How to Clean Fire Hose: The Complete Guide of Procedures

Cleaning Fire Hose Maintenance Procedures

Fire hoses lead fairly rough lives, when you think about it. So any way you can “baby” your fire hoses will pay off with regard to the performance and longevity of the product.

One excellent way you can improve the life and reliability of your fire hoses is by properly cleaning them. This is especially a good habit to get into for woven single jacket fire hoses or double jacket fire hoses.

Follow these procedures to make sure you’re taking the best possible care of your fire hoses.

  1. Unroll the hose. Avoid dragging the hose whenever possible to prolong service life..
  2. Stretch the hose out entirely on a clean and level surface.
  3. Be careful to protect the exposed threaded couplings. If you are cleaning multiple sections, lay them next to each other but separated enough so they drain properly.
  4. Consider what hazardous materials the hose has been exposed to: gasoline, oil, etc. Check out the manufacturer’s recommendations to decontaminate the hose.
  5. Dry brush the hose with a soft- or medium-bristle brush to clean off the surface debris before washing it.
  6. Rinse the hose with clean water using low pressure so you don’t push contaminants into the hose jacket.
  7. A solution of warm water and mild detergent can be used as a fire hose cleaner. Using a long brush with soft of medium bristles, scrub the hose.
  8. Thoroughly flush all the detergent from the hose jacket on both sides.
  9. After rinsing, dry the hose completely by whatever method works best for the weather conditions in your area and your facility’s equipment. Avoid drying hoses on hot pavement or under direct sunlight, which can damage hose jackets and the lining.
  10. Before loading into the hose bed or storing for an extended period of time, make sure the hose is thoroughly dried.

Always remember fire hose maintenance and care must comply with the NFPA’s Standard for Inspection, Care and Use of Fire Hoses, Couplings and Nozzles.

Choose Your Fire Hose

About The Author: Keith Eriksen

Keith was the president of Rawhide Fire Hose from 2000 thru 2018. He is a former member of the Wooster Township Fire Department, serving with the Wayne County Underwater Search and Rescue unit. He has extensive knowledge of valves and hydraulics from years of experience in the oil and natural gas production business. In addition to being an avid scuba diver with master diver endorsements he is also an instrument rated private pilot, certified for high performance and complex aircraft. He enjoys landscape and gardening work, gourmet cooking, spending time with his (grown) children and traveling with his wife, Vicki.

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