Firefighting Couplings

A firefighting coupling is a quick-connect fitting attached to the end of a fire hose that allows hoses, nozzles, pumps and hydrants to be rapidly connected and disconnected during firefighting operations. Couplings must form a watertight seal under working pressure — typically 16 bar for delivery hose and up to 60 bar for high-pressure marine systems — while allowing a single firefighter to connect or disconnect them without tools in seconds. Different countries and fire services use different coupling standards (Storz, BS336, Gost, NOR, Barcelona, DSP, NH and others) which is why compatibility with the local standard is critical when specifying or purchasing fire hose couplings.

Storz couplings are symmetrical — both halves are identical, so any Storz coupling connects to any other Storz coupling of the same size without a male/female distinction. This makes hose-laying faster because firefighters do not need to check orientation. Storz couplings are the dominant standard in Germany, central Europe and many export markets, and are manufactured to DIN/EN standards in sizes DN25 to DN150. Other coupling types — such as BS336 (asymmetric, UK), Gost (two-claw hermaphrodite, Russia/CIS), NOR (locking ring, Norway/marine) and Barcelona (three-lug, Spain) — use different locking mechanisms suited to their regional fire services.

The coupling standard is determined by the country or region where the equipment will be used. As a general guide: Storz (DIN/EN) — Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Eastern Europe, China and many export markets; BS 336 — United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Middle East and other Commonwealth countries; Gost / Rotta — Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan and CIS states; NOR — Norway, marine and offshore vessels worldwide; Barcelona (UNE 23400) — Spain, Portugal and Latin America; DSP (NF S61-704) — France, Belgium and Francophone Africa; NH / Pin Lug — United States, Canada and Asia-Pacific markets influenced by American standards. If you are unsure, contact CA-FIRE with the country and application and we will confirm the correct standard.

Forged aluminium couplings are made by pressing a heated aluminium billet into a die under high pressure. The forging process aligns the grain structure of the metal, resulting in higher tensile strength, tighter dimensional tolerances and better fatigue resistance. CA-FIRE forged Storz couplings are water-pressure tested to 8 MPA with no leakage. Cast aluminium couplings are made by pouring molten aluminium into a mould. Casting is more economical for complex geometries — such as Gost, DSP and BSRT large-bore suction couplings — and CA-FIRE cast couplings are pressure tested to 3 MPA. For most fire hose delivery applications, forged couplings are the preferred specification.

CA-FIRE supplies three gasket materials for fire hose couplings. NBR (Nitrile Rubber) — the standard material for fire hose couplings worldwide. Temperature range −30°C to +120°C. Suitable for fresh water, seawater and most foam concentrates. Available in black and white. Viton (FKM) — for elevated temperature or chemical service. Temperature range −30°C to +200°C. Suitable for oil, fuel and aggressive foam agents. Green colour for identification. Silicone — for potable water, food-grade and high-purity applications. Temperature range −50°C to +200°C. White colour. For standard fire hose delivery and suction applications, NBR black is the correct and most widely stocked choice. View the full range on the Coupling Accessories page.

A coupling reducer connects two fire hose couplings of different sizes within the same standard. For example, a Storz DN110/DN75 reducer connects a 110 mm suction hose to a 75 mm delivery line; a Storz DN75/DN52 reducer connects a 75 mm supply hose to a 52 mm attack hose at a branch divider. Reducers are also used at pump inlet and outlet ports where the port size differs from the hose size. CA-FIRE Storz reducers are available in aluminium forging, aluminium casting and AL forging with carbon steel body from DN45/DN25 up to DN150/DN125.

Yes. CA-FIRE offers full OEM and ODM services for fire hose couplings. OEM services include: custom anodising in any RAL or Pantone colour for aluminium couplings; private-label stamping or engraving with your brand name, logo or part number; custom packaging; and documentation sets with your company branding. ODM services include: non-standard sizes outside the published range; mixed-standard assemblies (e.g. Storz one end, BS336 the other); special alloys such as marine-grade aluminium 5083 or duplex stainless steel; and custom lug spacing or gasket seat geometry for legacy equipment compatibility. Contact CA-FIRE with your requirements for a quotation.

CA-FIRE maintains a warehouse of 20,000 pallets of finished goods and ships 20,000 pieces per day, so standard catalogue items in common sizes are typically available for immediate despatch or within 3–7 business days. For larger orders or less common sizes, production lead times are typically 15–30 days. There is no formal minimum order quantity for standard catalogue items. For OEM/ODM orders with custom colours, markings or non-standard specifications, a minimum order quantity applies — typically 500 to 1,000 pieces per SKU depending on the product.