FRNSW hose connections

Any fire hydrant or fire sprinkler system installed in a premises must have compatible inlets and outlets fitted (i.e. hose connections). The inlets and outlets are compatible if they comply with a standard to which they were designed, installed and commissioned.

If non-compatible hose connections are installed, it is the owner’s responsibility to have them replaced with compliant ones. The owner should engage a fire protection company to install compliant hose connections within a reasonable time frame.

Note: FRNSW recommends engaging a fire protection company that is a member of a nationally recognised professional body or organisation and agrees to a fire protection industry code of conduct.

For systems installed pre-2008, fire brigade booster inlets may comprise a female dynamic joint having fire brigade thread (FBT). These do not need to be upgraded with Storz hose connections unless the entire booster system is being modified or upgraded.

For systems installed or modified post-2008, fire brigade booster inlets should comprise an NEN 3374 ‘permanent pressure coupling’ (i.e. forged Storz hose connection with BSP thread). The Storz hose connection may have either a male or female thread.

For newly installed or modified systems (i.e. post 2022), fire brigade booster inlets should comprise an AS 2419.4 Storz hose connection.

For systems installed pre-2008, fire hydrant valve outlets may comprise male FBT outlet. These do not need to be upgraded with Storz hose connections unless the entire hydrant system is being modified or upgraded.

For systems installed or modified post-2008, fire hydrant valve outlets should comprise either existing male FBT outlet fitted with a forged FBT-Storz adaptor,

or an NEN 3374 ‘permanent pressure coupling’ (i.e. forged Storz hose connection with BSP thread).

For newly installed or modified systems (i.e. post 2022), fire hydrant valve outlets should comprise an AS 2419.4 Storz hose connection.

Fire hydrant and fire sprinkler systems that have FBT hose connections do not need to be upgraded to Storz, unless the entire system is being modified or upgraded by way of a fire safety order issued by an enforcement authority (e.g. Council, FRNSW) or through building modification, extension or alteration (e.g. a development application process).

AS 2419.1-2005 stated both FBT and Storz hose connections were acceptable in NSW. In 2008 FRNSW published a technical information sheet which specified the fitting of a forged aluminium FBT-Storz adaptor to the fire hydrant system of any new development.

Appendix Q of AS 2419.1-2021 identifies that new hose connections must be compatible with AS 2419.4 (i.e. Storz). However, some Storz connections sold in the market place may not be fully compatible with AS 2419.4 Storz hose connections.

Fire protection installers must ensure only new compliant hose connections are purchased and installed. Generally, reputable firefighting equipment manufacturers produce Storz hose connections that meet the standard. Purchasing cheap low-quality connections to minimise costs is more likely to result in costly rectification works being ordered by a certifier or an enforcement authority.

It should be noted that FBT used by FRNSW is unique and is based on the London 'V‘ thread, being a 5¹/₅ TPI Whitworth form thread. The FBT-Storz adaptor is therefore produced exclusively for firefighting use in NSW. However, some FBT-Storz adaptors sold in NSW did not meet any minimum design standard.

Note: AS 2419.4 was developed and referenced by the current NCC to address Storz not meeting any minimum design standard.

Fire protection maintainers must ensure that installed hose connections are compatible with FRNSW equipment (i.e. AS 2419.4).

New Storz hose connections must be manufactured to comply with AS 2419.4. Storz hose connections, or to an equivalent minimum design standard.

Reference should be made to Appendix A of AS 2419.4 for documentation of product conformity. A simple letter of conformity is not adequate; independent testing demonstrating product conformity should be able to be provided.

Certifiers must verify Storz hose connections are compliant before issuing any occupation certificate. In the first instance, refer to the product conformity documentation.

A professional body such as the Fire Protection Association Australia can assist with providing information on suppliers of compliant Storz hose connections from reputable manufacturers. Generally, a compliant hose connection can be identified by having a high quality machined finish relatively free of imperfections (e.g. chipped edges, soft dents/scratches evident, mottled finish, pocked or pitted appearance, matt lustre to machined surfaces, or being dip-coated and shiny).

A compliant hose connection will also have a proper forging mark indicating that a registered forger has been used to temper the Storz hose connection to a certified temper process.

If any certifier has any hesitation or doubt, they should verify the documentation outlined in Appendix A of AS 2419.4 has been provided from an independent testing body accredited for product certification and appears sound. By example, any documentation identifying the NSW FBT-Storz adaptor as complying with AS 2419.4 should be treat with suspicion as such State based adaptors are not specified by AS 2419.4.

If any doubts remain, refer to FRNSW for further advice.