What is the primary application of blowers and exhausters in firefighting?

They are used for extracting dense smoke from basements, ship holds, tunnels, and confined spaces, or for blowing fresh air into these areas to assist rescue operations.

What type of couplings are required for water-driven exhausters?

They must be equipped with standard instantaneous delivery hose couplings (63 mm) conforming to IS 903.

What are the preferred materials for the impeller and casing?

Lightweight alloys such as aluminum alloy (conforming to IS 617) are preferred to maintain portability, while ensuring sufficient mechanical strength.

IS 941

: 1985

Specification for Blower and Exhauster for Fire Fighting

CurrentSpecializedSpecificationFire Safety · Fire Fighting

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This standard specifies the requirements for materials, dimensions, workmanship, and performance tests for portable blowers and exhausters used in firefighting. It is primarily used by fire safety engineers and equipment manufacturers to ensure reliable smoke extraction and ventilation during emergency fire conditions.

Specification for Blower and Exhauster for Fire Fighting

Quick Reference Values

Standard hose connection size63 mm (conforming to IS 903)

Hydrostatic test pressure for water-driven turbine casing1.5 MPa (15 kgf/cm2)

Hydrostatic test duration5 minutes without leakage

Continuous operational test durationNot less than 1 hour

Practical Notes

Ensure that the water inlet and outlet couplings for water-turbine driven exhausters exactly match standard 63mm fire hoses (IS 903) to prevent deployment delays during emergencies.

Since these units are portable and may sit idle for long periods, regular operational checks of the prime mover (especially engine-driven variants) are highly recommended.

Casings and impellers should ideally be cast from lightweight, corrosion-resistant materials like aluminum alloy to ensure the equipment remains portable for quick manual handling by fire crews.