Stainless Steel Coil Tube for Retractable Fire Hose Reel System
Product Overview
The Stainless Steel Coil Tube (Model Ref: JX-CT-312) is a precision-engineered flexible tubing product manufactured by Wenzhou Jixing Metal Materials Co., Ltd. This product is specifically designed for use in retractable fire hose reel systems, providing reliable fluid conveyance while maintaining full operational flexibility in low-temperature environments. The coil tube is engineered to extend and retract freely even during winter conditions, addressing a critical pain point in conventional fire hose reel assemblies where low-temperature embrittlement and coil stiffness can compromise emergency response readiness.
Unlike rigid piping or standard flexible hoses, this coil tube combines the structural integrity of stainless steel with the spring-back characteristics of a coiled configuration, enabling automatic retraction upon release — a feature essential for rapid deployment in emergency fire suppression scenarios.
Material & Properties
The coil tube is fabricated from high-grade austenitic stainless steel, selected for its exceptional combination of corrosion resistance, cryogenic toughness, and mechanical durability. Key material characteristics include:
- Base Material: Austenitic Stainless Steel (Grade 304 / SUS304 or Grade 316 / SUS316L)
- Carbon Content (C): ≤ 0.08% (304) / ≤ 0.03% (316L)
- Chromium (Cr): 18.0% – 20.0%
- Nickel (Ni): 8.0% – 11.0% (304) / 10.0% – 14.0% (316L)
- Molybdenum (Mo): 2.0% – 3.0% (316L only)
- Operating Temperature Range: −196°C to +600°C (Cryogenic to High-Temperature Service)
- Corrosion Resistance: Excellent resistance to atmospheric corrosion, water, fire suppressants, and mild chemical exposure
- Cryogenic Performance: Maintains ductility and impact strength at sub-zero temperatures without notch sensitivity
- Surface Finish: Mirror polish (Ra ≤ 0.4 μm) or industrial finish (Ra ≤ 1.6 μm) depending on application requirement
- Hygienic Compliance: Suitable for potable water and food-grade environments (316L grade)
Specifications
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Product Name | Stainless Steel Coil Tube for Fire Hose Reel |
| Reference No. | JX-CT-312 |
| Material Grade | SUS304 / SUS316L (Austenitic Stainless Steel) |
| Outer Diameter (OD) | 12 mm / 16 mm / 20 mm / 25 mm (Customizable) |
| Wall Thickness | 0.5 mm – 2.0 mm |
| Coil Diameter (Min. Bend Radius) | 3D – 5D (3–5 times the outer diameter) |
| Standard Length per Coil | 15 m / 20 m / 25 m / 30 m (Configurable) |
| Operating Pressure | 0 – 1.6 MPa (Standard); up to 4.0 MPa (Reinforced) |
| Test Pressure | 1.5× Operating Pressure (Hydrostatic) |
| Low-Temperature Rating | Down to −40°C without loss of flexibility |
| Recoil Performance | Full spring-back retraction upon release (zero residual kinking) |
| Surface Treatment | Passivated (Citric Acid or Nitric Acid Pickle & Passivate) |
| End Connections | Flared / Threaded / Swivel Joint / Quick-Connect Coupling |
| Coating Option | Optional PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene) Internal Lining for Reduced Friction |
| Applicable Standards | GB/T 12771, ASTM A269, EN 10217-7, JIS G3459 |
| Fire Rating | Non-combustible; suitable for NFPA 13 / EN 12845 fire protection systems |
Manufacturing Process
The production of the JX-CT-312 coil tube follows a rigorous multi-stage manufacturing workflow designed to ensure dimensional accuracy, mechanical integrity, and consistent spring-back performance:
- Material Selection & Incoming Inspection: Cold-rolled stainless steel strip is sourced from certified mills and subjected to spectroscopic analysis (OES), mechanical testing, and visual inspection to verify chemical composition and mechanical properties.
- Tube Forming (Seamless or Welded): For seamless coil tubes, the process involves hot rolling, cold drawing, and cold rolling to achieve the target diameter and wall thickness. For welded tubes, precision welding (TIG or orbital) is performed on the formed strip, followed by weld seam grinding and inspection.
- Coil Coiling / Spring Tempering: The formed tube is coiled onto a mandrel of the specified coil diameter. A controlled heat treatment (stress-relief annealing) is applied to impart the necessary spring-back elasticity, ensuring the tube returns to its coiled configuration upon release without permanent deformation.
- End Finishing & Connection Assembly: Tube ends are cut square, deburred, and fitted with appropriate connection hardware (swivel joints, threaded couplings, or quick-connect fittings) to facilitate easy integration into fire hose reel assemblies.
- Surface Passivation: The tube undergoes acid pickling and passivation treatment to remove mill scale, prevent rust formation, and enhance the passive chromium oxide layer for superior long-term corrosion resistance.
- Quality Inspection: Each coil is subjected to hydrostatic pressure testing, dimensional measurement (OD, wall thickness, coil diameter), visual inspection, and low-temperature flexibility testing (drop ball test at −40°C).
- Packaging & Labeling: Inspected coils are wrapped in protective film, labeled with traceability information (heat number, batch code, test certificate reference), and packed for shipment.
Applications
The JX-CT-312 Stainless Steel Coil Tube is purpose-engineered for demanding fluid conveyance applications where reliability, corrosion resistance, and low-temperature performance are paramount:
- Fire Hose Reel Systems: Primary application — provides the retractable hose body for fire reel assemblies in commercial buildings, industrial facilities, warehouses, and public venues. The coil tube's spring-back characteristic enables rapid deployment and automatic retraction, ensuring immediate availability during fire emergencies.
- Low-Temperature Fire Protection: Ideal for installations in cold-climate regions, refrigerated warehouses, outdoor fire stations, and unheated facilities where conventional rubber or PVC hoses may become brittle and unresponsive in winter.
- Industrial Fire Suppression: Suitable for chemical processing plants, oil refineries, and manufacturing facilities where exposure to aggressive chemicals and high temperatures is expected.
- Potable Water Distribution: The hygienic surface finish and food-grade material make it suitable for potable water systems requiring corrosion-free, non-leaching conveyance.
- Marine & Offshore Fire Systems: Resistant to saltwater corrosion, making it suitable for shipboard fire hose reels and offshore platform fire protection installations.
- Specialized Fluid Transfer: Can be adapted for conveying gases, low-viscosity liquids, and compressed air in industrial and commercial settings.
Quality Certifications & Compliance
Wenzhou Jixing Metal Materials Co., Ltd. maintains a comprehensive quality management system ensuring that every batch of JX-CT-312 coil tube meets international standards:
- ISO 9001:2015 — Quality Management System certification ensuring consistent production quality and continuous improvement.
- ISO 14001:2015 — Environmental Management System certification demonstrating commitment to environmentally responsible manufacturing.
- GB/T 12771 — Chinese national standard for stainless steel welded tubes for fluid transport.
- ASTM A269 / A270 — American Society for Testing and Materials standards for austenitic stainless steel seamless and welded tubes.
- EN 10217-7 — European standard for stainless steel tubes for pressure purposes — Technical delivery conditions.
- Mill Test Certificate (MTC) — Each shipment is accompanied by a third-party certified material test certificate (EN 10204 Type 3.1).
- Hydrostatic Test Report — Pressure test documentation for every coil, confirming leak-free integrity at specified test pressures.
- Cryogenic Impact Test — Low-temperature Charpy V-notch impact test results demonstrating ductility retention at −40°C.
Unique Selling Points
Winter-Ready Retraction: The defining feature of the JX-CT-312 is its ability to extend and retract freely at temperatures as low as −40°C, eliminating the operational failures common in conventional fire hose reels during winter months.
- Spring-Back Memory: Precision coil tempering ensures the tube automatically returns to its compact coiled state upon release — no manual winding required, enabling rapid deployment in emergencies.
- Zero Kinking: The controlled coil geometry and minimum bend radius (3D–5D) prevent kinking or flattening during repeated extension and retraction cycles.
- Corrosion Immunity: Austenitic stainless steel construction provides decades of service life without rust, scale, or degradation — even in aggressive chemical or marine environments.
- Cryogenic Toughness: Unlike carbon steel or thermoplastic alternatives, the austenitic microstructure retains full ductility at sub-zero temperatures, ensuring reliable performance in cold climates.
- Non-Combustible: Fully compliant with fire safety regulations; the tube itself cannot contribute fuel to a fire, unlike rubber or plastic hoses.
- Customizable Configurations: Available in multiple diameters, lengths, and connection types to suit specific fire hose reel system designs and integration requirements.
- Low Friction Option: Optional PTFE internal lining reduces fluid friction and prevents media adhesion, extending maintenance intervals and improving flow efficiency.
Installation & Maintenance Notes
- Install the coil tube in a protected reel housing to prevent physical damage and UV exposure (though stainless steel is UV-resistant, mechanical protection is recommended).
- Ensure the reel housing is adequately ventilated to prevent condensation buildup in humid environments.
- Perform periodic visual inspections for external damage, connection integrity, and free movement of the coil.
- Flush the tube with clean water or appropriate solvent after exposure to chemicals or fire suppressants to maintain internal cleanliness.
- Test the retraction mechanism seasonally, particularly before winter, to confirm spring-back performance.