Chapter 14: Water Supply

Question 1

Accordian Load

Answer 1

Arrangement of fire hose in a hose bed or compartment in which the hose lies on edge with the folds adjacent to each other.

Question 2

Adapter

Answer 2

Device for connecting hose couplings with dissimilar threads but with the same inside diameter.

Question 3

Attack Hose

Answer 3

Hose that is used by trained firefighters to combat fires.

Question 4

Booster Hoseline

Answer 4

Noncollapsible rubber-covered, rubber-lined hose usually wound on a reel and mounted somewhere on the apparatus and used for extinguishment of incipient and smoldering fires. This hose is most commonly found in ½ -, ¾-, and 1-in (13mm, 19mm, 25mm) diameters and is used for extinguishing low-intensity fires and overhaul operations.

Question 5

Dutchman

Answer 5

Extra fold placed along the length of a section of hose as it is loaded so that its coupling rests in proper position.

Question 6

Finish

Answer 6

Arrangement of hose usually placed on top of a hose load and connected to the end of the load.

Question 7

Fire Department Connection (FDC)

Answer 7

Point at which the fire department can connect into a sprinkler or standpipe system to boost the water flow in the system.

Question 8

Fire Hose

Answer 8

A flexible, portable tube manufactured from watertight materials in 50 to 100 ft (15 to 30 m) lengths that is used to transport water from a source or pump to the point where it is discharged to extinguish fire.

Question 9

Fitting

Answer 9

Device that facilitates the connection of hoselines to provide an uninterrupted flow of extinguishing agent.

Question 10

Flat Load

Answer 10

Arrangement of fire hose bed or compartment in which the hose lies flat with successive layers one upon the other.

Question 11

Four-Way Hydrant Valve

Answer 11

Hose appliance that is attached to the hydrant to permit additional supply hoses to be attached without interrupting the flow of water.

Question 12

Hard-Suction Hose

Answer 12

Rigid, noncollapsible hose that operates under vacuum conditions without collapsing, allowing a pumping apparatus or portable pump to “draft” water from static or nonpressurized sources (lakes, rivers, wells, etc.) that are below the elevation level of the fire pump, usually available in 10-ft (3m) sections.

Question 13

Higbee Cut

Answer 13

Special cut at the beginning of the thread on a hose coupling that provides positive identification of the first thread to eliminate cross-threading.

Question 14

Higbee Indicators

Answer 14

Notches or grooves cut into coupling lugs to identify by touch or sight the exact location of the Higbee Cut.

Question 15

Horseshoe Load

Answer 15

Arrangement of fire hose in a hose bed or compartment in which the hose lies on edge in the form of a horseshoe.

Question 16

Hose Bed

Answer 16

Main hose-carrying area of a pumper or other apparatus designed for carrying hose.

Question 17

Hydrant Wrench

Answer 17

Specially designed tool used to open or close a hydrant and to remove hydrant caps.

Question 18

Nonthreaded Coupling

Answer 18

Coupling with no distinct male or female components. Also known as Storz Coupling or sexless coupling.

Question 19

Open Butt

Answer 19

The end of a charged hoseline that is flowing water without a nozzle or valve to control the flow.

Question 20

Preconnect

Answer 20

Attack hose connected to a discharge when the hose is loaded; this shortens the time it takes to deploy the hose for fire fighting.

Question 21

Quarter-Turn Coupling

Answer 21

Nonthreaded (sexless) coupling with two hook-like lugs that slip over a ring on the opposite coupling and then rotate 90 degrees clockwise to lock.

Question 22

Reducer

Answer 22

Fitting used to attach a smaller hose to a larger hose. The female end has the larger threads, while the male end has the smaller threads.

Question 23

Service Test

Answer 23

Series of tests performed on apparatus and equipment in order to ensure operational readiness of the unit. These tests should be performed at least yearly or whenever a piece of apparatus or equipment has undergone extensive repair.

Question 24

Shank

Answer 24

Portion of a coupling that serves as a point of attachment to the hose.

Question 25

Siamese

Answer 25

Hose appliances used to combine two or more hoselines into one. The Siamese has multiple female inlets and a single male outlet. An example of a Siamese is a FDC.

Question 26

Soft Sleeve Hose

Answer 26

Large-diameter collapsible piece of hose used to connect a fire pump to a pressurized water supply source; sometimes incorrectly referred to as soft suction hose.

Question 27

Spanner Wrench

Answer 27

Small tool primarily used to tighten or loosen hose couplings; can also be used as a prying tool or a gas key.

Question 28

Storz Coupling

Answer 28

Nonthreaded (sexless) coupling commonly found on large-diameter hose. Nonthreaded fire hose couplings have been used in the North American fire and emergency services since the early 1900s. With this type of coupling, the mating of two couplings is achieved with locks or cams without eh use of screw threads.

Question 29

Supply Hose

Answer 29

Hose that is designed for the purpose of moving water between a water source and a pump that is supplying attack hoselines or fire suppression systems.

Question 30

Suction Hose

Answer 30

Intake hose that connects pumping apparatus or portable pump to a water source.

Question 31

Threaded Coupling

Answer 31

Male of female coupling with a spiral thread.

Question 32

Water Thief

Answer 32

Any a variety of hose appliances with one female inlet for 2 1/2-in (65mm) or larger hose and with three gated outlets, usually two 1 1/2-in (38mm) outlets and one 2 1/2-in (65mm) outlet.

Question 33

Wye

Answer 33

Hose appliance with one female inlet and multiple male outlets, usually smaller than the inlet. Outlets are also usually gated.