The Hose Monster Company

What The Hose Monster Company does

The Hose Monster Company, doing business as Hydro Flow Products, LLC, designs, manufactures, and sells specialized flow testing equipment for fire protection professionals. Founded in 1993 by Fred Grenning and Phil Barrett and headquartered in Mundelein, Illinois, the company operates within the Noventis Safety conglomerate. Its core technology centers on a proprietary thrust-canceling architecture and FM Approved Pitotless measurement that let a single technician safely and accurately test fire pumps, hydrants, and standpipes without the whipping hazards of traditional hand-held pitot rigs. Equipment spans the original Hose Monster®, Little Hose Monster (3 lb), BigBoy Hose Monster, In-Line Pitotless Nozzles, Dechlor Demon assemblies, and precision gauges (Monster Meter, Monster Tester), with measurable flow rates from 48 to 2,943 GPM. In 2022 the company introduced the Smart Monster™ 2.0 digital pressure transducer with Bluetooth 5.x and a Long Range Connect cloud module, shifting the platform toward connected, software-attached hardware.

The company monetizes primarily through one-time hardware sales ($880 to $29,840 per configuration), supplemented by tiered software subscriptions (Fire Flow Pro / FPT at $549/year or $59 per report), gauge calibration ($99 per gauge), pitot refurbishment ($146 per unit), dechlorination consumables, and Hose Monster University training with certification and CEU credits. Customer segments span fire departments, fire protection contractors, municipalities and public works, industrial operators (oil and gas refineries, nuclear and hydroelectric plants), and state, federal and military accounts — accessed via direct e-commerce at hosemonster.com, phone and email sales, virtual demos, and in-person training events in Richardson, TX and Cranston, RI. Geographic reach is concentrated in North America (USA, Canada) and South America, with global pricing handled on a contact basis. Brand assets include multiple registered trademarks (HOSE MONSTER, Pitotless Nozzle, Smart Monster, Dechlor Demon, Monster Meter) and ongoing FM Approvals audits of the manufacturing facility.

Name

The Hose Monster Company

Legal name

Hydro Flow Products, LLC

Website

https://hosemonster.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Hose Monster Company designs and manufactures proprietary thrust-canceling and Pitotless flow testing equipment — plus digital Smart Monster sensors and Fire Flow software — for fire departments, contractors, municipalities, industrial operators, and government/military accounts across North America.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Fire Protection Flow Testing Equipment

NAICS

Totalizing Fluid Meter and Counting Device Manufacturing (334514), Fluid Power Valve and Hose Fitting Manufacturing (332912)

SIC

Totalizing Fluid Meters & Counting Devices (3824), Services-Testing Laboratories (8734)

akta.pro primary industry

Fire Pump, Hydrant & Water-Based Fire Protection Testing (Flow/Pressure) (BPABAHAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Fire Pump Inspection, Testing & Service (IMAIAJAF), Fire Hydrant & Standpipe Inspection, Testing & Service (IMAIAJAK)

Keywords

• Fire flow testing equipment
• Pitotless nozzle technology
• Hydrant flow testing
• Fire pump testing hardware
• NFPA inspection software

Headquarters

HQ city

Lake Zurich

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Hardware Sales: Sale of flow testing equipment including Hose Monsters, Pitotless Nozzles, gauges, hoses, and accessories. Products range from $880 (Little Hose Monster) to $29,840 (Fire Pump Test Bundles).
2. Fire Flow Software Subscription: Cloud-based fire pump and hydrant testing software with tiered pricing: Free 7-day trial, Pay-per-report at $59 per work order, or Unlimited annual subscription at $549/year.
3. Gauge Calibration Services: Professional calibration and certification services for pressure gauges. Pricing at $99 per gauge for 4 inch gauges.
4. Training and Certification: Hose Monster University provides in-person training sessions with certification and CEU credits for flow testing equipment operation.
5. Pitot Refurbishment Services: Factory refurbishment of damaged pitots including set screw, ball bearing, spring, and ball stop replacement at $146 per unit.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

The Hose Monster Company manufactures and sells proprietary flow testing hardware (Hose Monster, Little Hose Monster, BigBoy Hose Monster, Pitotless Nozzles, In-Line Pitotless Nozzles, Dechlor Demon assemblies, gauges, valves) used by fire departments and contractors to safely and accurately measure water flow from fire pumps, hydrants, and standpipes. The company complements this hardware with digital Smart Monster Bluetooth transducers, Fire Flow Pro and Fire Pump Tester software, certified training through Hose Monster University, and ancillary services such as gauge calibration and pitot refurbishment.

Product overview

The Hose Monster Company offers a comprehensive portfolio of fire protection testing equipment organized around its core flow testing platform. The flagship product line includes the original Hose Monster® and BigBoy/Little Hose Monster variants for fire pump testing, hydrant flow testing, and standpipe testing. Key innovations include the patented Pitotless Nozzle™ technology (FM Approved) that eliminates the need for traditional pitot measurements, and the Smart Monster™ 2.0 digital system featuring Bluetooth pressure transducers with Long Range Connect cloud connectivity for real-time data sharing. Supporting products include In-Line Pitotless Nozzles for stairwell/rooftop applications, Dechlor Demon™ assemblies for neutralizing chlorine discharge, precision gauges (Monster Meter™, Monster Tester™), and gate valves. The company also provides Fire Pump Tester Software and Fire Flow Pro for data collection, calculations, and NFPA-compliant reporting. Complementary services include Hose Monster University training with certification, gauge calibration, and equipment refurbishing.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Smart Monster: Digital flow testing product line featuring Bluetooth pressure transducers and mobile app connectivity for real-time pressure readings and calculated flow rates.
• Dechlor Demon
• Pitotless Nozzle

Products and services

• Smart Monster 2.0 Kit Complete digital flow testing kit featuring a Bluetooth-enabled pressure transducer with cloud storage, wireless charging case, and Long Range Connect capability for real-time data sharing across job sites. Used by fire departments and contractors performing NFPA-compliant flow testing.
• Smart Monster 2.0 Bluetooth Gauge Digital pressure gauge with Bluetooth 5.x connectivity, 300 ft range, IP-X8 rating, full compound gauge measuring -15 to 300 PSI, with wireless charging and Long Range Connect compatibility for fire protection professionals.
• Long Range Connect Cloud-based connectivity module that extends Bluetooth range to virtually unlimited distance using Wi-Fi or cellular for sharing live pressure data across large job sites or remote locations.
• Little Hose Monster Lightweight (3 lb) flow testing device using pitotless technology for fire pump testing, hydrant flow testing, rooftop standpipe testing, and flushing operations, with a 2-year warranty.
• BigBoy Hose Monster Large-capacity Hose Monster for flowing from the pumper port, designed for high-flowing hydrants with a 4 inch F NH swivel connection and thrust-canceling design.
• 2.5 inch Hose Monster with Built-In Pitot Standard Hose Monster with built-in pitot for accurate flow-rate measurements using thrust-canceling design, for fire pump and hydrant flow testing.
• In-Line Pitotless Nozzle (2.5 inch Connection) FM Approved flow testing device for 2.5 inch diameter connections (standpipes, valves, hose cabinets) that allows accurate readings when discharging into closed-loop systems, drains, hoses, or open atmosphere, with flow range 45-1432 GPM.
• Pitotless Nozzles FM Approved pitotless nozzles in multiple sizes (1 inch, 1-1/8 inch, 1-3/4 inch, 2 inch) with grooved or threaded connections, for measuring flow rates without traditional pitot tubes across flow rates as low as 48 GPM.
• Dechlor Demon Assembly Dechlorination device that neutralizes chlorine in water during flow testing or flushing operations using ascorbic acid or other dechlorination agents, available in 2.5 inch and 4-4.5 inch connection sizes, with a 1-gallon mixing tank and bypass system.
• Fire Pump Test Bundles Complete fire pump testing bundles including Little Hose Monster or 2.5 inch Hose Monster with Built-In Pitot, gauge, Remote Reader, and custom padded case, available for testing 750 to 4000 GPM pumps.
• Hydrant Flow Testing Bundles Complete hydrant flow testing bundles for high-flowing hydrants using the BigBoy Hose Monster (4.5 inch NH pumper port, 5 inch diameter hose) or Little Hose Monster (2.5 inch hydrant port), packaged in a wheeled, telescoping-handle padded case.
• Fire Flow Pro Software Cloud-based inspection and reporting platform for fire pump and hydrant testing with NFPA 25 checklists, automated pass/fail analysis, deficiency tracking, customer-facing reports, and tiered pricing (7-day free trial, $59 per report, $549/year unlimited, $490/user/year multi-user).
• Fire Pump Tester (FPT) Software Desktop and mobile application for collecting fire pump test data, calculating flow rates, generating pump performance graphs, and producing professional NFPA 25-compliant PDF reports.
• Hose Monster University Training Hands-on training program with certification and CEU credits, including intensive courses in flow testing labs held at Richardson, TX and Cranston, RI, plus a video library for remote learning.
• Gauge Calibration and Certification Service Professional calibration and certification service for pressure gauges at $99 per 4 inch gauge, ensuring measurement accuracy and regulatory compliance.
• Pitot Rebuild Service Factory rebuild service for damaged pitots including replacement of set screw, ball bearing, spring, and ball stop at $146 per unit.
• Hose Monster Refurbishing Service Professional refurbishing service for used Hose Monster equipment to extend product life and maintain performance.

Quantifiable outcome

• 50% reduction in time spent testing fire apparatus
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Noventis Safetycorporate parentOthersHydro Flow Products, LLC d/b/a The Hose Monster Company is part of the Noventis Safety group of companies. Noventis Safety is the parent organization overseeing the Hose Monster brand and related safety equipment businesses.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• IDEX Corporation: IDEX owns fluid-handling, fire-suppression, and dispensing brands (including Akron Brass, a fire-protection nozzle maker). It is directly comparable as a diversified parent whose subsidiaries operate in the same fire-protection and flow-control end markets as Hose Monster.
• Pentair: Pentair offers water flow, treatment, and management solutions for residential, commercial, and industrial customers. It is comparable to Hose Monster as an incumbent serving the same municipal water and fire-protection infrastructure end markets through a broader flow product portfolio.
• Watts Water Technologies: Watts Water manufactures water systems and plumbing products including flow, backflow, and pressure management devices. It is comparable to Hose Monster at the broader product/market level as an incumbent plumbing-and-flow equipment manufacturer serving industrial and municipal end users.
• Mueller Industries: Mueller Industries manufactures water flow and plumbing products used in municipal water systems, including hydrants and related flow hardware. It is comparable as an incumbent serving the same municipal water and fire-protection channels as Hose Monster.
• Badger Meter: Badger Meter manufactures flow measurement and metering technologies for water and industrial applications. While broader in scope, it is comparable to Hose Monster as a flow-measurement instrumentation peer whose products similarly serve municipal water, industrial, and compliance-driven use cases.

Direct peers

• Task Force Tips: Task Force Tips designs and manufactures firefighting nozzles, monitors, and foam equipment, including flow-rate controlling devices. It is a direct peer in the fire-protection flow-hardware category, addressing overlapping fire pump and apparatus testing applications.
• Dwyer Instruments: Dwyer Instruments (an Roper Technologies subsidiary) manufactures measurement and control instruments, including pressure gauges and flow-measurement instrumentation. It is directly comparable as a maker of the same gauge and pressure-sensing instrumentation that Smart Monster / Monster Meter compete against in flow testing.
• Elkhart Brass Manufacturing: Elkhart Brass manufactures firefighting nozzles, monitors, and related flow-control hardware used by fire departments. It is a direct peer to Hose Monster as a specialized manufacturer of fire-protection flow hardware sold into the same municipal and industrial fire-suppression end markets.
• Ames Fire & Waterworks: Ames Fire & Waterworks manufactures water control valves, backflow preventers, and fire-protection flow products. It is a direct peer in the fire-protection water-control and flow-hardware category, addressing overlapping customers and use cases in fire pump and hydrant testing.

Emerging players

• GF Piping Systems (Georg Fischer): GF Piping Systems manufactures plastic and metal piping, fittings, valves, and flow measurement devices used in water distribution and industrial systems. It overlaps with Hose Monster in flow-control and measurement categories within water-distribution end markets.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@hosemonster
• Facebookfacebook.com/The-Hose-Monster-Company-112174777185451
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/thehosemonstercompany
• Instagraminstagram.com/thehosemonstercompany?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Hose Monster Company