The Varying Number of Hose Reels on Fire Trucks

Fire trucks come equipped with varying numbers of hose reels, depending on their design, intended use, and the specific needs of the fire department. This article explores the different types of hoses and their uses, as well as the standards set by organizations like the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) and the Insurance Services Organization (ISO).

Types of Hoses on Fire Trucks

Fire trucks are equipped with a variety of hoses, each serving a specific purpose. These include:

Attack Hoses: Typically 1.5 to 3 inches in diameter, attack hoses are used for direct firefighting. A standard fire engine may carry anywhere from 1 to 10 or more of these hoses. Supply Hoses: Larger hoses, usually 4 inches or more in diameter, are used to transport water from hydrants to the fire engine. Fire trucks may carry several hundred feet of supply hose. Specialty Hoses: These are used for specific purposes such as foam hoses for chemical fires or large-scale hose lines in wildland areas.

Depending on the design and specific requirements of a fire department, the number of hose reels can range from a few to several dozen.

International Standards and Examples

For instance, in Germany, a fire truck may carry between 12 to 20 hoses, with lengths of 20 meters and 15 meters respectively. A standard attack line can consist of three lines per fire truck, with a water pressure sufficient even in small villages. In Western Germany, it was common to see fire trucks owned by civil defense organizations, such as the ones mentioned here, which featured over 1200 of them. These trucks were equipped with large hoses for creating hose lines in remote areas.

NFPA Standards for Firefighting Equipment

Fire departments in the United States often adhere to standards set by the NFPA, which help in securing good ratings from organizations like the ISO, thereby assisting in maintaining reasonable home insurance rates. The NFPA standards cover equipment such as hose reels, nozzle sizes, and lengths.

For a standard pumper engine, the NFPA 1901 2016 standards require:

800 feet of 2 1/2 inch or larger fire hose as a supply line. 400 feet of 1 1/2, 1 3/4, or 2 inch fire hose as an attack line. A minimum one-handline nozzle of 200 GPM. Two handline nozzles of 95 GPM. A play pipe with a shutoff and tips in various sizes.

Additionally, the ISO requires a supply line of up to 1000 feet, with full credit given for this length. If the line is shorter, the credit is less. Also, not all 2-inch diameter lines are used for attack lines; larger 2?-inch lines are often used to fight large fires in commercial or industrial buildings.

Examples of Specific Hoses

Our local fire department has a variety of hose reels, including 100 feet of 5-inch hose, 1000 feet of 2?-inch hose, 250 feet of 1 3/4-inch hose, and 300 feet of 1 1/2-inch hose. A hose reel also contains 100 feet of 1-inch booster line, and various lengths of 6-inch and 2?-inch suction hose for refilling the water tank.

Wildland fire engines, on the other hand, are equipped with only 100 feet of 1-inch wildland hose, much lighter in weight than structural firefighting hose. However, agencies expect them to carry 400 feet each of 1 1/2-inch, 1-inch, and 3/4-inch garden hose for handling wildland fires.

Water tender/water tanker trucks are designed to bring water to areas without fire hydrants and therefore carry more hose than wildland fire engines but less than pumper engines. For example, a water tender may carry 400 feet of 1 1/2-inch, 1-inch, and 3/4-inch hose to support firefighting efforts.

Conclusion

The number of hoses on a fire truck varies based on its design, intended use, and the specific needs of the fire department. NFPA standards provide guidance on equipment requirements, ensuring that fire departments are well-equipped for various firefighting scenarios. Understanding these standards and the different types of hoses is crucial for effective firefighting operations.