Fire Hose Testing Apparatus and Method

Abstract

A method for testing a plurality of fire hoses having respective service test pressures and the test apparatus therefor wherein each hose is required to maintain a test pressure for a specified duration to pass the test. The test pressure is proportional to the service test pressure. Each hose is coupled to a respective hose fitting of a respective branch test conduit. Each branch test conduit includes an isolation valve, a pressure transducer, and a hose fitting downstream of the isolation valve. A variable frequency-variable speed controls a motor which drives a positive displacement water pump supplying water to and pressurizing a water header conduit and a plurality of branch test conduits interconnected therewith. An algorithm applied to the error signal for a respective hose line generates a pump speed command limited by the controller to regulate the rate of increase of pump output pressure.

1 - 23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . A method for testing a plurality of fire hoses, each of said hoses required to maintain a test pressure for a specified duration, said test pressure proportional to a service test pressure, comprising the steps of:
 affixing a plurality of hoses to branch test conduits, each of said branch test conduits includes a manifold valve, said branch test conduits communicating with a water header conduit;   interconnecting said water header conduit with a water pressure source;   starting and running a pump;   monitoring and measuring an actual hose pressure of each of said hoses and taking the derivative of said actual hose pressure with respect to time to ensure that said derivative is greater than or equal to a predetermined negative value;   if said derivative of said actual hose pressure with respect to time is not greater than or equal to said predetermined negative value, then close said manifold valves and inspect at least one of said hoses and hose couplings for leaks;   if said derivative of said actual hose pressure with respect to time is greater than or equal to said predetermined negative value and if said actual hose pressures are greater than or equal to said service test pressures, then monitor said actual hose pressures for a period of time to ensure that said actual hose pressures remain above a predetermined percentage of said service test pressures;   if said actual hose pressures remain above said predetermined percentage of said service test pressures for said period of time, then said hose or hoses pass said test; and,   if said actual hose pressures do not remain above said predetermined percentage of said service test pressure for said period of time, then said hose or hoses fail said test.