What makes a Fire Hydrant reliable?
The South African National Standards has specific guidelines on the
manufacturing and dimensions of fire hydrants to ensure their effectiveness.
All producers and manufacturers need to follow these strict tolerances
and dimensions so that our fire system and services are reliable; even
years after being installed.
However, many of the imported fire hydrants do not conform to South
African National Standards; they are either oversized or undersized,
in critical areas by as much as 3mm. Some fire hydrants can have their
fronts screwed off and be tampered with.
These hydrants are sold with loose outlets, outlets which can and are
stolen, rendering the hydrant useless in an emergency.
This makes it difficult for fire services to utilize the hydrant to
save lives and property when there is a fire.
Who is at fault if a fire cannot be managed; the fire services or the
fire hydrant manufacturers?
Companies have noticed that Woodlands Fire has been
effective in producing quality products, so much so, that some companies
have taken to copying our products. Many of these copied fire hydrants,
for example, look exactly like a Woodlands product,
and at first sight, could pass as a Woodlands hydrant,
but they are in fact nothing more than poor imitations. Many of these
companies will go so far as to tell you that they are offering you is
"Just like a Woodlands" and "Performs just
like a Woodlands".
Sadly, price, not quality is used to market and sell the product. Why
would anyone want to purchase an imitation product when the real item
could be bought, which not only meets but exceeds the South African
National Standards for fire hydrants.
Woodlands Fire has been manufacturing hydrants and
associated equipment for over 30 years.
Our philosophy when building our fire products is to always listen to
the customer and their requirements.
We then examine what works in the field, and try to improve our product.
All Woodlands hydrants have the outlets cast integrally
with the body, so that they cannot be screwed off, stolen and tampered
with.
Woodlands Fire is proud of the quality of our products
that we manufacture, and we place our name on all of our products as
we stand by our products.
Even though, it looks like a Woodlands product, if
it does not say Woodlands on the product it is more
than likely a fake and the seller is trying to pass off something that
is a cheap imitation. Fire does not discriminate, compromise or stand
back for anyone.
Don't Compromise on Quality for Price.
Noel Cockin
Director