Fire Hose Reel
BS EN 671-1 certified swing-arm reels · 19 mm & 25 mm · 30 m semi-rigid hose · Manual or automatic operation
Complete Fire Hose Reel Systems — EN 671-1 Certified, Ready to Install
CA-FIRE fire hose reels are complete, ready-to-mount occupant-use fire-fighting systems engineered to BS EN 671-1 specifications. Every reel ships hose-on — a semi-rigid EN 694-certified hose (19 mm or 25 mm × 30 m) pre-wound on the drum, with chrome-plated brass shut-off / jet / spray nozzle, gate valve, hose guide and mounting hardware included. Drop into a recessed cabinet or wall-mount in minutes; connect 1" BSP water supply; in service.
Available in manual or automatic operation, with fixed or swing-arm mounting — four configurations that cover every code-compliant occupant-use installation, from small commercial premises and warehouses through hospitals, hotels, schools and high-rise buildings. LPCB approved variants available for UK and Commonwealth specifications. AS/NZS 1221 certified versions for Australian and New Zealand projects.
What Is a Fire Hose Reel?
A fire hose reel — also called a hose reel, hose drum, occupant-use hose reel, or EN 671 hose reel — is a fixed fire-fighting installation built around a wall- or cabinet-mounted drum carrying a continuous semi-rigid hose ready for immediate occupant use. The reel connects directly to a building's wet-fire-main water supply via a 1" BSP shut-off valve, so that water arrives at the nozzle the instant the hose is pulled and the valve is opened — no priming, no pumping, no firefighter training required.
Fire hose reels are the European, UK, Commonwealth, Asian and Australian occupant-use convention — the equivalent of the U.S. NFPA 14 Class II standpipe / cabinet system but built around a single continuous semi-rigid hose rather than a folded fabric attack hose. The defining standard is BS EN 671-1 (the European standard for fixed fire-fighting systems — hose systems — hose reels with semi-rigid hose), which governs every aspect of construction, materials, flow rate, mounting and labelling. Buildings designed to British Standards, European EN codes, AS/NZS 1221, or many Asian national fire codes require fire hose reels at code-specified intervals along egress corridors.
The reel itself is a steel drum mounted on a hub with bearings, sized to coil 30 m of 19 mm or 25 mm semi-rigid hose. The drum can be fixed to the back wall (rotates in one plane) or mounted on a swing arm that pivots out from the wall to give 360° hose deployment. Water flow is controlled by either a manual shut-off valve (the operator opens before pulling hose) or an automatic valve (opens within 3 revolutions of the drum, so water arrives as soon as a sufficient length of hose has been pulled).
Four Configurations — Match the Reel to Your Project
CA-FIRE offers all four mainstream fire-hose-reel configurations on the same EN 671-1 platform. The choice depends on space constraints, code requirements, and whether the building owner wants automatic operation.
Automatic Swing-Arm Hose Reel
Automatic Fixed Hose Reel
Manual Swing-Arm Hose Reel
Manual Fixed Hose Reel
Full Specifications — Fire Hose Reel
The 19 mm and 25 mm hose sizes are the EN 671-1 standard occupant-use bores. 33 mm is available as a larger-flow option for industrial applications. All sizes share the same reel-drum platform; only the hose, nozzle and inlet valve change.
| Hose ID | Hose Length | Working Pressure | Burst Pressure | Min Flow (Jet) | Throw Range @ 2 bar | Drum Diameter |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19 mm | 20 / 25 / 30 m | 12 bar / 174 psi | 50 bar / 725 psi | 0.45 L/s @ 2.2 bar | ~10 m | 550 mm |
| 25 mm | 20 / 25 / 30 m | 12 bar / 174 psi | 50 bar / 725 psi | 0.55 L/s @ 2.2 bar | ~10 m | 650 mm |
| 33 mm | 20 / 25 / 30 m | 12 bar / 174 psi | 50 bar / 725 psi | 0.75 L/s @ 2.2 bar | ~12 m | 700 mm |
Maximum hose length per EN 671-1 is 30 m. Minimum flow rate of hose reels in JET and SPRAY setting is 41 L/min at 0.6 MPa (6 bar) pressure. Reel discs manufactured from 1.2 mm electro-galvanized steel sheet with reinforcing ribs to prevent twisting. Drum is finished in red powder coating (RAL 3000); stainless steel and chrome finishes available on request.
System Components — What's Included
Every CA-FIRE fire hose reel ships as a complete, ready-to-install system. No additional components needed beyond the building's 1" BSP water-supply connection.
Drum & Frame
Drum: 1.2 mm electro-galvanized steel discs with reinforcing ribs to prevent twisting. Red powder-coated (RAL 3000) finish; stainless steel finish available on request.
Hub bearings: Steel bearings on stainless-steel hub shaft for smooth rotation across 10-year service life.
Swing arm (swing-arm variants): Steel arm with double pivoted joints, 180° rotation, mountable to back wall or either side wall for flexible cabinet design.
Hose
Semi-rigid hose: Compliant with EN 694:2014. 19 mm or 25 mm internal diameter, 30 m standard length. Nitrile or EPDM rubber tube reinforced with high-tenacity polyester yarn between inner tube and rubber outer cover.
Color: Red standard; black available on request. Embossed identification along hose length.
Working pressure: 12 bar (174 psi). Burst pressure 50 bar (725 psi).
Nozzle
3-way control nozzle: SHUT / JET / SPRAY positions controlled by a single twist ring. Chrome-plated brass standard for premium specifications; ABS plastic for economy.
Throw range: ~10 m jet stream at 2 bar pressure; cone spray pattern for area cooling.
Flow rate: Minimum 41 L/min at 6 bar in either jet or spray setting per EN 671-1.
Valve & Inlet
Manual valve: Chrome-finished brass gate valve, 1" BSP inlet. Operator opens before pulling hose.
Automatic valve: Spring-loaded automatic valve that opens within 3 revolutions of the drum. Water arrives at the nozzle as soon as a deployment length of hose has been pulled.
Inlet thread: 1" BSP standard; 1" NPT available for U.S. and Latin American projects.
Construction & Build Quality
The reel drum is the heart of the system — it must spin smoothly under load for 10+ years, hold the hose in even coils to prevent kinking, and resist corrosion in damp building environments. CA-FIRE reels meet or exceed the EN 671-1 build requirements in all three areas.
Reel Discs
Twin 1.2 mm electro-galvanized steel discs with stamped reinforcing ribs. Anti-twist construction prevents drum distortion under hose tension. Red polyester powder coating compliant with ISO 9227 salt-spray test.
Hub & Bearings
Stainless-steel hub shaft with sealed steel bearings on both sides. Pre-lubricated, maintenance-free for 10+ years. Engineered for smooth rotation even after extended dormant periods.
Swing Arm (swing-arm models)
Steel pivot arm with double-pivoted joint allowing 180° wall swing-out. Hot-dip galvanized or polyester powder coated for corrosion resistance. Identical mounting hole pattern fits any back-wall or side-wall cabinet position.
Standards & Code Compliance
Fire hose reels are a highly regulated fire-protection product. CA-FIRE reels carry the major international approvals required for building-code compliance.
- BS EN 671-1:2012 — European standard for fixed fire-fighting systems — hose systems — hose reels with semi-rigid hose. The dominant standard across Europe, UK and most international markets.
- EN 694:2014 — European standard for fire hose, semi-rigid for fixed systems. Governs the hose itself: construction, pressure ratings, ozone resistance.
- LPCB approved — Loss Prevention Certification Board (UK). Required for many British insurance-compliant installations. Available with full LPCB certificate.
- AS/NZS 1221 — Australian / New Zealand standard for fire hose reels. Available with Global-Mark Pty Ltd certification for ANZ projects.
- CE marked — European Conformity, required for installation in EU member states.
- CCS — China Classification Society for shipboard and offshore installations.
- SS / SPRING certification available for Singapore market on request.
Why Specify Fire Hose Reels Instead of Cabinet Hose
Many international markets default to fire hose reels rather than NFPA 14 occupant-use cabinet hose. Here is why building owners and fire engineers choose reels.
Immediate Use, Zero Training
Pull the hose, open the nozzle, water flows. The automatic version even eliminates the "open the valve first" step. Untrained building occupants can use it in a fire emergency — no fold-out drill needed.
Self-Resetting
After use, wind the hose back onto the drum. No folding, no flaking, no risk of mis-packing. The reel is ready for the next deployment in minutes.
Compact Footprint
30 m of hose coils onto a single drum 550–700 mm diameter. Fits in a slim recessed cabinet — far smaller than the cabinet needed to fold the same length of fabric attack hose.
Tamper Resistant
The hose is wound on the drum and the drum is enclosed in a cabinet. Vandalism and casual hose theft are far less of a problem than with folded cabinet hose left visible on a rack.
Hose Stays Round
The semi-rigid hose holds a round profile on the drum, so water flows immediately at full bore. No kink-clearing or hose-flat-to-round delay that a folded attack hose can have on first pressurization.
Long Service Life
EN 694 semi-rigid hose with bonded rubber tube + jacket + rubber cover is engineered for 10+ years of fixed-installation service. Minimal maintenance — annual visual inspection and 5-year pressure test.
Common Use Cases
Office & Commercial Buildings
25 mm × 30 m automatic swing-arm reels at code-mandated intervals along egress corridors. The default specification for new commercial construction in Europe, the UK and most international markets.
Hotels & Hospitality
Chrome-finish swing-arm reels in recessed cabinets along guest-room corridors. Premium aesthetic finish, automatic valve for use by untrained guests in an emergency.
Hospitals & Healthcare
Automatic swing-arm reels in every wing and stairwell. Stainless-steel finish for hygiene compliance. EN 671-1 specification, often paired with foam dispensers for AFFF-readiness.
Schools, Universities & Public Buildings
19 mm or 25 mm reels at fire-code intervals. Public-use, automatic valve preferred. Powder-coated red finish for visibility and standard fire-equipment identification.
Industrial & Manufacturing
25 mm or 33 mm reels in factory production areas, warehouses and storage facilities. Manual valves acceptable where on-site staff are trained. Often paired with fire-extinguisher cabinets.
High-Rise Residential
Fire hose reels in every floor lobby per local fire-code high-rise requirements. Compact recessed-cabinet installation; aesthetic finish to blend with lobby design.
Shopping Centres & Retail
Public-area reels with automatic valves for emergency occupant use. Stainless-steel finish; smaller 19 mm size acceptable in retail areas with low fire load.
Marine & Offshore
CCS-approved hose reels for shipboard installations on certain vessel classes. Salt-resistant powder coating, stainless-steel hardware. See our Marine Fire Hose page for SOLAS Class II-2 alternatives.
Related Fire Hose Products
Fire Hose Reel FAQ
What is a fire hose reel and how does it work?
A fire hose reel is a fixed fire-fighting installation consisting of a wall- or cabinet-mounted steel drum carrying a continuous 30 m semi-rigid hose, plus a 3-way (shut/jet/spray) nozzle, an inlet valve and mounting hardware. The reel connects to a building's wet fire main via a 1" BSP supply pipe.
In use: the occupant pulls the hose off the drum and walks toward the fire. On manual reels, the operator opens the inlet valve first. On automatic reels, the valve opens itself within 3 revolutions of the drum — water arrives at the nozzle within seconds. The 3-way nozzle gives the operator a shut-off position (no flow), a jet position (concentrated stream up to 10 m range), or a spray position (cone for area cooling).
What is the difference between a fire hose reel and a fire hose cabinet?
A fire hose reel is a single integrated unit — drum + hose + nozzle + valve — that can be installed alone (wall-mounted) or inside a cabinet. The hose is a continuous semi-rigid hose pre-coiled on the drum.
A fire hose cabinet is the housing — a steel enclosure (recessed or surface-mount) that protects fire-fighting equipment. A cabinet may contain a hose reel plus additional equipment like fire extinguishers, axes, blankets, breakaway glass, and emergency phones.
In practice: spec the reel first to match the building's flow requirements and code, then choose the cabinet to fit the reel plus any additional equipment.
What size fire hose reel do I need — 19 mm or 25 mm?
25 mm is the dominant size in modern installations. Higher flow rate (minimum 0.55 L/s vs 0.45 L/s for 19 mm), longer effective throw, slightly larger cabinet footprint. The default for office buildings, hotels, hospitals and most code-compliant new construction.
19 mm is the lighter, more compact option. Lower flow rate but easier for an untrained occupant to handle in a fire emergency. Acceptable in low-fire-load occupancies — retail, residential corridors, light commercial. Slightly lower cost.
33 mm is the high-flow option for industrial applications — factories, warehouses with high fire load, storage facilities. Less common in occupant-use installations.
If unsure, specify 25 mm — it covers virtually all EN 671-1 occupant-use scenarios and is more widely available off the shelf.
What is the maximum hose length on a fire hose reel?
BS EN 671-1 limits the hose length on a single reel to 30 metres. This is a hard limit — longer hose risks the operator running out of breath before reaching the fire, and longer hose reduces flow rate at the nozzle due to friction loss. Shorter lengths (20 m, 25 m) are also available for installations where the code allows or the room layout makes 30 m unnecessary.
If you need fire-fighting coverage beyond 30 m from a single point, install multiple reels at code-specified intervals along the building's egress corridors.
Manual or automatic fire hose reel — which should I specify?
Automatic hose reels are the modern preference for occupant-use installations. The valve opens itself within 3 revolutions of the drum, so an untrained occupant doesn't need to remember to open the valve before pulling hose. The default specification for hotels, hospitals, schools, public buildings and any installation where untrained members of the public might need to use the reel in an emergency.
Manual hose reels are more economical and acceptable in installations where staff are trained to operate the reel — industrial sites, warehouses, factory floors, staff-only areas of commercial buildings. The gate-valve handle on the inlet must be opened before pulling hose.
Many fire codes now require automatic operation for public-use reels; check your local code before specifying.
Fixed or swing-arm hose reel — what's the difference?
Fixed hose reels are bolted directly to the back wall of a cabinet or to the building wall. The drum rotates in a single plane. The hose is fed out through a hose guide on the front of the cabinet. Most economical, smallest cabinet footprint.
Swing-arm hose reels are mounted on a pivoting arm that swings out 180° from the wall. This gives the operator 360° deployment freedom — the hose can be run in any direction without binding against the cabinet edge. Preferred for cabinets located at corners or in narrow corridors where a fixed reel would force the hose to bend sharply.
Swing-arm reels cost more and need a deeper cabinet, but most modern installations specify them for the improved usability under fire-emergency conditions.
Are CA-FIRE hose reels BS EN 671-1 and LPCB approved?
Yes. CA-FIRE fire hose reels are manufactured to BS EN 671-1:2012 specifications with semi-rigid hose compliant with EN 694:2014. LPCB approved (Loss Prevention Certification Board) variants are available for UK and Commonwealth insurance-compliant installations. We also supply versions certified to AS/NZS 1221 (Australian / New Zealand), CE-marked for EU markets, and CCS-approved for marine use.
Type approval certificates, test certificates, and full submittal documentation are provided with every shipment for fire-engineer review and AHJ approval.
What inlet thread does the fire hose reel use?
Standard inlet is 1" BSP (British Standard Pipe), which is the convention for European, UK, Commonwealth and most international fire-main installations. For U.S. and Latin American projects we can supply 1" NPT (National Pipe Thread). Other thread types — DN25, ½" BSP, ¾" BSP — are available on request for legacy installations or special applications.
Specify the inlet thread type when ordering; we'll fit the matching valve before shipment.
How often does a fire hose reel need to be tested and inspected?
BS EN 671-3 (companion standard to EN 671-1) governs maintenance. The requirements are:
• Annual inspection by a competent person: visually check the hose for damage, verify nozzle and valve operation, confirm mounting is secure, check the supply pressure.
• 5-year service test: hose pressurized to the maximum service pressure (20 bar for EN 694 hose) to verify the hose has not deteriorated.
• Replacement: hose must be replaced if it fails the service test, shows visible damage to the rubber cover, or shows cracking / separation of the lining.
Maintenance records should be kept on file for AHJ inspection.
How do I get a quote on fire hose reels?
Email sales@ca-fire.com or message WhatsApp at +86 181-5036-2095 with: hose ID (19 mm, 25 mm or 33 mm), hose length (20 m / 25 m / 30 m), configuration (fixed / swing-arm) and operation (manual / automatic), total quantity, finish (red powder coat / stainless steel / chrome), inlet thread (BSP / NPT), and required certifications (EN 671-1 standard / LPCB / AS/NZS 1221 / CE / CCS). We respond within one business day with pricing, lead time and freight options.