Researcher blasts lightweight fire hose

The BostonHerald.com published an article highlighting a critical safety issue involving fire hoses:

A renowned fire safety expert is raising concerns about defective fire hoses, warning that the lightweight versions—similar to the one involved in a deadly blaze on Beacon Street that claimed the lives of two Boston firefighters—are failing across the country.

“This is a problem that has only just come to light. It’s like a tsunami,” said Kathy Notarianni, an associate professor in the Fire Protection Engineering Department at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. “We are seeing more and more instances of burn-throughs in attack hoses nationwide. This information needs to be shared so that firefighters can make better-informed choices and opt for thicker, more durable options.”

WPI, one of only three fire safety research centers in the U.S., recently received $75,000 from the Last Call Foundation to study fire hose performance and develop a more fire-resistant model. The foundation was established by Kathy Crosby-Bell, the mother of firefighter Michael Kennedy, who died in a major fire on Beacon Street earlier this year along with Lt. Edward Walsh Jr.

Notarianni says that just three weeks into her research, she has already identified significant flaws in current attack hoses.

“My phone started ringing and my inbox filled up quickly when people found out we were looking into this,” she said. “I’m now worried that the problem is even bigger than we originally thought. I’m really scared about what’s happening, and we’re only starting to see the tip of the iceberg. The hoses are failing in places where we don’t expect them to.”

Dennis LeGear, a well-known firefighting consultant from California, agrees that the WPI findings have uncovered a serious issue, which partly stems from the use of lightweight hoses in high-rise buildings. These lighter lines are easier to carry, fold, and are cheaper than traditional ones. As a result, many fire departments are using them for everyday fires in homes and apartments.

“Lightweight hoses were never meant to be used outside of high-rises,” LeGear explained. “It’s like a disease—if one department starts using them in high-rises, others might follow and start putting them on their trucks.” He added that finding a solution to the flammable lightweight hoses is a massive challenge.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health is currently investigating the Beacon Street fire, with a final report expected later this year.

A spokesperson for the Boston Fire Department, Steve MacDonald, defended the use of lighter hoses, stating they meet national safety standards.

Notarianni mentioned that the WPI team will test various hoses available on the market, review outdated national standards dating back to 1961, collect data on burn-through incidents nationwide, and identify new materials for a “next-generation” product. The university also aims to bring together all key stakeholders in the fire hose industry in March to discuss long-term solutions.

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