How Fire Nozzle Manufacturers Design Their Products to Meet Industry Safety Regulations
Firefighters need to be able to deploy water or other flame-retardant substance in large quantities to suppress fires and prevent them from spreading. This is why fire nozzle manufacturers design their products to meet industry safety regulations.
Nozzles connect to hoses via threads. They can either have adjustable openings or solid bores, each of which affects the flow rate and pattern. Adjustable nozzles enable the firefighters operating them to directly control their water flow, which can help them target specific areas more effectively. Solid-bore nozzles, on the other hand, create a single stream of water that’s unaffected by changes in the opening size.
Some nozzles may also be designed to discharge foam solutions in addition to water. Depending on the type of fire, such as a chemical burn, this could prove useful for eliminating it by depriving it of oxygen. In many cases, however, the nozzle’s ability to deliver water in a wide range of directions will be more important.
For example, nozzles for standpipes–piping systems that supply water throughout multi-story buildings–must be capable of discharging an erratic stream of water in the event of a fire. They must also be able to cope with the fact that water is often supplied through pipes that have rust, trash, or other debris inside them. If this debris gets into an automatic nozzle, it can obstruct its operation and cause problems.
Whether they’re used on land or at sea, shipboard firefighting nozzles must be tough and long-lasting. They must be able to withstand the conditions at sea, including corrosive saltwater and other contaminants. In the event of a fire, they’re vital for providing crew members with safe escape routes through smoke-filled areas, as well as putting out the fire. To keep them ready for action, they must adhere to SOLAS regulations regarding their construction, length, and diameter.