Fire-Resistant Hydraulic Fluids — South Africa
Authorised distributor of Quaker Houghton HOUGHTO-SAFE® fire-resistant hydraulic fluids for steel mills, mining, die casting, power generation and offshore operations across South Africa. Bulk supply available.
Request Bulk PricingConventional mineral-based hydraulic oils present a serious fire risk in environments where ignition sources, elevated temperatures or high-pressure spray hazards are present. When hydraulic hoses, seals or fittings fail under pressure, atomised oil mist can ignite instantly — with catastrophic consequences for personnel, plant and equipment. Quaker Houghton's HOUGHTO-SAFE® fire-resistant hydraulic fluids are engineered to resist ignition, self-extinguish, and continue protecting hydraulic systems even under extreme operating conditions. In many industries, their use is not just best practice — it is a regulatory or insurance requirement. Explore our related offshore subsea and BOP fluid range and mining supply solutions.
Fire-Resistant Fluid Types — ISO 6743-4 Classification
HFA — High Water-Based Fluids
Oil-in-water emulsions or chemical solutions containing 80–98% water. Excellent fire resistance due to high water content. Primarily used in underground mining where fire risk is extreme. Common on longwall shearers, roof supports and drill rigs. Limited lubrication performance — pump selection must account for this.
HFB — Water-in-Oil Emulsions
Water droplets dispersed in a continuous oil phase, typically 40–45% water content. Better lubrication than HFA with good fire resistance. Used in die casting, forge presses and steel mill equipment where moderate fire resistance is required alongside reasonable lubricating performance.
HFC — Water-Glycol Fluids
A solution of water, glycol and thickening agents — typically 35–50% water content. No oil phase — genuinely fire-resistant, not merely fire-retardant. Widely used across steel mills, aluminium casting, glass manufacturing and power generation. The Quaker Houghton HOUGHTO-SAFE® range covers this category and is the most common fire-resistant fluid type supplied by Orbit Industrial.
HFD — Synthetic Fire-Resistant Fluids
Anhydrous (water-free) synthetic fluids including phosphate esters and polyol esters. Excellent lubrication, wide operating temperature range and very high fire resistance. Used in turbine control systems and applications where water-based fluids are not suitable. Higher cost than HFC — justified in demanding HP/HT or high-precision applications.
HOUGHTO-SAFE® Products — Available from Orbit Industrial
HOUGHTO-SAFE® NL1
HFC water-glycol fire-resistant hydraulic fluid for steel mills, press shops, die casting and mining hydraulic systems. Cefas D compliant.
View HOUGHTO-SAFE® NL1 →HOUGHTO-SAFE® WL1
HFC water-glycol fluid for riser tensioners, motion compensation and offshore hydraulic systems. Fire resistance and Cefas environmental compliance combined.
View HOUGHTO-SAFE® WL1 →HOUGHTO-SAFE® 620 E
Advanced HFC water-glycol fluid for high-pressure hydraulic systems requiring extended service life and robust anti-wear performance.
View HOUGHTO-SAFE® 620 E →Additional HOUGHTO-SAFE® grades available for specific viscosity requirements and OEM approvals. Contact our team for product selection support →
Industries We Supply
Steel Mills & Metal Processing
Fire-resistant fluids are a standard requirement in steel mill hydraulic systems operating near furnaces, rolling mills and continuous casting equipment. HFC water-glycol fluids protect against ignition from molten metal contact or radiant heat.
Die Casting & Forge Presses
Die casting machines and forge presses operate with intense heat and close proximity to molten metal. Fire-resistant HFB and HFC fluids provide the lubrication performance required by high-pressure pumps while eliminating the ignition risk of mineral oil.
Mining — Underground & Open Pit
Underground mining regulations require fire-resistant hydraulic fluids on all equipment operating below surface. HFA and HFC fluids are widely used on longwall shearers, roof supports and drill rigs across the Western Cape and Northern Cape.
View Orbit Industrial mining supply →Power Generation & Turbine Systems
Steam and gas turbine control systems, hydraulic governors and electrohydraulic servo systems require fluids with high fire resistance and precise viscosity control. HFD phosphate ester and synthetic fluids are commonly specified by OEMs including GE, Siemens and Alstom.
Offshore & Marine
HOUGHTO-SAFE® WL1 is used in riser tensioners and deck machinery where fire resistance and Cefas environmental compliance are both mandatory.
View offshore & subsea fluid range →Glass & Aluminium Manufacturing
Glass furnace equipment, aluminium casting and extrusion presses operate at sustained high temperatures where mineral oil presents an unacceptable ignition risk. HFC water-glycol fluids are the standard specification for hydraulic systems in these environments.
Converting from Mineral Oil to Fire-Resistant Fluid
Switching from mineral oil to a water-glycol or synthetic fire-resistant fluid requires careful preparation to avoid compatibility issues and system damage. Key considerations include:
Seal & Hose Compatibility
Water-glycol fluids are not compatible with all elastomers. NBR seals perform well — EPDM and neoprene are generally acceptable. Natural rubber and cork gaskets should be avoided. Seal compatibility review is essential before conversion.
System Flushing
Residual mineral oil must be thoroughly flushed before introducing HFC fluid. Contamination from mineral oil reduces fire resistance and can cause emulsification — compromising both safety and fluid performance.
Pump & Valve Ratings
Some piston pump designs require derating when running water-glycol fluids. Consult your OEM manual and our technical team before conversion to confirm system compatibility and any required modifications.
Cooling & Heat Rejection
Water-glycol fluids have different heat capacity and viscosity-temperature characteristics to mineral oil. A cooling system review is recommended to ensure adequate heat rejection under operating conditions.
Ongoing Fluid Monitoring
Water-glycol fluids require periodic water content checks and pH monitoring to maintain fire resistance and corrosion protection throughout the service life of the fluid.
Technical Support
Our fluids team provides conversion planning, system compatibility reviews, OEM approval guidance and ongoing fluid condition monitoring support.
Contact us for a technical consultation →Fire-Resistant Hydraulic Fluid Supply — South Africa
Orbit Industrial Supplies is an authorised Quaker Houghton distributor supplying genuine HOUGHTO-SAFE® fire-resistant hydraulic fluids to steel mills, mining operations, power generation facilities, offshore and marine operations across the Western Cape, Northern Cape and Gauteng. Bulk supply in 200L drums, 1,000L IBCs and tanker. Logistics coordination for remote mine sites available.
Fire-resistant hydraulic fluids form part of a broader industrial fluid management strategy. Explore our offshore subsea control fluids and BOP fluid range, our corrosion protection solutions and our complete mining supply range. Contact our technical team for product selection, system conversion planning and bulk pricing.
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