Fire Hose Standards & Certifications
NFPA · UL · FM · EN · MED · LPCB · CCS · MSHA · USFS — Complete certification reference
Fire Hose Standards & Certifications — Global Compliance Guide
Fire hose is one of the most heavily regulated products in fire protection. Every market has its own set of certification standards — and the wrong certificate package can mean failed AHJ inspection, blocked customs clearance, refused insurance coverage, or non-acceptance by the end-user fire department or facility operator. This guide is the complete reference to the fire hose certification standards CA-FIRE's products are tested and approved to.
Standards are organized below by region and application. Jump to the section that matches your project — United States & Canada for NFPA / UL / FM / ULC, Europe for EN / MED / LPCB, International & Maritime for SOLAS / Classification Societies, or Specialty & National for MSHA / USFS / DIN / BS / AS-NZS / GOST. Each section explains what the standard covers, who requires it, and which CA-FIRE products meet it.
United States & Canada Standards
The dominant U.S. fire hose standards are issued by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). NFPA standards set the requirements; Underwriters Laboratories (UL) and FM Approvals are the major third-party certification bodies that verify compliance. NFPA itself does not certify products — it allows manufacturers to self-declare compliance, which is why UL/FM third-party listing is typically required by AHJs and insurance carriers. ULC is the Canadian equivalent of UL.
NFPA Construction & Maintenance Standards USA
NFPA 1961 Standard on Fire Hose
The core construction standard for fire hose manufactured in or sold into the United States. NFPA 1961 specifies design, construction, materials, performance requirements, and factory testing for attack hose, supply hose, occupant-use hose, and forestry hose. Issued by NFPA since 1934 (originally as "Standard Specification for Cotton Rubber-Lined Fire Hose"); current edition is the 2020 revision, with reorganization underway into NFPA 1960.
NFPA 1962 Standard for the Care, Use, Inspection, Service Testing, and Replacement of Fire Hose
The companion to NFPA 1961 — covers in-service maintenance throughout the hose lifecycle. Establishes annual service test pressures (300 psi attack/forestry, 200 psi supply), visual inspection requirements, retirement criteria, and record-keeping. See our dedicated Fire Hose Testing & Inspection page for the full procedure.
NFPA 1963 Standard for Fire Hose Connections
The standard for fire hose couplings and threads in the U.S. fire service. Standardizes NH/NST (National Hose / National Standard Thread), NPSH, Storz, and other connection dimensions. NFPA 1963 specifies the 4½" steamer port on hydrants and the 2½" attack outlets. 5" Storz was added in 1993.
NFPA 1965 Standard for Fire Hose Appliances
Construction standard for fire hose appliances — wyes, siamese, gated wyes, hose reducers, monitor stations, hydrant valves, ball valves and similar accessories. Companion to NFPA 1961 (hose) and NFPA 1963 (couplings).
UL / FM Third-Party Listings USA
UL 19 Lined Fire Hose and Hose Assemblies
Underwriters Laboratories test standard for lined fire hose. Verifies abrasion resistance, heat resistance, radiant heat resistance, friction loss, and 100,000-cycle repeated bending. NFPA 1961 specifically references UL 19 as the accepted test method. UL 19-listed products carry the UL Mark.
UL 219 Lined Fire Hose for Interior Standpipes
UL test standard specific to occupant-use hose installed in NFPA 14 Class II and Class III interior standpipe systems. Less demanding heat-resistance requirements than UL 19 (because occupant-use hose isn't expected to face direct flame impingement at the same intensity as brigade attack hose).
FM Approval 2111 Factory Mutual Approval Standard for Fire Hose
FM Global's independent testing and certification standard for fire hose, focused on property-loss prevention. Required by many insurance carriers and industrial property owners. Test requirements parallel UL 19 with FM-specific procedures.
ULC Underwriters Laboratories of Canada
Canadian equivalent of UL. ULC-listed fire hose meets Canadian building-code requirements. Specifically used for Canadian forestry and structural fire-protection certification.
NFPA 1901 — Apparatus Standard USA
NFPA 1901 Standard for Automotive Fire Apparatus
Not a hose standard itself, but NFPA 1901 specifies what hose every fire engine must carry. Drives the size and quantity decisions for U.S. fire-department purchasing — requires specified lengths of attack hose, supply hose, and hard suction hose on every apparatus.
Europe & UK Standards
European fire hose standards are issued by CEN (European Committee for Standardization) as EN standards, with national counterparts (DIN, BS, NF) that historically pre-date the EN harmonization. The dominant European hose construction standard is EN 14540 for general non-perishable fire hose and EN 694 for semi-rigid hose used in hose reel systems. Buildings governed by European building codes typically require EN 671-1 hose reels.
EN — European Construction Standards EU
EN 14540 Fire-fighting hoses — Non-percolating layflat hoses for fixed systems
The European standard for non-perishable layflat fire hose, defining Type 1, Type 2 and Type 3 grades by burst pressure. Type 1 is most common (20 bar working pressure). Required for hose installed in EU buildings outside of EN 671 hose reel systems.
EN 694 Fire-fighting hoses — Semi-rigid hoses for fixed systems
European standard for semi-rigid hose used in EN 671-1 fire hose reel systems. Specifies 19 mm, 25 mm and 33 mm internal diameter, 12 bar working pressure, 50 bar burst pressure. The hose-reel hose CA-FIRE supplies meets EN 694:2014.
EN 671-1 Fixed firefighting systems — Hose systems — Hose reels with semi-rigid hose
The complete-system standard for European fire hose reels — covers the drum, the swing arm, the inlet valve, the nozzle, the cabinet, the mounting and the in-service performance. Required for hose reel installations in EU buildings, hotels, hospitals, schools and other commercial properties.
EN 671-2 Hose systems with flat (layflat) hose
The European cabinet hose station equivalent of EN 671-1 — covers cabinet hose stations with layflat hose (versus semi-rigid hose on a reel). Less common in modern installations; superseded by EN 671-1 reel systems in most new construction.
EN 671-3 Maintenance of hose reels with semi-rigid hose and hose systems with flat hose
The European companion to NFPA 1962 — annual visual inspection, 5-year hydrostatic pressure test, retirement criteria for EN 671-1 and EN 671-2 systems. The European maintenance schedule is less frequent than NFPA 1962 because EN 671 hose reels are typically less heavily used than U.S. brigade attack hose.
UK & National Standards UK · DE · FR
LPCB Loss Prevention Certification Board (UK)
UK third-party certification body operated by BRE Global. LPCB-listed products are required for many UK insurance-compliant fire-protection installations. Functions similarly to UL/FM in the U.S. — verifies independent compliance with the relevant EN or BS standard. The Yellow Book lists all approved products.
BS 6391 Specification for non-percolating layflat delivery hoses and hose assemblies
The British Standard for non-percolating layflat fire hose. Predates EN 14540 but still referenced in UK fire-service procurement. Defines Type 1, Type 2 and Type 3 grades similar to EN 14540.
BS 336 Specification for fire hose couplings and ancillary equipment
The British Standard for instantaneous fire hose couplings — the "push and twist" coupling used throughout the UK, Commonwealth and many former-British markets. BS 336 instantaneous is the British equivalent of Storz.
DIN 14811 Fire hose, layflat hose, flexible woven jacketed hose
The German national standard for layflat fire hose. Still widely referenced in German-speaking markets and for some legacy projects. Largely harmonized with EN 14540, but national-language test certificates may still be required by specific German AHJs.
CE Marking European Conformity
Mandatory marking for products placed on the European Union market, indicating compliance with applicable EU directives. Fire hose products typically carry CE marking under the Construction Products Regulation (CPR) when sold for installation in EU buildings.
International Maritime Standards
Marine fire hose is governed by the international SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) convention, administered by the IMO. Compliance with SOLAS is demonstrated by approval from a recognized marine classification society — CCS, ABS, LR, BV, DNV-GL, RINA, NK, KR, RS or others. Different flag states recognize different societies; the ship's flag determines which approval is required. See our Marine Fire Hose page for full product specifications.
SOLAS Chapter II-2 International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea
The international convention governing fire-protection equipment aboard SOLAS-class vessels. Chapter II-2 covers fire mains, fire pumps, fire hoses, hydrant outlets, nozzles, fire boxes and reels. Requires fire hose to be of non-perishable materials — synthetic jacket plus synthetic rubber lining — and to meet length requirements based on vessel breadth.
MED Marine Equipment Directive (EU)
European Union maritime equipment directive. MED-approved equipment carries the "Wheelmark" symbol and is required on EU-flagged vessels. Demonstrates SOLAS compliance for the European market.
Classification Society Type Approvals
Major marine classification societies issue type approval certificates for fire hose used on their classed vessels. CA-FIRE marine fire hose is approved by CCS (standard), with additional approvals available on request. Each society has its own approval process, fee structure and certificate format — confirm requirements with your shipyard or naval architect before ordering.
Specialty & National Standards
Beyond the major international standards, several specialty and national standards govern fire hose used in specific industries or regional markets.
MSHA 30 CFR Part 18 U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration
U.S. federal regulation governing fire-resistant materials used in underground coal mines. Section 18.65 covers fire hose specifically — flame-resistant construction, vulcanized lining-to-jacket bond, low caustic emission under flame exposure. MSHA-approved hose is required for underground coal mine service.
USFS 5100-187 U.S. Forest Service Specification — Lined Fire Hose
U.S. Forest Service specification for wildland fire hose. Defines Type 1 (lightweight TPU-lined), Type 2 (medium-duty), and Type 3 (heavy-duty woven jacket) variants. Required for hose supplied to USFS, Department of Interior, and many state wildland fire agencies.
AS/NZS 1221 Australian / New Zealand Standard for Fire Hose Reels
Joint Australian / New Zealand standard for fire hose reels used in occupant-use installations. The ANZ equivalent of EN 671-1, with some divergent technical requirements specific to the Australian / New Zealand market.
GOST Russian National Standards
Russian government standards governing fire hose and coupling specifications. GOST coupling threads are distinct from NH/NST and BS 336. Required for fire-protection equipment installed in Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus and other former-Soviet states.
SPRING / SS Singapore Standards (SS) and SPRING Singapore Approval
Singapore national standards and product approval scheme. Required for fire-protection products sold into Singapore commercial and industrial projects. Many Singapore SS standards reference EN or BS equivalents.
NSF/ANSI 61 NSF International Drinking Water System Components
U.S. health-effects standard for materials in contact with potable water. NSF/ANSI 61-certified hose materials are required for fire hose used in dual-service applications (e.g. emergency response + potable water transfer). CA-FIRE TPU layflat hose carries NSF/ANSI 61 certification.
Master Cross-Reference — Standard × Product
Which CA-FIRE products carry which certifications? This master matrix shows the standard-to-product mapping. Custom certification packages available on request for projects with specific AHJ or end-user requirements.
| Standard | Region | Attack | Hydrant | Single-J | Double-J | Rubber LDH | Forestry | Layflat | Mill | Marine | Reel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NFPA 1961 | USA | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | — | — | — | — |
| NFPA 1962 | USA | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | — | — | — | — |
| UL 19 | USA | ✓ | — | — | ✓ | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| UL 219 | USA | — | — | ✓ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| FM 2111 | USA | ✓ | — | — | ✓ | ✓ | — | — | — | — | — |
| EN 14540 | EU | — | — | ✓ | — | — | — | — | — | ✓ | — |
| EN 694 | EU | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ✓ |
| EN 671-1 | EU | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ✓ |
| LPCB | UK | — | — | ✓ | — | — | — | — | — | — | ✓ |
| BS 6391 | UK | — | — | ✓ | — | — | — | ✓ | — | — | — |
| CCS / MED | Marine | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ✓ | — |
| SOLAS II-2 | Marine | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ✓ | — |
| MSHA 18.65 | USA | — | — | — | — | ✓ | — | ✓ | ✓ | — | — |
| USFS 5100-187 | USA | — | — | — | — | — | ✓ | — | — | — | — |
| AS/NZS 1221 | ANZ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ✓ |
| NSF/ANSI 61 | USA | — | — | — | — | — | — | ✓ | — | — | — |
| CE | EU | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISO 9001 | Global | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Standard certifications vary by product variant and region. Specific certification packages can be supplied to order for any product — confirm requirements when requesting a quote.
Browse CA-FIRE Products by Certification
Need a specific certification? Jump directly to the matching product page:
Attack Fire Hose · NFPA 1961 / UL 19 / FM 2111
U.S. brigade attack hose with full UL/FM third-party listing. The right specification for NFPA 14 Class I standpipe and municipal fire-service brigade attack lines.
Single-Jacket · UL 219 / EN 14540 / BS 6391
Occupant-use cabinet hose certified for both NFPA 14 Class II/III (USA) and EN 14540 / BS 6391 (Europe/UK) installations.
Double-Jacket · NFPA 1961 / UL 19 / FM 2111
Heavy-duty 400 psi attack and supply hose with the most stringent third-party listings available.
Rubber-Covered LDH · NFPA 1961 / FM / NSF / MSHA
Through-the-weave LDH supply hose with multiple certification packages — fire service (NFPA/FM), potable water (NSF), and mining (MSHA).
Forestry / Wildland · USFS 5100-187 / EN 694 / ULC
Wildland fire hose certified to U.S. Forest Service Specification 5100-187, plus European EN 694 and Canadian ULC for international wildland operations.
Layflat · NSF / MSHA / CE / CCS
Thermoplastic layflat with optional NSF (potable water), MSHA (mining), CE (EU general industry) and CCS (marine industrial) approvals.
Marine Fire Hose · CCS / MED / SOLAS / ABS / LR / BV / DNV-GL
Marine fire hose with comprehensive Classification Society approval options. The right choice for SOLAS-class vessels of any flag state.
Fire Hose Reel · EN 671-1 / EN 694 / LPCB / AS/NZS 1221
Complete fire hose reel systems with European, UK and Australian/New Zealand certification options for occupant-use installations.
Standards & Certifications FAQ
What is the difference between NFPA, UL and FM?
NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) writes the standards (NFPA 1961, 1962, etc.) but does not test or certify products. NFPA allows manufacturers to self-declare compliance.
UL (Underwriters Laboratories) is an independent third-party testing and certification body. UL tests products against published test methods (UL 19 for lined fire hose, UL 219 for interior standpipe hose). A UL-listed product carries the UL Mark and appears in the UL Online Certifications Directory. UL listing is widely accepted by AHJs as proof of NFPA compliance.
FM Approvals is the testing arm of FM Global, the industrial insurance company. FM Approval (FM 2111 for fire hose) focuses on property-loss prevention and is required by many industrial property owners and their insurers. The FM Approved diamond mark indicates the product has passed FM's independent testing.
Quick rule: NFPA writes the rules; UL and FM test that products follow them. UL is more common in municipal fire service; FM is more common in industrial property protection. Many CA-FIRE products carry both listings.
Do I need UL listing or FM approval for my project?
It depends on your project requirements:
• UL listing is typically required for municipal fire-service apparatus and for fire-protection systems installed in commercial buildings under NFPA 14 standpipe requirements. Many state and local AHJs require UL listing as proof of NFPA 1961 compliance.
• FM Approval is typically required by FM Global-insured industrial properties and by many property insurance carriers. Required for projects with high property values where the insurer specifies FM-approved equipment to qualify for coverage.
• Both is the safest specification for any U.S. project — UL listing satisfies the AHJ; FM Approval satisfies the insurance carrier.
If your project doesn't have a written requirement for either, check with your AHJ (the local fire marshal or building official) and your insurance carrier. CA-FIRE supplies products with both UL and FM listings on request.
What certifications do I need for fire hose installed in Europe?
For European installations, the core requirements are:
• CE marking — mandatory for any product placed on the EU market, indicating compliance with applicable EU directives.
• EN 14540 or BS 6391 compliance for layflat fire hose used in cabinet installations.
• EN 671-1 + EN 694 compliance for fire hose reel installations.
• LPCB approval for UK insurance-compliant installations (LPCB is widely accepted across the UK, Commonwealth, Middle East and parts of Asia).
• MED (Wheelmark) for shipboard installations on EU-flagged vessels.
National-level certifications (BS, DIN, NF) may also be required for specific country projects. CA-FIRE supplies all of these on request.
What is NFPA 1960 and how does it relate to NFPA 1961?
NFPA 1960 is the new consolidated standard that incorporates NFPA 1961 (hose construction), NFPA 1962 (hose maintenance), NFPA 1963 (couplings) and NFPA 1965 (appliances) into a single document. The consolidation is part of NFPA's effort to reduce the total number of separate standards by merging closely related documents.
Technically, NFPA 1961 / 1962 / 1963 / 1965 are still referenced in many AHJ requirements and existing specifications. The transition to NFPA 1960 is occurring gradually as code references are updated. For procurement purposes today, NFPA 1961 compliance remains the standard reference — CA-FIRE products meet both NFPA 1961 and the corresponding sections of NFPA 1960.
What is the difference between EN 14540 and EN 694?
EN 14540 covers non-percolating layflat hose — the hose used in cabinet hose stations and similar fixed installations. The hose is normally flat when uncharged and pressurizes round. Three types: Type 1 (20 bar), Type 2 (15 bar), Type 3 (10 bar).
EN 694 covers semi-rigid hose — the hose used on EN 671-1 fire hose reels. The hose maintains a round profile even when uncharged because of its semi-rigid construction. Sizes 19 mm, 25 mm, 33 mm at 12 bar working pressure.
The two standards serve different installation types: EN 14540 for cabinet stations, EN 694 for reel systems. They are not interchangeable — you cannot use EN 14540 layflat hose on a fire hose reel.
How do I verify a fire hose certification certificate?
Each certification body maintains an online directory where listed products can be verified:
• UL: search the UL Online Certifications Directory (ProductIQ) by product type or manufacturer.
• FM Approvals: search the FM Approval Guide (RoadMap Online).
• LPCB: search the Red Book Live online (or the Yellow Book for individual approvals).
• Classification Societies: type approval certificates are issued by the specific society and can be verified by contacting that society directly.
CA-FIRE supplies the actual certificate documents with every shipment — these are what your AHJ or surveyor will want to see during inspection. Verify the certificate is current, applies to the specific product variant being supplied, and matches the documentation in the certification body's online directory.
Are CA-FIRE products certified to all these standards?
The Master Cross-Reference table above shows which CA-FIRE products carry which certifications as standard. Additional certifications can be added to any product on request — confirm the specific certifications your project requires when requesting a quote, and we'll quote the product with the matching certification package.
For projects requiring multiple certifications (e.g. a marine fire hose with both CCS and ABS approvals), we can supply the product with both certificates included in the documentation package. There may be a small additional fee for additional certifications beyond the standard package.
How do I order fire hose with the specific certifications my project requires?
Email sales@ca-fire.com or WhatsApp +86 181-5036-2095 with: (1) product type and size, (2) quantity and length, (3) the specific certifications required for your project (NFPA / UL / FM / EN / MED / CCS / LPCB / MSHA / USFS / etc), and (4) destination country.
We respond within one business day with pricing, lead time, and confirmation of which certifications can be supplied. Every shipment includes the certification documents your AHJ, surveyor or customs authority will need.