Overview
ISO 14557:2021 specifies requirements and test methods for fire‑fighting rubber and plastics suction hoses and hose assemblies. It covers materials, construction, dimensions, performance and marking for hoses used to supply unpressurized water to pumps or for manual water discharge. The standard distinguishes two constructions: Type A (rubber) for minimum use temperature −20 °C and Type B (thermoplastics) for minimum use temperature −10 °C. Measurements and tests reference SI pressure units (MPa) and bar (1 MPa = 10 bar).
Key topics and technical requirements
- Classification: Type A (rubber construction with textile reinforcement and embedded wire helix) and Type B (flexible thermoplastic supported by a rigid helix).
- Dimensions & mass: Inside diameters, tolerances and maximum mass per metre are defined (see standard tables); length tolerances follow ISO 1307 and dimensions are measured per ISO 4671.
- Hydrostatic performance: Finished hoses and assemblies must pass proof‑pressure and burst‑pressure tests (ambient proof pressure 0.3 MPa / 3 bar and minimum burst 0.6 MPa / 6 bar at 23 °C; reduced requirements apply at elevated temperatures).
- Mechanical & environmental tests:
- Low temperature flexibility: Type A tested at −20 °C, Type B at −10 °C (ISO 10619‑2).
- Adhesion (Type A): Lining/reinforcement and cover/reinforcement adhesion ≥ 2.0 kN/m (ISO 8033).
- Ozone resistance (Type A) and UV resistance (Type B): Cover/exterior must resist cracking and unacceptable visual change (ISO 7326, ISO 30013).
- Vacuum resistance, bending resistance, pressure impulse, reinforcement fracture resistance (for Type B) and flexibility at ambient temperature are specified with referenced test methods.
- Hose assemblies: Additional requirements when couplings are fitted by the hose manufacturer, including marking and proof tests.
- Marking & traceability: Requirements for hose and hose‑assembly labelling to aid specification compliance and procurement.
Applications and users
ISO 14557:2021 is used by:
- Fire equipment manufacturers and hose producers for design, quality control and production acceptance testing.
- Fire and rescue services specifying suction hoses for pumps, portable operations and unpressurized discharge.
- Procurement teams and standards/quality engineers ensuring conformance to internationally accepted performance and safety criteria.
- Test laboratories performing hydrostatic, vacuum, environmental and mechanical testing.
Keywords: ISO 14557:2021, fire‑fighting hoses, suction hoses, rubber hoses, thermoplastics hoses, hose assemblies, proof pressure, burst pressure, hydrostatic testing, UV resistance, ozone resistance, low temperature flexibility, vacuum resistance.
Related standards
For procurement or technical compliance, consult the full ISO 14557:2021 text and referenced ISO documents.
