Hydroshield
The hydro shield (also known as the water shield ) is a water release valve used by the fire brigade to protect endangered objects.
Structure and functionality
The hydroshield consists of a metal tube to which a C or B coupling is attached on one side for the water supply and on the other side a metal plate that is flat at the bottom and rounded at the top. The hydroshield has a handle for easier handling.
After the extinguishing water hits the metal plate, it creates a wall of water up to 10 meters high and 30 meters wide, depending on the water pressure, device type and water flow rate (800–1800 l / min).
Possible uses
Hydro shields are used to shield against heat, flames , smoke and to precipitate vapors or to protect people or objects against smoke development.
The benefit of using it against thermal radiation is controversial, as the effect is questioned in places. What is certain, however, is that the relatively high water consumption often precludes its use, especially in the first phase of an operation.
The hydroshield is pressed onto the ground by the water pressure so that it cannot change its position during operation. As a result, the hydroshield offers the fire brigade another advantage: no personnel are required. The disadvantage is the high water consumption.
Executions
| Type | at 5 bar | at 8 bar |
|---|---|---|
| D. | 100 l / min | 300 l / min |
| Throw height | 4 m | 6 m |
| Throwing width | 13 m | 15 m |
| C. | 800 l / min | 1,100 l / min |
| Throw height | 6 m | 8 m |
| Throwing width | 24 m | 27 m |
| B. | 1,400 l / min | 1,800 l / min |
| Throw height | 7 m | 10 m |
| Throwing width | 27 m | 31 m |
Use outside the fire department
For hydro shields that are used for water effects at events, see Waterscreen . It is often used when buildings are blown to bind the resulting dust from the air.
Original use and history
Hydro shields were already used as dust catchers around 200 years ago when drilling in derrick, blasting and in tunnel construction. It was not until 150 years later that the first hydraulic shields were used in series by the fire service; However, these were far from being fully developed, and they were often self-made .
literature
- Lutz Rieck: Die Rote Hefte, booklet 06 - fire extinguishing fittings . Kohlhammer, Stuttgart 2000, ISBN 978-3-17-015171-0 , pp. 102-103 .
- Rüdiger Zimmermann, Wolf-Dieter Prendke: Lexicon of the fire brigade . 3. Edition. Kohlhammer Verlag, 2005, ISBN 3-17-018610-8 , p. 212.
- Diverse: Hamilton - Handbook for the fire brigade . 21st edition. Boorberg Verlag, 2012. ISBN 978-3-415-04560-6 .
