In 2018 Standards Australia initiated the development of Standard AS 2419.4 (Fire hydrant installations - Part 4: Storz fittings for firefighting purposes) under Australian Standards committee FP-009, Fire Hydrant Installations.
AFAC has two representatives on this committee, Mark Porter (Fire and Rescue NSW) and David Kearsley (Fire Rescue Victoria).
Storz fittings
The new standard intends to specify minimum requirements for the design, manufacture, performance, and testing of Storz fittings used for firefighting purposes in Australia. When published, the standard can be used by agencies purchasing or assessing Storz for firefighting hoses, equipment, vehicles, and fire hydrant installations.
Installation standard
The standard forms part of the AS2419 suite of standards and will be referenced for installation on fire hydrant valves and fire brigade booster connections in the states and territories that use Storz hose couplings.
It addresses the issue of non-conforming Storz fittings that pose a safety risk to both firefighters and building occupants. A Storz fitting with low maintenance, tamper-resistant metal sealing face has also been introduced for fire hydrant valves.
Australia-wide fittings
AFAC designated the Storz type fitting as one of the common Australia-wide fittings The initiation of this project was a significant turning point in the use of Storz fittings by Australian fire services. In 2008, AFAC designated the Storz type fitting as one of the common Australia-wide fittings that facilitates better interagency cooperation.
To support expertise on the committee, additional representatives were seconded to the project team, representing AFAC and the industry, and consulting within the AFAC Collaboration Framework throughout the entire process.
Developing the standard
AFAC acknowledges key involvement and subject matter expertise from Nicholas Coney and Damon Chamberlain (Fire and Rescue NSW) who have led the development of this important Standard on behalf of the emergency service industry and AFAC membership.
Other significant contributors were Stephen Boucher (SA Country Fire Service) who represented AFAC Operational Equipment Group, Shae Mete (Fire Protection Association Australia), and Theo Klich (Rural firefighter) who contributed the detailed drawings. The project team also sought expertise from two key AFAC committees, Built Environment and Planning Technical Group, and Operational Equipment Technical Group.
DIN and NEN Standards
The Standard has been developed from existing DIN (German Institute for Standardization) and NEN (The Royal Netherlands Standardization Institute) Standards and intends to consolidate what is currently acceptable.
Storz to BSP adaptors are described, but state-specific adaptors are not addressed (e.g. Storz to Fire Brigade Round Thread) and these remain the responsibility of local agencies if still required. Current DIN and NEN fittings are deemed to conform to the new standard. The standard will replace references to NEN 3374:1971 in AS2419.1. A recent committee ballot poll of the final committee draft resulted in a positive outcome which will see the Standard now go to publication and published within the next few weeks.
