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NFPA 1961 shall define the design and construction requirements for new fire hose, the testing required to verify the design and construction, and the inspection and testing required of all new fire hose.

All fire hose has an expected service life. That life will depend on a number of factors, such as the initial quality of the hose, the type of service to which it is subjected, and the care it receives during its life. Users should develop a fire hose inspection and care program based on NFPA1962, Standard for the Inspection, Care, and Use of Fire Hose, Couplings, and Nozzles and the Service Testing of Fire Hose. That program should also address the retirement of fire hose. One of the reasons for keeping good records of fire hose as required by NFPA 1962 is to evaluate how different fire hoses perform over time. This will provide the experience the users need to help them determine what a useful service life is for different types of hose and make decisions on when fire hose should be retired. Limited testing of in-service fire hose by the Fire Equipment Manufacturers Association indicated an increased risk of failure after a 10-year time period. The testing looked at the reduction in burst pressure, ozone degradation, liner adhesion and degradation, hose strength, normal wear patterns, and UV degradation of fibers. While all users should establish their own retirement schedule, fire departments should give careful consideration to a 10-year maximum service life under normal operating conditions.