The Importance Of Fire Hose Reels In Commercial Buildings

Jul 28, 2023 | news

Fire safety is an extremely important consideration for any commercial building. Having the right fire suppression systems in place can mean the difference between limited damage from a small fire or complete destruction in the event of a large blaze. One key component of any fire safety system is the trusty fire hose reel. While they may seem simple, fire hose reels play an invaluable role in providing fast and effective fire-fighting capabilities. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at what exactly fire hose reel is, why they’re so important for commercial buildings, and key factors to consider when installing them.

What Are Fire Hose Reels?

A fire hose reel is a freestanding unit that houses a fire hose that can be easily unwound in the event of a fire. The reel is connected to a water supply, often a building’s internal plumbing system. When needed, the hose can be quickly pulled from the reel and used to spray water onto a fire. Fire hose reels come in different sizes, but a standard set-up is around 36 meters of 19mm diameter hose. The hoses are made of durable woven jacketing over rubber tubing which provides good strength and kink resistance. Fire hose reels will also include a nozzle at the end for controlling water flow and spray pattern.

Compared to a traditional fire hose which needs to be completely unrolled before use, fire hose reels provide much faster access to water. The ability to quickly attack a small fire before it spreads is one of the key advantages of fire hose reels. Additionally, the reels can be installed almost anywhere around a building for maximal coverage.

Importance In Commercial Buildings

There are several reasons why fire hose reels are an essential fire protection system for commercial buildings.

They allow for fast first response. Having fire hose reels distributed throughout a large commercial building means that water and a hose are always within quick reach wherever a fire may start. This allows building occupants to rapidly respond and start controlling fires before they grow.

Reels don’t require special skills. Fire hose reels are designed to be easy to use even for untrained occupants. They provide an accessible first line of defense while waiting for emergency responders.

Compliance with legal regulations. Most jurisdictions require commercial buildings over a certain size to install fire hose reels to meet fire codes. Having them ensures compliance.

Limiting damage and interruption. Quickly putting out fires with reels can greatly reduce property damage, inventory loss, restoration costs and disruption to operations. This makes them a cost-effective investment.

Reassuring customers/occupants. Visible reels demonstrate a business is taking fire safety seriously, which provides reassurance to anyone visiting or working in the building.

Proper Installation Guidelines

To fulfill their purpose effectively, fire hose reels must be installed properly. Here are key guidelines to follow:

Provide adequate coverage. Reels should be distributed such that all parts of the building are within reach of a hose length. Install more reels in large open spaces.

Locate near exits and paths of travel. Reels should be clearly visible and accessible along exit routes so they can be utilized quickly by people evacuating.

Mount at the right height. Standard mounting height is around 1.2 meters from the floor to the center of the reel. This allows easy access.

Ensure strong water supply. Reels require a water supply capable of providing sufficient pressure and flow rate. Consult engineers to verify this.

Use signage. Install clear signage identifying locations of reels along with instructions for use. This aids visibility and proper utilization during emergencies.

Conduct inspections. Regularly inspect and test reels to verify all components remain in good operational condition and the hoses retract properly.

Fire hose reels have been relied upon for over a century because they are a proven solution. When installed thoughtfully using the guidelines above, they will continue providing critical first line-of-defense fire protection for many years to come. Ensuring your commercial building has adequate coverage of properly maintained fire hose reels is one of the wisest fire safety investments you can make.