Water hose reels

Hard rubber fire hoses are usually provided throughout the process area of a hydrocarbon facility. The coil of a hose on a hose reel presents a considerable friction loss factor to the flow of water through it. In some instances a fire water hose reel may not be completely unrolled from a reel before its use. Therefore it is prudent to conduct a hose reel flow test with a partial removal of the hose and full unreeling from it. The spray reaches of each scenario can then be fully evaluated and observed. 

For these reasons the use of a water hose reel in factories is common and is suitable for most fires except those involving flammable liquids or live electrical equipment. 

Withdrawn) 1985 Fire hose reels (water) for fixed installations. Withdrawn, superseded by BS EN 671-1 1995... 

Hose reels connected to the public water supply have the advantage that their supply of water is unlimited, although the pressure may be less than that generated in a portable extinguisher. Very large hoses are difficult to handle and lengths should not normally exceed 14 meters. Water should be immediately available when the control valve is opened. 

When water is combined with other additives, it can control and extinguish most petroleum fires. A water suppression system consists of a supply source, distribution system, and the end using equipment such as fixed spray systems, monitors, hose reels and hydrants. The objective of water suppression systems is to provide exposure cooling, fire control, suppression of fire incidents and may assist in the dispersion of flammable or toxic vapors. 

A hydraulically designed system is preferred over standardized approach for optimization of the firewater flows, water storage requirements and piping materials. In any case, the main header should not be less than 203 mm (8 in.) in diameter. Piping routed to hydrants, monitors, hose reels and other protective systems should be at least 152 mm (6 in.) in diameter. 

Monitors are considered the primary manual water delivery device for hydrocarbon facilities, while hydrants and hose reels are considered secondary. Monitors are an initial manual fire suppression device that can be activated by operators with limited fire fighting training or experience. Use of hydrants and hoses usually require additional manpower and previous training. The use of a fire hose however, provides for more flexibility in the application of water sprays and where it may be needed when it is impractical to install a monitor. Monitors are usually placed at the process areas, while hydrants are placed at the perimeter roads, accessible to mobile apparatus. Most monitor pipe connections may also be fitted with fire hose connections. 

Hydrants should be considered as a backup water supply source to monitors and fixed fire suppression systems. Hydrants should be located on the ring main at intervals to suitably direct water on the fire hazard with a fire hose. Hydrants monitors and hose reels should be placed a minimum of 15 meters (50 ft.) from the hazard they protect for onshore facilities. Hydrants in process areas should be located so that any portion of a process unit can be reached from at least two opposite directions with the use of 76 meters (250 ft), hose lines if the approach is made from the upwind side of the fire. Offshore hydrants are located at the main accessways at the edge of the platform for each module. Normal access into a location should not be impeded by the placement of monitors or hydrants. This is especially important for heavy crane access during maintenance and turnaround activities. 

The surface slope at the placement of all hydrants, monitors and hose reels should be slightly away from the device itself so water will drain away and prevent corrosion effects. Where automobile traffic may be prevalent, protective post or railing should be provided to prevent impacts to the devices. The protective barriers should not affect the hose connection, use of hoses or obscure the spray from monitors. The posts should be provided with highly visible markings or reflective paint. 

Process Vessels Liquid Spill Gas Release NFPA30 1. Hydrants 2. Monitors 3. Hose Reel 4. Water Deluge Cooling Spray 1. NFPA 24 2. NFPA 24 3. NFPA 24 4. NFPA 15... 

Fire water lines within process unit areas feeding more than two monitors, hose reels, or hydrants, should be connected to two separate sections of the fire main and separated by a valve in the main. Piping to hose reels and monitors should contain an isolation valve. 

Comply with requirements of insurance companies regarding fire fighting facilities to be provided on the premises, e.g. cast iron pipelines, dedicated water pumps of special design for fire fighting, separate power supply feeders/DG set, CO2 cylinders, sand buckets, dry chemical powder-type fire extinguishers, long hose reels smoke detectors, and sprinklers must be installed and maintained. 

A device for compactly storing a hard rubber fire hose. It also allows the firewater nozzle to be readily used as the hose is being unwound from the reel. The hose is permanently connected to a water supply source at one end, and a nozzle is provided at the free end. A shutoff valve is provided on the pipe supplying water to the hose reel. Primarily installed on mobile fire apparatus vehicles and at industrial facilities. They generally are provided with 1.9-, 2.54-, or 3.8-centimeter (0.75-, 1.0-, or 1.5-inch) hoses that can be up to 60 meters (200 feet) in length and can be adapted for the application of foam water. 

The most useful form of fire-fighting equipment for general fire risks is the water-type extinguisher or suitable alternative. One such extinguisher should be provided for around each 200 m of floor space with a minimum of one per floor. If each floor has a hose reel, which is known to be in working order and of sufficient length for the floor it serves, there may be no need for water-type extinguishers to be provided. 

Installed hose reels are wall mounted and comprise a length of hose wound on a drum. The feed pipe to fhe reel should be charged at all times. In some installahons a valve is incorporated into the spindle of the reel drum that automatically opens when the reel is pulled out. The flow of water is controlled by a valve at the free end which allows adjustment from a water jet to a fine spray. The sifing of the installations and the length of the hoses should be such that no part of the area to be protected is more than 6 m from any nozzle. Hose reels should be checked regularly for leaks and fully run out once a year so the condition of the full length of the hose can be checked. 

Every industrial plant is protected by a fire water system that provides water to each piece of equipment through hydrants, monitors, or deluge spray systems. Each process unit has its own underground piping loop system, which is adequately valved to protect the system from a failure in any part of the line or isolation because of maintenance. Although each piece. of equipment must be protected by one hydrant or monitor, client specifications often override this rule and require two sources of fire water for each piece of equipment. Basic fire protection equipment consists of fire hydrants, hydrants with monitors, grade-level and elevated monitors, hose reels, and deluge and spray systems. 

The following appendices provide generic information on the periodic operational testing parameters used in the process industries for active fire protection systems (i.e., pumps, deluge systems, monitors, hose reels, foam systems, etc.). Further information can be found in the publication, NFPA 25 Standard for the Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems. 

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