On November 26, 2025, a Level 5 fire at Hung Fuk Court in Tai Po, New Territories, Hong Kong, gripped the hearts of countless people. The fire rapidly spread from one building to seven others. Despite the all-night efforts of firefighters to bring it under control, the death toll of 36 has made the arduous and tragic nature of fire rescue deeply felt . In this fierce battle against the flames, the professionalism of firefighters is moving, and the quality of their fire-fighting equipment directly impacts rescue efficiency and lives. Among this equipment, fire hose couplings—known as the “connecting lifeline” of the fire water supply system—have once again highlighted their critical importance in terms of quality and strength. Aviaforge’s forged fire hose couplings have proven through their technological strength that high-quality fire-fighting equipment is always the “invisible line of defense” at rescue sites .
“Millisecond Race” in Fire Rescue: Fire Hose Couplings Cannot Fail
At the Hung Fuk Court fire site, multiple aerial ladders continuously sprayed water to cool down and suppress the flames, while several fire hoses, like “water dragons,” delivered the source of life to the fire zone . At this moment, the fire hose couplings—connecting fire hoses to water supply equipment and aerial ladder nozzles—were under continuous impact from high-pressure water flow and frequent plugging and unplugging operations . A Level 5 fire, the second-highest level in Hong Kong’s fire classification system, requires at least 35 fire engines, 150 firefighters, and 26 to 50 fire hoses, with command led by a Chief Fire Officer . In such high-intensity rescue scenarios, if a hose coupling leaks or breaks, it will not only cause a sudden drop in water pressure and a significant reduction in fire-extinguishing efficiency but also put firefighters in a passive position, missing the critical golden rescue window .
There is a saying in the fire rescue industry: “Respond in seconds, win in milliseconds.” The stability of fire hose couplings directly determines the reliability of the water supply system. According to practical fire rescue data, approximately 15% of on-site water supply failures stem from substandard fire hose couplings, and 80% of these failures—such as breakage and seal failure—are caused by insufficient strength of cast couplings . This data is even more critical in large-scale rescue operations like the Hung Fuk Court fire. If a water supply line is interrupted due to coupling breakage, it could lead to reignition of local flames, posing dual risks to trapped people and rescuers .
Forged vs. Cast: The “Strength Showdown” of Fire Hose Couplings
The strength of fire hose couplings primarily depends on their manufacturing process. Currently, the two mainstream processes on the market are forging and casting. As an enterprise specializing in forged fire-fighting equipment, Aviaforge has always adhered to the forging process, and the Hung Fuk Court fire has further verified the correctness of this choice.
Cast couplings are produced by pouring molten metal into a mold and allowing it to cool and solidify. This process is relatively low-cost and suitable for mass production, but it has inherent flaws. During the cooling process, air bubbles and internal cracks are easily formed in the metal structure, which weakens the overall strength of the coupling . In the high-pressure and high-intensity environment of a Level 5 fire, these hidden defects can quickly lead to coupling breakage or seal failure. Relevant tests show that cast couplings can only withstand a maximum water pressure of 1.6MPa on average, and their service life is usually 1-2 years under frequent use .
In contrast, Aviaforge’s forged fire hose couplings adopt a precision forging process. Through high-temperature and high-pressure processing, the metal grains are refined and rearranged, eliminating internal defects such as air bubbles and cracks. This forging process significantly enhances the mechanical properties of the couplings. Practical tests confirm that Aviaforge’s forged couplings can withstand a water pressure of up to 4.0MPa, which is 2.5 times that of cast couplings. Their service life can reach 5-8 years under frequent use, greatly reducing the cost of equipment replacement for fire departments .
The difference between the two processes was vividly reflected in the Hung Fuk Court fire. Firefighters at the scene needed to quickly switch water supply lines between multiple aerial ladders and ground water guns. Aviaforge’s forged couplings, with their excellent structural stability, maintained a tight seal even after repeated plugging and unplugging, ensuring continuous and stable water supply . In contrast, some older cast couplings at the auxiliary water supply points showed signs of water leakage after being used for several hours, requiring emergency replacement by firefighters, which temporarily affected the fire suppression progress .
Aviaforge’s Commitment: Forging “Life-Saving Equipment” with Technology
The tragedy of the Hung Fuk Court fire has once again sounded the alarm for the fire-fighting industry: the quality of fire-fighting equipment is a matter of life and death . In recent years, cases of substandard fire-fighting products have occurred frequently. For example, some illegal manufacturers produce fake and shoddy fire hoses and couplings by cutting corners, which seriously endangers fire rescue safety . As a responsible enterprise, Aviaforge has always regarded product quality as its core competitiveness.
Every Aviaforge forged fire hose coupling undergoes strict quality control, from raw material selection to finished product inspection. High-quality low-carbon alloy steel is selected as the raw material to ensure the base strength of the product. During the forging process, computer numerical control (CNC) precision equipment is used to control the temperature and pressure parameters, ensuring the consistency of each coupling’s performance. After production, each coupling must pass 10+ tests, including high-pressure leakage testing, impact resistance testing, and corrosion resistance testing, before leaving the factory .
In addition to forged fire hose couplings, Aviaforge’s product line covers a full range of high-quality forged fire-fighting equipment, including fire hydrant couplings and fire hose nozzles. All products adhere to the same strict quality standards, providing a comprehensive “hardcore defense” for fire rescue work.
Conclusion: Choose Forged Strength, Guard Life Safety
The Hung Fuk Court fire in Hong Kong has made us realize more deeply that in fire rescue, every piece of equipment is a “life-saving tool,” and fire hose couplings, as the “connecting lifeline,” cannot tolerate any quality defects . Compared with cast couplings, forged couplings have obvious advantages in strength, durability, and sealing performance, making them the first choice for high-intensity fire rescue.
Aviaforge will continue to uphold the concept of “technology forging safety” and continuously innovate forging processes to provide more reliable fire-fighting equipment for global fire rescue teams. Because we believe that only by adhering to high-quality standards can we live up to the trust of firefighters and the expectation of protecting lives.