Flexible & durable fire hoses from Niedner
Published: 01 September, 2006
A good hose should be strong but flexible, resistant to both pressure and punctures and preferably lightweight.
A good hose should be strong but flexible, resistant to both pressure and punctures and preferably lightweight.
The Canadian company Niedner has been specialising in the manufacturing of fire hoses since 1895 when Charles Henry Niedner immigrated to North America and began manufacturing linen fire hose in Malden, Massachusetts. Niedner is now a part of Tyco International’s fire and security division.
The company has developed the RXL-800, a 100 percent polyester double jacket hose, lined with EPDM rubber liner for enhanced durability, kink resistance and GPM flow, with a service test pressure rating for 400 PSIG (2800 kPa).
Monique Labbe is marketing manager for Niedner and she explains why the RXL-800 is a very popular attack hose choice:
“This hose is an excellent choice for high-rise backpacks. Using the thin heat-resistant EPDM rubber liner, it is lighter and more compact than most of its rubber-lined competitors,” she says.
According to Monique, the hose has a third less bulk than a rubber-covered hose and it is ozone and age-resistant. The outer jacket is treated with ENCAP, which improves durability and reduces water absorption up to 40% and enhances chemical resistance.
When larger quantities of water are required, Monique recommends the SUPPLYLINE. This large diameter hose is also made of 100% polyester. It consists of a double jacket and is TPU Elastomer-lined with a service test pressure rating of 300 PSIG (2100 kPa).
“SUPPLYLINE is lighter, more compact and stays flexible in temperatures down to -60*F. In addition to this, the hose is puncture-resistant and approved for potable water, and can be loaded without hanging out to dry.”
It is often used as a soft suction hose for shorter lengths. The ENCAP-treated outer jacket improves durability and reduces water absorption up to 40% and enhances chemical resistance.
Apart from hoses the company also manufactures a whole range of speciality equipment, such as the Delta Hydro Hose tester. “When investing in a hose tester,” continues Monique. “You have to consider four important specifications. The quality and size of the manifold, pump, motor and automatic check valves.”
Niedner supplied the city of San Diego with several Delta Titans. Lt. Henry Powers of the City of San Diego Fire Department tells IFJ: “With nearly 30 miles of fire hose to test annually the City needed a fast, safe, dependable and efficient way of hydro-testing hose. We were also concerned with pump damage and firefighter injuries suffered while using our apparatus for testing.
With its extreme duty components and stainless steel manifold, it was easy to determine Delta’s superior quality over all others. Additionally the automatic check valve system provides our firefighters with extra protection by eliminating ‘wildline’ potential should a hose fail during testing. No more injuries, no more pump damage and no more truck body damage.”
