Services used: Fire Hose Reel Servicing and Maintenance
In March 2025, Total Safe was contracted to perform routine fire hose servicing on three hose reel systems located in a multi-storey commercial building.
The purpose of this inspection was to ensure compliance with BS 5306-1:2006 and to verify the operational integrity of each system as part of the client’s fire safety obligations. During the servicing, all three hose reels were found to be non-compliant and failed the inspection for separate, critical reasons.
Hose Reel 1 & 2 – Expired Equipment
Issue:
Both hose reels were over 8 years old and had not been replaced or upgraded within the recommended 5-year cycle.
Observations:
– The rubber hoses were visibly worn with surface cracking.
– Water delivery pressure was inconsistent due to internal degradation.
– Safety signage and wall fixings were outdated and partially corroded.
Conclusion:
Hose reels must be replaced every 5 years to meet manufacturer guidelines and British Standards. The failure to replace these units resulted in compromised performance and posed a serious risk during a fire emergency.
Recommendation:
Immediate replacement of both hose reels with new, BS EN 671-1 compliant units, including modern wall fixings and updated signage.
Hose Reel 3 – Mechanical Failure
Issue:
The third hose reel failed due to a mechanical fault: the connector between the hose reel and the water supply pipework was cracked and leaking.
Observations:
– Water supply was not reaching the hose reel effectively.
– Upon inspection, the brass coupling was found to have split, likely due to corrosion and age.
– The hose itself was within date but unusable due to lack of supply.
Conclusion:
This failure highlights the importance of inspecting not only the hose reel but also all connecting components. Even relatively new hoses can fail to function if the infrastructure supporting them is compromised.
Recommendation:
Replace the damaged connector with a new, corrosion-resistant fitting and pressure-test the system to ensure functionality. An inspection schedule should be established to routinely check all fittings and supply components.
Action Plan for Client:
– Replace two expired hose reels.
– Repair and test the water connection on the third.
– Implement a rolling maintenance schedule with clear asset tracking.
