BY WILLIAM C. PETERS
A Tentative Interim Amendment (TIA) was addED to NFPA 1901, Standard for Automotive Fire Apparatus, 2003, concerning the securing of hose storage areas on fire apparatus. A TIA is issued when an emergency need arises to amend the NFPA document between regular adoption cycles. This TIA was issued by the Standards Council and became effective on November 18, 2005.
THE PROBLEM
Unsecured hose carried in hosebeds, crosslays, and bumper trays that are open on any side has the potential of being accidentally deployed while the apparatus is in motion. Adding to the problem is that the modern hose jacket is more slippery, which helps when firefighters advance the hose but increases the problem of inadvertent deployment. A recent incident that came to the attention of the Apparatus Committee involved a Pennsylvania child’s being struck and killed by a nozzle connected to a crosslay while an apparatus was responding to a call. Discussions revealed several such incidents, which caused the TIA to be initiated.
THE REQUIREMENT
The new paragraph added to NFPA 1901 (15.10.7) states: “Any hose storage area shall be equipped with a positive means to prevent unintentional deployment of the hose from the top, sides, front, and rear of the hose storage area while the apparatus is underway in normal operations.”
 (1) Treadplate bumper extension hose cover. (Photos by author.) |
The annex material states: “Fire departments and manufacturers have developed various methods of preventing inadvertent deployment of fire hose including fully enclosed hosebed covers, buckled straps, hook and loop straps, fabric covers, webbing mesh, wind deflectors, and other material restraints or combination of restraints. It is also important that fire departments develop methods of storing hose-connected nozzles and appliances in a manner that does not promote the inadvertent deployment of the hose, nozzle, or appliance.”
SOLUTIONS
Prior to the addition of this new paragraph, Annex A only recommended that the purchaser consider specifying some type of cover for the hose compartment. The requirements of the standard are performance based and allow the purchaser and manufacturer to determine how to secure the hose.
 (2) Straps over the bumper extension hose tray will keep the preconnected line in place. |
Starting from the front of the apparatus, many units include hose trays in the front bumper extension for suction hose, attack lines, and smaller “trash lines.” Quite often, purchasers relied simply on gravity to keep these hoses in place. Seat-belt type straps, vinyl covers, or even latching treadplate covers can restrain the hose.
 (3) The treadplate cover over the crosslays with nylon webbing securing the ends. Notice that the nozzles are also secured in brackets. |
At the pump enclosure, most apparatus have crosslays or speed-lays for hose to be deployed to the sides of the apparatus. Quite often, the top is enclosed with a hinged treadplate door, but the ends are left open for access to the hose. These ends can be enclosed with a compartment door, or some have used nylon webbing to hold the hose in place.
 4) Standpipe trays with quick-release spring-holding devices. |
Some departments carry standpipe hose bundled on the sides of the apparatus. These, too, will have to be secured to avoid deployment.
 (5) Treadplate hosebed cover with vinyl rear flap. Notice that the LDH is secured with a hose strap where it comes out from under the cover and the hydrant valve is mounted to the rear step. |
Finally, securing the rear hosebed can be done in many ways. Hard treadplate folding-door covers have been popular for many years. The back end will need to be secured with flaps or webbing to keep the hose from slipping out the rear. Vinyl hosebed covers are less expensive and can be just as effective.
 6) Full vinyl hosebed covers are less expensive and also get the job done. This particular apparatus has restraining cords holding the bottom of the cover in place. |
Whatever method you decide on, it should be safe, be secure, and allow the hose to be easily deployed when needed. ■
