Storz couplings, aka. firefighting couplings or fire hose fittings, are firefighters’ favorite due to their strong resistance to corrosion, acids, and water. Resistance capability, however, is determined by what material they are made of. One thing for sure is that these fire hose fittings work extremely well with water and other fluids. Better still, they can be connectedto hoses quite quickly and easily.
The aim of this article to provide useful insights into many practical applications of Storz couplings in the fire protection industry.
When to use
Secured by a bayonet locking protected by a collar, the Storz couplings are designed symmetrically for the purpose of connecting themselves perfectly with hoses or any fixed connectors. These so-called “symmetrical” couplings have identical locking heads without male/female halves so that the safely connection can only be completed in one way. Very much suitable for water transportation, Storz couplings are deployed in most fire departments. Different NBR seals go with individual Storz couplings for aqueous and oily fluids.
What to know
You can find the right couplings with associated information at Mafco’s website for your various applications.
Key features of Storz couplings
1. Normal working pressure:PN 16
2. Available seals: NBR
3. Available materials: aluminum (AL), brass, bronze and (RG5; salt water resistant).
Normally, you can assemble Storz couplings manually with ease though they may jam under pressure, which can be troubleshooted by using the Storz wrench.
The size of a Storz coupling is determined and identified by the distance between its two lugs, aka Lug Distance.
Lug distance measurement
The lug distance, commonly called “Knaggen-Abstand,” can be identified by measuring the interior distance between two lugs with a caliper. These measurements range widely from 31 mm to 220 mm with some common sizes being represented by letters:
- A: 133 mm
- B: 89 mm
- C: 66 mm
- D: 31 mm
Types of Storz couplings
Storz couplings come in a wide variety of types.Mafco provides our customers not only separate fire hose fittings but also fully assembled hoses with an attached Storz coupling. The most popular Storz couplings are briefly described as follows:
1. Female and male threaded Storz couplings
These two types of couplings are designed to fit fire hoses, PVC and various pipes. They are also commonly used in the shipping, construction, and industry sectors.
2. Storz hose tail couplings
Having a short hose tail, this type of Storz coupling is typically used for firefighting while serving the purposes of agricultural, truck, and industrial cleaning.
3. Storz hose locking blank cap
With a black cap on the opening, this type of Storz coupling can prevent the hose from corrosion and foreign objects such as dirt and debris.
4. Storz reducer couplings
This type of couplings can be connected to hoses or fixed connectors freely and, unlike the standard Storz couplings, have many variants for specific purposes.
