I have written over a dozen posts explaining the code requirements for annual inspection/testing of our chemical hoses. But in the world of PSM/RMP, there is another hose that requires annual inspection and testing…
The primary standard requiring fire hose to be service-tested annually is NFPA 1962, Standard for the Care, Use, Inspection, Service Testing, and Replacement of Fire Hose, Couplings, Nozzles, and Fire Hose Appliances.
According to NFPA 1962, ALL fire hose must be service-tested AT LEAST ANNUALLY to ensure its structural integrity and safety. Specifically:
- Existing Hose: Must be service-tested at least annually.
- New Hose: Must be service-tested prior to being placed into service for the first time.
- Post-Repair: Any hose that has been repaired or recoupled must be service-tested before being returned to service.
The annual test is not a burst test; it is a “service test” conducted at a specific pressure to verify the hose can handle its maximum operating load without failure.
- Test Pressure: The test pressure is typically determined by the type of hose (e.g., attack, supply, or forestry) and the pressure marked on the hose jacket.
- Visual Inspection: Before the pressure test, a physical inspection is required to check for debris, rot, cuts, or damage to the couplings and gaskets.
- Safety Protocol: During the test, the hose is pressurized while cleared of personnel to protect against injury in the event of a catastrophic failure or “coupling fly-off.”
While NFPA 1962 provides the technical “how-to,” other regulatory bodies enforce the requirement:
- OSHA 1910.157: For industrial fire brigades, OSHA requires that hose stations be maintained and that the hose is inspected and tested to ensure reliability.
- Insurance (ISO): The Insurance Services Office (ISO) evaluates fire department capabilities, and a lack of documented annual hose testing can negatively impact a community’s Public Protection Classification (PPC) rating.