Do you know the key role of fire hose in firefighting and rescue?

In fire emergency rescue, fire hose plays a vital role. It is the "life channel" connecting fire trucks and water spraying equipment, which is directly related to firefighting efficiency and personnel safety. Whether it is urban buildings, factory workshops, or outdoor environments such as forests and grasslands, fire hoses are one of the indispensable core equipment in various firefighting systems.
Main types of fire hoses
According to different uses and structures, common fire hoses can be divided into the following categories:
Attack hose
It has a smaller diameter (usually 1.5 to 2 inches), is soft and light, and is suitable for rapid deployment for close-range firefighting operations. It is the most commonly used type of hose when firefighters enter the fire scene.
Supply hose
It has a larger diameter (usually 3 to 5 inches), which is used to transport large amounts of water over long distances. It is often used to connect fire trucks with water pumps or water sources.

Suction Hose
Specially used to draw water from natural water sources (such as lakes and rivers), usually with strong rigidity to prevent collapse under negative pressure.
Double Jacket Hose
Wrapped in multiple layers of fabric, it has good pressure resistance and durability and is widely used in a variety of firefighting tasks.
Structure and performance requirements of fire hoses
High-quality fire hoses usually consist of three layers: an outer braided layer, a middle reinforcement layer, and an inner sealing layer. The outer layer is responsible for wear resistance, fire resistance, and UV resistance; the middle layer provides tensile strength and pressure resistance; the inner layer ensures water tightness and chemical stability.
In addition, fire hoses must meet the following performance standards:
Can withstand a burst pressure of at least 100 psi;
Possess certain flame retardant properties;
Maintain flexibility in low or high temperature environments;
Easy to reel, carry, and quickly connect.
Application scenarios of fire hoses
Fire hoses are widely used in various fire fighting and emergency rescue occasions:
Urban fire fighting: In high-rise building fires, water is delivered to high-rise buildings by laying hoses vertically;
Forest fire fighting: Use portable water pumps and light hoses to go deep into forest areas for fire fighting;
Industrial sites: Chemical plants, oil depots and other high-risk areas are equipped with special corrosion-resistant hoses;
Ship and airport: Specially designed hoses can be used to deal with fires in maritime or aviation accidents.
Daily maintenance and management
In order to ensure that fire hoses play their due role at critical moments, daily maintenance is essential. After each use, they should be cleaned, dried and properly stored to avoid long-term exposure to the sun or contact with chemicals. At the same time, regularly check for damage, aging or leakage, and perform pressure tests in accordance with regulations to ensure that they are in good condition.
Although the fire hose looks ordinary, it is one of the most reliable lifelines at the fire scene. Its quality and performance are directly related to fire extinguishing efficiency and personnel safety. With the development of science and technology, modern fire hoses are moving towards lighter, stronger and smarter directions. Selecting high-quality fire hoses and strengthening daily management and training are important guarantees for improving the overall fire safety level.