A lighter, more compact electric hose reel gives WA firefighters a new edge

Western Australia’s Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) operates 24/7 to protect the community during natural disasters and emergencies. We do our part to help the DFES by supplying their fleet with Australia’s best firefighting reels.

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) operates 24/7 to protect the WA community and respond to natural disasters and emergencies. We do our part to help the DFES by supplying their fleet with the best equipment to fight fires – our Real Ezy Hose Reels.

Problem

Space comes at a premium on the DFES’s Light Tanker bush fire response vehicles. These vehicles need to fit water tanks and lots of equipment. Any space saved on the hose reel is a significant help to the bodybuilders constructing the vehicles and the firefighters using them.

With this in mind, we were tasked with developing a lighter and more compact version of our electric hose reels — without compromising on the strength, durability, or performance that makes them so effective.

Solution

Our standard electric hose reels feature a high-performance electric motor mounted outside the reel. To reduce the footprint of the reel, we mounted this motor on the inside and designed a 90-degree swivel that takes up less space and keeps the inlet hose close to the reel. And with some other minor modifications across the reel, we also reduced weight without compromising strength.

Result

This electric hose reel model is now in use across DFES fire appliances. The reel fits into tighter places and allows for more equipment and larger water tanks to be fitted to the vehicles. And most importantly, this updated design has zero compromises on the performance or durability of the reel.

Water truck bodybuilders have also adopted this new electric reel for mining, civil, and agricultural applications. This reel is an excellent option for any user looking to save space and weight.

Retra is an Australian owned and operated company with equipment manufactured and warehoused in WA. Whatever your fluid handling operations, we can work beside you to maximise efficiency and reliability.

For more info about our products and capabilities, join the 5000+ subscribers on our mailing list or contact our team at sales@retragroup.com.au.