Fire hoses are flexible hoses used to transport water at firefighting scenes. Based on their construction, they are classified into lined and unlined fire hoses. Unlined hoses have low pressure resistance, high flow resistance, and are prone to leakage and mildew/rot; they have a shorter service life and are suitable for deployment inside buildings. Lined hoses, however, are durable, resistant to high pressure, abrasion, and mildew/rot; they offer low flow resistance, are leak-resistant, flexible (can be bent or folded), easy to handle, and suitable for outdoor deployment and connection to fire trucks.
Precautions for using fire hoses:
1. Avoid sharp bends during deployment to prevent reducing pressure resistance; also avoid twisting to prevent the hose from rotating after pressurization, which could cause the interlocking couplings to disconnect.
2. Avoid forcibly dragging the hose along the ground after it is filled with water; if repositioning is necessary, lift and move it to minimize abrasion against the ground.
3. Avoid contact with corrosive chemicals such as oils, acids, and alkalis.
4. Use cotton or linen hoses in areas exposed to open flames or intense radiant heat.
5. Clean thoroughly after use; hang unlined hoses to dry, then coil and store them in a cool, dry place.
6. If small holes or damage are detected during use, wrap the area tightly with hose repair cloth and arrange for professional repair (weaving or patching) as soon as possible; remove the hose from service immediately if significant damage occurs.
7. If vehicles must cross a deployed hose, place a hose bridge over the crossing point beforehand.
8. When crossing railway tracks during deployment, route the hose underneath the rails.
9. Use lined hoses for outdoor building applications in cold regions to prevent the hose from freezing.