The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1910-06-25
Fire Hose: It's Proper Care and
Treatment.

South Carolina State Firemens' As
sociation:
When President Behrens called
upon me to write an article on Fire
Hose: It's Proper Care and Treat
ment." l thought I had the opportu-
nifty of my life to show my wonder
full knowledge of the subject. but
after studying over the matter and
seeing what job it was, l fear it is
going to prove a grand opportunity
to expose my ignorance
When you consider the cost of
fire hose and the very important part
it plays in our fire fighting equip
ment, you will readily agree with me
that this topic is one that should
have the attention Of every member
of this Association.
There are three kinds of hose COM
monty used in Fire Department work.
Rubber, linen, and rubber lined cot
ton.
On account Of the excessive cost.
rubber hose has been almost entirely
discarded by the Fire Departments in
this part Of the country.
Linen hose is Objectionable because
of the rough surface of the interior
Offering too much resistance to the
water, and because it is 80 easily
damaged by rubbing against the
ground or pavement. However. to
those who use Linen hose it will be,
we'll for you to be very careful that
1t is thoroughly dried after each fire.
Care should be taken that all mud
| is cleaned off the outside of the hose
for very often mud contains metallic
substances that are very injurious
| to the fabric of the hose.
For interior use such as hotels.
apartment houses, mills and factor
les. linen hose may be used success
fully, but fire Departments will do
we'll to stick to the "old reliable" rub
| her-lined cotton.
OF the many different kinds of rub
ber-lined cotton hose 1 think the
multiple woven decidedly the best.
The single ply is too frail to stand
rough usage and high pressure.
The jacket hose is Objectionable
because the two jackets are separate
and do not stay in conformity with
each other. If you unroll a section
of jacket hose that has been in use
any length Of time you will notice
every six or eight inches little puffs.
This puckering causes the lining to
wrinkle when the pressure is applied
thus reduing the nozzle pressure by
| increasing the resistance Of the water.
The multiple weaving binds the
different plys together so as to pre-
vent puckering, and at the same time
fills in the cracks between the rub
Der lining and the fabric. When the
pressure is applied this prevents the
formation of corrugations in the rub
Der lining and thus offers the least
possible resistance to the water.
Most of the hose made nowadays
is carbolized to prevent mildewing,
but this should not lead us to the
erroneous impression that because the
hose is carbolized we need not bother
to dry it thoroughly after use.
1t is we'll to remember that water
or dampness is injurious to the cot
ton fabric of the hose but don't be
misled into believing that it will in
jure the rubber lining. In fact it is
very beneficial to the rubber. If you
have any hose lying idle three or
four months at a time you should
take it out and run water through it
to wet the rubber lining.
1 find that the best way to dry
your hose is to have an inclined plat
form fifty feet long, about six feet
high in the middle, and about one
foot high at each end This has the
advantage over a tower in that it
is easier to place the hose upon it
and reach them when they are dry.
After the hose is thoroughly dry it
is very easy to brush the mud off
and reel them up.
The following rules for the care
and treatment of hose are suggested
| by the Eureka Fire Hose Co. If
you follow them carefully you will
have very little trouble.
l. Do not allow hose to remain
| in wagons or on reels if wet or mud
| dy; remove all mud by washing or
| brushing and expose hose to air, IN
| towers or on racks, preferably ct
full length to dry.
:. If your hose is antiseptically
treated, it will not mildew or rot if