If first responders can have access to better information to make decisions faster, everyone wins.
Firefighters face immense challenges daily, with every second on the fireground critical in the race to protect lives and property. Firefighting has come a long way in the evolution of its equipment to support this mission. Each new technology has enabled firefighters to respond faster, more effectively, and with enhanced safety.
Akron Brass has consistently driven fire and safety innovations for over 100 years, from the early days of durable brass equipment to today’s groundbreaking SAM Smart Nozzle. This revolutionary nozzle integrates with the SAM Water Control System and SAM BOOST™, providing nozzle operators with unprecedented control, real-time data, and a seamless water supply—empowering them to make swift, informed decisions right at the scene from the nozzle.
Waterflow Control in the Hands of Nozzle Operators
As challenges in firefighting have evolved, so has Akron Brass, pushing the boundaries with innovations that address safety, efficiency, and control — all while remaining highly intuitive and practical on the fireground.
The SAM Smart Nozzle is an innovation that you can hold in your hands. It is the latest in a long line of advancements, but it carries forward the same mission Akron Brass has held for decades: to make firefighting simpler, faster, and safer.
The SAM Smart Nozzle: A Closer Look
The SAM Smart Nozzle, powered by N2P Technology™ (Nozzle-to-Pump), is designed to communicate seamlessly with the SAM Water Control System. The benefits of this advanced technology lie in the details — giving the nozzle operator complete control over the water flow and real-time data about water availability, tank levels, and even the source status. This empowers firefighters in unprecedented ways, allowing them to act faster and respond to evolving fireground conditions with far more agility and confidence.
Key Features of the SAM Smart Nozzle:
1. Nozzle-to-Pump Communication with N2P Technology
The SAM Smart Nozzle is the first firefighting nozzle to place water control in the hands of the nozzle operators, allowing them to independently charge the hose and monitor tank water level and water supply. This eliminates the need to rely on constant communication with the pump operator and gives the team greater autonomy.
2. Real-Time Data Display
An easy-to-read gauge on the nozzle shows essential information such as tank levels and water source status. This data allows firefighters to make critical decisions on the spot, improving response time and ensuring a smooth operation.
3. Wireless Communication
The SAM Smart Nozzle uses spread-spectrum technology for communications and a low power draw to relay information between the nozzle and the truck’s water control system. This wireless capability reduces the number of physical connections and potential failure points, ensuring reliability in high-pressure situations. The wireless connection range will compensate for advancing the attack line up to five floors above the pumper or two floors below grade (beyond the typical 200-300-foot pre-connect deployment).
4. Simplified Pressure Adjustments
The SAM system simplifies pressure control, adjusting the pressure based on the needs of the fireground and considering factors like elevation changes. Firefighters can rely on a consistent and safe water flow, allowing them to focus on the task without worrying about fluctuating pressures.
5. Quick Response to Hose Kinks and Loss of Pressure
The SAM Smart Nozzle notifies the SAM Control Center if it detects a kinked hose (pressure is low at the nozzle, and SAM increases the pressure at the valve, but nozzle pressure does not increase). To overcome this, SAM will increase pressure up to 25 psi. However, it will cease increasing pressure before any damage can be done to the line.
6. Seamless Integration with Trusted Akron Brass Nozzles
The SAM Smart Nozzle is compatible with the trusted Turbojet™, Assault™, and Smoothbore nozzles. Thus, fire departments can upgrade without overhauling their entire systems, ensuring a smooth transition for departments already using Akron Brass equipment.
It provides enhanced safety, control, and confidence.
Benefits of New Technology on the Fireground
As departments demand newer, more efficient technology to keep their crews safe, the SAM Smart Nozzle offers a compelling solution. It provides enhanced safety, control, and confidence.
- Simplicity: The SAM Smart Nozzle automates pressure adjustments and reduces the need for constant communication with the pump operator, allowing the team to work more efficiently and focus on their primary tasks.
- Speed: The first five minutes of a fire response are critical, and the SAM Smart Nozzle ensures that crews can deploy water faster by giving the nozzle team immediate control over the water flow.
- Safety: With real-time data feedback on water supply and tank levels, the SAM Smart Nozzle allows firefighters to operate with greater awareness and adjust their approach. This can drastically reduce injuries from over-pressurized lines or missed calls for water.
SAM Smart Nozzle: How It Works on the Fireground
The SAM Smart Nozzle, when integrated with the SAM system, revolutionizes how fire crews approach their operations. Here’s how it works on the fireground:
On traditional pump systems, a pump operator must constantly monitor and adjust water flow, communicate with team members, and manage pressure changes, all while keeping track of the water supply. This setup can lead to delays in water deployment and risks of miscommunication.
With the SAM Smart Nozzle, the nozzle operator takes control of the hose charging process and can monitor the water supply directly. The nozzle automatically synchronizes the operating pressure with the pump pressure, accounting for variables such as hose length and elevation changes. This means faster, safer water deployment without tying up the pump operator, allowing the entire team to work more efficiently.
The SAM Smart Nozzle also detects hose kinks and bursts, further enhancing safety by notifying the team before these issues cause delays or endanger the crew. When a kinked hose is detected with low pressure at the nozzle, SAM increases the pressure at the valve, but nozzle pressure remains consistent. The SAM system will increase pressure up to 25 psi to overcome pressure loss while maintaining safe pressures for the attack crew.
How does the SAM Nozzle help on the fireground?
The first five minutes are critical on the fire scene--every second counts. The SAM Nozzle with the N2P Technology provides efficiency, safety and speed on the fireground.
| Pump Operator without SAM Nozzle | Pump Operator with SAM Nozzle | |
| Synchronizes the optimum nozzle operating pressure with the pressure at the nozzle | X |
♦ |
| Provides feedback on water tank level and status of the water source to the attack crew | X |
♦ |
| Provides valve opening control at the nozzle for speed of attack | X |
♦ |
| Allows SAM to set the discharge line pressure to account for elevation changes | X |
♦ |
| Charges the hose | X |
♦ |
| Water tank level on nozzle display | X |
♦ |
| Status of the water supply on nozzle display | X |
♦ |
| Detects hose kinks and burst hose | X |
♦ |
The Impact of SAM Technology on Firefighters
In today’s fire service, technology is pivotal in bridging generational gaps and ensuring firefighters of all ages can operate safely and effectively. Younger firefighters, often more comfortable with digital tools and technology, are quick to adopt innovations that make their work more efficient. The SAM Smart Nozzle speaks directly to this generation, providing:
- Accurate info and data at their fingertips
- Autonomy and speed
- Advanced training opportunities
This familiarity with technology makes it easier for younger firefighters to trust and utilize tools like the SAM Smart Nozzle, which ultimately enhances their ability to respond swiftly and effectively.
For experienced veterans in the fire service who have honed their skills over years of service, SAM technology offers simplicity and reliability without compromising effectiveness. For this generation, SAM provides:
- Ease of use and straightforward operation
- Durability of design from a trustworthy brand
- Performance when it matters most
“We like everything about it. This technology is something we need—it is the latest state-of-the-art improvement,” said Captain Jim Bingham of the Viejas Fire Department. With 40+ years of firefighting experience, Captain Bingham says SAM technology is one of the most innovative improvements he has ever seen.
By addressing the needs of both young and experienced firefighters, the SAM Smart Nozzle ensures that teams of all ages can work together effectively, improving overall safety and performance on the fireground.
“We like everything about it. This technology is something we need—it is the latest state-of-the-art improvement...”
Innovation Firefighters Can Rely On
Since its founding in 1918, Akron Brass has been synonymous with quality, reliability, and continuous innovation. Starting with durable brass fittings and hose nozzles, the company quickly earned a reputation for producing equipment that could withstand the harshest firefighting conditions. The company’s commitment to innovation has been unwavering, consistently developing reliable water flow equipment that firefighters depend on worldwide.
In the early 20th century, when modern firefighting was still developing, Akron Brass’s products became a cornerstone of fire departments across the United States and beyond—redefining how fire departments approach water delivery and control. From the introduction of adjustable flow nozzles to valves designed for precise pressure control, Akron Brass has always been ahead of the curve.
The SAM Smart Nozzle is a testament to the company’s commitment to innovation, carrying forward Akron Brass’s legacy by meeting today’s firefighting challenges head-on. As with every product Akron Brass has introduced, the SAM Smart Nozzle is designed to improve efficiency, enhance safety, simplify training, and empower the next generation of firefighters.
By providing nozzle operators with real-time data, independent control, and automated pressure adjustments, the SAM Smart Nozzle redefines what’s possible on the fireground. Firefighters no longer have to wait for water — they can charge their own lines, monitor their water supply, and make critical decisions in the moment.
Additionally, this cutting-edge technology reflects Akron Brass’s dedication to meeting the ever-changing needs of firefighters. By providing a tool that enables quicker, safer, and more efficient firefighting, Akron Brass ensures that firefighters can trust the SAM Smart Nozzle in even the most stressful situations.
If you’re looking for cutting-edge equipment or a fire department seeking to improve operational efficiency, safety, and effectiveness, the SAM Smart Nozzle is an investment that simplifies water flow control while enhancing overall performance.
Empower your team with Akron Brass — where history, technology, and trust come together to protect and serve.
