What is the usual working pressure for a hose?

• A. 150 psi
• B. 100 psi
• C. 75 psi
• D. 200 psi

Answer: (A)

Working pressure is the maximum steady pressure a hose is designed to handle during normal use. It has to cover the pressure delivered by the pump, the friction losses along the hose, and the pressure at the nozzle, all while keeping the hose safe and durable in typical firefighting conditions. For the hoses commonly used in tanker operations, that operating rating is about 150 psi. That level provides enough flow without pushing the hose beyond what it can safely withstand. Lower values would restrict performance and safety margins, while higher values aren’t the standard rating for these hoses. (Note: this is different from test pressure, which is usually higher and used only for hydrostatic testing.)