ISO 4642-2:2015

Overview

ISO 4642-2:2015 - "Rubber and plastics hoses, non-collapsible, for fire‑fighting service - Part 2: Semi‑rigid hoses (and hose assemblies) for pumps and vehicles" - specifies requirements and test methods for semi‑rigid reel delivery hoses used on fire‑fighting vehicles and trailer pumps. It covers hoses intended for maximum working pressures of 1.5 MPa (Category I) and 4.0 MPa (Category II), applies to typical inside diameters (12, 19, 25, 33 mm) and to ambient service down to −20 °C (lower temperatures by agreement). The standard also addresses hose assemblies provided by the hose manufacturer and expects use with fire hose couplings conforming to relevant national standards.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Classification
  • By category (maximum working pressure: 1.5 MPa or 4.0 MPa)
  • By type (A, B, C - construction differences such as reinforcement and cover)
  • By class (1–6 - lining and cover material combinations: rubber/plastics/no cover)
• Hydrostatic performance
  • Maximum working pressure, proof pressure and minimum burst pressure values are specified per category and type.
• Mechanical and environmental tests
  • Hydrostatic tests (deformation, proof, burst, kink pressure)
  • Adhesion, accelerated ageing, abrasion resistance (surface and point)
  • Low temperature flexibility, hot surface resistance, ozone resistance
  • Bending and crush resistance, deformation under crushing (type C)
  • UV (xenon arc) resistance, loss in mass on heating
• Hose assemblies and fittings
  • Requirements for assemblies fitted by manufacturers and compatibility with national hose coupling standards.
• Dimensions, tolerances and mass
  • Inside diameter tolerances, length tolerances, concentricity and maximum mass per metre.
• Quality and conformity
  • Type tests, routine/production testing frequency, test reports, marking, packaging and storage guidance.

Practical applications - who uses ISO 4642-2:2015

• Fire‑fighting equipment manufacturers specifying or designing semi‑rigid reel hoses for fire trucks and trailer pumps.
• Procurement teams and public safety agencies writing technical specifications for vehicle‑mounted delivery hoses.
• Test laboratories conducting hydrostatic, ageing, abrasion and environmental tests to verify compliance.
• Vehicle OEMs and upfitters integrating hose reels on emergency vehicles.
• Standards bodies and certification organizations assessing hose assemblies and markings.

Related standards

• ISO 4642-1 (semi‑rigid hoses for fixed systems)
• ISO 1402 (hydrostatic testing)
• ISO 4671 (hose dimension measurement)
• ISO 8330 (vocabulary)
• ISO 10619‑2 (low‑temperature bending tests)
• ISO 8033 (adhesion testing)

ISO 4642-2:2015 is essential for anyone specifying, manufacturing or testing semi‑rigid fire‑fighting hoses to ensure safe performance, standardized testing and reliable integration with vehicle pump systems.