An Oklahoma pool builder says his new invention can minimize the devastating damage from Oklahoma's grass fires. Kirby Kilfoy says seeing a swimming pool full of water next to a house burned to the ground gave him the idea.
"I thought, well, let's use a pool to extinguish fires," said Kilfoy.
The pool hydrant system hooks into your pool's pump and, in essence, provides you with your own firefighting hose.
"You've got up to eight hours of firefighting capabilities," says Kilfoy.
The system uses a 100-foot hose that can connect to the pump for an in ground pool.
Kilfoy says it can put out 5,000 gallons of water per hour and shoot a stream up to 60 feet, using the water from inside the pool.
He says it provides something valuable to his customers.
"Peace of mind. Hopefully they won't have to use it, but it's there if you have to. And you could even fight your neighbor's fire if it's in the right location."
Oklahoma City Deputy Fire Chief, Cecil Clay, is not familiar with the pool hydrant system.
He says while it might work to put out small grass fires, he cautions homeowners who may think they can fight a fire on their own.
"But go to in and fight that fire by yourself, you could be making a grave decision," said Clay.
Kilfoy says he instructs all his customers to call 911 before doing anything else.
But he says his system could be a valuable tool to use until firefighters arrive.
"Wet your roof down and your neighbor's roof or whatever and trees around," he said.
The pool hydrant system costs $850.
You can get more information on their website.
"I thought, well, let's use a pool to extinguish fires," said Kilfoy.
The pool hydrant system hooks into your pool's pump and, in essence, provides you with your own firefighting hose.
"You've got up to eight hours of firefighting capabilities," says Kilfoy.
The system uses a 100-foot hose that can connect to the pump for an in ground pool.
Kilfoy says it can put out 5,000 gallons of water per hour and shoot a stream up to 60 feet, using the water from inside the pool.
He says it provides something valuable to his customers.
"Peace of mind. Hopefully they won't have to use it, but it's there if you have to. And you could even fight your neighbor's fire if it's in the right location."
Oklahoma City Deputy Fire Chief, Cecil Clay, is not familiar with the pool hydrant system.
He says while it might work to put out small grass fires, he cautions homeowners who may think they can fight a fire on their own.
"But go to in and fight that fire by yourself, you could be making a grave decision," said Clay.
Kilfoy says he instructs all his customers to call 911 before doing anything else.
But he says his system could be a valuable tool to use until firefighters arrive.
"Wet your roof down and your neighbor's roof or whatever and trees around," he said.
The pool hydrant system costs $850.
You can get more information on their website.
