Metro Applications
July 8, 2024
Differences in Firefighting Valves: Siamese, Gated Wye, Water Thief
November 3, 2023
On the fire ground, firefighters use a lot of different equipment to move and control water. One vital piece of their water flow equipment is the different types of valves they use. If you’ve heard firefighters talk about a siamese, gated wye, manifold, or water thief, you might have wondered what they are and what […]
Will Your BIV Fit Behind a Roll Up Door?
May 25, 2023
Our Jumbo Low Profile Ball Intake Valve is a great option for fire departments searching for a high-capacity intake valve. Large Flow Capacity The Jumbo Low Profile Ball Intake Valve has a 5.25” waterway which gives you high flow with minimal friction loss whether you are operating from a draft or pressurized water source. Swivel […]
3 Reasons You Might Choose a Budget Intake Valve
May 15, 2023
When you are considering a new intake valve, you may be tempted to choose based on the price alone. This may mean you choose a smaller waterway or a different style of valve than we would typically recommend. Generally, we recommend choosing your intake valve based on the criteria in this article. However, we recognize […]
Is a Detent Elbow Right for Your Intake Valve?
May 8, 2023
If you are evaluating intake valves you are going to need to decide on the type of elbow you want. One possibility is a detent elbow. You may be wondering what a detent elbow is and what the potential benefits are. In this article we will go over what a detent elbow is, how it […]
Does Your Intake Valve Need a Pressure Relief Valve?
April 12, 2023
If you are evaluating intake valves, you may wonder if a pressure relief valve is needed. You may not be sure if your department really needs one or how to decide. There may be differing opinions within your department. Overall, the decision to get a pressure relief valve or not depends a lot on department […]
How Does Water Supply Affect Your Firefighting Nozzle Choice?
April 5, 2023
Getting water to the fire in the fastest way possible is arguably one of the most important tactics on the fire ground aside from preservation of life. That’s why the fire service is so passionate about their nozzle selection. Your nozzle is the first line of defense in saving lives and protecting property for the majority […]
What does it really mean to have a 1500 GPM pump?
March 23, 2023
When you want to understand how much water your pump can move, it’s important to have a solid understanding of what a pump rating actually is and how it’s determined. Let’s dive in. Pump Rating Conditions One really important thing to understand about pump ratings is that they are determined under very specific conditions. […]
5 Common Mistakes When Choosing an Intake Valve
March 13, 2023
When choosing an intake valve for your department, you want to do it right and select the best for your needs. So, are you considering all the variables you need to? We’ve compiled a list of the five most common mistakes we see departments make when they choose one of our Ball Intake Valves. This […]
When to Consider a Straight Intake Valve Vs an Elbow Intake
February 27, 2023
When you’re evaluating intake valves, you will need to decide if you want or need a straight intake valve or one with an elbow. Making this decision could depend on your department's preferences, the size of your pump panel, or the sources your department depends on for water supply. This article dives into a few […]
Five Tips for Choosing the Right Intake Valve
February 20, 2023
Are you selecting a new intake valve for your apparatus? Are you wondering how to narrow down your choices? An intake valve is an important part of your firefighting operation, and one you want to be sure is optimized for your department. If you are considering intake valves and trying to make the best choice […]
What is an Intake Valve?
February 13, 2023
Have you ever wondered about the differences in types of intake valves? Ball intake valves (BIVs), piston intake valves, butterfly/wafer style intake valves – what does it all mean? What are the differences in how they work? In this article we’re going to talk about the purpose of an intake valve and walk you through […]
Why do You Need an Intake Valve?
February 2, 2023
“Do I need an intake valve on my pump's inlet connection?” One of the main reasons you want an intake valve on your apparatus is to gain control over water entering your pump. This is true for municipal and rural fire departments. Let’s look at considerations for each side. Municipal Departments As a municipal department, […]
Can a SHO-FLOW Bluetooth Flow Meter be Used on a Fire Hydrant?
January 26, 2023
“Can the Sho-Flow flow meter be used to determine flows on a fire hydrant? We’re looking for something to replace a pitot gauge when testing hydrant flows. Will it still need a diffusing device on the end?” Can the SHO-FLOW be Used on a Hydrant? Short answer – yes! The Sho-Flow flow meter can be […]