How Often Should Fire Hoses Be Inspected and Replaced?

Fire hoses are important firefighting tools that connect water sources to fire scenes, and are an indispensable key equipment in firefighting systems. Whether in urban fire brigades, industrial facilities, commercial buildings, or residential areas, the reliability of fire hoses is directly related to firefighting efficiency and personnel safety. However, many units often neglect the regular inspection and replacement of fire hoses, which may lead to the inability to use them at critical moments, and even serious consequences.

1. Why is it so important to regularly inspect fire hoses?

Fire hoses are in storage all year round. Once a fire occurs, they need to be quickly deployed and fully utilized. However, during long-term storage, the following hidden dangers may occur:

Material aging (such as cracking of the rubber layer and wear of the braided layer);

Mold and hardening of the pipe wall;

Loose and corroded joints;

Lower elasticity, water seepage, and water leakage;

Damage caused by insects and rodents or moisture.

A damaged hose may suddenly burst during high-pressure water delivery, which will not only delay firefighting time, but also endanger the safety of users. Therefore, regular inspection and timely replacement are necessary measures to ensure the reliability of the fire extinguishing system.

2. Inspection frequency of fire hoses
There are clear standards for the inspection of fire equipment internationally, and the following are the main references:

1. NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) standards:
According to NFPA 1962 "Standard for the Care, Use, Inspection, Service Testing, and Replacement of Fire Hose" standard:

At least one comprehensive inspection and pressure test should be carried out every year;

The inspection content includes appearance, joints, sealing, pressure bearing capacity, etc.;

All unqualified hoses should be stopped from use and scrapped immediately.

2. ISO standards or local fire regulations (such as China GB standards):
China's "GB 6246-2011 Fire Hose" and local fire regulations require:

Fire hoses should be inspected every 6 months to 1 year;

Units with conditions should conduct inspections on a quarterly basis, especially high-risk industries (such as petrochemicals);

Hose with damage, water stains, and mildew should be inspected in particular.

3. Inspection content and methods
The inspection of fire hoses usually includes three parts: appearance inspection, connector inspection, and functional test:

1. Appearance inspection
Whether there is wear, cracks, or mildew;

Whether it is flattened or has serious fold marks;

Whether the coating is peeling or falling off;

Whether the braided layer is loose or broken.

2. Interface inspection
Whether the joint is rusted and the card slot is intact;

Whether the gasket is aged or deformed;

Whether it fits tightly with the connector.

3. Pressure and leakage test
Use a water pump for static pressure test, and the commonly used test pressure is 1.5 times the working pressure;

The test time is 3 minutes, and the hose must not leak, bulge or rupture.

Additional suggestions:
A comprehensive inspection should be carried out immediately after each fire alarm;

New hoses that have been stored for more than 1 year should also be tested before being put into use.

4. Replacement cycle of fire hose
Although the lifespan of hoses of different brands and materials is different, the following are general reference standards:

Frequency of use Recommended replacement cycle
Long-term standby Replace every 5 to 8 years
Common type (training, drill) Replace every 3 to 5 years
Exposed to outdoor environment Replace every 2 to 3 years
Replace immediately if aging or leakage is found after use

Note: Even if the fire hose has not been used, as long as it exceeds the service life, the material may have aged, so it is recommended to replace it.

5. Maintenance and storage recommendations for fire hoses
In order to extend the service life of fire hoses, daily maintenance and scientific storage are very important:

Storage method:
Avoid direct sunlight, high temperature, and high humidity environment;

It is recommended to place it in a dry and ventilated cabinet or hose box;

When storing the hose, it should be coiled naturally to avoid folding.

Post-use treatment:
After use, it should be thoroughly drained and dried to prevent mildew;

Rinse impurities or chemical residues with clean water;

Re-coil it after drying and store it in classified numbers.

Regular rotation:
It is recommended to rotate the spare hose every six months to avoid permanent deformation caused by long-term bending.

6. Common inspection misunderstandings
Misunderstanding 1: Only check the appearance, not do pressure testing
Many units only check whether the outer skin is worn, but ignore the internal aging or the decline in the sealing performance of the joints, which can easily cause water leakage.
Misunderstanding 2: Use it once and it will be invalid
High-quality fire hoses are designed to be reusable and can continue to be used as long as there is no obvious damage and pass the test.
Misunderstanding 3: Only rely on the annual inspection agency for fire inspection
The unit itself should also establish a daily inspection system instead of completely handing over the inspection responsibility to the outsourcing unit.

7. Summary: Regular inspection is a responsibility, and replacement is a guarantee
Fire hoses are not used frequently, but at critical moments they must be "pulled out, connected, sprayed quickly, and used for a long time". Therefore, scientific management, regular inspection and reasonable replacement are the core links to ensure the effectiveness of the fire extinguishing system.
To this end, it is recommended that key places such as enterprises, properties, factories, warehouses, etc.:
Develop a water hose inspection plan;
Equip with necessary inspection tools and spare parts;
Establish water hose numbering and usage records;
Ensure that every water hose can "not fail at the critical moment".