No matter what hose you are looking to purchase, it's worth looking into third-party (UL/ULC) certification to back up quality, safety, and performance claims. Just to be sure you really #KnowYourHose...
What Are Fire Hose Certifications?
Finding hoses that have not only met official standards but have gone above and beyond to obtain certifications from recognized third parties offers a greater sense of assurance that the hose can be trusted during real-world situations.
The NFPA 1960 details the minimum standards for fire hose performance, but it does not verify compliance and allows brands to self-certify as meeting the standard.
UL/ULC Certifications
UL stands for Underwriters Laboratories, and ULC stands for Underwriters Laboratories of Canada. UL is one of the leading authorities on product testing in the US and one of the world’s largest safety testing labs. As a global safety science company, they test countless products, including fire hoses.
A UL certification means that Mercedes Textiles fire hose complies with the required benchmarks to meet or exceed NFPA standards. Here is a list of Mercedes Textiles' UL / ULC listed hose:
- KrakenEXO (all sizes)
- KrakenEXO SUPER II
- ExoMetro (2.5" only)
- AquaFlo-PLUS (above 1")
- MTFS-800 DP (ULC above 1")
THE UL-19 TESTS
UL audits, tests, and inspects fire hoses to the highest standards. Each hose is put through 28 distinct tests, requiring carefully calibrated equipment. These include:
- Hydrostatic Proof-Pressure Test
- Kink Test
- Hydrostatic Strength Test
- Repeated Bending Test
- Alternating Pressure Test
- Abrasion Test
- Heat-Resistance Test
- Fold-Resistance Test
- Wet Hose Test
- Low-Temperature Test
- Coupling retention Test
- Friction Loss Test
- Accelerated Aging Test of Threads
- Adhesion Test
- Accelerated Aging Test of Linings and Covers
- Ozone-Exposure Test of Lining and Covers
- Water Immersion Test of Linings
- Pull Test
- Accelerated Aging Test of Hose Assembly
- Rough Usage Test
- Moist Ammonia-Air Stress Cracking Test
- Salt-Spray Corrosion Test
- Accelerated Aging Test of Gaskets
- Compression Set Test
- Ozone Resistance Test of Gaskets
- Water Immersion of Gaskets
- Radiant Heat Test
- Conductive Heat Test
UL19 Testing Details:
4. Bend = 100,000 Cycles (back and forth)
6. Abrasion = 500 Cycles (back and forth)
11. Coupling retention = Burst 1200 for 400 service / 900 for 300 service / 1500 for 500 service
14. Adhesion = 12 lbs on 1.5” for 10 minutes cannot slip more than 10” per minute.
Moreover, it isn't sufficient to test only one sample of the hose. Every size and color must be tested individually, and every stencil or marking must be tested separately. Furthermore, to maintain a listing, UL requires regular ongoing retesting to ensure a consistent product. No unexpected changes in quality or construction!
BECAUSE YOU'RE ON THE LINE...
We take pride in manufacturing fire hose & couplings. We take it seriously because we know the product we send out today may help save a life tomorrow.
That's why we care about standards, ensuring we meet the NFPA 1960 and going the extra mile to get many of them UL-listed – like our KrakenEXO®, ExoMetro®, AquaFlow-Plus® & more. It's a point of pride that our hose is certified by a third party like Underwriters Laboratory, so you don't have to take only our word for it.
WHY NOT JUST TEST IN-HOUSE?
We absolutely test our own products in-house. However, having those results verified by a qualified third party keeps us accountable and gives you additional assurance. It also guarantees that the tests are properly set up and conducted to the highest standard.
WHAT DOES UL-LISTING GUARANTEE?
It guarantees performance and quality to the latest NFPA 1961. This includes testing flows, friction loss, heat resistance, and more. It guarantees accurate results for all tests. We've published that data here in our hose spec library for full transparency.
WHY "KNOW YOUR HOSE"?
No matter what hose product your department uses, it is important to know what to expect from its performance. Knowing how it flows and responds can inform your attack tactics, helping to ensure your crew's safety. Just like PPE and turnout gear, fire hoses are tools that firefighters rely upon – so they need to BE reliable. They need to be TESTED & PROVEN.
And that is why we believe third-party testing & UL-listing matters.
The NFPA 1960 requires that manufacturers provide specifications and test results upon request. UL-listed product specifications are accessible on the Underwriters Laboratory website. We strongly encourage everyone to verify their hose stats. We created this site to allow you to access the results of each of our fire hose products.