In building fire protection systems, fire hose reels are core equipment for extinguishing initial fires, and their classification directly affects firefighting efficiency and scenario adaptability. According to the national standard GB 15090-2005 "Fire Hose Reels" and industry practice, fire hose reels can be classified according to three dimensions: extinguishing agent type, usage scenario, and operation method. This article will systematically analyze the three major types of fire hose reels from three aspects: technical standards, structural characteristics, and application scenarios.
Classification by Extinguishing Agent Type
The core function of fire hose reels is to control the fire by spraying extinguishing agents. The type of extinguishing agent directly determines the applicable scenario. Based on the difference in the conveying medium, they can be divided into the following three categories:
1. Water-type hose reels (code S)
Water-type reels use clean water as the extinguishing medium, forming a water mist or direct stream through high-pressure spraying. They are suitable for extinguishing Class A solid material fires (such as paper, wood, cotton, and linen fabrics). Their technical parameters are strictly required: the hose inner diameter is usually 19mm or 25mm, the length is 25-30 meters, and the rated working pressure is 0.8MPa. In low-temperature environments, a -5°C low-temperature deployment test is required to ensure the hose is free from curling and leakage. For example, a JPS0.8-19/30 water-type hose reel installed in a shopping mall can deploy and spray a water jet within 30 seconds, covering a radius of 15 meters.
2. Dry Powder Hose Reel (Code F)
Dry powder hose reels deliver chemical extinguishing agents such as ammonium phosphate, extinguishing Class B (liquid) and Class C (gas) fires by inhibiting the combustion chain reaction. Their hoses need to withstand higher pressures; the rated working pressure is typically 1.6 MPa, and the burst pressure reaches 4.8 MPa. A JPF1.6-25/30 dry powder hose reel installed in a chemical plant uses a double-layer braided hose, with an inner lining resistant to chemical corrosion and an outer covering layer resistant to UV aging, resulting in a service life exceeding 5 years.
3. Foam Hose Reel (Code P)
Foam hose reels deliver extinguishing agents such as protein foam and fluoroprotein foam, extinguishing Class B fires by isolating oxygen. Its core components include a foam generator and a proportioning mixer, which can mix water and foam concentrate at a ratio of 3%-6%. A JPP0.8-25/30 foam reel installed in an airport hangar, equipped with a low-expansion foam generator, has a spray distance of up to 20 meters and covers an area of over 100 square meters, making it particularly suitable for high-risk locations such as oil tank areas and chemical warehouses.
Combined Reels: To cope with complex fire situations, the industry has also developed combined reels, such as water and foam combined (SP), water and dry powder combined (SF), and dry powder and foam combined (FP). For example, a large complex uses the JPSF1.2-25/30 combined reel, which can achieve alternating water and dry powder spraying by switching valves, adapting to various fire types.
Classification by Application Scenarios
Fire hose reels are used in three main areas: buildings, industrial facilities, and transportation vehicles. Their structural design must adapt to different environmental requirements:
1. Fixed Building Reels
These reels are installed in fire hydrant boxes, corridors, or stairwells and are standard equipment for indoor fire protection. Their technical standards are strict: the hose length should ideally be 30 meters, the nozzle equivalent diameter 6mm, and a single-person operation coverage radius of 15 meters must be ensured. An embedded reel used in a high-rise residential project conceals the main body of the reel within the wall, only exposing the nozzle and control panel, saving space while being both aesthetically pleasing and practical.
2. Fire Truck Dedicated Reels (Code C)
Fire truck reels must be adaptable to the vehicle environment and possess vibration and impact resistance characteristics. Their hose inner diameter is typically 25mm or 32mm, length 40-60 meters, and rated working pressure 1.6MPa. A fire truck equipped with a JPSC2.0-32/50 type hose reel features a lightweight aluminum alloy frame and an automatic rewinding system, allowing for deployment and retraction within 30 seconds, significantly improving rescue efficiency.
3. Industrial Mobile Hose Reels
For industrial scenarios such as chemical and metallurgical plants, mobile hose reels must possess explosion-proof and corrosion-resistant properties. A petrochemical company uses an explosion-proof hose reel with a 304 stainless steel outer shell and a nitrile rubber lining, capable of withstanding temperatures from -30℃ to 120℃, suitable for extreme environments.
Classification by Operation Method
With the development of firefighting technology, hose reel operation has evolved from traditional manual to intelligent methods, forming two main technical routes:
1. Manual Hose Reels: An Economical and Reliable Classic Solution
Manual hose reels rely on manual operation to deploy the hose. They are simple in structure, low in cost, and suitable for small locations. Their core components include a rocker arm, reel shaft, and spring; the hose is deployed and retracted by rotating the rocker arm. 1. **JPS0.8-19/25 Manual Hose Reels Installed in a Community:** These reels employ a safety mechanism to prevent accidental activation, requiring the simultaneous pressing of two buttons to start, thus preventing accidental operation by children.
2. **Automatic Hose Reels: Intelligent and Efficient Solutions:** Automatic hose reels integrate motor drives and sensor systems, enabling one-button deployment and automatic rewinding. An airport terminal uses an electric hose reel equipped with an infrared sensor that automatically deploys the hose and locates the fire source upon detection, reducing the response time to 10 seconds. More advanced models also incorporate an IoT module, allowing real-time uploads of equipment status to a fire monitoring platform for remote management.
**Technology Trends:** The industry is exploring the integration of AI visual recognition with automatic hose reels, using cameras to identify the fire source location and automatically adjust the spray angle. A prototype intelligent hose reel developed in a laboratory achieved an accuracy rate of 92% in simulation tests and holds promise for future applications in unattended environments.
Core Standards for Type Selection
The selection of fire hose reels must strictly adhere to national standards and scenario requirements. According to GB 50974-2014 "Technical Specification for Fire Water Supply and Hydrant Systems," buildings should be equipped with hose reels with an inner diameter of not less than 19mm and a length of 30 meters, and the equivalent diameter of the spray gun must reach 6mm. For high-risk locations, such as chemical warehouses, dry powder or foam reels should be selected, and explosion-proof designs should be implemented; while automatic reels are preferred for high-rise residential buildings to shorten response time.
From water-type to composite type, from manual to intelligent, the evolution of fire hose reel types reflects the progress of fire protection technology. In the future, with the application of new materials (such as graphene-reinforced hoses) and new technologies (such as 5G remote control), reel types will become more diversified, providing hardware support for building a "full-scenario, high-efficiency, and intelligent" fire protection system. For users, understanding the differences in types, strictly adhering to standards, and scientifically selecting and configuring reels are key to ensuring fire safety.
