F-1031, Section 2112
Page 10 of 15
Fire Hose Testing
WARNING
Hose Testing Hazard. May result in serious personal injury.
Due to a potential for catastrophic hose failure during service testing of fire hose, it is vital that safety precautions be taken to
prevent exposure of anyone to this danger. Fire pumps on fire department apparatus are not designed for and should not be
used for service testing of fire hoses. Hose testing machines should be used for service testing of fire hoses.
NFPA 1962
Standard for the Inspection, Care, and use of Fire Hose, Couplings, and Nozzles and the Service Testing of Fire
Hose
provides requirements and testing procedures for service-testing fire hose at least annually. NFPA 1962 includes
procedures for service testing with either a hose testing machine or with a pump on a fire department fire apparatus.
WARNING
Pressure Hazard. May result in serious personal injury.
If a fire pump on a fire department apparatus is used for service testing of fire hoses, the procedures in NFPA 1962
MUST
be followed
including the use of a fire department gate valve with a ¼-inch (6 mm) hole drilled through the gate installed
between the fire apparatus discharge outlet and the hose test layout to prevent a volume surge from the pump in the event a
hose bursts during testing.
During fire hose testing with a fire pump on a fire department fire apparatus, the fire pump is required to be operated at high
discharge pressure with little or no flow out of the apparatus.
WARNING
Scalding Water Hazard. May result in serious burns.
If a fire pump on a fire department apparatus is used for service testing of fire hoses, pump discharge water must be
circulated through a by-pass system or discharged through a slightly open discharge valve, or some other provision must be
used to prevent overheating. If the pump runs for a few minutes without adequate flow through the pump, water may be
heated enough to scald someone when a valve is opened.
CAUTION
If a fire pump on a fire department apparatus is used for service testing of fire hoses, operating the pump at high discharge
pressure with little or no flow may result in severe damage to the pump.
