The Connecticut Fire Academy Skill Sheet 15.2.1 Recruit Program Water Supply & Practical Skill Training Instructor Reference Materials

LOADING 5-INCH HOSE When properly loaded, couplings will be lined up next to each other with a female coupling being the first to be deployed. In hose beds with only one LDH compartment, the couplings will all be lined up along the right side of the bed. In split load hose beds, the couplings will be lined up along either side of the center divider.  Place the male coupling of the first length at the front of the hose compartment on the right side. Lay the hose flat to the rear of the compartment (Figure 21).  Fold the hose even with the rear of the hose compartment. Lay the hose back on itself and place it to the left of the first tier approximately halfway to the front of the compartment.  Using the flat-load technique, continue to load the LDH from end-to-end and side-to-side, saving the far right side for placement of the couplings.  When a coupling is loaded, regardless which side of the bed the hose is in, it is placed directly behind the previous coupling along the right edge of the bed. The couplings are loaded in this fashion to prevent any coupling from passing over another when deployed, reducing the hazards of securing the hose. This is for safety and will be strictly adhered to.  On engines with extremely narrow hose beds, care must be taken to get couplings as close together as possible (in some cases riding up on each other), so all ten couplings can line up in a row along the right side.  Making all the front and rear folds of the second layer and every alternate layer approximately six inches shorter than the previous layer will allow the hose to load more flatly. Note: All couplings must be loaded so they will deploy without flipping over.  Finish the load by forming a Dutchman, if needed, and placing the last female coupling at the right rear corner of the hose bed. Attach using a lark’s foot and hang it in plain sight for easy deployment

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3” Supply Hose – Flat Load The most common load used in the fire service is probably the flat load, which can be used in a variety of narrow and wide hose beds for a variety of fire lines. We’re most familiar with using the flat load for supply lines; most large-diameter supply lines are loaded with a standard flat load. The flat load does create sharp bends in the hose. In hose beds that aren’t used or deployed frequently, the hose should periodically be pulled off and reloaded to move the bends throughout the hose.

3” Supply Hose – Horseshoe Load A common hose load used when the main supply hose used for the is 3” and/or 2 1/2” Supply Hose. This type of load prevents the hose load from shifting or moving to rear of the hose bed when the apparatus climbs or starts form a t stop on hills. Quite common load on Tankers in rural departments and Urban departments that may use the smaller diameter supply hose. Also used on Quint type apparatus with the hose bed under the aerial device.

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3” Supply Hose – Accordion Load The accordion load, which actually isn’t as common as it used to be. It’s found in beds that carry 2 ½" or 3" hose for fire attack or supply. One disadvantage to this load is that it creates many sharp bends in the hose and places the hose on its side, exposing the side area to damage. The hose also gets packed tightly into the hose bed, sometimes making deployment difficult. Some of the apparatus in our department have a wide, short hose bed, making this load the most efficient for storing 600–800 feet of 2 ½" hose that’s used to supply fire department connections and 2 ½" attack lines.

2 ½ Attack Hose – Triple Layer Load This load is best suited for companies with minimal manpower that commonly respond to fires in one- and two-story single-family dwellings where the line is flaked and charged upon entering the building. One person can easily clear the hose bed and deploy this load.

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