Hose Practices (7th Edition)
Chapter 1 - Hose & Coupling Construction
"By the Numbers"

Year Development
late 1800's The fire service recognized the problems with fire agencies using different couplings.
1873 Standards for fire hose screw threads was passed in a resolution from the International Association of Fire Engineers (now the International Association of Fire Chiefs).
1898 The NFPA began drawing up thread specifications for hose couplings.
1905 The NFPA was appointed to standardize couplings, hose, nozzles, and accessories.
1925 dimensions for 2 1/2", 3", 3 1/2", and 4 1/2", couplings were agreed upon as an American National Standard.
1935 3/4", 1", and 1 1/2" thread dimensions were standardized.
1955 4", 5", and 6" thread dimensions were standardized.
1956 Standard dimensions for gasket grooves and gaskets for all 10 sizes were adopted.
ASTM E380-78 Standard for Metric Practice
ASTM D296 Woven-Jacket Rubber-Lined Fire Hose for Public and Private Department Use
ASTM D380 Standard Method of Testing Fire Hose
ANSI A152.1 Safety Standard for Unlined Fire Hose
ANSI Z210.1 Metric Practice Guide
ANSI/UL 92 Fire Extinguisher and Booster Hose
FM 2111 Approval Standard for 1 1/2" and 2 1/2" Lined Fire Hose
NFPA 14 Standard for Standpipe and Hose System
NFPA 24 Standard for Outside Protection
NFPA 1961 Standard for Fire Hose
NFPA 1962 Standard for Care, Use, and Maintenance of Fire Hose, Including Connections and Nozzles
NFPA 1963 Standard for Screw Threads and Gaskets for Fire Hose Connections
RMA, IP-12 Standard for High Pressure Fire Engine Booster and Fire Extinguisher Hose
UL Standard 19 Woven-Jacketed Rubber-Lined Fire Hose
USDA/USFS 5100-186a Hose, Cotton-Synthetic Jacketed, Lined 1" and 1 1/2" Hose
USDA/USFS 5700-183f Specification for 1" and 1 1/2" Linen Hose
Diameter Number of Threads
3/4" 8
1" 8
1 1/2" 9
2 1/2" 7 1/2
3" 6
3 1/2" 6
4" 4
4 1/2" 4
5" 4
6" 4

Hose Size

Coupling Sizes Available
1" 1 1/2" 2 1/2" 3" 3 1/2" 4" 4 1/2" 5" 6"
3/4" X                
1" X                
1 1/2"   X              
1 3/4"   X              
2"   X              
2 1/2"     X            
3"     X X          
3 1/2"     X X X        
4"           X X X X
4 1/2"           X X X X
5"           X X X X
6"           X X X X