Engine 9 is finishing up the city's annual hose testing.
All engine companies have been testing hose every day (or evening), on a rotating schedule, which started on August 4th. All attack hose, as well as supply hose, is tested, including spare hose and hose on spare apparatus.
Hose is tested to
NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) standards. Annual hose testing ensures that hose is reliable at high pressures used for firefighting and is also a factor in our national
Class 1 Fire Protection rating. Citywide, companies test approximately 8 miles of hose. Hose includes 4" supply lines, and 1 3/4" and 2 1/2" attack lines which are usually in 50', 75' or 100' lengths, depending on the type of hose.
Photos from the evening of August 20th show the Engine 9 Firefighters from the Lexington Avenue Fire House working through the process. Hose is stretched out, charged & pressurized. Pressure is held for 3 to 5 minutes to ensure there are no leaks or defects. Attack hose is pressurized to 250 psi (pounds per square inch) while supply hose is pressurized to 200 psi. Following the test, all hose is made up and placed back in service (unless the hose was found to be not serviceable.)