When improvising a standpipe in an interior stairway, what should the hoseline be secured to?

• A. A ladder
• B. Hand rails
• C. The apparatus
• D. Other supply hose

Answer: (B)

Securing the hose to a fixed, structural element in the stairwell keeps the improvised standpipe under control as it’s deployed. Hand rails are attached to the building and are designed to stay put, so they provide a reliable anchor point that prevents the hose from slipping, buckling, or being pulled away as you feed water to the upper floors. This helps maintain a stable nozzle position, reduces strain on your lines, and keeps the hose path clear for movement up and down the stairs. Ladders, the apparatus, or another supply hose aren’t as dependable anchors in this situation because they can shift, move, or create entanglement, whereas hand rails offer a solid, proven mounting point along the route.