There are two basic types: hose reels with semi-rigid hose to TS EN 671-1, and lay-flat hose systems to TS EN 671-2. A semi-rigid hose delivers water without being fully unwound, which makes it far easier for untrained people to use. We position cabinets together with the architectural layout and, after installation, hand over the system with flow and pressure readings at the hydraulically least favourable cabinet.
ATypes and components
Recessed cabinet
Built into the wall so that only the frame and door show. It keeps corridors clear, which matters on escape routes; wall thickness and fire-rated walls have to be considered early in the design.
Surface-mounted cabinet
Fixed to the face of an existing wall. It is used in retrofit work and on concrete walls where recessing is not possible, and is available in painted steel or stainless steel.
Hose reel with semi-rigid hose (TS EN 671-1)
A swinging reel with 19, 25 or 33 mm semi-rigid hose, an inlet valve and an adjustable nozzle. Hose length is at most 30 m, and one person can operate it comfortably.
Lay-flat hose system (TS EN 671-2)
Usually 52 mm lay-flat hose up to 20 m long. It delivers a higher flow but must be fully run out before use, so it is better suited to trained staff and the fire service.
Foam hose cabinet
Foam concentrate stored in the cabinet is drawn into the water stream by an in-line inductor and applied through a foam branchpipe. It is used at fuel stations, paint and solvent stores and chemical plants.
Outdoor hydrant cabinet
Placed next to a hydrant to store lay-flat hose, branchpipes and coupling keys. Built in galvanised or stainless steel to resist UV and corrosion, it suits open storage yards, ports and internal site roads.
Combined cabinet with extinguisher compartment
Has a separate compartment for a portable extinguisher beside the hose reel. It puts an alternative to water within reach at the same point, for electrical or flammable liquid fires.
CAdvantages
- Much longer attack time than a portable extinguisher
- Hose reels simple enough for one person to use
- Easy-to-find positions close to escape routes
- Fed from the same supply as sprinklers and hydrants
- Standard parts keep maintenance straightforward
DApplications
- Offices, hotels and residential buildings
- Factories and warehouses
- Shopping centres and car parks
- Hospitals and schools
- Fuel and chemical sites (foam cabinets)
- Open industrial yards (outdoor cabinets)
EFrequently asked questions
How often do fire hose cabinets need servicing?
TS EN 671-3 requires servicing at least once a year by a competent person. The hose is fully run out and checked for cracks, leaks and coupling condition, and flow and pressure are measured. Every five years each hose must be pressure tested at its maximum working pressure.
How are hose cabinet positions decided?
Cabinets are placed so that every point of the protected area is within reach of the hose length plus the throw of the nozzle. Escape routes, positions near stair cores and floor entrances are preferred. The final layout is fixed at design stage against regulatory requirements and the architectural plan, and the cabinet front must never be blocked by goods or racking.
Why is there little or no water at the hose reel?
The usual causes are a closed floor valve, a pump not left in automatic, a blocked nozzle or a wrongly set pressure reducing valve. In older galvanised pipework, internal corrosion can also cut the flow significantly. We trace the problem with flow and pressure readings at the least favourable cabinet and a check that starts in the pump room.