ENHANCING FIRE HOSE MAINTENANCE EFFICIENCY WITH THE INNOVATIVE HOSE CLEANER (IHC) IN ARFF SERVICES

Abstract

This study aims to develop the Innovative Hose Cleaner (IHC) as an efficient solution for fire hose maintenance in Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) units. The manual cleaning is time-consuming and inefficient, requiring significant manpower and water usage. The IHC is designed to address these issues by providing a more effective and time-saving alternative. This research adopts the Borg & Gall development model, which typically involves ten stages. However, for efficiency, the process was condensed into six key phases: 1) Identifying potential and problems, 2) Data collection, 3) Product design, 4) Design validation, 5) Product testing, and 6) Product revision. This streamlining was necessary to facilitate faster iteration while maintaining rigorous validation standards. After design validation and product revision, the IHC was tested to evaluate its performance. Results showed that the IHC significantly reduced cleaning time, water usage, and manpower while improving the cleanliness of fire hoses. The product was deemed highly effective and suitable for implementation, offering a practical solution for enhancing fire hose maintenance in ARFF units. It is hoped that the IHC can be widely adopted, contributing to more efficient operations and improved safety in the aviation industry.