Fire safety is crucial for both homes and businesses, and one of the key components of fire protection is the proper use of fire hose reels. These devices provide a reliable method for controlling fires before they escalate, especially in commercial and industrial settings. In addition to installing fire extinguishers and fire sprinkler systems, a fire hose reel is an essential tool for addressing larger fires quickly and effectively.
For managers and business owners (whether you run a hospital, school, hotel, factory, or any other facility) fire safety is just as critical as staffing and operations. A single fire incident can result in substantial financial losses, along with potential harm to employees, customers, and long-term business viability. This is why understanding how to use fire hose reels is so important.
Our fire protection services assist businesses across Australia with expert advice, equipment supply and ongoing fire safety maintenance to ensure you stay protected and compliant. Before learning how to use fire hose reels, it’s important to understand the different types available and which fire classes they’re designed to combat.
Fire hose reels are a key piece of fire protection equipment. A fire hose reel is a hand-operated device that consists of a pair of hoses on a reel. Each fire hose reel typically provides up to 35 metres of non-kinking tubing. The system includes a manual on/off valve, a hose guide and a nozzle that allows the user to direct and control water flow.
The device consists of a motor, gearbox and a reel, which is the main component of the device. The reel is powered by a hydraulic motor that operates the gearbox, which in turn, operates the reel.
The hydraulic motor is powered by hydraulic fluid, which is housed in a pressurised container. The pressure of the hydraulic fluid is maintained by the pressure of the water being pulled out of the hose. The hydraulic fluid is then delivered to the reel through an oil-filled hose.
Reels are usually installed on a fire hydrant and are usually controlled by a nearby panel. When properly installed and maintained, they allow for rapid response, helping control fires before they escalate.
They are intended for use by building occupants to suppress Class A fires, including those involving paper, textiles, wood, most plastics and rubber. They are not suitable for electrical fires. Water conducts electricity, and using a hose reel in these situations can result in serious injury or death by electrocution.
In a fire, every minute counts and it’s important to have essential safety measures in place. The condition and accessibility of your fire hose reel can mean the difference between a minor incident and a major disaster.
Fixed hose reels are the most common type of fire hose reel installed across Australia. Permanently mounted to a wall in a designated location, these reels are directly connected to the building’s main water supply, ensuring a continuous and reliable water source in the event of a fire.
They are typically positioned in accessible areas along evacuation routes, such as hallways, stairwells, or near building exits, making them easy to locate during an emergency.
To ensure the reel can be used quickly and effectively, it’s essential to keep the surrounding wall space clear of any obstructions. Items stored too close to the hose reel can restrict access, hinder the hose from fully unwinding, or cause dangerous delays during a fire situation.
Proper signage, routine inspections and clear access pathways are all part of maintaining the readiness of a fixed hose reel. In commercial or multi-storey buildings, regular servicing in line with Australian Standard AS 1851 ensures compliance and functionality when it matters most.
Swing-arm fire hose reels are designed with flexibility in mind. This swinging motion allows the hose to follow the operator as they move toward the fire, reducing friction, tangles, or resistance and helping ensure a faster, more controlled response.
Because of their ease of movement, swing-arm models are commonly installed inside recessed cabinets or narrow corridors where space is limited but access is critical. To function properly, the cabinet door and swing-arm path must remain completely unobstructed.
Swing-arm fire hose reels offer a smart balance between safety, space efficiency and fast deployment, making them an ideal solution in commercial buildings or high-traffic environments.
Portable fire hose reels are commonly used as fire safety equipment in construction sites, large open facilities, warehouses, or temporary structures. Basically, anywhere fire risks are present but the building infrastructure doesn’t support permanent hose reel installations.
Because they’re not fixed in place, it’s really important that portable reels are stored in clearly marked, accessible areas and routinely checked to ensure they’re ready for use. This includes checking hose integrity, seeing if the nozzle is operational and confirming a reliable water source is nearby.
While portable reels can be a practical addition to a fire safety plan, they should complement (not replace) different types of fire safety equipment in permanent buildings.
Our fire hose reels are manufactured and assembled to meet the requirements of Australian Fire Safety Standard AS/NZS1221.
This means that at their full 36-metre extension, 19mm hoses must be capable of delivering a minimum of 0.45 litres of water per second at a pressure of 220kPa. To meet this benchmark, each component - along with the fully assembled reel - undergoes strict performance testing.
That’s why it’s important to use only compliant, approved spare parts when repairing or replacing any part of a fire hose reel. Installation and signage requirements must follow Australian guidelines to ensure fire hose reels are easy to locate and access in an emergency.
Fire hose reels should be checked every six months, and your annual fire safety statement should be kept up to date in your site's fire safety records. Each reel should display a fire equipment maintenance tag to indicate the date of its last inspection.
At Alexon, our priority is keeping Melbourne safe by ensuring your fire hose reel is always compliant with safety standards, offering expert advice and maintenance to make sure you’re fully equipped and know how to use fire hose reels in any fire situation.
If your fire hose reel is fitted with an anti-tamper seal, break it to access the hose. This seal is designed to deter misuse and ensure the reel remains ready for use in a real fire.
Turn on the water supply at the stop valve. This will allow water to flow through the hose once you're ready to activate the nozzle.
Pull out the hose to the required length - only as much as needed to reach the fire. Unlike lay-flat hoses, fire hose reels are semi-rigid and don’t need to be fully uncoiled before use, making them quicker and easier to deploy.
At the nozzle, turn the handle to release water and direct the stream at the base of the fire. This is the most effective way to suppress flames. Use only as much water as necessary to extinguish the fire.
Once the fire has been extinguished, turn off the water at the nozzle first. This helps you maintain control and prevents unnecessary water from escaping as you begin packing the hose away.
Next, rewind the hose in smooth, even layers. It’s easier to do this while there’s still water inside the hose, as the weight helps it coil more neatly. Avoid tangles or kinks to ensure the hose is ready for use next time.
After the hose is fully rewound, turn off the stop valve to shut off the water supply. Then, open the nozzle briefly to release any built-up pressure - ideally into a bucket to avoid creating a mess.
Finally, close the nozzle and return it to its holder. This ensures the hose reel is left in good condition and ready to go in case of another emergency.
The key benefits of knowing how to use fire hose reels include the:
The intuitive design is a direct result of the need for quick, straightforward action in a high-pressure situation. The hose is designed to unspool smoothly and the reel mechanism requires minimal effort to deploy.
These features allow users to focus their energy on properly directing water to the base of the fire, rather than wrestling with the equipment. This thoughtful design is rooted in the understanding that, in a fire, users may be under a lot of stress.
By removing unnecessary complexity, fire hose reels ensure that people, regardless of their training or experience, can confidently and quickly operate them, maximising their effectiveness in controlling small fires before they escalate.
The ability of fire hose reels to remain connected to a constant water source is a key advantage. This connection ensures that the user has access to an uninterrupted supply of water, crucial for maintaining control over fires that may escalate rapidly.
Fire hose reels provide a steady, high-volume water stream, which makes them an excellent choice for tackling larger fires or those that could potentially spread. Unlike portable fire extinguishers, which can only handle smaller fires and have limited capacity, hose reels provide the duration of water flow needed for more comprehensive fire suppression.
The mains water connection means that a fire hose reel can deliver consistent pressure and volume over extended periods, making them ideal for high-risk environments. This continuous water source ensures that you can tackle the fire effectively, without worrying about running out of resources in the heat of the moment.
When using a fire hose reel, there are a few common mistakes you’ll want to avoid. First, make sure to alert everyone in your vicinity as soon as you notice a fire. This ensures that everyone knows what’s happening and can evacuate if necessary.
Once you've done that, activate the emergency fire alarm systems to notify the entire building and then contact the Fire Brigade immediately for professional assistance. It’s also crucial to identify the fuel source of the fire, as this will guide your response.
Avoid using a fire hose reel for fires caused by flammable liquids, as water can make the situation worse by floating the liquids, spreading the flames even further.
Lastly, always ensure you have a clear path to the nearest exit. If the situation escalates, you’ll need to have a safe evacuation plan.
When a fire breaks out, time is critical. Fire hose reels provide a fast, reliable method of delivering high-pressure water to contain and control Class A fires before they escalate.
Whether mounted on the wall or ceiling, these systems are designed to be deployed quickly by occupants, delivering a continuous stream of water that helps prevent a small fire from turning into a major emergency.
But equipment is only as effective as its quality. Poorly made hose reels can rupture or fail under pressure, especially during crucial moments when performance matters most. That’s why choosing heavy-duty, UV-stable fire hose reels, manufactured to Australian Standards, is non-negotiable for long-term safety and compliance.
At Alexon, we only supply fire hose reels that meet rigorous performance testing. Our expert team can help you select the right model for your environment, handle professional installation and provide scheduled maintenance to keep your system ready for action. We also offer emergency call-outs if your existing system shows signs of wear or isn’t functioning correctly.
Need advice or a fast response on how to use fire hose reels? Contact us today for personalised maintenance and product recommendations. Or to arrange an emergency fire safety call-out.
Your safety is our priority - and when it comes to learning how to use a fire hose reel, there’s no time to wait.
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