Hose Master is the world’s most modern automatic hose-care equipment for fire hoses. It washes, pressure tests, detects holes, dries and coils hoses fully automatically, which saves enormous resources of civil protection. A whole series of key operational innovations reduces energy and water consumption and improves the working environment.
Originally developed and manufactured in Sweden, the fully automatic fire-hose care system Hose Master is now manufactured in Finland. Finnish Esteri Group took a strategic step and acquired a machine manufacturing company and moved its operations to Turku, Finland.
The innovative Hose Master has enjoyed great popularity in its country of origin, Sweden, and in recent years also in Finland. Marketing of the machine outside the Nordic countries has also begun.
Hose Master in a nutshell
Hose Master is known to be the world’s first fully automatic fire-hose care system.
The fire hose is washed, tested, dried, marked and coiled automatically in the system. The time required to wash the hose is significantly shortened and the space requirement for maintenance work is drastically reduced.
Hose Master brings a new way to maintain fire hoses. The innovative solutions of the machine reduce energy and water consumption and improve the working environment.
Technical Data
Dimensions (L x W x H) 3.5 x 1.2 x 2.0m incl. soaking tube
Weight 1,200kg
Capacity up to 20 hoses/h
Sound level <70dB
Water pressure Variable up to 30 bar
Coiling Single or double
Residual moisture Outside: <8%, inside <1%
Mobility Can be moved with a pallet lifter
Operation of the machine
In the development work of Hose Master, manual work has been minimised.
A dirty hose is placed in the hose carriage, where it can also be soaked if desired. Next, the hose carriage is inserted into the machine and the hose coupling is connected to the cleaning system. Before starting, the parameters of the washing programme are selected. When the washing process starts, the hose passes through a brush wash and high-pressure wash if the function has been selected by the operator. There are several interchangeable combinations available. The first connector of the hose is pressure tested with the hose placed between clamping rollers. After this period, the washing and testing continues. At this stage, any holes will be marked. Before coiling, the hose is air dried. The coiling is then prepared for, which is performed manually. The actual coiling takes place automatically. When the washing process reaches the end coupling of the hose, the coupling is once again pressure tested. Once the hose is coiled, it is ready for storage.
Only a small amount of water
Hose Master uses a patented test pressurization technique that is compatible with unlimited hose lengths, and the water consumption of the machine is only about 4–5 litres per hose.
Washing can take place at a normal network pressure or even at high pressure, which is made possible by a high-pressure pump in the machine.
It takes approximately three minutes for one 25m hose to pass through the operation, which includes the machine operator’s light manual work.
It is also possible to pressure test hoses without washing. And the speed of the hose’s passage through the operation can also be adjusted.
Remote monitoring is modern
Hose Master is equipped with an advanced remote use and monitoring system. From Turku, the operation of machines in the field can be monitored and maintenance operations can also be carried out. The system enables a secured connection for remote management in situations of problems and rapid response as well as post-training if the need arises. In addition, the factory can perform updates to the program quickly as required. Literally it means that the factory can be on 24/7 standby in all circumstances.
The factory can also install cameras on the machines if the customer wishes. This makes it easier to troubleshoot, for example, a fault or a possible problem. The factory’s help can always be given remotely first, facilitating easier and quicker maintenance of the equipment.
The maintenance of Hose Master should be performed approximately every 100 operating hours. The factory can provide a maintenance contract that guarantees continuous monitoring and regular maintenance of the machines.
Mobile unit on the way
A mobile version of Hose Master is close to being ready. The trailer-mounted Hose Master can be towed by a van or even a passenger car and be used by different fire stations or to bring the hose maintenance service to the door by a service provider.
In the product development plan list, the most advanced version in the future will be self-sufficient. Air can be produced in the unit and the washing water is included in a tank. In this case, the unit can be transported, for example, to a large wildfire site, where hose maintenance can be carried out without having to transport dirty hoses to a fire station.
For more information, go to www.esterigroup.fi
