Storz
Storz is a type of hose coupling invented by Carl August Guido Storz in 1882 and patented in Switzerland in 1890, and patented in the U.S. in 1893[1] that connects using interlocking hooks and flanges. It was first specified in standard FEN 301-316, and has been used by German fire brigades since 1933. (See German delivery hose article.) Amongst other uses, it has been widely employed on fire hoses in firefighting applications. It is the standard coupling on fire hoses in Portugal, Denmark, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Sweden, the Netherlands, Israel, and Greece.[2] It is also widely used in Australia and the United States.
Storz connectors are usually made of brass or aluminium. They can be manufactured by casting for general hose connection and low pressure applications, but for firefighting, it is better to use forgings to guarantee the safety and durability of the coupling.
It is sometimes referred to as a sexless coupling, because rather than having a male and a female end connected by screw threads, either identical end can be joined to any other end of the same diameter. This is also called hermaphroditic or two-way connection. To couple a Storz connection, the two opposing couplings are pressed together such that the hooks of each one are inserted into the slots in the flange of the other. Then they are rotated in opposite directions until they are tight, or latches engage. This creates a water-tight connection between the internal packing gaskets. To uncouple them, the latches are released and the connectors are turned in the opposite directions from coupling, and then separated when the hooks and slots are aligned. Special wrenches are designed for assisting with use of Storz connectors.
The main benefit to using Storz couplings is speed of hose connection, as a hose can be locked with a quarter-turn. By comparison, locking hoses using threaded couplings often takes several turns. Because of this, Storz couplings are widely viewed as a safer alternative to using threaded couplings. A secondary benefit over threaded couplings is that the connecting faces and hooks are less prone to damage if the coupling is dropped onto, or dragged over, a hard surface.
Storz couplers are available commercially in the following non-DIN-specified sizes:[3]
| Storz
Coupling Size |
Lug
Distance (mm) |
DIN Standard | Hose Internal
Diameter Options (mm) |
Fire Fighting Usage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 32 | 44 | 32 | ||
| 38 | 52 | 38 | ||
| 45 | 59 | 45 | ||
| 65 | 81 | 38, 42, 52, 64, 70 | Australia[4] | |
| 90 | 105 | 90 | ||
| 100 | 115 | 101 (called 4″ in U.S.) | U.S.[5] | |
| 125 | 148 | 125 (called 5″ in U.S.) | U.S.[5] | |
| 135 | 159 | 135 | ||
| 150 | 160 | 150 (3-lug configuration) | ||
| 165 | 188 | 165 | ||
| 205 | 220 | 203 (2-lug configuration) | ||
| 205 | 220 | 203 (3-lug configuration) | ||
| 250 | 278 | 256 (3-lug configuration) |
DIN standards define the following pressure couplings:
| Storz
Coupling Size |
Inner Seal
Diameter (mm) |
Lug
Distance (mm) |
DIN Standard | Hose Internal
Diameter Options (mm) |
Fire Fighting Usage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| D | 25 | 31 | 14301 | 25 | |
| S28 | 52 | 66 | 14330-2 | 28 | |
| S32 | 52 | 66 | 14330-1 | 32 | |
| C42 | 52 | 66 | 14332 | 42 | |
| C52 | 52 | 66 | 14302 | 52 | |
| B | 75 | 89 | 14303 | 75 | |
| A | 110 | 133 | 14300 | 110 |
DIN standards define the following suction couplings:
| Storz
Coupling Size |
Inner Seal
Diameter (mm) |
Lug
Distance (mm) |
DIN Standard | Hose Internal
Diameter Options (mm) |
Fire Fighting Usage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| D | 25 | 31 | 14301 | 15, 19, 25 | |
| C | 52 | 66 | 14321 | 19, 25, 32, 38, 42, 45, 52, 64 | |
| B | 75 | 89 | 14322 | 52, 65, 70, 75 | |
| A | 110 | 133 | 14323 | 102, 110 |
DIN standards define the following fixed couplings (for securing fittings to hoses):
| Storz Coupling Size | Inner Seal
Diameter (mm) |
Lug Distance | Sealing Method | DIN Standard | Fire Fighting Usage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| D | 25 | 31 | ribber ring | 14306 | |
| C | 52 | 66 | ribber ring | 14307 | |
| B | 75 | 89 | ribber ring | 14308 | |
| A | 110 | 133 | ribber ring | 14309 | |
| C | 52 | 66 | metal surface | 14317 | |
| B | 75 | 89 | metal surface | 14318 | |
| A | 110 | 133 | metal surface | 14319 |
DIN standards define the following threaded adapters:
| Storz Coupling Size | Inner Seal
Diameter (mm) |
Lug Distance | Thread Type & Diameter | DIN Standard |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| D | 25 | 31 | BSP 1″ | 14306 |
| C | 52 | 66 | BSP 2″ | 14307 |
| B | 75 | 89 | BSP 2 1⁄2″ | 14308 |
| A | 110 | 133 | BSP 4 1⁄2″ | 14309 |
DIN standards define the following caps:
| Storz Coupling Size | Inner Seal
Diameter (mm) |
Lug Distance | DIN Standard |
|---|---|---|---|
| D | 25 | 31 | 14310 |
| C | 52 | 66 | 14311 |
| B | 75 | 89 | 14312 |
| A | 110 | 133 | 14313 |
DIN standards define the following swivel reducers:
| Storz Coupling Size | Inner Seal
Diameter (mm) |
Lug Distance | Storz Coupling Size | Lug Distance | DIN Standard |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | 52 | 66 | 25-D | 31 | 14341 |
| B | 75 | 89 | 52-C | 66 | 14342 |
| A | 110 | 133 | 75-B | 89 | 14343 |
United States usage
Guido Storz patented his coupling in Switzerland in 1890, and it soon became a standard for fire hydrants throughout much of Europe — but it took nearly one hundred years before the main larger "steamer ports" on fire hydrants started to be converted to the Storz coupling in the United States. U.S. fire engines typically carry LDH (large diameter hose) with Storz couplings on both ends for connections between fire hydrants and pumps. However, if a hydrant usually has threaded couplings, an adapter is required to use with Storz. All major U.S. hydrant manufacturers now offer Storz couplings as original equipment on their hydrants, to connect with the Storz couplings used by firefighters. Hydrants may also be retro-fitted from thread to Storz to aid interoperability between firefighting organizations.
The 100 mm (4-inch) and 125 mm (5-inch) Storz couplers have been specified in NFPA 1963, Standard for Fire Hose Connections, since the 1993 edition.
U.S. cities that have fire hydrants with 125 mm Storz connectors include Raleigh, NC[6] and the City of Corvallis, OR (adapter on 4-inch threaded outlet)[7].
Two 3-way splitters with Storz connectors.
Building dry riser fire hose connection
75 mm fire hose with Storz couplings
Threaded to Storz adapter for fire hydrants.
See also
References
- ↑ "U.S. Patent US 489107 A". Retrieved 2 September 2017.
- ↑ T.O.T.E.E. 2451/86 Εγκαταστάσεις σε κτήρια: Μόνιμα πυροσβεστικά συστήματα με νερό, Technical Chamber of Greece, 1986, pp. 12, 15, 20.
- ↑ "Storz Coupling Sizes" (PDF). Retrieved 14 September 2017.
- ↑ "FRNSW compatible hose connections" (PDF). Retrieved 2017-10-11.
- 1 2 "NFPA 1963" (PDF). Retrieved 2017-10-11.
- ↑ "Standard Fire Hydrant with 5" Storz Pumper Nozzle - City of Raleigh" (PDF). Retrieved 1 September 2017.
- ↑ "Fire Hydrants - City of Corvallis, OR". Retrieved 1 September 2017.
- U.S. Patent 489,107 The U.S. Patent Carl August Guido Storz was granted in 1893.
- DIN 14330: "Aluminium alloy delivery coupling type C nominal pressure PN 16" (2012)
- DIN 14301: "Aluminium alloy delivery and suction coupling type D; nominal pressure" (1985)
- DIN 14302: "Aluminium alloy delivery coupling type C; nominal pressure 16" (1985)
- DIN 14303: "Aluminium alloy delivery coupling type B with nominal pressure PN 16" (2013)
- DIN 14323: "Aluminium alloy delivery and suction coupling type A; nominal pressure 16" (1985)
- DIN 14332: "Aluminium alloy delivery coupling type C; nominal pressure 16; used for fire hoses C 42" (1986)