Frequently Asked Questions About Fire Services — and Answers from IIA

Industrial Inspection & Analysis (IIA) is proud to serve those who serve others. As a trusted partner to the firefighting community, IIA provides answers to frequently asked questions about our fire services.

What standards do you test to?

We test to National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards, which govern all fire department testing in the United States. Our skilled technicians have a complete understanding of NFPA testing requirements.

How often do I need to test fire equipment to remain in compliance?

• Per NFPA 1962, annual testing is required for hose (including hard suction hose), apparatus, appliances and nozzles.
• NFPA 1911 requires annual testing for ground/aerial ladders and pumps.
• In addition, NFPA 1914 requires that aerial ladders undergo additional non-destructive tests every five years.

Does your company specialize in hose testing or provide a full menu of fire services?

A full-service provider like IIA can streamline the testing experience and reduce the paperwork and costs associated with using multiple providers. With decades of experience serving fire departments across North America, we are the go-to experts for top-to-bottom fire truck inspections, including hose, pumps, ladders and other apparatus. With our customized methodology, we can test in one day what it takes others several days to complete — and that means less downtime for your emergency vehicles.

Can you test all of my fire equipment at the same time?

IIA typically completes all hose, ladder, appliance, nozzles and hard suction testing on the same day. We usually choose a different day to perform aerial device and pump testing due to space limitations and to avoid all of your equipment being out of service at the same time.

What kind of report can I expect from IIA?

Thorough and complete testing documentation is essential to your department’s safety and compliance. IIA provides a comprehensive, easy-to-read report that includes details such as identification number, hose diameter and length, manufacturer, age, location, test results and more. These detailed records allow you to navigate ISO audits with confidence. View a sample report.

Does IIA keep records of previous years’ test results?

Yes. IIA maintains records of prior testing we’ve done for your department. We can provide PDF or Excel versions of prior years’ reports to support ISO audits, as needed.

How much hose can you test in a day?

Known for their speed and meticulous repacking, our skilled technicians can test up to 15,000 feet of hose per day in the first year of testing. After the first year, we can test up to 20,000 feet of hose per day.

How do you identify hose and other equipment?

For reporting purposes, we assign a unique identification number and label each section of hose and every piece of equipment being tested. In the final report, those identification numbers correlate to the test results for that specific piece of equipment or hose.

Do you send testing reminders?

To be sure testing deadlines don’t sneak up on you, we send out reminders that your testing is coming due. Once scheduled, we will send out an initial confirmation, and send another confirmation a week prior to testing.

Can we choose what month our tests are done?

If you have a preferred month in which you’d like to have your testing done, please let us know. Given the proper notice, we are happy to accommodate these requests to the best of our abilities.

What is included in your price?

Below is a breakdown of what our services typically include:

Fire Hose & Appliance/Nozzle Testing:

• Test all hose, appliance, and nozzles to NFPA 1962
• Provide complete computerized report
• Unpack and repack all hose beds/racks
• Ink stenciled number system on each length or item
• Replace gaskets as needed
• Yearly color code provided on each length or item
• Apparatus inventory report
• Tag all failures out of service

Ground Ladder & Aerial Testing:

• Test all ground ladders to NFPA 1932
• Test all aerials to NFPA 1911
• 5-year aerial test includes all NDT tests as specified by NFPA 1914
• Provide complete computerized report
• Return all ground ladders to apparatus or firehouse
• Place identification number/inspection sticker on each ground ladder/aerial tested
• Yearly color code provided on each ground ladder tested
• Tag all failures out of service
• Apply customer or IIA-supplied heat sensor labels

Pump Testing:

• Test all fire pumps to NFPA 1911
• Provide complete computerized report
• Place inspection sticker on each pump tested

What do you need from our fire department to complete the testing?

For all types of testing, we ask the customer to have a driver available on the day of testing. In addition, the following customer responsibilities apply:

• Fire Hose & Appliance/Nozzle Testing: Customer is responsible for securing water supply and providing a flat, clean, paved testing area (approximately 300’ x 40’). Customer is also responsible for providing a pump and operator for nozzle testing.


• Ground Ladder & Aerial Testing: Customer is responsible for securing water supply for horizontal bend test.


• Pump Testing: Customer is responsible for providing a flat, level surface and a means to fill a drafting tank.

Can we partner with a neighboring fire department to combine testing?

Yes. To help keep costs down, smaller fire departments located in neighboring communities may wish to coordinate their testing schedules so they can use a single testing location on the same day. We are happy to support these requests whenever possible.

Are your technicians certified?

As required by NFPA standards, the IIA inspectors who perform aerial ladder testing are Emergency Vehicle Technician F5 Certified. No certification is required to perform hose testing. All of our experienced personnel are committed to quality and customer service.

Are there any circumstances in which IIA will remove hose from service during testing?

Yes. NFPA 1962 requires that any hose manufactured prior to July 1987 and all LDH without locks be taken out of service. We will also remove any failed hose from service.

What happens if an apparatus is out of service at the time of testing?

If a piece of equipment is non-operational on the day of testing, IIA will make every effort to accommodate testing at a later date. We will coordinate with your department to bring that equipment to us when we’re testing for another fire department in your area.

Is testing weather-dependent?

In some cases, yes. For example, temperatures must be above 40 degrees Fahrenheit to complete testing. In addition, hose testing cannot be performed when it’s raining because the technician will not be able to determine if water is coming from a leak in the hose or the rain. (During a light drizzle, however, it may still be possible to perform hose testing.)

IIA monitors weather conditions and forecasts and will notify your department early on the day of testing if we need to reschedule.

What days of the week do you perform testing?

IIA typically performs fire equipment testing Monday through Friday.

I’m ready to schedule testing with IIA. What do I do next?

Simply sign the quote we provided and email or fax it back to IIA. Our team will then reach out to schedule testing during your preferred month.

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