UNI804 & Forestry Couplings

A UNI 804 coupling is an Italian-standard fire hose quick-connect fitting conforming to UNI national standard UNI EN 1947 (which incorporates the historical UNI 804 specification). UNI 804 couplings are symmetrical — both halves are identical, allowing connection without orientation checking — and use a press-and-rotate bayonet-lug locking mechanism.

UNI 804 couplings are the statutory fire hose coupling standard for the Italian Vigili del Fuoco (national fire service) and are mandatory on all Italian building fire protection systems under the CPI (Certificato di Prevenzione Incendi) fire safety approval process. They are available in three types: Type A (large suction, Ø 110 mm), Type B (medium delivery/suction, Ø 75 mm) and Type C (small delivery, Ø 45 mm).

Beyond Italy, UNI 804 couplings are used in Italian-influenced fire service markets in North Africa, the Balkans and the Middle East, and on Italian engineering projects worldwide. The full CA-FIRE coupling range covers all major international standards including UNI 804 and Forestry.

The three UNI 804 types differ in lug diameter and application:

Type A — Lug Ø 110 mm: the largest UNI coupling, used for pump inlet suction hose (75–100 mm bore). Every Italian fire truck has Type A couplings on the pump suction inlet. Type A is also used for large-bore supply hose connections between water tenders and pump appliances.
Type B — Lug Ø 75 mm: medium coupling for large delivery and supply hose (45–70 mm bore). Used on main supply lines from hydrants and water sources to the pump, and on large attack hose lines. Found on the pump discharge outlets of Italian fire trucks and on building wet riser discharge connections.
Type C — Lug Ø 45 mm: smallest coupling for standard attack hose (25–45 mm bore). The most commonly used UNI type in everyday Italian fire operations — attack lines, hose reels in buildings, and first-intervention hose systems.

The three types are not interchangeable — different lug diameters prevent cross-connection. UNI 804 reducers (Type A→B, Type B→C, Type A→C) are available to connect different type sizes on the same hose line.

Both UNI 804 and Forestry couplings are Italian-influenced fire hose fittings with a similar symmetrical quick-connect design. The key differences are:

UNI 804 couplings: standardised under UNI EN 1947, available in Types A, B and C, used on structural fire service apparatus and building fire protection systems. Heavier construction suitable for repeated high-pressure use in urban and industrial firefighting.
Forestry couplings: lighter-weight fittings specifically designed for wildland and wildfire suppression. Simpler geometry optimised for rapid deployment in rough terrain, smaller bore range (DN25–DN52), and lower overall weight to reduce firefighter fatigue during extended wildfire operations. Forestry couplings are not standardised to the same dimensional precision as UNI 804 but are compatible within the same broad lug engagement system for most field connection applications.

In Italian wildfire operations, both types may be present in the same operation — Vigili del Fuoco structural fire trucks carry UNI 804-coupled hose, while Corpo Forestale and Protezione Civile volunteer units carry forestry-coupled hose. UNI × Forestry cross-adaptors are available from CA-FIRE on request.

Yes — provided both couplings conform to UNI EN 1947 and are the same type (A, B or C), they will be fully interchangeable regardless of manufacturer. The UNI standard defines the lug geometry, locking rotation and gasket seat precisely enough that compliant couplings from any manufacturer will connect and seal correctly.

CA-FIRE UNI 804 couplings are dimensionally verified to UNI EN 1947 for all three types. A CA-FIRE Type C aluminium coupling will connect with any other UNI EN 1947-compliant Type C coupling from any other manufacturer, regardless of country of origin. This interoperability is fundamental to Italian fire service operations — fire brigades from different regions must be able to connect their hose to equipment from any other brigade attending the same incident.

UNI to BSP thread: CA-FIRE manufactures UNI female BSP thread (UNIF) and UNI male BSP thread (UNIM) adaptors for all three types (A, B, C) in BSP thread sizes G1" to G4". These allow UNI-coupled hose to connect to BSP-threaded pump outlets, nozzles, building landing valves and portable pump connections — the most common requirement when UNI hose must interface with non-Italian equipment.

UNI to Storz: UNI 804 and Storz couplings use different connection geometries and cannot connect directly. Mixed UNI × Storz adaptors are available on request from CA-FIRE — for example, a Type B UNI socket on one end and a Storz DN52 on the other, for connecting Italian attack hose to a Storz-equipped German or Austrian pump appliance on multinational exercises or disaster response operations.

To receive an accurate quotation, please provide the following when contacting CA-FIRE:

For UNI 804 couplings:
1. Coupling type — hose tail (UNIT), female BSP thread (UNIF), male BSP thread (UNIM), blank cap (UNIC) or reducer (UNIRED).
2. UNI type — Type A (Ø110mm), Type B (Ø75mm) or Type C (Ø45mm).
3. Hose tail bore — internal hose diameter in mm (for hose tail couplings).
4. Thread specification — BSP size (G1", G1½", G2", G2½", G3", G4") for thread adaptors.
5. Material — aluminium (AL) or brass (BR).

For Forestry couplings:
1. Coupling type — hose tail (FRT), female BSP thread (FRF), male BSP thread (FRM), blank cap (FRC) or reducer (FRRED).
2. Size — DN25, DN32, DN38, DN45 or DN52.
3. Thread specification — BSP size for thread adaptors.
4. Quantity — pieces per line item.

Contact CA-FIRE at sales@ca-fire.com, via WhatsApp, or via the contact page. Response within 24 hours.