Fire Hoses

Standard diameters

• 38 mm (1.5″)
• 45 mm (1.75″) → UK primary attack size
• 51 mm (2″)
• 64 mm (2.5″)
• 70 mm (2.75″) → high-volume supply / backup

These sizes are standard across Type 1, Type 2, and Type 3 layflat hoses used in fire and rescue, marine, and industrial sectors.

What are the different types of fire hoses?

Type 1 fire hose is a standard duty hose designed for general firefighting and water delivery. It is lightweight, flexible, and suitable for lower to medium risk applications.

Type 2 fire hose offers enhanced durability compared to Type 1. It has improved abrasion and weather resistance, making it suitable for regular use in more demanding industrial environments.

Type 3 fire hose is a heavy duty premium hose designed for the toughest conditions. It provides maximum abrasion resistance, long service life, and is commonly used in marine, offshore, oil and gas, and high risk firefighting applications.

Type 1 Fire Hose

A standard duty layflat hose for general use.

• Basic construction with standard abrasion resistance
• Lightweight and flexible
• Suitable for lower risk and general firefighting applications
• Typically used in light industrial or basic service environments

Best for: general water delivery and low to medium duty firefighting

Type 2 Fire Hose

An upgraded medium duty hose with improved durability.

• Stronger jacket construction than Type 1
• Enhanced abrasion and weather resistance
• Longer service life under regular operational use
• Common in industrial and more demanding environments

Best for: industrial firefighting and regular operational use

Type 3 Fire Hose

Heavy duty premium hose designed for harsh conditions.

• High abrasion resistance outer jacket
• Superior durability and kink resistance
• Designed for intensive use and tough environments
• Common in marine, offshore, oil and gas, and fire service applications

Best for: high risk, offshore, and heavy duty firefighting operations

There is no single “most common” type of fire hose, as the choice depends on the application, environment, and required performance. Fire hoses are selected based on duty level rather than a universal standard.

Type 1, Type 2, and Type 3 layflat hoses are all widely used across different sectors.

Type 1 fire hose is typically used for general and lighter duty applications where flexibility and basic performance are sufficient.

Type 2 fire hose is often specified for everyday industrial use, offering a balance of durability, handling, and cost effectiveness.

Type 3 fire hose is commonly associated with fire and rescue services and high risk environments, where maximum durability, abrasion resistance, and reliability under extreme conditions are required, including offshore, marine, and petrochemical sectors.

Choosing the correct fire hose size depends on several factors including the required water flow, available pressure, distance of water delivery, and the specific application.

Smaller hose sizes, such as 38 mm and 45 mm, are typically used for attack lines where manoeuvrability is important and direct firefighting at the nozzle is required. These sizes are easier to handle but generally operate with lower flow rates.

Medium sizes, such as 51 mm and 64 mm, are commonly used for general fire fighting and water delivery. They provide a balance between flow capacity and handling, making them suitable for industrial, marine, and offshore environments.

Larger sizes, such as 70 mm, are used where high volumes of water are required, particularly over longer distances. These are typically used for supply or backup lines where maximum flow is more important than ease of handling.

In all cases, the correct hose size is determined by the required flow rate, available system pressure, and the expected friction loss across the hose length, ensuring the system performs effectively for the specific fire risk.

Fire hoses are manufactured to recognised standards to ensure performance, safety, and compatibility across firefighting systems.

In the UK, layflat fire hoses are commonly produced to BS EN standards, which specify requirements for strength, pressure rating, abrasion resistance, and overall operational performance.

The most common UK hose coupling system is the 2½” Instantaneous Light Alloy Coupling to BS 336. This is widely used by UK fire and rescue services as well as in industrial and marine applications. It provides a fast, secure, and reliable connection, allowing hoses to be rapidly deployed and disconnected even under pressure.

In other regions, different coupling systems may be used depending on local standards, such as Storz couplings in parts of Europe and threaded NH (NST) couplings in North America.

The weight of a fire hose depends mainly on its diameter, construction type and lengths

For layflat fire hoses, typical dry weights per 20 metre length are approximately:

• 38 mm hose: around 5 to 7 kg
• 45 mm hose: around 6 to 9 kg
• 51 mm hose: around 7 to 10 kg
• 64 mm hose: around 9 to 14 kg
• 70 mm hose: around 11 to 16 kg

Once charged with water, the weight increases significantly due to internal volume, especially on larger diameters. This is an important consideration for handling, deployment, and pump performance.

Heavier duty hoses such as Type 3 construction may also weigh slightly more than Type 1 or Type 2 due to increased reinforcement and abrasion resistance.

Fire hoses are typically made from a combination of high strength synthetic fabrics and internal rubber or polymer linings, designed to provide flexibility, durability, and resistance to pressure and abrasion.

All layflat fire hoses, including Type 1, Type 2, and Type 3, generally use a woven outer jacket made from materials such as polyester or polyester blends, with an inner lining that carries the water and maintains pressure integrity.

Type 1 fire hose is constructed with a standard woven synthetic jacket and a basic rubber or synthetic lining, suitable for general duty applications.

Type 2 fire hose uses a more robust woven construction with improved abrasion resistance and a higher grade internal lining, providing better durability and longer service life.

Type 3 fire hose is manufactured with a heavy duty reinforced jacket and premium inner lining materials, offering maximum resistance to abrasion, harsh environments, and repeated operational use. This makes it suitable for demanding applications such as marine, offshore, and fire and rescue services.

Fire hoses work by transporting water under pressure from a supply source to a discharge point, where it can be directed onto a fire through a nozzle.

Water is supplied from a pump, hydrant, or water tank and forced into the hose under pressure. The hose is designed with a strong outer layer and an internal lining that prevents leakage and maintains pressure while allowing water to flow efficiently over distance.

In layflat fire hoses, the hose remains flat when not in use, making it easy to store and transport. When water is pumped through it, the internal pressure causes the hose to expand and become round, allowing water to travel through it to the nozzle.

At the discharge end, a controlled nozzle allows firefighters to regulate the flow and pattern of water, enabling them to direct the stream effectively onto the fire.

Different hose types, such as Type 1, Type 2, and Type 3 layflat hoses, are designed to handle increasing levels of pressure, abrasion, and operational demand depending on the environment and application.

No, fire hoses are not fully fireproof, but many are designed to be heat resistant and flame resistant to a degree depending on their construction and intended use.

Most standard fire hoses are made from synthetic woven textiles (such as polyester) with a rubber or polymer inner lining. These materials are designed to withstand high water pressure, abrasion, and short-term exposure to heat, but they will eventually degrade or fail if directly exposed to sustained flames or extreme temperatures.

Heat resistant specialist hoses

Some specialist hoses are designed specifically for extreme heat environments rather than being fully fireproof.

For example, Delta Fire’s Wildfire Soaka Hose is engineered for wildfire and forestry conditions and can:

• Withstand very high temperature exposure
• Pass flame testing up to 960°C without bursting
• Allow a small amount of water to percolate through the hose wall to keep it cool and protect against embers

This makes it suitable for situations where hose lines may be in direct contact with hot ground, embers, or radiant heat.