My Safety Shop for all your Fire Hose Reels and Hydrants

Great strides have been made in South Africa across all industries in terms of fire safety in the workplace. Even though there are many fire fighting equipment systems and procedures in place, it is impossible to tell when something may happen.

To ensure the health and safety of all personnel and visitors to the workplace, all employers and businesses need an effective fire safety plan, fire safety training, and fire fighting equipment.

To prevent fire hazards, a fire safety plan must be in place that outlines the necessary fire safety protocols.

It also documents all processes and operations and highlights potential fire hazards in the workplace, making it easier to mitigate these risks and minimizing damages that could occur by knowing where to place fire fighting equipment.

Fires can have a devastating impact on people near them and while heat and flames can cause harm, breathing in hot air and smoke can also lead to life-threatening health complications. It is for these reasons that the servicing of fire equipment is of paramount importance.

MAKROSAFE has been assisting employers for over 24 years.

Fire Hose Reels

Fire hose reels are one of the first pieces in fire fighting equipment and they are specifically designed to be a quick-response method to combat fires in their early stages.

Fire Hose reels are effective to combat Class A fires namely combustible materials such as paper, textiles, wood, most plastics, and rubber. Hose reels are easy to use, and they can provide an unlimited supply of water as they are connected to the main water supply to buildings.

Most fire hose reels are strategically placed around and in buildings and most extend to up to 35 metres. The hose is made from non-kinking tubing, and they are permanently fixed to solid walls.

The components of a hose reel is a main on/off valve, a hose guide, and a hose with a fitted nozzle. The nozzle attached to the hose allows the operator to control both the direction and flow of water to the fire.

Hose reels are typically used in large areas or corridors where larger fire extinguishers cannot provide enough cover. They are also used in buildings with a floor area of more than 500m2 or where they are required according to the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

It is important that hose reels are maintained frequently, especially after use and that there are fire fighting equipment inspection to ensure that the fire hose reel remains in working condition.

Fire Hydrants

A fire hydrant is a connection point that is used by firefighters to tap directly into a main water line or supply to supplement their emergency water tanks. Fire hydrants are strategically placed along roads, streets, and workplaces and they are often highlighted to make them easily accessible if there is a fire emergency.

Hydrants are a requirement for larger commercial premises and much like fire hose reels, they also use fire to extinguish Class A fires such as wood, paper, textiles, and most plastics.

Fire hydrants can be considered as pumps that are placed above the ground and run off the water line in urban, commercial, and residential areas. Unfortunately, fire hydrants are often overlooked and even abused, which could lead to a detrimental impact on businesses if there is an emergency.

The different parts of the fire hydrant are as follows:

• Bonnet - which is the conical cap that holds the operating stem nut in place, protecting the hydrant from any water penetration as well as mechanical damage.
• Branch - which serves the hydrant from the main water supply and is a restriction for the overall capacity of the hydrant.
• Flange - which is at the base of the hydrant and serves as the connection point for the hydrant to the rest of the barrel.
• Outlet - which allows for the fire department to connect a hose
• Stem nut - which is the key that allows for operation of the valve in the hydrant.
• Valve - When the valve is in the open position, the valve at the bottom of the hydrant will rise to plug any drain holes while simultaneously allowing water to fill the barrel of the hydrant where it will be pumped through a connected hose.

Fire Equipment must be serviced on an annual bases and inspected on a monthly bases

Click on the link below to download your free fire equipment inspection checklist

My Safety Shop has all the fire fighting equipment you need

You have unlimited access to My Safety Shop which provides a wide range of different products at competitive prices at a once off bases. Should you subscribe to SafetyWallet, you will have the benefit that all prices are adjusted according to your unique current SafetyWallet discount.

• CP Valves
• CP Valve Hand Wheels
• Fire Hose Reel Service
• Fire Hydrant Service
• Fire Equipment Weekly Tests

FAQ

Which class of fire can I extinguish with water?

You can extinguish Class A fires with water.

What was used to fight fires before fire hydrants were invented?

Most towns used a bucket method where a line of people would stand between the site of the fire and a river, passing buckets of water to extinguish the fire.

Why are fire hydrants so important?

Because they are connected to the main water line which means that they can provide an endless supply of water.

How often should my fire hose reel be tested?

After it has been used, with routine inspections monthly and serviced annualy.