SOP_NUMBER: 511.17
TITLE: Maintenance/Fire Hose
REFERENCE_CODE: IVN09-0004
DIVISION: Facilities
TOPIC_AREA: 511 Policy-Fire Services
EFFECTIVE_DATE: 2002-04-01
WORD_COUNT: 695
POWERDMS_URL: https://public.powerdms.com/GADOC/documents/105871
URL: https://gps.press/sop-data/511.17/

SUMMARY:
This policy establishes guidelines for the proper maintenance, repair, and storage of fire hose used by Georgia Department of Corrections State and County Fire Departments. It requires that all fire hose be inspected and cleaned after each use, properly stored in designated areas, and maintained according to specific standards to extend hose life and ensure operational readiness. Station Chiefs are responsible for maintaining inventory records and ensuring hose is properly marked and numbered.

KEY_TOPICS: fire hose maintenance, fire hose cleaning, fire hose repair, fire hose storage, fire hose inspection, hose couplings, hose gaskets, hose inventory, fire equipment maintenance, fire station procedures, NFPA 1961, NFPA 1962, hose testing, fire apparatus maintenance

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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>`IVN09-0004`|**`Revises`**<br>**`Previous`**<br>**`Effective Date:`**<br>`NEW`|
|**`Subject:`**<br>`MAINTENANCE/FIRE HOSE`|||
|**`Authority:`**<br>`WETHERINGTON/HODGE`|**`Effective Date:`**<br>`4/01/02`|`Page`**`1`**` of`<br>**`3 `**|

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I. POLICY:

   This standard establishes guidelines for the maintenance and
   storage of fire hose. It was promulgated to:

   A. Establish guidelines for the proper care of fire hose.

   B. Establish a procedure for promptly repairing damaged
      sections of fire hose.

   C. Create and maintain an inventory of spare fire hose that
      can be placed in service whenever it is needed.

II. APPLICABILITY:

   All Department of Corrections State and County Fire
   Departments.

III. RELATED DIRECTIVES:

   NFPA 1961 and 1962

IV. DEFINITIONS:

    NONE

V. ATTACHMENTS:

   NONE

VI. PROCEDURE:

   A. (Cleaning)

      1. The life expectancy of a section of fire hose is
         determined by the care it receives. Hose is
         susceptible to mechanical injury, heat and fire

```

|Functional Area:<br>SUPPORT SERVICES/FIRE SERVICES|Prev. Eff. Date:<br>NEW|Page 2 of<br>3|
|---|---|---|
|`Functional Area:`<br>`SUPPORT SERVICES/FIRE SERVICES`|`Effective Date:`<br>`4/01/02`|`Reference Number:`<br>`IVN09-0004`|


```
      damage, mold and mildew, an damage due to chemical
      contact and excessive pressures.

   2. Each section of fire hose shall be inspected and
      cleaned after each use. All dirt, oil and other
      foreign matter should be carefully removed by either
      clear water, a brush, or a mild soap or detergent.
      The hose should then be rinsed thoroughly.

   3. After being cleaned, sections of fire hose should be
      properly dried unless the hose is of single-jacket,
      rubber construction. Rubber hose may be loaded wet
      after it has been cleaned. It is still possible,
      however, for mold to develop if wet hose is stored
      for a long period of time without proper drying.
      This may result in damage to the hose.

B. REPAIR

   1. Whenever a section of hose is taken out of service
      for repair, it shall be cleaned, dried, and properly
      red-tagged. The tag shall include a description of
      the defect.

   2. All female hose couplings need to be fitted with
      gaskets. Couplings should be inspected
      periodically, and gaskets that have deteriorated or
      are missing should be replaced. A stock of spare
      gaskets is maintained in the workshop at each fire
      station for this purpose.

   3. Petroleum products should not be used on threads or
      any part of a coupling.

   4. To prevent permanent damage, the hose on each
      apparatus shall be reloaded every six months unless
      the entire load has been laid at a fire or for
      training. During one of the reloads, the annual hose
      test will be conducted.

   5. As a general rule, no vehicle should drive over a
      hose. During an incident, however, it may become
      necessary for an emergency vehicle to drive over a
      hoseline. In such a case, the line should be
      charged to reduce the likelihood of damage.

```

|Functional Area:<br>SUPPORT SERVICES/FIRE SERVICES|Prev. Eff. Date:<br>NEW|Page 3 of<br>3|
|---|---|---|
|`Functional Area:`<br>`SUPPORT SERVICES/FIRE SERVICES`|`Effective Date:`<br>`4/01/02`|`Reference Number:`<br>`IVN09-0004`|

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 C. STORAGE

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   1. While the bulk of the spare hose inventory shall be
      stored at a single location, each station shall be
      assigned an inventory of spare hose of varying sizes
      as storage space and the master inventory permit.

   2. After the hose has been properly cleaned and dried,
      the spare sections shall be rolled for storage. The
      hose should be rolled with the male coupling inside,
      then placed on a hose rack until it is needed.

   3. Hose racks shall be placed in well-ventilated areas
      and out of contact with direct sunlight.

   4. Hose shall not be stored out of doors or left on
      drying racks.

D. RESPONSIBILITIES

   1. The Station Chief shall ensure that each section of
      fire hose is permanently marked and numbered.

   2. Station Chiefs shall maintain a complete record of
      all fire hose assigned to their company or station.
      The record shall include the date a section of fire
      hose was received, test records, in-house repairs,
      and the date a section was sent to the hose shop for
      repairs. This information shall also be included as
      a part of the company log.

   3. Drivers shall be responsible for maintaining the
      proper quantity of fire hose on their apparatus.
      Hose loads shall be maintained in a neat manner.

```