Summary
- Fire hose reels provide continuous water supply to fight small fires
- They allow you to stand at a safe distance while fighting a fire
- They must be kept clear and accessible at all times
- Make sure they are regularly maintained and serviced
- Train your staff how to use a fire hose reel in an emergency
- Don't use water on electrical fires
What are fire hose reels for?
Fire hose reels supply water to put out small fires involving paper, textiles, wood, and most plastics. They should never be used on electrical fires as you can be electrocuted.
Hose reels are generally installed in commercial buildings, multi-storey residential buildings, industrial sites and buildings with a floor area greater than 500 square metres. They must be installed by a plumber.
Benefits of using a fire hose instead of a fire extinguisher
Fire hoses have a number of advantages over water fire extinguishers.
- They offer a reliable, continuous water supply, which means they can put out a fire very effectively.
- They can also be used at a safe distance from the fire, unlike fire extinguishers which need to be held relatively close to the fire. This reduces the risk of injury.
How to use a fire hose reel
Learn how to use a fire hose reel in the video below.
[How to use hose reels]
[Gentle music]
[Voice over]
If extinguishing an A-Class fire using a fire hose reel, you should turn on the valve to release the nozzle. This will ensure you have water to the nozzle.
Run out the hose towards the fire, and at a safe distance, turn the nozzle to activate the hose reel.
This will show the distance of the water stream, indicating how close you'll need to get to the fire, usually around six meters. You don't need to run out all the 36 meters of hose if the distance is not required.
Aim the water stream at the base of the fire, cooling the fire. You can move in closer, to ensure you have thoroughly doused the fire.
If the nozzle is a fog nozzle, turn to make a spray or you could put your finger over the nozzle to make a spray.
Ensure you apply water until the fire is completely extinguished.
[Music fades]
When using a fire hose reel, you don't need to fully unwind the hose to operate, only drag it to the required length.
Storing and maintaining fire hose reels
Make sure fire hose reels are accessible
Fire hose reels need to be easy to access in an emergency.
This means the space in front and around them needs to be clear, without stock, bins, furniture, pallets or anything else in the way.
Fire hose reel cabinet doors need to fully open during an emergency to work effectively. Never cover a fire hose reel.
Regular maintenance and service
Fire hose reels must be regularly serviced and maintained.
Fire hose reels must be maintained as per Australian Standards AS 1851* – Maintenance of Fire Safety Systems & Equipment requirements.
They also need a maintenance tag to indicate when the hose reel was last serviced.
CFA can provide a fully accredited and professional fire extinguisher installation, maintenance, supply and service to you, your business or industry.
Find out more about CFA's fire equipment services and maintenance program.
Instructions must be clear
Fire hose reel instructions must be legible to be compliant.
Fire hose reels must have clear operational instructions printed on the middle of the reel.
Make sure you replace the instructions when they weather or fade, especially if installed outside.
Training
CFA recommends fire hose reel training for your workplace.
Contact us if you'd like CFA to run training at your workplace. Funds raised through these activities support CFA brigades.
Resources
Fire Hose Reels: A guide for business owners
This handy PDF resource offers basic information about fire hose reels requirements for business owners.
Page last updated: Wednesday, 5 August 2026 12:18:30 PM