FireFighter1 swimming pool firehose was featured on the TV show Shark Tank. This is where entrepreneurs pitch their ideas and get a chance to secure a deal. The Swimming Pool FireFighter1 hose was a huge hit on the show, and won over the Sharks. This resulted in a successful investment. It remains to be seen if the product will be a success with consumers.
About FireFighter1 Swimming pool Fire Hose
The FireFighter1 system ostensibly is a fire hose for swimming pools. FireFighter1 claims it can deliver more than one gallon of water per second in controlled sprays that can reach 40 feet. This is a large fire hose that is designed for swimming pools.
This product is claimed to allow homeowners to extinguish small fires around their pool. You will receive a 50-ft and 100-ft lengths of hose, as well as a 3-way diverter.
Shark Tank Recap
The high-pressure nozzle is one of the main features that the FireFighter1 System pitch highlights. The nozzle claims it can produce a strong stream of water that can extinguish small fires. It also has a shut-off valve that allows users to control the water flow.
The compact size of the FireFighter1 swimming pool firehose is another key selling point. It can be stored easily in a small area such as a shed, so it is always available for use in case of an emergency.
The system appears to be a straightforward solution for pool owners living in areas that are prone to wildfires. Why is the pool industry saying they are willing to give this product a tough time?
Experts warn against trying to set a wildfire in your swimming pool
Fire departments often use swimming pools and ponds. Fire departments often deploy helicopters to fight wildfires. It is possible to argue that a product such as FireFighter1 makes sense for consumers to keep in their homes.
The product targets homeowners who live in rural areas and have fewer resources to deal with house fires or wildfires. Shark Tank was based on this value proposition. However, the product is causing alarm among pool industry professionals as well as fire safety experts. They feel the product is not up to par in the face wildfires.
“I believe it will sell. It will be popular, especially in areas that are prone to fire and drought. It will work up to a point, if it is installed correctly, not like the demo. It must be at the discharge of your pump. Most homeowners won’t know how to switch the suction from the main drain to the skimmer. They will run out of water. It will give people a false sense security and prevent them from evacuating when they should. “All in all, I don’t like it.” – Rudy Stankowitz .
“There is not enough water volume. We have the details/spec for a fire service standpipe that is connected to a pool main drain dedicated for firefighting. It connects to a 6 inch main line and a 4 inch vertical pipe for a wharf-hydrant. It is a detail we have had approved by the CDF. LA, Santa Barbara & Monterey County Fire Marshals.” Paolo Benenedetti – Swimming Pool Expert witness.
Shark Tank Was Taking a Bite on the Wrong Product
James Rappuhn is a wildfire mitigation and prevention expert. He believes that this product could be dangerous over the long-term. I don’t think this product is a good option for homeowners. It gives homeowners a false sense security (I don’t have to do any home hardening or clearance, because my pool pump system is already in place). Wildfires are also more powerful than people realize. They should be moving to safety and not staying at home fighting fires with inferior equipment. This product is dangerous to me. This is based on my wildfire experience of 20 years.
Many discussions on social media are focused on whether this product is viable for consumers. We were all told by fire safety professionals and pool professionals that consumers might have trouble engaging the system in an emergency situation and that the flow rate may be too slow to fight a wildfire.
Bianca Wittenberg, founder of FireFighter1, is currently the CEO and Lead Product Designer. It doesn’t appear she has any experience in fire safety or pool management. She is the owner of Own It Real Estate, a residential realty company. She also works as an operations manager at IBMC Lending. Before starting FireFighter1, her previous business was a landscaping and synthetic lawn company.
We spoke with experts who wanted to hear more from outside sources in the pool industry and fire safety. This will help us determine if this product is a safer option to evacuating.
Shark Tank is known for finding innovative products, especially in the pool-related area. Magic5 was one such product that made a huge splash. Its innovative, custom-tailored swim glasses were a huge hit. Sometimes the sharks are successful, sometimes they fail. This wouldn’t be the first product to go wrong for sharks. FireFighter1 is a huge miss with pool pros for now.
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