Thread Information

Identifying Threads
IT IS IMPORTANT TO IDENTIFY THE THREADS REQUIRED BEFORE ORDERING COUPLINGS.

Identifying threads can sometimes be the most difficult and frustrating part of coupling selection. However, without the right
combination of threads, you may not provide a functional or safe connection.

The diameters, threads per inch (TPI) and thread pitch, etc. are necessary to completely identify a thread. Ring, Plug and
GO/NOGO gauges are required to accurately gauge or identify threads. In the field, in the absence of these gauges, thread
leaf gauges can be used to identify the "Threads Per Inch" (TPI) and the thread pitch. On threads you have determined to
be straight threads, a caliper can be used to measure the "Outside Diameter of the Male" (ODM) or the "Inside Diameter
of the Female" (IDF). A caliper can also be used to take measurements of tapered thread diameters. However, these are
more difficult to define because of the taper. Fortunately, there are few tapered threads to deal with and these can usually
be identified from the nominal ODM and the TPI.

However, identifying the thread may not fully identify what is needed in a mating fitting. The application is the primary
limiting factor on the thread type used. Dixon offers products with a wide variety of threads used with hose, pipe and
hydraulics.

When attempting to choose a fitting, it is always advisable to first identify the thread to which it must connect. This may
entail checking with a fitting or equipment manufacturer.

The fire hose thread specifications for some local municipal fire equipment and hydrants may vary according to
local specifications. These can generally be most easily identified by contacting the local fire department responsible for
the hydrant. The most common thread used on fire equipment is National Standard Thread (NST), also known as National
Hose thread (NH).

When it is not possible to identify the thread:

1) Determine the number of threads per inch by measuring the distance from peak of thread to peak of thread
across the largest number of whole threads. Then divide the number of threads by the measurement
(This will provide the TPI).
2) Check to see if the thread is straight or tapered.
a) Straight Threads
Measure the "Outside Diameter of the Male" (ODM) or the "Inside Diameter of the Female" (IDF),
from peak of thread to peak of thread.
b) Tapered Threads
Measure the "Outside Diameter of the Male" (ODM) at the large end and the small end, or the
"Inside Diameter of the Female" (IDF) at the large end and the small end, from peak of thread
to peak of thread. Then measure the Outside Diameter (OD) of the unthreaded pipe.

Once the application and these two pieces of information have been determined, the thread can generally be determined.
When in doubt, contact the factory.

Straight Thread Tapered Thread

Dixon Powhatan 1-800-355-1991 1

 Thread Information

Identifying Threads

When calipers and O.D. tapes are not available, the following method may be useful.

Cut a strip of paper not over 5/8" wide by approximately 18" long. Then wrap the strip tightly around the circumference of the
male thread, making sure it is well back against the male shoulder, and the ends overlap. Then pierce once through both
layers of the strip with a pin (Fig 1). After removing the strip, mark your pin holes by circling them as shown (or with arrows), to
make sure the correct measurement can be taken. The distance between the pin holes, divided by 3.1416 equals the outside
diameter of the thread.

Next, press your thumb firmly against the threads (Fig. 2) hard enough to make thread impressions on the strip (Fig. 3) thereby
giving an impression from which the number of threads per inch can be obtained.

NYF – New York Fire Dept. Thread 1½" (2.100 ODM x 8 tpi) — 2½" (3.030 ODM x 8 tpi)
CF – Chicago Fire Dept. Thread 1½" (1.933 ODM x 11.5 tpi) — 2½" (2.990 ODM x 7.5 tpi)
NYC – New York Corporation Thread 1½" (2.093 ODM x 11 tpi) — 2½" (3.000 ODM x 8 tpi)

PERSONAL SPECIAL THREAD TABLE

There are well over a hundred special threads in use on fire equipment in the USA.

We provide the following table to allow you to chart your special thread requirements for future reference.

Please help us better serve you in the future, if you come across a special thread not listed in our chart, please e-mail or fax
the thread information to us at sales@[Link] or 800-283-4966, we will archive it for future reference.

Size 1½" 2½"

City or Town ODM TPI ODM TPI ODM TPI

If you are unable to determine the threads you need:

1) Contact the Fire Department or Fire Marshall responsible for the area where the equipment will be located.
2) Request the threads required for fire hose connections in that area consistent with your requirements.
(usually 1½" and 2½")
3) If this fails to get the information you need, contact our Fire Equipment Specialists at 800-355-1991.

Always indicate the HOSE THREAD required when ordering!

2 1-800-355-1991 Dixon Powhatan

 Thread Information

Thread Information
Seal
Abbreviation System Name Compatibility Method
Male BSPP with Female BSPP Washer
BSPP British Standard Pipe Parallel Female BSPP with Male BSPP Washer
Female BSPP with Male BSPTr Washer
Male BSPTr with Female BSPTr Thread
BSPTr British Standard Pipe Taper Male BSPTr with Female BSPP Washer
Female BSPTr with Male BSPTr Thread
Female BSPTr not compatible with Male BSPP
American Standard Fire Hose 1" Male NH (NST) with 1" Female NH (NST) Washer
Thread (1" National Hose Thread 1"Female NH (NST) with 1" Male NH (NST) Washer
CHT
is Chemical Hose Thread, also 1" Thread is used on both ¾" hose and 1" hose.
known as Booster Hose Thread) Not compatible with other systems
Male GHT with Female GHT Washer
Female GHT with Male GHT Washer
GHT Garden Hose Thread
Thread is same for all size hose
Not compatible with other systems
IPS Iron Pipe Straight Thread Generic Name for Straight Pipe Thread Washer
See NPSH for compatibility
Generic Name for All Pipe Thread
IPT Iron Pipe Thread More information required

Male NH (NST) with Female NH (NST) Washer

NH American Standard Fire Hose Female NH (NST) with Male NH (NST) Washer
Coupling Thread Not compatible with other systems
or (National Hose thread also known Thread pitch and diameters of fire threads may
NST as National Standard Thread) vary according to local and municipal regulations.
Male NPT with Female NPT Thread
Male NPT with Female NPTF Thread
Male NPT with Female NPSM Washer
American Standard Taper Pipe
NPT Male NPT with Female NPSH Washer
Thread
Female NPT with Male NPT Thread
(National Pipe Tapered)
Female NPT with Male NPTF Thread
Female NPT not compatible with Male NPSM or
Male NPSH
Male NPTF with Female NPTF Thread
Male NPTF with Female NPT Thread
American Standard Taper Pipe Male NPTF with Female NPSM Washer
NPTF Fuel Dryseal Thread (National Male NPTF with Female NPSH Washer
Pipe Tapered Fine) Female NPTF with Male NPTF Thread
Female NPTF with Male NPT Thread
Female NPTF with Male NPSM or NPSH Not Compatible
Note: NPTF with NPTF threads do not require
sealant for the initial use. After that, sealant is
required.
Male NPSH with Female NPSH Washer
American Standard Straight Pipe Female NPSH with Male NPSH Washer
NPSH for Hose Couplings (National Pipe Female NPSH with Male NPT Washer
Straight Hose) Female NPSH with Male NPTF Washer
Female NPSH with Male NPSM Washer
Male NPSM with Female NPSM
American Standard Straight Male NPSM with Female NPSH Seal can be either
NPSM Mechanical Joints (National Pipe Female NPSM with Male NPSM mechanical or washer.
Straight Mechanical) Female NPSM with Male NPT Mating fittings must be
Female NPSM with Male NPTF of same type.

SIPT Straight Iron Pipe Thread Generic name for Straight Pipe Thread Washer
TIPT Tapered Iron Pipe Thread Generic name for Tapered Pipe Thread Thread

Dixon Powhatan 1-800-355-1991 3

 Thread Information

Thread Dimensions
Nominal Dimensions of Standard Threads

ODM -- Outside Diameter of the Male IDF -- Inside Diameter of the Female TPI -- Threads Per Inch

Tapered Straight Threads

Threads
NPT BSPTr NPSH NPSM NST (NH) BSPP
Pipe
Size ODM IDF ODM IDF ODM IDF ODM IDF
O.D. TPI TPI TPI TPI TPI TPI
(max) (min) (max) (min) (max) (min) (max) (min)
1/8" .405 27 28 27 0.397 0.358 0.383 0.337
1/4" .504 18 19 18 0.526 0.468 0.516 0.450
3/8" .675 18 19 18 0.662 0.603 0.656 0.588
1/2" .840 14 14 14 0.8248 0.7395 14 0.823 0.747 0.825 0.733
3/4" 1.050 14 14 14 1.0353 0.9500 14 1.034 0.958 8 1.375 1.2246 1.041 0.950
1" 1.315 11.5 11 11.5 1.2951 1.1921 11.5 1.293 1.201 8 1.375 1.2246 11 1.309 1.193
1-1/4" 1.660 11.5 11 11.5 1.6399 1.5369 11.5 1.638 1.546 11 1.650 1.534
1-1/2" 1.900 11.5 11 11.5 1.8788 1.7758 11.5 1.877 1.785 9 1.990 1.8577 1.882 1.766
2" 2.375 11.5 11 11.5 2.3528 2.2498 11.5 2.351 2.259 11 2.347 2.231
2-1/2" 2.875 8 11 8 2.8434 2.6930 8 2.841 2.708 7.5 3.068 2.9104 11 2.960 2.844
3" 3.500 8 11 8 3.467 3.334 6 3.623 3.5306 11 3.460 3.344
4" 4.500 8 11 8 4.466 4.333 4 5.010 4.7111 4.450 4.334
4-1/2" 4 5.760 5.4611 11
5" 5.563 8 11 8 5.528 5.395 4 6.260 5.9602 11 5.450 5.359
6" 6.625 8 11 8 6.585 6.452 4 7.025 6.7252 6.450 6.359
8" 8.625 8
10" 10.750 8
12" 12.750 8

GHT (3/4") -- 1.0625 ODM, 11-1/2 TPI

NOTE: Female NPT (Tapered Pipe) thread is not available on hose swivel nuts.

Special Thread Information

2½" thread

threads per inch 6 7 7½ 8

3.058 3.125 2.990 (Chicago) 2.841 (NPSH)
3.062 (Pittsburgh) 3.062 (NST) 3.000 (NY Corp)
outside diameter 3.093 3.125 (Detroit) 3.031 (NYFD)
of male 3.125 3.062
3.156 3.078 (Cleveland)
3.187 3.093
3.234 3.140
3.250 3.156
3.312 3.312

4 1-800-355-1991 Dixon Powhatan