A revolution in first responder safety

Firefighter’s personal protective equipment (PPE) comes in various forms: turnout gear including flash hood, helmet, gloves, boots. Yet we all know that should be the very last line of defence. For firefighters in frontline rescue scenarios, scene size-up and risk assessment is vital but so is a battle-ready attack hose. As NIOSH stated in 2017: ‘While thermal protection for firefighter turnout gear and breathing apparatus have improved, thermal protection for fire hoses has remained unchanged’. (Ref A) The current performance standards are NFPA 1961 for US markets, EN14540 for Europe and BS 6391 for the UK.

NFPA is currently reviewing and will consolidate NFPA 1961 along with 1931, 1936, 1961, 1963 and 1964 into a combined hose and fittings standard NFPA 1960.

Crucially, current and future standard reviews will differentiate between ‘attack’ hose and ‘distribution’ hose. Angus Rebel hose addresses the ‘attack’ phase with levels of fire resistance never seen before now.

The early drivers for change:

• In May 2016, the US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Explosives (ATF) presented their findings to the National Fire Protection Association Technical Committee (NFPA) on Fire Hoses, and proposed new standards for thermal performance.
• The NFA Technical Committee on fire hose is working to help ensure that firefighters using attack fire hose is compliant with NFPA standards. It will enhance safety and effectiveness. The Committee is looking at the following objectives. What are the:
  • Firefighter expectations for attack fire hose capabilities and characteristics?
  • Research gaps?
  • Research priorities?
  • Recommendations for the future, including advanced materials for attack fire hose construction?

Angus Rebel fire hose: taking performance beyond current standards

In recent years, we have witnessed notable incidents where firefighters have entered high-rise buildings, buildings incorporating new materials and buildings where internal firefighting is demanded by circumstance and driven by the need to rescue those trapped and to tackle fires at source. The risk of hose lines being damaged by fire itself increases exponentially; especially as modern construction materials present ever increasing fire challenges. Open pathways for fire spread are inherent dangers. This is real. For example, a Fire Lieutenant and a Firefighter sadly died in one recorded incident in 2014 at a Massachusetts brownstone. One of the causes was damage to the hose line prevented water flow.

Despite firefighting techniques improving, the humble fire hose has enjoyed only marginal gains in the last 20 years. The reason? Fire hose has to combine challenging and conflicting features: heat resistant yet flexible; lightweight yet robust against cuts and abrasion; withstanding high pressure yet flexible enough to be coiled. Not forgetting it provides assistance in line-marking for retreat.

Angus Rebel – some key performance statistics:

• Withstands flames and heat in excess of 850°C for hours
• Available in high visibility yellow and red as standard
• Rebel’s flame resistant qualities and high visibility, provides a clear route out of a building with the potential to save lives
• Designed for firefighter safety.
• Compatible for use with all major international coupling systems
• Manufactured to perform generally in accordance with NFPA 1961, BS6391 (Type 2) and DIN EN 1947 standards.

Firefighters know that any loss of water supply on the fire-ground is life-threatening but mobility is also key. Attack hose is designed to combine appropriate water flow levels with a hose that is a flexible, kink resistant and as light as possible.

A Tactical Approach

Angus Rebel is a tool in the fire armoury, to be used selectively in high challenge, personnel rescue situations. It will survive temperatures in excess of 850°C, temperatures that destroy a conventional hose in seconds. In that situation it becomes an expendable ally, but not before it ensures continuity of water supply and your safety.

Angus Rebel and Wildfires

Massive wildfires experienced in the United States and Australia exposed firefighters to heat stress, fatigue, smoke and dust. Plus, the loss of vital hose lines from fire was very real. Ignition typically starts from low vegetation or from higher vegetation such as tree branches. As the fire increases in intensity and size, fuel is involved at all levels. A complex mix of terrain, vegetation and wind changes can expose firefighters to a rear-guard action; this is when you want continuity of water supply. Angus Rebel hose will be ideal for such frontline attacks on fire spread.

Angus Rebel and Aviation Firefighting

Aviation spill fires can lead to hoses being trailed through fuel that carries a risk of ignition in vapour suppression procedures and significant temperatures in fire. Angus Rebel allows airport crash tenders (ARFF) to be equipped with a first line attack hose that can withstand burning hydrocarbon in personnel rescue scenarios when seconds count.

The introduction of Angus Rebel fire hose sets a new standard in structural firefighting safety, achieved with the highest known resistance to heat and flame of any fire hose available today.

For more information:
Email: general.enquiries@angusuk.co.uk
WEB: angusfire.co.uk/rebel-attack-hose/