Monitors can be fixed or portable, manual or remote controlled, and can in general be used with water or foam, although in specific circumstances monitors may be designed for other types of firefighting media.

Fixed monitors are found wherever there are substantial class B fire risks while mobile or portable monitors are often used aboard emergency fire vehicles or to protect multiple risks by moving the monitors around a site.

Nearly all industrial fire hazards are candidates for monitor protection, but some of the more common applications are:

• Refineries
• Fuel distribution depots
• Chemical plants
• Warehouses
• Helicopter landing pads
• Aircraft hangars
• Loading jetties
• Process plants
• Industrial process areas
• Shipping
• Vehicle-mounted

Monitors may also be used in areas of risk, for example, an area identified as being at risk of structural collapse (either internally or externally) or in irrespirable or explosive atmospheres, or to free up firefighting personnel. A monitor can be positioned to apply firefighting media and left in position indefinitely without the need for firefighters to be present.

Refer to the Firefighting equipment knowledge sheets for information on monitors.