Start with the flow and reach the hazard needs, since this sets the monitor size. Minimax's stand post monitor to IS:8442 gives 1750 LPM (2.5 inch) or 2580 LPM (3.0 inch) at 7 kg/sq.cm with a horizontal throw of 55 to 60 m or 65 to 70 m, Savemax lists water and aqua foam monitors at 1750 and 2580 LPM, and Kartar Valves and Balaji Fire Safety offer 63 mm water monitors. For larger risks, Aaag's carbon steel water monitors run up to 7575 LPM, its stainless steel fixed and variable flow monitors start at 500 US GPM with throws of 50 to 80 m with water, and HD Fire's 6 inch VARUN monitors flow up to 12500 lpm (3300 gpm). The flow you choose must be within what the fire pump and main can supply at the monitor.
Next decide how the monitor is aimed. Manual monitors are turned by a handle with a lock, or by gear operated hand wheels or a fully enclosed worm gear on larger units. Self oscillating monitors from New Age, HD Fire and Aaag sweep the stream back and forth on their own, driven by a water motor or water wheel without wiring. Remote controlled monitors from New Age, HD Fire, Savemax and Aaag are aimed from a distance, so the operator does not need to stand at the monitor, with explosion proof motors available from HD Fire and Aaag, and New Age can run several monitors from one control panel.
Then choose the mounting and material. Fixed monitors sit on a stand post or flange, and New Age also offers a tower monitor on a riser about 10 m high. Mobile options include Aaag's 18 kg portable monitor fed by two 63 mm hoses, trolley and trailer monitors from New Age and HD Fire (HD Fire's HD-CHETAK trailer carries its own storage tank) and Aaag vehicle monitors. Carbon steel monitors come from New Age, HD Fire, Minimax and Aaag, hot dip galvanised on the New Age, HD Fire and Minimax models; stainless steel monitors from New Age, HD Fire and Aaag suit corrosive sites, and HD Fire also makes cast bronze VAJRA monitors. Most HD Fire monitors list a maximum operating pressure of 12 bar (175 psi), and Aaag's gear operated carbon steel water monitors 14 bar.
Finally check approvals and the nozzle. New Age and Minimax make monitors to IS 8442, New Age's ISI marked and HD Fire's Monitor M ISI certified; HD Fire offers FM Approved monitors, approved with its Varsha and NW nozzles, and UL Listed foam monitors, and New Age UL Listed stainless steel monitors with UL Listed foam induction under UL Standard 162. A jet or solid bore nozzle throws a straight stream, while jet spray, master stream and Varsha nozzles change from a straight stream to a wide fog. For foam, a self inducting nozzle draws concentrate through a suction hose or from a jet ratio controller, which on Aaag's unit feeds concentrate from a drum up to 60 m away. New Age, HD Fire and Aaag also supply monitor nozzles on their own to fit existing monitors.