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Fire hose factory tests and annual inspections

Summary A utility asked how OSHA’s fire hose rule applied to factory testing and later maintenance. OSHA said a factory acceptance test with couplings attached satisfied the cited requirement. The rule did not mandate periodic hydrostatic tests, but did require annual inspection and serviceable condition.
Document
Federal opinion letter
Agency
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Document number
1982-11-16
Date issued
November 16, 1982
Status
Active
Status last verified October 10, 2026
Topics
Workplace Safety OSHA 1910 Fire Protection
Source
View the official document

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About this page: The full text below is the official document from Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Ezel adds the plain-English summary and tracks the document's status. The official source linked on this page is authoritative for any reliance.

November 16, 1982

Mr. Paul R. Kaveler
Fire Protection Engineer
Union Electric Company
[Recipient address omitted]
Dear Mr. Kaveler:

This is in response to your letter of October 26, 1982, requesting a clarification of several items in Subpart L of the General Industry Safety and Health Standards. My response to your three questions follows:

  1. The manufacturer's acceptance test conducted at the factory does satisfy 29 CFR 1910.158(e)(ii), providing the test of the hose is conducted with the couplings attached.

  2. Subpart L does not require any periodic hydrostatic testing of fire hose, but we do require that the hose be inspected annually and maintained in serviceable condition.

  3. It was not the intent of 29 CFR 1910.158(e)(ii) to specifically cross-reference with NFPA Standards 1962 - 1979.

If I may be of further assistance, please feel free to contact me.

Sincerely,
John K. Barto
Chief, Division of Occupational
Safety Programming

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