MARCH 28, 2022, MONTREAL QC, CANADA--Mercedes Textiles Ltd. has announced the launch of the newest innovation in fire hose – a 2” attack hose that delivers 2.5” flows with up to 30% less weight for superior maneuverability and handling: the KrakenEXO SUPER IITM.
Engineered to address the tactical challenges of the 2.5” attack line, the KrakenEXO SUPER IITM offers a more manageable size and weight, while still achieving 210-300 GPM with increased flexibility, high kink resistance, and low friction loss – all combined with Mercedes Textiles’ proven strength and durability.
“At Mercedes Textiles, we design innovative products that answer the challenges of the modern fire service, pushing the boundaries of performance”, said Bob Richardson, President of Mercedes Textiles. “We look to firefighters to tell us what they need so that we can engineer products that evolve alongside progressive firefighting tactics. We developed the KrakenEXO SUPER IITM specifically to address current realities of the fireground.”
Realities that Captain Franklin “Linn” Baxa experiences daily with Buckhannon Fire Department in West Virginia. “We are a low-manpower fire department. We only recently went to three people per shift, backfilled by volunteers. Everything we do is with minimal manpower. In order to achieve the GPM we wanted – a lot of water – followed by a manageable nozzle reaction for a single firefighter, we went with the KrakenEXO SUPER IITM,” explains Cpt. Baxa. “There is a big difference between this 2” and our previous 2.5” hose. The KrakenEXO SUPER IITM gives you more water in a fire hose that suits our departments staffing levels. We’re pumping our 200’ at 110PSI; it knocked nozzle reaction down to 96lbs. So much easier to work with!”
Compared to a standard 2.5” hose, KrakenEXO SUPER IITM is up to 40lbs lighter per 50’ and up to 160lbs less over 200’, which makes a substantial difference when placing the line into operation. With a 2.125” internal diameter, it is also more ergonomic – easier to grip, hold on to, and maneuver. It is especially applicable for operations where larger flows are required, but low manpower is a reality.
“Limited staffing is a common challenge in the fire service, across all of North America. Combined with the reality of bigger, faster-burning fires that require bigger GPMs, we see the 2.5” line deployed often, adding further challenges related to weight, maneuverability, and speed,” explains Jamie Emblem, Mercedes’ Northeast Regional Sales. “At Mercedes Textiles, we’re always looking to provide new, more efficient and effective ways to get water on the fire. That’s exactly what the KrakenEXO SUPER IITM does – lets the frontline ‘fight the fire, not the hose’.”
The KrakenEXO SUPER IITM officially launches at FDIC on April 28th at the Mercedes Textiles Ltd. booth (4950/51). National Fire Radio hosts will be onsite for a product reveal and live sessions, including interviews with industry experts like Lt. Ray McCormack (FDNY retired).
Preview the KrakenEXO SUPER IITM in action at www.mercedestextiles.com/SUPER2. Stay tuned for more at launch.
About Mercedes Textiles Limited
For more than 40 years, Mercedes Textiles Ltd. is proud to have delivered the most innovative and reliable water delivery systems to the firefighting community. They continue their commitment to engineer and manufacture products that don’t just innovate but also keep people safe.
From coupled fire hoses to portable fire pumps and entire water delivery systems, Mercedes Textiles’ one driving force is to create the best and safest products for the brave firefighters who rush into danger every day. No other manufacturer offers a more complete manufactured solution, controlling the quality of your hose from end to end. When a firefighter carries any Mercedes Textiles products, they carry more than 40 years of that trust.
Mercedes Textiles is proudly North American manufactured and operated.
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