For more than 20 years, Reel-Tech have proudly represented US-based longstanding fire-hose reel manufacturer Hannay Reels as a key distributor for Australia and New Zealand, throughout this time continuously adding engineering and customization for local fire market needs. Focusing on exceptional design, durability and ergonomics. Today, many areas of essential Firefighting equipment have design considerations for user occupational safety, ergonomics and ease of deployment. And now fire-hose reels do too. For many years, Fire Hose Reel Technology had limited safety additions, until now. Reel-Tech has brought the fire-hose reel into the 21st century with safer hose-reel systems featuring new proven technologies to deliver the same benefits and safety as every other piece of modern firefighting equipment in use.
Working closely with the industry allowed Reel-Tech an insight into issues with hose management those firefighters across the globe experience. Through this industry-focused insight, Reel-Tech were determined to create a platform that eliminates all common problems when handling fire hoses. Reel-Tech collaborated for many years with operators, engineers, maintenance and appliance designers to provide a reel to suit the toughest conditions of firefighting and hose deployment but without the many issues experienced with traditional fire hose-reel designs. Addressing historic hose-reel deficiencies that could lead to injuries while deploying and rewinding hose was at the forefront of design and engineering of Fire Dog, a state-of-the-art, most advanced, premier heavy-duty hose-reel platform, delivering exclusive benefits in ease of hose deployment, retrieval and management. Australian made and engineered, Fire Dog’s ergonomic design features an exclusive range of new technology, which solves many of the hose handling and reel problems experienced in the past, reducing potential risks to firefighters when using hoses.
Reel-Tech’s electrically powered Fire Dog design enhancements include the Ezi-Deploy patented auto de-clutching system. Ezi-Deploy allows firefighters to seamlessly pay out long lengths of hose with far less effort in comparison to the excessive forces previously required with traditional reels, which led to potential shoulder and back injuries. Operators of the Fire Dog need only pull on the hose, allowing the Ezi-Deploy de-clutch system to disengage the resistance on the reel, and allow controlled limited-drag deployment. In addition to this, Reel-Tech went one step further in enhancing hose deployment optimization by developing a multi-directional ‘Follow Me Hose Guide’. This new feature was designed specifically to reduce hose jam and damage during the critical deployment of hose, by following the operator in whatever angle they need to manoeuvre.
To complete the optimization of the hose deployment functionality of firefighting hose reels, Reel-Tech have addressed over-spooling issues experienced with traditional reels during hydraulic shocks or water hammers, and, when appliances are in transit. The drag and braking devices on Fire Dog hose reels have been designed with strength and reliability to withstand the constant forces applied to the hose reel. These heavy-duty design solutions now offer a complete range of manual or pneumatically controlled options.
When developing components of hose retrieval technology, Reel-Tech engineers created Safe-R-Reel and Flat-Winder. Safe-R-Reel (a standard feature on all Fire Dog reels) is a patented ‘no chain or sprocket’ gearbox system for safer control speeds when retrieving hose for storage on appliances. Added benefits are direct-drive gearbox coupling to an electric motor, eliminating pinch-point injuries. As an optional upgrade, the Flat-Winder automatic hose layering system allows hose to be neatly and efficiently stored by one operator during the retrieval stage. This eliminates manual handling and guiding of the hose onto the reel as it retracts.
All of the features outlined can also be retrofitted to the extensive range of premium Hannay hose reels, manufactured in the USA, which include heavy-duty Rescue hose and cable reels. Hannay reels accommodate various hose, cable sizes and lengths, tailored to meet any appliance, specification or application. Hose Reels can be offered in aluminium, steel (powder coated or hot dip galvanised) and stainless steel for heavy-duty durability, stability and exceptional resistance in corrosive environments along with suitable fluid wetted parts for various water and foam applications where needed.
For more information, go to www.reeltechnologies.com
