What is the minimum diameter hose that should be used on a fire incident?

The minimum diameter of hose recommended for fire incidents is typically 1 1/2 inches. This size is considered the standard for delivering adequate water flow for many firefighting operations, including structural fires and wildland fires. It provides a balance between flexibility, weight, and the ability to deliver sufficient water to combat fire effectively.

Firefighters need to ensure they have enough volume and pressure to tackle various fire scenarios, and 1 1/2-inch hoses offer that capability while remaining manageable. Using a hose of this diameter allows fire crews to quickly deploy lines, maintain control, and effectively suppress fires while minimizing the risk of hose kinking or other operational challenges.

Hoses of smaller diameters, such as 1 inch or 1 1/4 inch, may not deliver sufficient water volume for most serious fire situations, while hoses larger than 1 1/2 inch, like 2 inches, may be more suited for apparatus setups or specific high-flow needs but could be less practical for initial attack lines in many situations. Therefore, 1 1/2 inches strikes the right balance for general firefighting use.