Industrial hoses, nozzles and monitors
Published: 01 June, 2007
Buyers today demand an independently approved hose that will give a high return on investment by providing a long operating life with minimal maintenance.
However, when specifying a layflat firehose for high-risk industrial fire and rescue services only Type 3 are considered, to have the right level of performance, says Clair Maxwell, Angus’s Fire & Industrial Hose Product Manager, tells IFJ.
“Duraline, from Angus Fire has carried the BSI Kitemark for longer than any other BS 6391 Type 3 fire hose, passing all the stringent performance tests with flying colours,” Clair points out.
“This hose was selected for use in pioneering large scale Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) fire workshops and tests by BP in collaboration with Texas A&M University,” comments Richard Coates, Fire Consultant and former BP Safety Advisor:
“LNG fires gives off twice the amount on heat as equivalent-sized gasoline fires. Intense heat emissions are the principal cause of damage to standard fire protection equipment from LNG fires.
“Duraline was chosen in preference to double jacket hose for its superior heat resistance, durability and flexibility. I had previously experienced Duraline in major disaster conditions when assisting with the Tupras refinery multiple oil tank fire caused by the Turkish earthquake in 1999.
He concludes: “Duraline was the only hose that stood up to the exceptional physical rigours of that devastating and prolonged fire without failing once.”
The main types of layflat delivery fire hoses are described in the British Standards Institution (BSI) BS 6391 specification. Primarily concerned with the performance characteristics of fire hose, it is the industry standard worldwide.
Independent endorsement that a hose has reached the BS 6391 specification is provided by the BSI Kitemark licence scheme. It requires samples of product randomly selected by BSI from a manufacturer’s current production or from the open market to be subjected to rigorous examination and testing to BS 6391 by an independent authority. It also requires the manufacturer to operate a quality management system accredited to BS EN ISO 9000 to ensure consistency of quality. It is this combination of product and system assessment which makes the Kitemark so highly regarded worldwide.
Niedner’s industrial products
With more than 112 years of experience in the fire service industry Niedner’s diversified industrial hose applications include fire suppression, liquid transfer (fuel), hose cabinets, hose reels, dust/debris control, pump discharge, wash-down and more. “Designed with unique qualities of flow, pressure, and abrasion resistance, Niedner hose products are being specified throughout the industrial world,” said a spokesman. Products include:
INDUSTRALITE 500: This lightweight multi-purpose single jacket hose is durable and compact. Constructed of 100% spun polyester, INDUSTRALITE 500(tm) is lined with TPU elastomer and has a service test pressure rating of 250 PSIG (1750 kPa).
Suitable for a variety of industrial applications, INDUSTRALITE 500 is said to combine the benefits of a durable jacket with the handling ease of a space-saving lining. INDUSTRALITE 500 is available in 1.5” and 2.5” diameters; standard lengths are 50’ and 100’.
HDI-600: A premium-grade single jacket hose suitable for a variety of functions, HDI-600 is a 100% spun-polyester hose, treated with orange DALCOAT for superior abrasion and chemical resistance.
Lightweight but rugged, this TPU elastomer-lined hose has a service test pressure rating of 300 PSI (2100 kPa). HDI-600 is said to be ‘durable and excellent for industrial, petrochemical, HazMat, or even refuse fire applications. HDI-600 is available in 1”, 1.5” and 2.5” diameters; standard lengths are 50’ and 100’.
REDLINE: Engineered for applications which require an especially durable hose, Neidner’s new and improved REDLINE product is a single jacket 100% polyester hose. The unique red ribbed elastomeric outer cover provides added chemical and abrasion resistance. REDLINE is lined with TPU elastomer for a compact, lightweight design and has a service test pressure rating of 250 PSIG (1750 kPa).
This product is said to be ideal for harsh chemical environments, or other industrial petrochemical, and Hazardous Material (HAZMAT) applications. REDLINE meets or exceeds all requirements of UL-19. It is available in 1.5” and 2.5” diameters; standard lengths are 50’ and 100’.
What the professionals say
Dwight Williams, President of Williams Fire & Hazard Control based in Mauriceville, Texas, comments:
“Williams operates in some extreme conditions, moving large volumes of water at high pressures; after experiencing problems with five inch couplings blowing off the hose, we switched hose brands to Niedner. Now, in over six of years of using Niedner hose of all sizes, ranging from 1 1/2” to the 7” Double 5 Hose that Niedner makes to our specifications, we have not had a single incident of couplings of any size blowing off Niedner hose.
“This hose is much lighter and easier to handle, and also has higher test pressures than the nitrile rubber LDH (Large Diameter Hose) we used in the past. Niedner Hose is a product we can and do depend on!”
Mike Deem, President of the National Hose and Accessories Association stated: “We have worked with Niedner many times and on many different applications. Niedner has always shown a willingness to think “outside the box” and bring forward thinking solutions to help us.”
Niedner’s hose is currently used at Chevron in Nigeria, Marathon Equatorial in New Guinea, Alert Disaster Control in Singapore also in Turkey, Japan, Mexico, Venezuela, Canada and Saudi-Arabia.
Monitors for industry firefighting
Albach GmbH’s EL 376 monitor is an electrically-operated monitor designed to be used on a conventional fire truck or ARFF vehicle. A spokesman from distributors AWG - Max Widenmann KG, commented:
“The foam nozzle SW 60/30 can be pneumatically switched over between two flow rates. The nozzle is suitable for water and aspirated foam. A pneumatically-operated deflector is mounted to the pipe of the foam nozzle.”
An attached drip tube protects the vehicle against being covered with foam agent while two XENON headlights illuminate the working range of the monitor.
The aluminium alloy & steel EL 376 provides a 6,000 lpm flow or 3,000 lpm at operating pressure 10 bar, with a maximum working pressure of 16 bar. It’s extremely versatile with a swivelling area in the horizontal of 330° (± 165°) and a vertical of -15 +75°.
Slightly different is Albach’s EL 366 monitor, an electric remote-controlled monitor fitted with a jet/spray nozzle for dual flow and additional powder pipe inside for simultaneous or independent throw of foam and dry powder.
“The monitor can be used as well as roof monitor and as bumper monitor, while the spray pattern of the jet/spray nozzle can be smoothly changed by remote control from jet to spray. It can be used for water as well as for a film forming foam agent,” comments an AWG spokesperson.
This has a output of water/foam of 2,200 l/min at operating pressure of 10 bar (it can project powder at 9 kg/sec).
“The EL 366 has a throw range of about 60 m at flow 2200 lpm and operating pressure 10 bar for discharging water, at an elevation about +25°. It features swivelling ranges of -20° to+70° at the vertical and a horizontal range of ± 90°.”
Also from Albach GmbH is the 300 S mobile extinguishing monitor system, consisting of a 300 S trailer, HR 378 monitor, MZV multipurpose nozzles and an injector unit for handling the foam agent. It has a maximum flow rate of 30,000 l/min, making it suitable for major industrial sites and tank farm fire protection.
WET technology from Elkhart Brass
Several years ago Elkhart Brass became the first manufacturer to introduce Wireless Electronic Technology (W.E.T.) into the industrial marketplace. Since then W.E.T, often referred to as RF, or Radio Frequency, has become the standard for progressive firefighting operations worldwide.
Radio Frequency Controlled monitors, now in the market for some time, have proven themselves as a trusted piece of firefighting equipment relying on the latest in high-tech, industry-tested electronics.
This W.E.T. technology has now been applied to four different Radio Frequency Controlled (RF) monitors manufactured by Elkhart Brass, handling flows as low as 15 GPM (56 LPM) and up to 2000 GPM (7570 LPM).
Chris Martin, Regional Export Sales Manager for Elkhart Brass Mfg. Co., Inc, told IFJ:
“All RF monitors are controlled from both stationary panel mounted controllers as well as handheld control units, which enable the firefighter enhanced flexibility to direct the stream safely from the ground.
“Control features include the common Up/Down, Left/Right, Fog/Straight stream controls that would be expected. It also has available additional control features such as programmable stow position, as well as a programmable oscillation,” he comments.
The oscillation range can be set remotely to sweep a full 90° or a few degrees as required. Up/Down and Fog/Straight Stream Controls can all still be used while the monitor is in oscillation mode in order to set the stream to the exact desired area. All control commands function wirelessly up to 1/4 mile (400 metres) away.
The Stinger RF
“Of the different types of Elkhart RF monitors, there is one that stands out as the ultimate in firefighter safety, versatility and functionality,” Chris reports.
“This is the Stinger RF. The Stinger RF is the only dual-purpose RF controlled monitor. It can be used in a fixed mounted or portable mode, thus safely giving the firefighter maximum control and versatility.”
The Stinger RF monitor has a flow rate capacity up to 1250 GPM (4731 LPM. When coupled with the SM-1250E automatic combination fog nozzle, flows rate between 300 GPM and 1250 GPM can be assured for maximum effectiveness.
“There are many applications for the Stinger RF,” argues Chris. “It will not become just another tool in your firefighting tool box but rather the most important tool in the box.
“Functioning as a “dual-purpose” (fixed or portable) monitor the Stinger RF can take the place of your deck gun on your industrial pumper or could be used as a fixed mounted on-site monitor using a quick connect plug to draw power,” he says.
The monitor can be removed from the fixed base and placed on a portable base. The quick connect plug is simply disconnected and the unit will now run on a built-in battery for at least five hours. The monitor is then controlled wirelessly from a handheld remote control powered by two AA batteries.
“With the Stinger RF, weighing 44 lbs, one firefighter can carry it, hook and charge the hoses, and act as the operator and also the spotter out of harms’ way. If the monitor needs to be redirected, it can all be done simply from the wireless handheld controller,” Chris comments.
Electronic components & wireless technology
In addition to just redirecting and eliminating a spotter, the monitor can be put into oscillation mode from the wireless handheld control. The oscillation is programmable to any position in the wide oscillation range and can be changed instantly.
The technology behind all these RF monitors is based upon proven electronic components and the latest in wireless technology. When transmitting wirelessly there are literally billions of security codes and frequency combinations that these monitors operate on.
In fact, every 1/4 of a second the transmission is jumping to a new frequency, so there is no possible way a transmission error could occur between other monitors, portable radios, or other wireless transmissions, says Elkhart. All of the connections are watertight and controls are sealed to NEMA 4 specifications.
“As electronics become more advanced and proven in everything from automobiles to digital cameras, so are the electronics that make the Stinger RF more than just a portable fire monitor,” concludes Chris.
“Additionally, the Stinger RF has gone through rigorous performance testing and carries a CE (Conformite European) Certification.”
Although a mandatory product certification in Europe, the CE standard is rapidly gaining status as a recognized International Standard rivaling UL and FM for comprehensive product design and adherence to rigorous safety standards.
