KrakenEXO® Attack Fire Hose does it again

The KrakenEXO^® Attack Fire Hose does it again!

Last fall, the Salem, New Hampshire Fire Department, a 60 member career department, was looking for a solution to a long time hose load issue located off the rear of their engines. Salem had been using a 1.75 in. hose line but questioned whether or not they could deliver vital water flows from the 300 ft. line. After multiple trials and involved discussions with other departments, Salem's Lt. Paul Balentine was tasked to see if a hose line was available that was extremely maneuverable, highly resistant to kinking, had minimal friction loss and was lightweight, but tough enough for vigorous everyday use. 

Lt. Balentine decided to explore and test one of Mercedes Textiles Limited hose brands in a 2 in. diameter. He contacted Mr. Willie Burke with Harrison & Shrader, an authorized Mercedes Textiles Distributor, located in South Portland, Maine. Mr. Jamie Emblem, North Eastern Representative for Mercedes Textiles, was then contacted to coordinate the KrakenEXO demonstration. As part of the free KrakenEXO demo program, a Mercedes Textiles authorized Distributor can set up a hose demonstration with flow meters and other necessary equipment to show the key differences between comparable hose lines.

Lt. Balentine put the 2 in. KrakenEXO hose through vigorous testing. Using the same two firefighters for the entire test, he made sure that the parameters, testing conditions and flow meters were identical on both the KrakenEXO and the department's existing hose products. Lt. Balentine's objective: To quantify the friction loss, flow rates, ease of stretching, maneuverability and other characteristics of Hose X compared to the KrakenEXO.

After testing multiple nozzle combinations and measuring different water flows, he found that the KrakenEXO blew everything away in terms of maneuverability and water delivery. According to Lt. Balentine, "More water flowed through the KrakenEXO than expected and it kinked less than our current brand. But the biggest surprise was the KrakenEXO's friction loss - it was lower in comparison to 'normal' or what are known values for a hose of this size."  Balentine went onto say, "Lower friction is a huge advantage when it comes to water delivery, pump life, maintenance costs and more importantly ...  saving lives."

The final proof came when both manufacturers' hose samples were tested in a burn building in Concord, New Hampshire.  Under live fire conditions ... "The KrakenEXO was put through significant twists and turns and its kink resistance performed much better than the hose we've been using for years.  Especially at lower pressures." said Lt. Balentine.  "The KrakenEXO performed the best on all fronts!"

Request a Free Demo Today 

Call Allan MacRae, General Sales Manager, at 1-877-937-9660 ext. 241 or emailalmacrae@mercedestextiles.com for more information on the KrakenEXO^® or other 
innovative products made by Mercedes Textiles Limited.