Fire Hose Reel Hose Types: Rubber vs PVC vs Thermoplastic
The hose inside a fire hose reel comes in three common material types, each trading off weight, durability, and cost differently. Jaideo Automation supplies NewAge Rubber Hose, PVC Hose, and Thermoplastic Hose — all rated to the same 150 PSI working pressure and 24 LPM flow at 7 Kg/cm2, available in 3/4″ or 1″ diameter and 30 or 36 metre lengths.
Rubber Hose (IS 444 Type II)
Braided rubber construction gives the strongest kink resistance and durability under repeated reel winding — the choice for continuous-flow hose reel installations that see frequent use or testing, at the cost of extra weight compared to the other two types.
PVC Hose (IS 12585)
The lightest and most economical option, easier to handle than rubber, suited to installations where ease of use matters more than maximum durability under heavy repeated cycling.
Thermoplastic Hose (IS 12585)
A middle-ground option — better abrasion and UV resistance than standard PVC, while staying lighter than braided rubber. A reasonable default where the installation needs more durability than PVC without stepping up to rubber’s added weight.
Comparison
| Rubber | PVC | Thermoplastic | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | Heaviest | Lightest | Middle |
| Durability under repeated use | Best | Lower | Better than PVC |
| Abrasion/UV resistance | Good | Standard | Better than PVC |
| Standard | IS 444 Type II | IS 12585 | IS 12585 |
Where This Fits
The hose is one component of a complete hose reel assembly — see our Fire Hose Reels guide for the reel mechanism itself, and our Branch Pipes guide for the nozzle end of the assembly. The reels these hoses fit are on the product pages for the Wall Mounting Hose Reel, Swing Type Hose Reel and Stand Mounted Hose Reel, and reel-end nozzles are compared in Fire Hose Nozzle Types Explained.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between rubber, PVC, and thermoplastic fire hose?
Rubber hose offers the best kink resistance and durability for heavy repeated use, PVC is the lightest and most economical, and thermoplastic sits in between with better abrasion and UV resistance than PVC while remaining lighter than rubber.
What standard governs fire hose reel hose in India?
Rubber hose reel hose is manufactured to IS 444 Type II, while PVC and thermoplastic variants are manufactured to IS 12585.
What pressure and flow rate do these hoses handle?
All three hose types are rated for 150 PSI maximum working pressure and a flow rate of 24 LPM at 7 Kg per square centimeter.