Home Fireman

Did you know that in three to five minutes a small fire can grow and engulf your entire home? Early warning and quick response can really minimize the amount of damage that's going to be done. Today, though, we're going to show you something I think is really unique: A Home Fireman Kit

STEPS FOR Installation:
Electing a general location: The hose on the Home Fireman is 40 feet long. Use the hose itself to verify the coverage area. The unit should be located in a central location where it can cover the entire home. If the residence is too large for the hose to cover all areas, more than one Home Fireman may be necessary. Protecting escape routes and covering fire prone areas should be the primary considerations. The Home Fireman is designed to fit into a standard 16” on center 2x4 stud framing. The space selected (behind the sheetrock) should be free and clear of obstructions such as supplementary studs, conduit or cabling from floor level to a height of seven feet. Do not install the unit directly over electrical outlets. Placing the unit between studs offers the most economical installation. The unit can, however, go virtually anywhere the wall space is available, the only difference being the degree of difficulty and cost of installation.

Required space:
The total wall space required for the frame will be larger than the cutout space required for the inset box. Wall space required, 2” frame: 17”x20¼”; 3” frame: 19”x22¼” (do not cut this!). Inset box dimensions, cut hole 14½”x17¾”; bottom of hole 48” above the floor; top of hole 65¾” above the floor.

Locate the cold water line:
Turn off the water supply before cutting into the line. Verify that you have good access to a cold water line before cutting a hole for the inset box. TIP: the right side of a sink or the only line to a toilet should be a cold water line.

Cutting the hole for the inset box:
Using a stud finder, locate 2 studs that have a minimum of 14 1/2” between them, start the cut at 48” above the floor cutting horizontally between the studs. The second cut should be made at 65 3/4” above the floor. Make 2 vertical cuts along the studs to complete the hole.

Running the connecting water line:
A hidden channel for the connecting line is located on the left side of the box toward the rear. Using a 3/4” drill bit, drill a hole in the line with the hose channel through the bottom plate and sub-floor. Using a pipe cutter, cut a 1” section out of the cold water line and insert a 1/2” “T” connector to either 1/2” or 3/4” plumbing. Either copper, PVC or polybutylene lines may be used as connecting lines. Run the line from the “T”, back to the Home Fireman through the hidden channel. If using polybutylene there is no need to use an elbow. Just leave sufficient line to form an unkinked 1/2" loop above the unit (behind the sheetrock) from the top of the hidden channel to the fitting extending out of the box.

Installing the inset box:
Secure the box with 4 screws using the pre-drilled pilot holes. NOTE: Ball valve must be positioned so that it is on top! Connect the connecting line to the ½” ball valve fitting on the top side of the unit. If not yet mounted, mount the inset box.

Test the unit:
Test all connections for leaks. Replace the door and frame (if removed). Connect the hose to the ball valve. Remove the shipping straps from the fire hose. Test the fire hose. Rewind the fire hose after testing and place into unit. Place fire extinguisher inside unit.

FIRE FACTS
You only have 2 to 3 minutes to extinguish a fire before it grows out of control! It takes time to reach 911 and dispatch the fire department. Distance, traffic, rain, snow and ice are all factors which can slow the arrival of help. Also, 80% of all firemen are volunteers, each of whom must first be contacted and then have to travel from their respective locations (home, work, etc.) to the scene of the fire. It takes time.

A Fire Doubles In Size Every Minute
    * 3 to 4 minutes - a fire can totally involve a house
    * 5 to 10 minutes - a mobile home can burn to the ground
    * 4 to 20 minutes - range of 911 response times