A fire monitor is used to deliver very high volumes of water or foam over long distances to control large-scale fires. Fire monitors are widely used in refineries, tank farms, chemical plants, terminals, and fuel storage facilities where hose lines, sprinklers, or deluge systems cannot provide sufficient reach or flow.
Fire monitors, deluge guns, deck guns, and master stream monitors all refer to high-capacity devices used to deliver large volumes of water or foam onto a fire. In many conversations, the terms are used interchangeably, because the core function is the same: projecting a powerful stream for fire knockdown, cooling, and exposure protection.
However, the terminology often reflects the application and setup. Fire monitor is the broad engineering term. Deck gun is commonly used for portable or manually deployed units. Deluge gun typically refers to monitors installed as part of a fixed deluge or protection system. And master stream monitor highlights the very high flow rates associated with defensive firefighting.
High-capacity fire monitors and deluge guns typically deliver between 5,000 and 40,000 litres per minute, depending on size and configuration. For extreme industrial risk environments, larger units are required. FFS manufactures one of the highest-capacity fire monitors in the world, delivering up to 80,000 litres per minute.
When selecting a fire monitor, key factors include required flow rate, throw distance, operating pressure, and compatibility with water or foam. Site layout, hazard footprint, wind conditions, and integration with the firewater system are also critical. Correct selection ensures effective coverage without overloading pumps or pipework.
Refinery and tank farm fires involve high heat release and rapid escalation. Fire monitors provide long-range cooling, effective foam application, and sustained high flow rates. Their ability to operate from safe distances makes them critical for protecting personnel, structures, and high-value assets during major fire incidents.
A mobile pump unit is used to deliver high-volume water supply across a wide range of industrial and emergency scenarios. Typical applications include firefighting support, flood control, water transfer, temporary firewater reinforcement, and backup supply during outages. FFS mobile pump units are designed as versatile assets that can be deployed across multiple roles
Mobile pump units deliver the flow and pressure needed to operate fire monitors, deluge equipment, and hose systems when additional capacity or independent water supply is required. They can also supplement existing firewater networks during peak demand or emergency conditions.
Key considerations include required flow range, pressure capability, suction performance, runtime, fuel efficiency, and ease of transport. Flexibility across different tasks is increasingly important. FFS designs mobile pump units to perform reliably in firefighting, flood response, and industrial water management, making them practical long-term investments rather than single-use solutions.
A fire monitor trailer is a mobile firefighting unit designed to rapidly deploy high-capacity fire monitors to different locations across an industrial site. Monitor trailers are used where fixed monitors cannot provide full coverage or where risks change over time. FFS monitor trailers are designed to be lightweight and easily transportable, allowing fast repositioning across high-risk areas.
Fire monitor trailers can support a wide range of flow rates, depending on configuration and water supply. Typical capacities range from several thousand litres per minute to very high master stream flows suitable for major industrial incidents. FFS monitor trailers are engineered to operate effectively across high-flow applications while maintaining stability and control during operation.
Yes. Fire monitor trailers can be configured for water or foam depending on site requirements. Foam-capable monitor trailers are commonly used in tank farms, refineries, and chemical facilities where flammable liquid fires are a primary risk. FFS monitor trailers are designed to integrate easily with foam systems, supporting rapid deployment and effective foam application when time is critical.
Mobile pump units are used to rapidly remove large volumes of water during flooding, heavy rainfall, or infrastructure failure. They are commonly deployed for site dewatering, flood mitigation, and protection of critical assets. FFS mobile pump units are designed for continuous operation, high flow rates, and fast deployment in demanding flood response situations.
Large-scale flood response requires pumps capable of handling high volumes, variable water quality, and long operating periods. Diesel-driven, high-capacity mobile pumps are commonly preferred due to their independence from fixed power and infrastructure. FFS offers mobile and submersible pump solutions designed to handle both emergency flooding and planned dewatering operations.
Deployment speed depends on transportability, setup complexity, and site access. Lightweight, mobile pump systems with simple hose connections allow the fastest response. FFS flood response solutions are designed for rapid mobilisation, enabling water transfer and dewatering operations to begin shortly after arrival on site.
A fire fighting system is a coordinated set of equipment and controls designed to detect, control, and suppress fires in industrial settings. Fire fighting systems typically include pumps, firewater supply, monitors, hose connections, foam systems, and control components. In high-risk facilities, the system must deliver large volumes quickly and operate reliably under extreme conditions.
A fire fighting system focuses on active fire suppression using water, foam, or other extinguishing agents. A fire protection system is a broader term that also includes passive measures such as fire walls, fireproofing, detection, and alarms. Industrial sites usually combine fire fighting systems with fire protection systems to manage both prevention and emergency response.
Modern fire fighting systems are designed to be scalable and adaptable as site conditions change. This often includes mobile pumps, deployable monitors, temporary fire systems, and flexible connections that support rapid reconfiguration. FFS specialises in fire fighting system solutions that can be expanded, reinforced, or redeployed as operational risks evolve.
A foam-based fire system is designed to suppress flammable liquid fires by forming a stable foam blanket over the fuel surface. These systems are commonly used in refineries, fuel storage areas, chemical plants, and loading terminals. Foam fire systems may be fixed or mobile and are often integrated with fire monitors for large-area coverage.
A fire pump is used to supply water or foam at the pressure and flow required for a fire fighting system to operate effectively. Fire pumps feed equipment such as fire monitors, water spray systems, hose connections, and foam systems. In industrial facilities, fire pumps are critical for maintaining reliable firewater supply during large or prolonged fire incidents.
Industrial fire fighting pumps include diesel-driven fire pumps, electric fire pumps, mobile fire pumps, and specialised foam pumps. Diesel firefighting pumps are commonly used where independence from external power is required. FFS supplies fire pump solutions across a wide capacity range to support both fixed and mobile fire fighting systems.
A fire pump is primarily designed to move water for fire suppression, while a foam pump is used to transfer foam concentrate or supply foam proportioning systems. Foam pumps are essential components in foam-based fire suppression systems, ensuring accurate and reliable foam delivery. FFS integrates both fire pumps and foam pumps into complete fire fighting system solutions.
A foam proportioning pump is used to inject foam concentrate into the firewater stream at a controlled ratio. It forms part of a foam proportioning system, ensuring consistent foam quality for effective suppression of flammable liquid fires. These systems are commonly used in refineries, tank farms, and chemical facilities where foam application is critical.
An external firefighting system is designed to fight fires outside the vessel itself, such as fires on other ships, terminals, or offshore structures. These systems typically include high-capacity fire pumps, fire monitors, drives, and controls capable of delivering large volumes of water or foam over long distances. External firefighting systems are essential for fireboats, tugs, and offshore support vessels.
Pump capacity and monitor output are critical in marine firefighting due to large fire loads and open operating environments. High-capacity fire pumps supply the volumes needed to operate multiple monitors simultaneously, while large monitors deliver long throw distances. FFS has more than 12,000 fire pumps in operation and has delivered over 15,000 fire monitors for marine and industrial firefighting worldwide.
Fireboats, tugs, and offshore vessels rely on high-capacity fire monitors to control fires from safe distances, protect vessels and shore-side structures, and support coordinated firefighting operations. Tugs play a critical role due to their manoeuvrability and ability to operate close to incidents. These monitors must deliver sustained flow and precise control in demanding marine conditions.
Yes. Existing tugs and offshore support vessels can be upgraded with external FiFi systems, subject to available space, power capacity, and vessel layout. Upgrade projects require careful integration with existing engines and machinery. FFS provides marine fire systems designed to support upgrade projects, including compact and containerised external FiFi system options with foam and deluge capability where required.
Low temperatures can affect fire system performance by increasing the risk of freezing, reducing fluid flexibility, and placing additional stress on mechanical components. In marine environments operating in cold or variable climates, fire systems must be designed to maintain reliable operation during prolonged exposure to low temperatures and harsh weather conditions.
FFS is widely recognised as the global leader in external firefighting systems due to the scale, depth, and consistency of its marine deployments. With approximately 6,000 complete external fire system shipsets delivered and more than 12,000 fire pumps in operation worldwide, FFS technology forms the backbone of a significant share of the global high-capacity firefighting fleet. This level of real-world deployment reflects unmatched experience in designing, supplying, and integrating external firefighting systems for demanding marine applications.
High ambient temperatures can increase fire risk and place additional demands on fire fighting systems. Equipment may need to operate for extended periods under sustained load, making thermal stability and reliable performance important considerations. In hot-climate industrial regions, such as parts of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, system designers often consider high-capacity pumps, fire monitors, and configurations suited to prolonged operation in elevated temperatures.
Large industrial sites may benefit from mobile fire fighting systems because risks can change over time and across different areas of the facility. Mobile systems allow fire protection capacity to be added where fixed coverage may be limited or temporarily unavailable. This flexibility can be relevant for large-footprint sites operating in regions such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE, where site size and operating conditions can vary significantly.
Designing a fire system to exceed applicable standards means incorporating additional performance margins beyond minimum requirements. This may include higher flow capacity, extended operating duration, or increased system robustness. FFS applies this approach to support reliable operation under demanding conditions, while still aligning with relevant codes and approval processes.
Compliance requirements can vary depending on region, industry, and application. Fire systems used in marine, industrial, or energy environments are often subject to different codes and class rules. FFS designs fire systems to be adaptable, allowing configurations to be aligned with regional regulations, project specifications, and approval requirements where applicable.
Compliance helps ensure that fire systems perform as intended during emergency situations and are accepted by regulators, class societies, and operators. For high-capacity fire systems, compliance supports safe operation, predictable performance, and long-term reliability. Designing with compliance in mind reduces risk during installation, commissioning, and operation.
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