The Purpose of Color-Coding Fire Hoses: How Different Colors Indicate Their Specific Use in Firefighting Operations

There is a purpose to choosing a color for fire hoses. The color of a fire hose can indicate its purpose, which can help firefighters quickly and easily identify the correct hose for a specific task. For example:

• White fire hoses are commonly used to transport food and other consumables. In these cases. The white color of the hose is used to indicate that the hose is food-grade and is suitable for use with consumable products.
• Red fire hoses are typically used for attacking a fire with high-pressure water. They are also commonly used for supply lines, which are the hoses that bring water from a fire hydrant or other water source to the fire scene.
• Yellow fire hoses are used for supplying water to a standpipe system. Standpipes are vertical pipes built into buildings and used by firefighters to connect hoses to firefighting operations.
• Green fire hoses are typically used for suction hoses, which are used to draw water from a static source, such as a lake or river.
• Orange fire hoses are used for hose lines that carry foam concentrate. Foam is used to help extinguish certain types of fires, such as those involving flammable liquids.
• Blue fire hoses are used for hydrant supply lines, which are the hoses that connect fire trucks to fire hydrants.

Choosing the right color for a fire hose can help ensure that the correct hose is used for the task at hand, which can improve efficiency and safety during firefighting operations. It is important to note that while color coding is common in many fire departments, it is not a universal standard and different departments may use different colors or color combinations.