Hose Reel Instructions
Firefighting 101: How to Use a Fire Hose

If you have a fire hose reel in your business or workplace, reading the hose reel instructions is one of the most important things you need to do to prepare yourself for the possible event of a fire accident. Familiarising yourself with the procedures of operating this equipment will give you better chances of survival in case of a fire.

Fire hose reels are usually installed in multi-story buildings to be used by occupants to extinguisher fire. This type of fire hose is connected to the main water supply and can extend up to 30 feet. Most hose reels are located in hose reel cabinet so that they can easily be seen even when smoke is already present in a burning area.

Fire hose reels should only be used to fight fire if all of the following circumstances are present:

• Fire is still small, not yet spreading, and in its initial stage
• Someone has already called the fire department
• People have evacuated the building and no one is trapped
• You can fight the fire with your back behind an exit
• You have easy access to the fire hose reel
• You know how to use a fire hose reel and you are confident about your firefighting skills

There is a wide variety of fire hose reels but the operation procedure is generally the same. The steps you have to undertake to operate one include:

Step One: Make sure the nozzle or jet is in a closed position
Step Two: Turn on the main valve of the hose reel
Step Three: Pull the hose off the drum to the direction of the fire
Step Four: Aim the nozzle at the base of the fire
Step Five: Open the nozzle or valve of the hose reel

Another type of a fire hose is the standpipe fire hose station, which refers to an arrangement of piping, hose connections, and valves within a building or structure. The procedure for using a standpipe fire hose is similar to the hose reel.

First, you need to open the valve completely. Then you pull the hose entirely off the rack. Aim the nozzle at the direction of the fire. After that, free and open up the nozzle for water to flow in freely.

The simplicity of operation procedures on both standpipe fire hoses and fire hose reels can help curb a fire and prevent serious damage that it can cause. This is why, a fire hose is always one of the most important fire safety equipment that every building or structure should be equipped with.

Nobody wishes for fire to happen but the possibility for it to occur is always present so it is better that we are all prepared in case of a fire accident. Knowing how to use a fire hose is one of our best defenses against a fire.