How to Make a Fire Hose Washer

Fire hoses are made in a variety of sizes for specific user requirements. Portable home fire pump equipment hoses typically use small diameter connection fittings and washers similar to garden hoses. The washers compress as the connections tighten to prevent water leakage at the joints when the hose is pressurized. While the sealing washers are usually available from fire equipment suppliers, you can make your own washers using gasket material and a few tools.

Vernier caliper
Red rubber gasket material, 1/8 inches thick
Math compass
Razor knife
Scissors

Instructions

- 1
  Measure the inside diameter of the female fire hose fitting using a vernier caliper. Lock the caliper jaws by tightening the knurled set screw at the top of the caliper clockwise by hand.
- 2
  Lay out a sheet of 1/8-inch thick red rubber gasket material on a hard flat surface.
- 3
  Open the points of a math compass to one-half the distance of the caliper jaws.
- 4
  Rotate the compass in either direction to mark a full circle on the gasket material.
- 5
  Loosen the caliper set screw and close the jaws of the caliper.
- 6
  Insert the caliper jaws into the hose fitting to measure the inside diameter of the hose. Lock the caliper jaws.
- 7
  Open the points of a math compass to one-half the distance of the caliper jaws.
- 8
  Center the point of the compass inside the circle on the gasket material.
- 9
  Rotate the compass in either direction to mark a full circle on the gasket material. The design should now appear as a “donut”.
- 10
  Trim the inner circle out from the gasket material using a razor knife. Trace along the compass line carefully to make an accurate cut.
- 11
  Cut along the outer compass line using scissors.
- 12
  Install the washer into the fire hose fitting to check for a good fit. Trim any excess using the razor knife.

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