Fire department flexible suction hose is a specific type of fire hose used in drafting operations, when a fire engine uses a vacuum to draw water from a portable water tank, pool, or other static water source. It is built to withstand vacuum, rather than pressure, abrasion, and heat.

Industrial hard suction hoses are used to remove water from lakes, rivers, ponds, etc. into a pump. It should be a short as possible and be able to resist collapsing. The clear PVC option does have the advantage of allowing the operator to see water flow, and visibility to check if the strainer is preventing damaging solids from passing through the pump.