SAM BOOST turns challenges into opportunities for smarter, safer firefighting.
Ask any firefighter, and they’ll tell you: in a perfect world, every fireground would be fully staffed, ready to handle any challenge.
But the reality is far from perfect.
Staffing shortages are a growing concern for departments of all sizes, leaving firefighters stretched thin as they respond to increasingly complex emergencies. With limited manpower, even the most seasoned crews can be pushed to their limits, and every step, adjustment, and decision carries immense weight.
That’s where technology comes in—not as a replacement for people, but as a critical ally.
New, advanced equipment like SAM BOOST from Akron Brass can be a game-changer. Designed to simplify water flow operations, reduce human error, and free up firefighters to focus on the fire, SAM BOOST turns challenges into opportunities for smarter, safer firefighting. It supports firefighters in the first critical five minutes and empowers teams—both seasoned and new—to focus on the mission at hand when every second counts.
With SAM BOOST, even the leanest teams can perform like a well-oiled machine. Here’s how it tackles some of the most pressing fireground water flow issues and keeps your crew focused on what matters most.
1. Reduce Human Error at the Pump
One of the realities in firefighting is that even the most seasoned team members can make mistakes under pressure. For newer firefighters, mastering traditional, mechanical pump operations—like manually adjusting valve and handline pressures—can be daunting, especially in high-stakes scenarios. Additionally, the equipment might seem less straightforward for younger team members, who often find themselves more at ease with digital tools than mechanical equipment.
SAM BOOST Manages the Pump
SAM BOOST works behind the scenes to simplify processes that traditionally require meticulous attention.
- When the truck is placed into gear, SAM BOOST initiates the essential step of recirculating water from the tank to the pump, eliminating a step that is easy to miss and can save valuable seconds.
- Fire crews can reduce errors by having pressure control and visibility of tank levels directly on the SAM Smart Nozzle.
SAM BOOST streamlines the pumping process, saving time, simplifying decision-making, and reducing errors. By helping prevent common human errors, SAM BOOST serves as a leveling tool, allowing even the newest firefighters to confidently support the crew, minimizing the steep learning curve and reducing mistakes that could lead to delays.
2. Eliminate Missed Calls for Water
In the chaos of an emergency, communication can quickly become difficult or even lost. Whether someone is on the wrong tactical channel or crucial requests overlap, missed calls for water can lead to serious delays. Traditionally, pump operators bear the responsibility of charging hose lines, so when communication wavers, it can affect the entire team’s response and safety.
SAM BOOST Manages Water Flow
SAM BOOST provides a powerful tool for simplifying this process. With the SAM Smart Nozzle, crew members on the hose line can charge their own line without needing to call in for support. By simply pressing two buttons on the nozzle, SAM BOOST activates, delivering water where it’s needed without relying on radio communication. Operators can visually confirm the water level by reading the tank level data on the nozzle. This ensures continuity, keeping the lines clear for other critical calls while ensuring that water is available whenever needed.
3. Support Pump Operator Decision-Making
Gauge reading can be challenging, and in stressful, high-activity conditions, even experienced crew members sometimes misinterpret what they see. All operators are at risk of making mistakes reading gauges, balancing pressures, or mismanaging the water supply. Even the basics, like properly putting the truck into gear, balancing the discharge and intake manifolds, or opening the tank to pump, can be missed during the rush to save lives and property.
SAM BOOST Supports Decision-Making
SAM BOOST relieves the pump operator of some of the manual, repetitive tasks, supporting critical decision-making steps for operations on a stressful, fast-paced fireground.
For example, as soon as the truck is in pump gear, SAM BOOST takes over and opens the electric tank-to-pump valve, ensuring water is circulating. This eliminates one of the first steps and can effectively double the work output within the first few minutes on scene. Having indicators on the Smart Nozzle offers real-time feedback on water levels, removing the guesswork, reducing misreading of gauges, and empowering the crew with more control over their operations.
4. Navigate Pressure Control Issues
Controlling nozzle pressure is critical. Too high, and firefighters risk being exhausted or injured from excessive force. Too low, and the hose can kink, slowing water flow and reducing fire suppression effectiveness. Maintaining consistent pressure, especially across varying elevations, can be difficult and is often another factor prone to error.
SAM BOOST Controls Pressures
SAM BOOST maintains a steady, precise pressure at the nozzle, giving firefighters a more manageable and safer water flow. The Smart Nozzle communicates directly with the BOOST governor, which manages the discharge valve settings and automatically compensates for pressure changes from factors like elevation or hose length.
SAM BOOST’s technology maintains the correct water pressure (up to 300 feet of pre-connected hose) with minor manual adjustment. By allowing the operator to set a discharge pressure at the start, SAM BOOST regulates the pressure throughout the response, enabling the team to focus on extinguishing the fire rather than manually adjusting the pressure.
5. Manage Friction Loss
Friction loss is a subtle but crucial factor affecting water delivery efficiency, especially with larger flows or extended hose lengths. Understanding the impact of hose packages, nozzle size, and truck plumbing can be challenging, yet all are factors in maintaining pressure and delivering water where needed. Mismanagement of pressure due to friction loss can reduce firefighting effectiveness and even compromise safety.
SAM BOOST Adjusts for Friction Loss
SAM BOOST incorporates technology that manages friction loss by adjusting the pressure at the valve in real time based on nozzle requirements. The SAM Smart Nozzle’s built-in pressure sensor communicates any low-pressure readings to the governor, which then automatically increases pressure at the valve to counteract any kinks or drops.
This ensures water flow remains uninterrupted, even under challenging conditions or in extended hose deployments. Firefighters can stay focused on their mission instead of being distracted by troubleshooting line issues.
SAM BOOST: Enhancing Safety and Efficiency in Every Response
At Akron Brass, we prioritize designing equipment that simplifies the fireground experience without compromising safety or efficiency. SAM BOOST was developed to bridge the gap between traditional, hands-on pump control and the demands of modern firefighting. By eliminating cumbersome manual steps and streamlining pressure management, SAM BOOST becomes a key asset in reducing operator errors, improving water flow reliability, and creating a more responsive environment for new and seasoned firefighters.
As a retrofittable system, SAM BOOST offers a practical solution for existing fleets, delivering an impactful technological BOOST without the cost of full system overhauls. With its efficient, user-friendly design, SAM BOOST levels the playing field, equipping even the newest team members with technology they can rely on to perform confidently under pressure. Here’s a recap of how SAM BOOST addresses challenges on the fireground:
- Human Error Reduction: By handling the several pump operation steps automatically, SAM BOOST minimizes potential mistakes, allowing all firefighters to operate effectively, regardless of experience level.
- Independent Line Charging: Crews can charge their lines directly, ensuring water availability without relying on a pump operator’s timing.
- Automated Water Recirculation: SAM BOOST takes over when the truck is set to pump gear, ensuring water is flowing and ready for immediate use.
- Precise Pressure Management: SAM BOOST regulates pressure at the nozzle to ensure safe and adequate water delivery, enhancing the team’s stamina and safety.
- Friction Loss Control: The Smart Nozzle sensors communicate any pressure drop due to friction loss, enabling SAM BOOST to compensate automatically, keeping water flow consistent.
Embrace the Future of Firefighting with Akron Brass
SAM BOOST is more than a technological upgrade—it’s a commitment to supporting firefighters with tools that simplify operations and improve their safety on the fireground. We understand the high stakes of firefighting and are dedicated to designing equipment that performs in the most demanding situations. SAM BOOST is the answer to the challenges faced by today’s fire departments, merging cutting-edge technology with the practical needs of firefighters on the ground.
Our fire nozzles, valves, monitors, and now SAM BOOST represent Akron Brass’s ongoing mission to innovate and empower. SAM BOOST is a tool that allows every crew member, from rookies to veterans, to stay focused on the critical task of fire suppression—letting technology handle the rest.
The SAM BOOST Smart Nozzle is part of Akron Brass’ integrated total water flow system, SAM. SAM BOOST is the most accessible way to get the benefits of SAM on an existing fire truck. With just a few weeks’ lead time, this retrofitted SAM system can add new safety and efficiency to your current truck.
Fire departments can order SAM BOOST while they wait for their new trucks to be built. This allows teams to quickly take advantage of SAM’s benefits as the most efficient and easiest-to-use total water flow control system.
See SAM BOOST in Action
SAM BOOST can revolutionize how fire departments operate. Would you like to see it in action?
Adopting advanced technology like SAM BOOST will modernize how your crew attacks fires and saves lives. Discover how you can streamline pump operations, enhance firefighter safety, and help your team perform at its best when it matters most.
Request a SAM BOOST Demo
Contact our sales team today, request a personalized demo, by filling out a quick online form to connect with us.
Experience firsthand how SAM BOOST can empower your department to meet the challenges of modern firefighting head-on. Let’s work together to make your fireground safer and more effective.
