Providing first responders with a breath of fresh air

Portable breathing air system manufacturer relies on Hannay.

Posted on 02/08/2022

Safe Air Systems has been working with Hannay Reels since the company’s inception in 1993. The company provides firefighting, diving, defense, mining – and even paintballing – industries with state-of-the-art air systems. Regarding Safe Air’s long-standing partnership with Hannay, shop supervisor Edward Holland said, “They’ve always been willing to listen to my ideas, or the company’s ideas, and have gone above and beyond on some of the projects.”

Mainly, Safe Air constructs breathing air systems that are equipped to fill self-contained breathing apparatuses (SCBAs) with air. SCBAs are a part of the airpacks that are often worn by first responders while entering rescue scenes, providing them with a steady supply of breathing air. This is especially critical in environments inundated with smoke, toxic fumes and more. Typically, Safe Air installs these air systems themselves, either within fire trucks or within mobile units that serve as filling stations.

Because they develop systems catered to so many different applications, customization capabilities are essential to Safe Air. Providing clients with products built specifically for them is a crucial part of the company’s mission. Additionally, it’s Holland’s favorite part of the job. He noted, “We don’t just sell a cookie cutter product. We sit down with the customer and listen to them and build what they want.”

These air systems are constructed with both high- and low-pressure Hannay reels. Low-pressure reels handle breathing air hose with a maximum operating pressure of 350 PSI. These are most often used for applications such as tool air, pumping tires, and stringing lines out to confined space boxes. Confined space boxes act as a sort of extension cord for air supply systems. They allow a greater number of rescue workers to travel a further distance, making missions in limited space areas easier.

Low-pressure lines do, however, only allow rescue workers to travel a limited distance before they need to hook into a confined space box. That’s where high-pressure reels come in. High-pressure reels use breathing air quality hose that is rated up to 7500 PSI, and allow rescue workers to travel further than they could if attached to a low-pressure hose reel. Off the job, high-pressure reels and hoses are also used to refill cascade systems. This ensures rescue workers will be prepared with a steady breathing air supply the next time they are called to the scene.

Regarding the crucial function of a Hannay reel on an air system, Holland said, “If a rescue worker got on scene and the reel didn’t work properly, they’d be without air.” Luckily, Hannay has proven time and time again to be the reliable hose reel choice.

“We’ve never deviated from Hannay. We’ve had multiple other hose reel companies come in and try to pitch us, but there have been no problems with Hannay and they’ve always been really good to work with us if we need a custom application. There’s just no callback, no warranty work on their reels. They’ve always been great,” said Holland.

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Industries: | Fire/Rescue | Government / Military | Industrial | Mining

Applications: | Breathing Air

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