SOP_NUMBER: 511.16
TITLE: Maintenance/Fire Hose Testing
REFERENCE_CODE: IVN09-0003
DIVISION: Facilities
TOPIC_AREA: 511 Policy-Fire Services
EFFECTIVE_DATE: 2002-04-01
WORD_COUNT: 907
POWERDMS_URL: https://public.powerdms.com/GADOC/documents/105870
URL: https://gps.press/sop-data/511.16/

SUMMARY:
This policy establishes procedures for testing and maintaining fire hose, couplings, and nozzles used by GDC fire departments to ensure they function safely and reliably. It applies to all state and county fire departments within the Georgia Department of Corrections. The policy requires physical inspections before testing, annual service tests at specified pressures depending on hose type, and acceptance tests for new hose before it enters service inventory.

KEY_TOPICS: fire hose testing, hose maintenance, fire hose inspection, service test, acceptance test, hose couplings, fire nozzles, hose pressure testing, NFPA 1962, fire equipment maintenance, hose failure, supply line testing, suction hose, booster hose, hose defects

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FULL TEXT:
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|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS<br>Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|**`Functional Area: `**<br>`SUPPORT SERVICES/FIRE`<br>`SERVICES`|**`Reference Number: `**<br>`IVN09-0003`|**`Revises`**<br>**`Previous`**<br>**`Effective Date:`**<br>`NEW`|
|**`Subject:`**<br>`MAINTENANCE/FIRE HOSE`<br>`TESTING`|||
|**`Authority:`**<br>`WETHERINGTON/HODGE`|**`Effective Date:`**<br>`4/01/02`|`Page`**`1`**` of`<br>**`4 `**|

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I. POLICY:

   This standard regulates the acceptance of new sections of fire
   hose and establishes procedures for conducting the annual
   service tests. It was promulgated to provide a reasonable
   degree of assurance that the fire hose, couplings, and nozzles
   used by the Department will perform as designed.

II. APPLICABILITY:

   All Department of Corrections in State and County Fire
   Departments.

III. RELATED DIRECTIVES:

   NFPA Standard 1962

IV. DEFINITIONS:

   NONE

V. ATTACHMENTS:

   NONE

VI. PROCEDURE:

   A. (Test Procedure)

      1. Prior to testing, each section of hose shall be
         subjected to a physical inspection to determine
         whether it is free of debris; exhibits any evidence
         of mildew or rot; or is damaged from chemicals,
         burns, cuts, abrasion, and vermin. Any section of
         hose that fails the physical inspection shall

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|`Functional Area:`<br>`SUPPORT SERVICES/FIRE SERVICES`|`Effective Date:`<br>`4/01/02`|`Reference Number:`<br>`IVN09-0003`|


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   immediately be placed out of service and sent to the
   hose shop for repair.

2. Hose shall be tested by using the pump of a reserve
   engine. The test area shall be relatively flat and
   free of any objects that might damage the hose.

3. The service test for hose of less than five inches
   in diameter shall be conducted as follows:

   a. Connect the hose to an engine. Hose shall not
      be attached to any discharge at or adjacent to
      the pump operator’s position.

   b. The total length of any hoseline in the test
      layout shall not exceed 300 feet. Hoselines
      shall be straight and without kinks or twists.
      Hose that has been repaired or decoupled shall
      be tested one section at a time.

   c. Connect the engine to a hydrant.

   d. Connect a nozzle or shutoff device to the end
      of the hose. The appliance should be secured
      to prevent an uncontrolled reaction in the
      event of a hose rupture.

   e. Fill the hoseline to be tested with water and
      bleed off all trapped air.

   f. Close the nozzle and increase the pressure to
      50 psi. Check for leakage. Tighten couplings
      as necessary. Mark the location of the
      couplings with a suitable marker.

   g. Clear the area and increase the pressure slowly
      until the pressure reaches 250 psi for a
      service test or 400 psi for an acceptance test
      if manufactured prior to July 1987. Hose
      manufactured after July 1987 shall be tested to
      the pressure marked on the hose jacket. Hold
      for five minutes. Inspect for leaks or damage.
      Remember: Never straddle a hoseline! Consult
      NFPA 1962, Standard for the Care, Use and
      Service Testing of Fire hose Including

```

|Functional Area:<br>SUPPORT SERVICES/FIRE SERVICES|Prev. Eff. Date:<br>NEW|Page 3 of<br>4|
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|`Functional Area:`<br>`SUPPORT SERVICES/FIRE SERVICES`|`Effective Date:`<br>`4/01/02`|`Reference Number:`<br>`IVN09-0003`|


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         Couplings and Nozzles, if you have any
         questions about this matter.

      h. Bleed off pressure on conclusion of the test.

      i. Mark all hose that passes the test with the
         month and year.

      j. Record the test date, etc. in the permanent
         hose record.

      k. Hose that fails the test by bursting or leaking
         or because of coupling failure due to slippage
         or leakage shall be tagged and placed out of
         service.

      l. After the test, all hose shall be cleaned,
         drained, and dried before being placed in
         service or storage.

   4. Tests for five-inch supply line and sections of soft
      suction hose shall follow the same procedure
      outlined in Item C., above, except that the service
      test pressure shall be 200 psi and the acceptance
      test pressure shall be 400 psi. Ensure that the
      hose is service tested while lying flat.

   5. Booster hose shall be tested to 110 percent of its
      maximum working pressure.

   6. Hard suction hose shall be tested on an annual basis
      using a dry-vacuum test of 22 inches hg for 10
      minutes. If used under positive pressure, the test
      shall be repeated using 165 psi of water pressure.

   7. Nozzles and other appliances shall also be inspected
      during the annual fire hose service test to ensure
      that the nozzles and appliances are undamaged, clear
      of obstructions, and fully operational. Any nozzle
      or appliance found to be in disrepair shall be red      tagged, removed from service, and sent for repair.

B. RESPONSIBILITIES

   1. The Station Chief shall be responsible for:

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|`Functional Area:`<br>`SUPPORT SERVICES/FIRE SERVICES`|`Effective Date:`<br>`4/01/02`|`Reference Number:`<br>`IVN09-0003`|


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   a. Ensuring that all new sections of fire hose
      purchased by the Department are designed and
      constructed in accordance with the provisions
      of NFPA 1961, Standard on Fire Hose.

   b. Conduct an acceptance test on each section of
      fire hose before it is placed in the hose
      inventory. The test shall comply with the
      provisions of NFPA 1962, Standard for the Care,
      Use, and Service Testing of Fire Hose Including
      Couplings and Nozzles.

   c. Schedule and supervise the annual service test.
      Every section of fire hose in the stations
      inventory shall be tested in accordance with
      NFPA 1962.

   d. Conduct a service test after a section of hose
      has been repaired.

2. Station Chiefs shall be responsible for all fire
   hose assigned to their command. Any section of fire
   hose that is discovered to be defective, is
   improperly marked, or has an out-of-date test shall
   be taken out of service.

```