Hose Reels That Cannot Support Firefighting
Walk into any factory, mall, hospital, or office building and you will see red hose reels mounted on the wall.
They look ready.
They look professional.
They give confidence.
Management proudly says:
“We have fire hose reels installed everywhere.”
But during a real fire emergency, many of these hose reels become completely useless.
Common situations include:
• No water pressure
• Hose stuck and cannot unroll
• Nozzle broken
• Leakage everywhere
• Valve jammed
• Hose too short to reach fire
In some cases, workers waste precious minutes just trying to make the hose reel work.
By the time water flows, the fire has already spread.
A hose reel that cannot support firefighting is more dangerous than having no hose at all, because it creates a false sense of safety.
This article explains why hose reels fail in real emergencies and how to make them truly reliable.
What Is the Purpose of a Fire Hose Reel?
A fire hose reel is designed for:
Early stage firefighting by trained occupants.
It should:
• Provide immediate water supply
• Be easy to operate
• Deliver steady pressure
• Reach all areas
• Work without delay
Unlike hydrants, hose reels are meant for quick response within the first few minutes of fire.
If they fail at that moment, the fire grows uncontrollably.
The Reality in Most Workplaces
In many buildings, hose reels are treated like decoration.
Installed once.
Never tested again.
Nobody checks:
• Pressure
• Hose condition
• Valve function
• Coverage area
They just sit on the wall collecting dust.
Mechanical systems that are never used will fail when needed most.
This is exactly what happens with hose reels.
Common Reasons Hose Reels Fail During Firefighting
Let us look at real world problems frequently seen in industries and commercial buildings.
1. No Water Pressure
This is the most common issue.
User opens the valve.
Nothing comes out.
Reasons include:
• Pump not running
• No water in tank
• Isolation valve closed
• Blocked pipeline
• Air lock
• Pressure too low
Without adequate pressure, hose reels are useless.
A weak trickle of water cannot control even a small fire.
2. Hose Cannot Be Unrolled
During emergencies, speed is critical.
But many reels get stuck.
Common causes:
• Hose tangled inside drum
• Rusted drum
• Improper winding
• Dirt accumulation
• Mechanical damage
Workers struggle to pull the hose.
Valuable time is lost.
Sometimes they abandon it completely.
3. Leakage from Hose
Old hoses often crack or leak.
You may see:
• Water spraying sideways
• Reduced pressure at nozzle
• Burst sections
This reduces effective reach and wastes water.
Instead of controlling fire, water floods the floor.
4. Nozzle Problems
The nozzle is the most important part.
But often:
• Broken
• Missing
• Jammed
• Cannot adjust spray pattern
• Always stuck in jet mode
Without proper spray control, firefighting becomes difficult and unsafe.
A good fog spray helps cooling and protection, but many reels cannot provide this.
5. Hose Too Short to Reach Fire
Sometimes installation is poorly planned.
Result:
• Hose length insufficient
• Cannot reach corners
• Cannot cover entire floor
Fire may be only 5 meters away but hose cannot reach.
This is a serious design mistake.
Coverage planning is critical.
6. Valve Jammed or Hard to Open
In many old systems:
• Valves are rusted
• Too tight
• Seized
• Require tools to open
During fire, nobody has time to struggle with a valve.
Operation must be smooth and quick.
If not, people will not use the reel.
7. Obstructed Access
This is very common.
You may see:
• Furniture in front
• Stored materials blocking
• Locked cabinets
• Parked equipment
During emergencies, access becomes impossible.
Firefighting equipment must always be immediately accessible.
8. No Training for Workers
Even if the reel is perfect, untrained users cannot operate it.
Many workers:
• Don’t know how to open valve
• Don’t know spray settings
• Panic
• Fear using equipment
Training is just as important as installation.
Why Hose Reel Failure Is Dangerous
Fire grows exponentially.
Within 2 to 3 minutes:
• Smoke spreads
• Heat increases
• Visibility drops
Hose reels are meant to stop fires in the early stage.
If they fail:
• Fire grows uncontrollable
• Sprinklers may activate
• Fire brigade required
• Major property damage
• Possible injuries
Early response is lost.
Warning Signs Your Hose Reels Are Not Reliable
Safety officers should watch for:
• Dusty or dirty reels
• Hose never tested
• Low pressure complaints
• Leakage marks
• Missing nozzles
• Rusted valves
• Storage blocking access
• No inspection records
These are clear indicators of poor reliability.
How to Make Hose Reels Truly Reliable
Reliability comes from regular inspection and testing.
Not from installation alone.
Weekly Checks
• Visual inspection
• Ensure no blockage
• Check accessibility
• Confirm valves closed properly
Monthly Checks
• Fully unroll hose
• Run water for few minutes
• Check pressure
• Inspect leakage
• Verify nozzle spray pattern
• Rewind correctly
Quarterly Checks
• Pressure test
• Check drum rotation
• Inspect pipeline connections
• Replace damaged hoses
• Lubricate moving parts
Annual Checks
• Full performance test
• Coverage verification
• Replace old hoses
• Staff training
• Third party audit
Importance of Proper Design
Even good maintenance cannot fix bad design.
Ensure:
• Correct hose length
• Proper pressure rating
• Strategic placement
• Coverage of all areas
• Easy access
• Clear signage
Design mistakes create permanent firefighting limitations.
Real Incident Example
In one warehouse, cartons caught fire near loading bay.
Workers rushed to use hose reel.
Problems occurred:
• Valve stuck
• Hose tangled
• Low pressure
They wasted 4 minutes trying.
Fire spread to adjacent stacks.
Damage became massive.
Later investigation showed:
Hose reel was never tested for 2 years.
It only looked ready.
It was never functional.
Role of Safety Officers
Someone must take ownership.
Assign responsibility to:
• Inspect regularly
• Conduct tests
• Record findings
• Repair faults
• Train staff
Without ownership, equipment fails silently.
External Reference
According to internationally recognized fire protection guidance from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), first aid firefighting equipment such as hose reels and hydrant systems must be regularly inspected, tested, and maintained to ensure reliable operation during emergencies. Proper maintenance helps guarantee adequate water pressure, correct flow rate, and immediate usability when a fire occurs.
Fire Pumps Installed but Not Reliable During Fires
Fire Hydrant Systems That Look Ready but Fail
Fire Hydrant System Explained, How It Works, Why It Fails, and How to Keep It Fire Ready
Components of a Fire Hydrant System, How Each Part Fails or Saves a Fire Response
How to Operate a Fire Hydrant Safely During an Emergency
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How often should hose reels be tested?
At least monthly for operational checks and annually for full performance tests.
2. What pressure is required for hose reels?
Typically 4 to 7 bar at the nozzle for effective firefighting.
3. Can old hoses be reused?
No. Cracked or aged hoses should be replaced immediately.
4. Who should operate hose reels?
Trained staff or emergency response team members.
5. Are hose reels enough for large fires?
No. They are for early stage fires only.
Conclusion
Installing hose reels is easy.
Keeping them reliable is the real challenge.
A hose reel that does not work during a fire is not protection.
It is false confidence.
Regular testing, maintenance, training, and proper design turn hose reels into effective lifesaving tools.
Remember:
If you have not tested your hose reel recently, you cannot trust it during an emergency.
