A fire hose or hydrant niche is a hose used to transport water for extinguishing fires. In many buildings, such as schools, offices and businesses, hose reels are necessary. Hose coils are only suitable for class A fire (solid substances). See also the article on the fire extinguisher.

The fire department used larger, loose hoses to transport water. These hoses are made of canvas or plastic and are provided with a storz coupling at each end.

The tubes usually have a diameter of 37, 48 (45 mm), 52 mm, 75 mm, 110 mm, 150 mm or 200 mm and a length of 20 meters. There are also 1¾ inch (44.45 mm), 2 ½ inch (63.5 mm), 3 inch (76 mm), and 5 inch (127 mm) sleeves. The connectors are standardized. (In Belgium, DSP connector) .

The modern fire hose coil was invented in 1673 by Jan van der Heyden. With these hoses made of leather and an improved fire pump, large fires could be fought with water in practice for the first time. Also designed by Van der Heyden was a kind of reinforcement for pumping water from navigable canals. Around 1780, leather hoses were replaced by canvas fabric.

Fire hose on a reel consists of a tube with a relatively thick, plastic, rubber wall, often with fibrous materials as reinforcement. The hose is wound on a coil and is permanently connected to the water supply system. The diameter of the hose depends on the length and is usually 25 mm or less. The reel is generally fixed to the wall, but can also come out on hinges.

The nozzle has a key that has three modes of operation: simple key, forced radius key and spray power key. The latter is especially useful for a larger area around the beginbrand to cool. Also, the sproeistand as a shield against heat and the flames are easier to be extinguished.

In addition to the large number of fire extinguishers in the buildings being present the hose is a good addition to this. In cases where the water is extinguished, there is a large amount of time that has passed before the fire brigade is present. Extinguish the fire with water, however, water can cause damage.