Adapters
Connect your hose to any fire hydrant or water source with a corresponding adapter. Also known as a fitting, adapters create a secure connection between a fire hose and a pipe, pump, hydrant or ball shutoff with a different diameter or thread. This allows access to more water sources, making it easier to fight blazes wherever a department is called. Our pipe and hydrant adapters are ideal for fire departments as well as industrial workplaces and residential settings.
To quickly deliver water and extinguish the blaze, turn to Fire Safety USA for all standard fire hose adapter configurations. Find the right fire hydrant hose adapter and pipe fitting hardware from leading brands like Harrington and Kochek. They're made of durable, corrosion-resistant materials for repeated high-level performance. Many sizes are also available. Read more below about the options for fire hose quick connect fittings and adapters so you choose the correct hardware.
Types of Fire Hose Adapters
Because of the different municipal standards and connection needs, there are many fire-fitting solutions. Fire hose fittings include the following combinations:
- Double-female adapters feature a swivel ball-bearing design made of metal. They're most often used to connect shorter adapters and hoses with the same fitting type or to add in-line accessories.
- Double-male adapters are rigid metal connectors. These fittings are excellent for ball valves and Y-valves whether of the same size or a different size.
- Male-to-female adapters feature a rigid or swivel configuration made of metal. They are what is most often used to "step up" or "step down" between hoses and outlets of different diameters and thread types.
- Storz adapters are known as a sexless coupling or fitting. Rather than adapt an existing thread, each has a screw-on design that attaches to a pipe, hydrant or another water source with an identical diameter. Due to this format, fire departments typically use four- or five-inch Storz adapters.
- Hazmat adapters convert a single male thread into two male garden hose thread connectors, each equipped with a separate shut-off valve. These adapters are ideal for hazmat and cleaning operations.
Fire Hydrant Adapter Operation
Fire hydrant adapters do more than just connect a hose to a water source. They also help you aim your hose toward flames at varying angles. Made of aluminum or brass, adapters operate using one of the following mechanisms:
- Rigid: A rigid fire hose adapter performs exactly as it sounds. Once installed and secured, this adapter remains in place without allowing for any degree of rotation and has a lower chance of breaking or loosening in the field.
- Swivel: When you're spraying water over a wider area, swivel adapters allow for some rotational movement. The design also benefits the hose by reducing risks of bunching, water restriction and strained material.
- Short-shank: This type of adapter fits inside the hose to connect it with a pipe or equipment providing a suction motion to move and divert water. These factors make it ideal for various low-pressure applications.
- Ball valve: These adapters include a handle for quickly and efficiently controlling water flow through the hose.
Along with adapter operation, material also needs to be taken into consideration. Aluminum adapters are lighter and provide some corrosion resistance. Brass also withstands corrosion while holding up to long-term wear. The connection method is often different, too. Aluminum fittings usually tighten and loosen with rocker locks while brass fittings may be attached with a hex fitting or rocker and pin lugs.
Order Fire Hose Fittings and Adapters From Fire Safety USA
For your fire department, commercial workplace or residential community, make sure you have all essential fire hose adapters on hand. Browse all formats today before placing an order online, through our call center or via our direct fax line.
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