Barcelona Couplings
UNE 23400 standard · Three-lug quick-connect · Aluminium forging & brass forging · ¾"–2½" · Spain & Latin America
Barcelona Couplings — UNE 23400, Three-Lug Quick-Connect, ¾" to 2½"
Barcelona couplings are Spanish-standard fire hose fittings conforming to UNE 23400, the Spanish national fire hose coupling standard. They feature a three-lug quick-connect and disconnect system — three evenly-spaced lugs on each coupling half engage by pressing together and rotating approximately 60°, producing a secure, watertight connection. The three-lug geometry provides more uniform clamping force around the coupling face than two-lug designs, ensuring consistent gasket compression at all operating pressures.
Barcelona couplings are recommended for delivery applications only — they are not rated for suction hose service. They are the dominant fire hose coupling standard throughout Spain, Portugal and Latin America, and are found on Spanish fire service apparatus, industrial fire hose reels and municipal hydrant cabinets across Spanish-speaking markets. Available in three nominal sizes — 1" (42 mm lug), 1½" (62 mm lug) and 2½" (88 mm lug) — in aluminium forging, aluminium casting and brass forging.
CA-FIRE manufactures the complete Barcelona coupling range: hose tail couplings, female thread adaptors, male thread adaptors, blank caps with chain, reducers and replacement gaskets. Full firefighting coupling range overview available on our product page.
Barcelona Coupling Sizes — 1", 1½" and 2½"
How the Three-Lug Barcelona Coupling Works
| Name | Size | Lug Ø A (mm) | Hose Tail B (mm) | Material | Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BAT25 | 1" | 42 | 25 | AL Forging | L2401001 |
| BAT40 | 1-1/2" | 62 | 45 | AL Forging | L2401002 |
| BAT70 | 2-1/2" | 88 | 69 | AL Forging | L2401003 |
| BAT25 | 1" | 42 | 25 | AL Casting | L2401012 |
| BAT40 | 1-1/2" | 62 | 44 | AL Casting | L2401013 |
| BAT70 | 2-1/2" | 88 | 69 | AL Casting | L2401014 |
| BAT25 | 1" | 42 | 25 | BR | L2401004 |
| BAT45 | 1-3/4" | 62 | 45 | BR | L2401005 |
| BAT45 | 2" | 62 | 50 | BR | L2401015 |
| BAT70 | 2-1/2" | 88 | 69 | BR | L2401006 |
* BAT = Barcelona hose tail coupling. Lug Ø A = outer coupling diameter. Hose tail B = internal bore of hose in mm. Additional tail bore sizes available on request.
| Name | Size | Lug Ø A (mm) | Thread B | Material | Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BAF20 | G3/4" | 42 | G3/4" | AL Forging | L2402001 |
| BAF25 | G1" | 42 | G1" | AL Forging | L2402002 |
| BAF45-1" | G1" | 62 | G1" | AL Forging | L2402009 |
| BAF45 | G1-1/2" | 62 | G1-1/2" | AL Forging | L2402003 |
| BAF45 | G2" | 62 | G2" | AL Forging | L2402017 |
| BAF70 | G2-1/2" | 88 | G2-1/2" | AL Forging | L2402004 |
| BAF25 | G1" | 42 | G1" | AL Casting | L2402018 |
| BAF45 | G1-1/2" | 62 | G1-1/2" | AL Casting | L2402016 |
| BAF70 | G1-1/2" | 88 | G1-1/2" | AL Casting | L2402019 |
| BAF70 | G2-1/2" | 88 | G2-1/2" | AL Casting | L2402020 |
| BAF25 | G3/4" | 42 | G3/4" | BR | L2402015 |
| BAF25 | G1" | 42 | G1" | BR | L2402006 |
| BAF45 | G1-1/2" | 62 | G1-1/2" | BR | L2402007 |
| BAF70 | G2-1/2" | 88 | G2-1/2" | BR | L2402008 |
* BAF = Barcelona female thread adaptor. Barcelona coupling on one end, BSP female thread on the other. Connects Barcelona hose to male-threaded pump outlets, nozzles and valve connections.
| Name | Size | Lug Ø A (mm) | Thread B | Material | Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BAM25 | G3/4" | 42 | G3/4" | AL Forging | L2403001 |
| BAM25 | G1" | 42 | G1" | AL Forging | L2403002 |
| BAM45 | G1" | 62 | G1" | AL Forging | L2403005 |
| BAM45 | G1-1/2" | 62 | G1-1/2" | AL Forging | L2403003 |
| BAM70 | G1-1/2" | 88 | G1-1/2" | AL Forging | L2403006 |
| BAM70 | G2-1/2" | 88 | G2-1/2" | AL Forging | L2403004 |
| BAM25 | G1" | 42 | G1" | AL Casting | L2403013 |
| BAM45 | G1-1/2" | 62 | G1-1/2" | AL Casting | L2403021 |
| BAM70 | G1-1/2" | 88 | G1-1/2" | AL Casting | L2403022 |
| BAM70 | G2-1/2" | 88 | G2-1/2" | AL Casting | L2403023 |
| BAM25 | G3/4" | 42 | G3/4" | BR | L2403007 |
| BAM25 | G1" | 42 | G1" | BR | L2403008 |
| BAM45 | G1" | 62 | G1" | BR | L2403011 |
| BAM45 | G1-1/2" | 62 | G1-1/2" | BR | L2403009 |
| BAM70 | G1/2" | 88 | G1/2" | BR | L2403012 |
| BAM70 | G2-1/2" | 88 | G2-1/2" | BR | L2403010 |
* BAM = Barcelona male thread adaptor. Barcelona coupling on one end, BSP male thread on the other. Connects Barcelona hose to female-threaded nozzles, standpipe outlets and valve connections.
| Name | Size | Lug Ø A (mm) | Weight (kg) | Material | Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BAC25 | G1" | 42 | 0.10 | AL Casting | L2404008 |
| BAC40 | G1-1/2" | 62 | 0.26 | AL Casting | L2404009 |
| BAC70 | G2-1/2" | 88 | 0.475 | AL Casting | L2404010 |
| BAC25 | G1" | 42 | 0.10 | BR | L2404004 |
| BAC40 | G1-1/2" | 62 | 0.26 | BR | L2404005 |
| BAC70 | G2-1/2" | 88 | 0.45 | BR | L2404006 |
| Name | Lug A (mm) | Lug B (mm) | Material | Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BA40-25 Reducer | 44 | 25 | AL Forging | L2406002 |
| BA65-40 Reducer | 69 | 44 | AL Forging | L2406001 |
| BA70-40 Reducer | 69 | 44 | AL Casting | L2406003 |
| Gasket Name | Size | Material | Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| BA25 Gasket | 1" | NBR black | L2405001 |
| BA40 Gasket | 1-1/2" | NBR black | L2405002 |
| BA70 Gasket | 2-1/2" | NBR black | L2405003 |
* BAC = Barcelona blank cap with chain. Reducers connect different Barcelona lug sizes. Gaskets are face-seal NBR rings supplied as standard with every coupling; Viton gaskets available on request.
Barcelona vs Other European Fire Hose Coupling Standards
| Standard | Lug System | Size Range | Max Pressure | Primary Market | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barcelona (UNE 23400) | 3-lug quick-connect | ¾"–2½" | 16 bar | Spain, Portugal, Latin America | Delivery only; not for suction |
| Storz (DIN/EN) | 2-lug symmetrical | DN25–DN150 | 25 bar | Germany, Central Europe, Global | Suction & delivery; most common globally |
| DSP (NF S61-704) | Locking ring self-sealing | DN40 / DN65 / DN100 | 16 bar | France, Francophone Africa | Self-sealing; no water loss on disconnect |
| BS336 (British) | Asymmetric instantaneous | ¾"–6" | 16 bar | UK, Commonwealth, Middle East | Male/female asymmetric; BSRT for large suction |
| NOR (Norwegian) | Locking ring symmetrical | LAS1/LAS2/LAS3 | 60 bar | Norway, Marine & Offshore | Highest pressure rating; marine focus |
All CA-FIRE Barcelona couplings are supplied with NBR gaskets as standard. The gasket sits in the coupling face seat and compresses when the three lugs are rotated to lock. Replacement gaskets are stocked in all three sizes. View full accessories range →
Frequently Asked Questions about Barcelona Fire Hose Couplings
A Barcelona coupling (also called a Spanish fire coupling or UNE coupling) is a three-lug quick-connect fire hose fitting conforming to UNE 23400, the Spanish national fire hose coupling standard established by AENOR (Asociación Española de Normalización). The three evenly-spaced lugs engage by pressing the coupling halves together and rotating approximately 60°, producing a secure watertight connection that can be made or broken by a single firefighter without tools.
Barcelona couplings are the universal fire hose coupling standard throughout Spain, Portugal and Latin America. Every Spanish municipal fire brigade, industrial fire team and building fire hose cabinet installation uses UNE 23400-compliant Barcelona couplings. The standard was established in Spain in the early 20th century and has since been adopted throughout Spanish-influenced fire service markets in the Americas and elsewhere.
The full CA-FIRE firefighting coupling range covers all major international standards including Barcelona, Storz, BS336, NOR, Gost and DSP.
Barcelona couplings are available in three nominal sizes, each defined by the outer lug diameter (A dimension):
1" — Lug Ø 42 mm: smallest size, for small-bore hose up to 25 mm internal bore. Used on domestic and light commercial fire hose cabinet reels, and on lightweight portable attack hose for interior firefighting. Thread adaptor range G¾" to G1".
1½" — Lug Ø 62 mm: most common size, for standard attack hose 44–50 mm bore. This is the size found on the majority of Spanish fire truck attack lines and on standpipe systems in commercial buildings. Thread adaptor range G1" to G2".
2½" — Lug Ø 88 mm: largest size, for main supply and large-bore delivery hose up to 69 mm bore. Used on supply lines from hydrants to pumps and between fire appliances. Thread adaptor range G1½" to G2½".
The three sizes are not interchangeable — a 1" coupling will only connect to another 1" coupling. When ordering, always specify the correct lug size to match the existing hose and equipment on the project.
Barcelona couplings are rated for delivery (pressure) applications only and should not be used on suction hose. This is because the three-lug locking mechanism relies on the gasket compression from positive water pressure to maintain a tight seal under delivery conditions — the coupling performs well when the hose is pressurised from the inside.
On suction hose, the pump creates a negative pressure (vacuum) inside the hose to draw water from an open source. Under vacuum conditions, the Barcelona coupling lug geometry does not provide adequate resistance to the inward pressure differential, and the coupling can allow air ingress that breaks the pump prime. Purpose-designed suction couplings — such as Storz suction hose couplings or Gost suction couplings — have a different geometry that maintains a seal under both positive and negative pressure.
In practice, Spanish and Latin American fire services use Barcelona couplings on all delivery hose (pump to attack line) and use separate suction hose with appropriate couplings (typically large-bore Storz or proprietary couplings) for the suction side of the pump.
Yes — provided both couplings conform to UNE 23400 and are the same nominal size (1", 1½" or 2½"), they will be fully interchangeable regardless of manufacturer. The UNE 23400 standard defines the lug geometry, lug spacing, gasket seat dimensions and the rotation angle precisely enough that compliant couplings from any manufacturer will connect and seal correctly.
CA-FIRE Barcelona couplings are dimensionally verified against the UNE 23400 specification. A CA-FIRE 1½" aluminium Barcelona coupling will connect with any other UNE 23400-compliant 1½" coupling, whether aluminium, brass, forged or cast.
Note: some manufacturers produce "Barcelona-style" couplings that resemble the UNE 23400 design but are not dimensionally verified to the standard. If purchasing couplings for a fire service or project that must interoperate with an existing Spanish or Latin American hose inventory, always confirm UNE 23400 compliance with the supplier.
Aluminium forging Barcelona couplings are the premium aluminium option. Forging aligns the grain structure of the metal, producing a stronger, more dimensionally accurate coupling than casting at similar weight. CA-FIRE aluminium forging Barcelona couplings are available for the 1", 1½" and 2½" hose tail sizes and for the full range of thread adaptors. Recommended for fire service use wherever cost permits.
Aluminium casting Barcelona couplings are a more economical option produced by gravity die casting. The casting process allows more complex shapes at lower cost, making it suitable for volume fire hose cabinet and industrial reel installations where budget is a primary consideration. Dimensional accuracy is slightly lower than forging, but CA-FIRE cast Barcelona couplings are verified to UNE 23400 and are fully interchangeable with forged versions.
Brass Barcelona couplings provide superior corrosion resistance for coastal, marine and chemical plant installations. Brass is heavier than aluminium but preferred for permanently installed connections in aggressive environments — seawater spray zones, chemical plant fire hose cabinets and potable water fire systems. All three materials are dimensionally identical and fully interchangeable within the same nominal size.
Barcelona to BSP thread: CA-FIRE manufactures Barcelona female thread (BAF) and Barcelona male thread (BAM) adaptors in all three lug sizes, with BSP thread from G¾" to G2½". These allow Barcelona hose to connect to BSP-threaded pump outlets, standpipe valve connections and spray nozzles — the most common connection requirement in Spanish installations.
Barcelona to Storz: Barcelona and Storz couplings use incompatible connection geometries and cannot connect directly. On projects requiring both types — for example a fire truck with Storz-coupled pump outlets and Barcelona delivery hose — a Barcelona × Storz mixed adaptor is required. CA-FIRE can manufacture custom mixed-standard adaptors; contact our sales team with your specification.
Barcelona to DSP: Similarly, Barcelona and DSP couplings use different lug geometries and are not directly compatible. Mixed Barcelona × DSP adaptors are available on request for export projects serving both Spanish and French-speaking markets.
To receive an accurate quotation for Barcelona couplings, please provide the following when contacting CA-FIRE:
1. Coupling type — hose tail (BAT), female thread adaptor (BAF), male thread adaptor (BAM), blank cap (BAC) or reducer.
2. Nominal size — 1" (lug Ø 42 mm), 1½" (lug Ø 62 mm) or 2½" (lug Ø 88 mm).
3. Hose tail bore — internal diameter of the fire hose in mm (for hose tail couplings).
4. Thread specification — BSP thread size (G¾", G1", G1½", G2", G2½") for thread adaptors.
5. Material — aluminium forging (AL Forging), aluminium casting (AL Casting) or brass (BR).
6. Gasket material — NBR (standard) or Viton.
7. Quantity — pieces per SKU.
8. Special requirements — custom packaging, OEM marking, Spanish-language documentation.
Contact CA-FIRE at sales@ca-fire.com, via WhatsApp, or via the contact page. We respond within 24 hours.