Small-diameter hose (SDH) is defined as hoses of which diameter range?

• A. 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch
• B. 3/8 inch to 1 inch
• C. 1/2 inch to 3 inches
• D. 3/4 inch to 2 inches

Answer: (D)

Small-diameter hose is the light, quickly deployable handline you grab for rapid suppression, and it spans a diameter range from three-quarters of an inch up to two inches. This size window is chosen because hoses in this range balance maneuverability with sufficient flow for many interior and exterior attack tasks. Hoses larger than two inches start to become heavier and harder to handle for handline use and are typically classified as larger-diameter or standpipe-type hose used for high-volume or distant supply situations. Hoses smaller than three-quarters of an inch aren’t standard handline sizes for typical fire attack and are generally used for other purposes, not standard SDH.