Testing should include the following steps:
- Locate a safe area to perform the test.
- Lay the entire hose in a straight run.
- Connect the hose sections into lengths of up to 300 feet.
- Connect the hose test-gate valves to each pumper discharge valve being used and open the valves.
- Connect the hose segments to the test-gate valves.
- Attach a rope hose tool or hose strap to each test length.
- Attach a shutoff nozzle to the open end of each test segment.
- Open nozzles for hose filling, holding nozzles over the hydrant discharge or pump.
- Open the discharge.
- Fill each hose line with water.
- Close the nozzles once air has been purged from the test segments.
- Mark the hose jacket with chalk to indicate where the couplings meet the hose.
- Inspect the hose line for kinks and straighten, if necessary.
- Inspect for leaking couplings.
- Remove failed segments.
- Close each hose test-gate valve.
- Increase the pump pressure to the NFPA standard.
- Monitor the connections as pressure increases, checking for leaks.
- Reduce the pressure and close discharge valves when they reach zero.
- Disengage the pump.
- Break all the hose connections, draining water away from the test area.
- Observe marks at the couplings to see if any couplings moved and tag those that moved or failed.
- Log all results.
Process/Skill Questions:
- How often should hoses undergo testing?
- How much does a coupling need to move while a hose is in use to indicate the coupling may be loose or damaged?
- What are the primary indicators that a hose segment needs to be repaired or replaced?