Description
1-1/2" Nylon Water Thief, Forestry Instantaneous Quarter-Turn Couplings, 3/4" GHT Outlet, 150 PSI, High-Visibility Yellow
The Forestry Instantaneous Nylon Water Thief is a lightweight firefighting accessory that adds a 3/4" garden hose outlet to an existing 1-1/2" forestry hose line. Crews splice it inline to run a smaller garden hose for mop-up or spot fire work without shutting down the main hose. The 1-1/2" instantaneous couplings connect with a quarter turn and no tools. The 3/4" male garden hose thread (GHT) outlet accepts any standard garden hose or GHT accessory.
Wildland fire crews, provincial forestry teams, and rural fire departments use this nylon water thief during mop-up, spot fire suppression, and overhaul operations. The nylon body resists corrosion and weighs a fraction of brass or aluminum alternatives, making it easy to carry into remote areas. At 150 PSI, it handles the working pressures typical of 1-1/2" forestry hose lines, and the high-visibility yellow finish keeps it easy to spot on the ground.
Specifications
| Product Type | Forestry Water Thief |
|---|---|
| Material | Nylon |
| Color | High-Visibility Yellow |
| Main Connections | 1-1/2" Forestry Instantaneous (Quarter-Turn, Interchangeable) |
| Auxiliary Outlet | 3/4" Male Garden Hose Thread (GHT) |
| Pressure Rating | 150 PSI |
| Overall Length | 6 inches |
| Connection Style | Quarter-Turn, No Male/Female Orientation |
| Application | Wildland Firefighting, Mop-Up, Spot Fire Suppression, Water Distribution |
Key Features
- 1-1/2" Forestry Instantaneous Couplings, Quarter-Turn Connection. Drops into a forestry hose lay with a quarter turn. No tools, no threading, no male/female orientation to match.
- 3/4" Male Garden Hose Thread (GHT) Outlet. Branches off a standard garden hose line for mop-up, wash-down, or spot fire suppression from the main hose.
- Nylon Construction, Lightweight, Corrosion-Resistant. Weighs a fraction of brass or aluminum alternatives and holds up in wet, dirty field conditions.
- 150 PSI Pressure Rating. Handles the working pressures of standard 1-1/2" forestry fire hose lines without restriction.
- High-Visibility Yellow Finish. Stands out on the ground and in low-light conditions for fast retrieval during fire operations.
Applications
- Wildland fire crews splice this water thief into a forestry hose line to run a garden hose during mop-up and overhaul.
- Provincial forestry teams use this forestry water thief for spot fire suppression with a smaller, more maneuverable garden hose.
- Rural volunteer fire departments add this water thief for fire hose setups when running auxiliary lines from a pumper.
- Municipal parks crews use this water thief firefighting fitting for wash-down and water distribution during controlled burns.
- Fire equipment procurement officers stock this nylon water thief as a lightweight, corrosion-resistant alternative to brass fittings.
How to Use a Water Thief on a Fire Hose
A water thief connects inline on an active or staged hose lay. The forestry instantaneous couplings on both through ports mean each connection takes one quarter turn to lock.
- Break the hose lay. Disconnect the forestry hose at the point where you want the garden hose branch. Forestry instantaneous couplings release with a quarter turn.
- Splice in the water thief. Connect one instantaneous port to the upstream hose and the other to the downstream hose. Each connection locks with a quarter turn.
- Attach a garden hose. Thread a standard garden hose onto the 3/4" male GHT outlet by hand.
- Add a shut-off valve. The GHT outlet has no built-in shut-off. Thread a garden hose shut-off valve onto the outlet for on/off control without disconnecting the hose.
- Resume flow. Open the water supply. Water passes through the main hose line while the garden hose branch runs independently from the GHT outlet.
For longer reaches, connect a forestry fire hose assembly with instantaneous fittings upstream of the water thief to extend the hose lay before branching off the garden hose.
Buy Water Thief Online from Cleanflow
Cleanflow Utility Supply Company ships this forestry water thief across Canada and the USA with free shipping on orders over $199. This nylon water thief is a lightweight, field-ready fitting that drops into any forestry instantaneous hose system. Returns are accepted within 30 days. Email info@cleanflow.ca for questions.
For a complete forestry hose setup, add a garden hose shut-off valve for flow control on the GHT outlet and browse the full fire hose and fittings collection.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a water thief in firefighting?
A water thief is a tee-shaped fitting that splices into a 1-1/2" fire hose line and adds a 3/4" garden hose thread (GHT) outlet. Firefighters use it to branch off a smaller garden hose for mop-up, spot fire work, or rinse stations without stopping flow through the main line.
What is a forestry instantaneous coupling?
A forestry instantaneous coupling is a quarter-turn quick-connect fitting used on Canadian and provincial forestry fire hoses. Both ends are interchangeable with no male or female orientation, so hoses and fittings connect in any order with a single quarter turn. This forestry water thief uses instantaneous couplings on both through ports.
Do you need a shut off valve for a water thief?
Most water thieves, including this one, have no built-in shut-off on the garden hose outlet. To start and stop water at the hose without returning to the main line, thread a garden hose shut-off valve onto the GHT outlet. This gives operators on/off control right at the hose.
What is the difference between a water thief and a gated wye?
A water thief tees off a smaller 3/4" garden hose line from a 1-1/2" fire hose while the main line keeps flowing. A gated wye splits one hose line into two lines of the same size, typically with gate valves on each outlet.
Is a nylon water thief durable enough for field use?
Nylon resists corrosion, handles 150 PSI working pressure, and weighs significantly less than brass or aluminum. It holds up in the wet, dirty conditions typical of wildland fire operations. For higher-pressure applications above 150 PSI, a brass or aluminum fitting is a better choice.
Similar Products
Featured collection
