Fixed Ground Monitor

Permanent · Always connected · Pipe base required · Instant availability

Portable Ground Monitor

Deployable · No base needed · Hose connected · Repositionable

Key Advantage

Long range (≤85 m) from ground level — operator stays far from the fire

Underground Pipe Riser

A vertical pipe riser branches from the underground fire water ring main and rises to just above finished grade. Pipe sizing must be calculated to deliver the monitor’s rated flow rate with the required residual pressure at the base inlet — typically DN100 for monitors up to 60 L/s, DN150 for 60–80 L/s applications. The riser includes an isolation valve (OS&Y gate valve or supervisory gate valve where remote monitoring is required) so the monitor position can be taken out of service without shutting down the ring main.

Monitor Base (PZ Series)

The PZ Series flanged pipe base connects the riser to the monitor above and provides the 360° rotating bearing joint that allows the monitor to traverse horizontally without any rotary union in the buried pipework. It also incorporates an automatic self-draining valve that expels residual water from the base and lower monitor body when the system shuts off — preventing freeze damage in cold climates and preventing water stagnation in the base cavity.

The stem height (above-ground height of the base) is specified at order to achieve the required monitor nozzle height above finished grade. Where vehicle traffic passes near the installation, the anti-collision variant (PZ-1.6C) is specified — its gear-driven mechanism allows the stem to deflect and absorb an impact without fracturing the buried pipe joint.

Monitor Selection and Mounting

The monitor is selected based on the required flow rate, working pressure and operation mode. It mounts on the PZ base via a flanged or spigot connection — all CA-FIRE PS and PL Series monitors share the same DN100 base interface, allowing any monitor model to be swapped onto the same base without modifying the pipework.

For ground positions with flow rates of 30–40 L/s, the PS Handle Water Monitor is the standard specification. For 40–80 L/s positions where the nozzle must be held precisely on target without operator fatigue, the PS Turbine-Worm Monitor with its self-locking worm-gear mechanism is the correct choice.

Commissioning and Testing

After installation, the system is commissioned with a full flow test to confirm the design flow rate and residual pressure are achieved at the monitor inlet. Horizontal rotation and vertical elevation are tested through their full range under flow. The nozzle straight-jet and spray patterns are verified. A throw range check is recommended to confirm that the stream reaches the furthest point in the designated coverage zone. Test results are recorded and retained for inspection compliance under NFPA 25 or equivalent.

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Petroleum Tank Farms and Oil Terminals

Fixed foam-water ground monitors positioned outside tank bunds are the standard suppression system for petroleum storage tank farms. The long throw range allows monitors to be placed at a safe distance from the tank — outside the bund wall — while still delivering foam-water to the tank shell and burning liquid surface. NFPA 11 specifies the minimum application rate, the monitor positioning requirements relative to tank diameter and the simultaneous coverage redundancy requirement.

Monitor type: Fixed foam-water ground monitor (PL Series, worm-gear at ≥40 L/s)

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Airport ARFF Operations

Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) teams use portable ground monitors for rapid first-attack deployment at aircraft incidents on runways and taxiways. The lightweight aluminium portable monitor is carried from the ARFF appliance to the incident point and set up within seconds of arrival. ICAO Annex 14 and local civil aviation authority standards specify the required flow rates and response times for ARFF ground monitors — typically 50–80 L/s for large aircraft (Category 7+) incidents.

Monitor type: Portable aluminium ground monitor (PS10/50W-L to PS10/80W-L)

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Industrial Plants and Process Facilities

Fixed ground monitors at chemical plants, refineries and process facilities protect loading gantries, pump skids, compressor stations and process vessels from grade level. The monitor is permanently positioned to cover the highest-risk equipment and is aimed at the target zone during normal operations — ready to discharge immediately without any setup. Worm-gear models at 40–80 L/s are standard for process unit positions where sustained high-flow cooling is required.

Monitor type: Fixed water or foam-water ground monitor on PZ base (PS or PL Turbine-Worm)

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Ports, Docks and Marine Loading Areas

Fixed stainless steel ground monitors on the quayside protect tanker berths, loading arms and cargo handling areas at port facilities. The marine environment — constant salt spray, high humidity and occasional flooding — makes SS 304 stainless steel the only practical material choice for long-term installations at coastal and port locations. NFPA 307 provides guidance on monitor positioning and flow rate requirements for marine terminal fire protection.

Monitor type: Fixed SS 304 water monitor on PZ base (PS Turbine-Worm, 40–60 L/s)

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Fire Brigade Emergency Response

Municipal and industrial fire brigades carry portable ground monitors as standard appliance equipment for use at large-scale incidents where hose-line attack is insufficient. The portable monitor provides significantly greater flow rate than a hand-held hose nozzle — a single PS10/60W-L at 60 L/s delivers more water than four firefighters each operating a 65mm hose line. The monitor is set at a safe distance from the fire, aimed and left in operation while the crew handles other tasks — freeing up personnel that would otherwise be required to hold hose lines.

Monitor type: Portable aluminium ground monitor (PS8/30W-L to PS10/60W-L)

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Construction Sites and Temporary Protection

Large construction sites require fire protection before permanent sprinkler and monitor systems are installed. Portable ground monitors connected to site fire mains or tank truck supplies provide the necessary coverage during the construction phase. The monitor can be repositioned as construction progresses to different areas, without any fixed installation work. When the permanent fire protection system is commissioned, the portable monitors are relocated to emergency response staging areas.

Monitor type: Portable aluminium ground monitor (model selected per site water supply capacity)

What is the difference between a ground monitor and an elevated monitor?

A ground monitor is installed at or near grade level — the nozzle is typically 0.5–1.5 m above finished ground. It relies on the long throw range of the jet (elevated upward at an angle) to reach the fire target. An elevated monitor is mounted on a raised platform or tower at 3–15 m above grade, giving it a downward-aiming geometry that is better suited for looking down into bund areas and tank tops. For the same fire target, a ground monitor requires a longer throw range than an elevated monitor — but a ground monitor is significantly cheaper to install because no elevated structure is required.

How far from the fire should a ground monitor be positioned?

The monitor must be positioned outside the likely fire zone and explosion hazard area — for petroleum tank fires this is typically outside the bund wall. At the same time, the distance must not exceed the monitor’s effective throw range. As a practical guideline: monitor-to-target distance should be 30–70% of the rated throw range (accounting for wind, actual installation geometry and the need for some margin). For a PS10/80W with a rated range of ≥85 m, working distances of 40–65 m are typical. Always verify using site geometry and the specific throw range data for the selected monitor model at the available working pressure.

Can a portable ground monitor be used without a fire hydrant — for example, from a tanker truck?

Yes — a portable ground monitor can be connected to any pressurised water source that can supply the required flow rate at the required pressure through standard fire hose couplings. This includes fire appliance pump outlets, tank truck discharge connections, site fire main outlets, temporary pump sets and — at lower flow rates — static water sources with a portable pump. The key constraint is that the supply must be capable of sustaining the design flow rate for the full duration of discharge. For remote sites without fire main infrastructure, a tanker truck supply is a common arrangement.

Does a portable ground monitor count towards the required monitor coverage for NFPA 15 compliance?

Generally, NFPA 15 coverage requirements are met by fixed monitor systems with permanent pipe connections — portable monitors are typically considered supplementary equipment rather than part of the primary system design. However, some facility emergency response plans do credit portable monitors as supplementary coverage to extend fixed monitor system reach during an incident. Whether portable monitors can be credited towards the design flow rate requirement is a project-specific question that should be confirmed with the design engineer and the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) before finalising the system design.

What coupling standard should I specify for a portable ground monitor?

Specify the coupling standard that matches the fire hose in use at the installation site or by the fire brigade that will operate the monitor. Common standards include: GB (Chinese standard, most common for China-based projects), Storz (Europe and international), BS 336 (UK and former Commonwealth countries), and ANSI/NFPA (North America). CA-FIRE portable monitors can be supplied with any of these inlet coupling standards — specify the required standard at order to ensure compatibility with the existing hose inventory.