out, someone can open the compartment that houses the hose and ignite it, quickly gaining access to a supply of water that can be used to contain the fire. These fire hoses are folded in a classic accordion style to make them easy to deploy, although some are mounted on mandrels.
Fire trucks have hoses that can connect to hydrants or standpipes at the site of a fire, along with hoses that can connect to the truck itself or to tankers filled with water or flame retardants. Some fire trucks have hoses designed to be attached at all times, so firefighters can get in, jump, turn on the hoses, and leave.
This firefighting tool is a key part of a fire station’s arsenal. Firefighters regularly inspect their hoses to make sure they are in good working condition, replacing or repairing damaged hoses, as a damaged hose can be a big problem in the event of a fire.
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