Hose Reel Nozzle
Basic Fire Fighting Knowledge on Fire Hose and Fire Extinguisher

When you mention the word, “firefighting,” one of the first things that will come into your mind is a professional firefighter holding a fire hose reel nozzle trying to extinguish the flames on a burning house. We all know that firefighting is a very dangerous career that can put one’s life in danger but as most firefighters would tell you, “someone has to do this job.”

One of the first aspects that one has to know about firefighting is the equipment used for fire safety, prevention, and extinguishing fire. These tools are important because they can spell a difference between a saved property or life, and a dreadful tragedy.

Even those who are not familiar with the rudiments of this perilous occupation know that a fire extinguisher and a fire hose are some of the most important firefighting equipment that a firefighter makes use of.

A fire extinguisher is what most homeowners install in their homes, together with a smoke alarm, as a safety precaution in case of a fire outbreak. Fire extinguishers come in different kinds and it is of utmost importance to know the different uses of each so that you do not make the mistake of using the wrong kind of a fire extinguisher on a particular fire.

A fire hose, meanwhile, is a high-pressure hose that carries water or other substances that can put out a fire such as foam. For indoor use, a fire hose is usually attached to the building’s standpipe or plumbing system. If outdoors, it can be attached to a fire hydrant or a fire engine.

While fire hoses can be found in most buildings, many homeowners prefer to have fire extinguishers probably because the former are more suitable for larger areas. Moreover, fire extinguishers cost lesser than a fire hose.

Fire hoses generally have a working pressure of 8 bar to 20 bar while its bursting pressure can reach up to 83 bar. After using a fire hose, you need to hang it to dry because the water remnants inside the tube can cause for the equipment to deteriorate in quality. This type of equipment has different parts such as hose reel, hose tubing, and a hose reel valve.

Fire extinguishers have different types, which include water fire extinguishers (for fires involving paper, cloth, and upholstery), foam fire extinguishers (for fires caused by flammable liquids), dry powder fire extinguishers (for fires that started from flammable gases), specialist powder fire extinguishers (for burning metals), carbon dioxide fire extinguishers (for electrical fires), and wet chemical fire extinguishers (for fires that resulted from burning oil or deep fat fryers).

Proper care and maintenance for fire hoses and fire extinguishers are essential to keep the top working condition of these pieces of firefighting equipment. Fire hoses should be kept inside a hose reel cabinet and should be routinely checked for any signs of deterioration or defects. Fire extinguishers should also be stored properly and examined regularly. If there is any signs of leakage or defect, bring to a professional immediately.