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FIRE SERVICE AND GENERAL FIRE SAFETY TOPICS => Fire Safety => Topic started by: Rocha on September 05, 2006, 04:39:43 PM

Title: Fire resistance of gas meter rooms and water tank rooms
Post by: Rocha on September 05, 2006, 04:39:43 PM

I have recently visited a building, including a basement car park which is open to the external atmosphere via the access ramp and houses the gas meter room and water tank room.  Both of which are blockwork constructed, but are fitted with wooden louvre doors.

In the case of the water tank room I understand that it is not a high risk room, although there is still electrical plant etc within this room, therefore I am recomending fire doors be provided.

In the case of the gas meter room, if a gas leak was to occur it could propogate directly to closeby parked vehicles which could provide the source of ignition.  Therefore to my thinking a fire door would need to be installed to prevent the leak of gas, however this raises issues with respect to ventilation.  It is not possible to provide ventilation from the gas meter room to the external atmosphere due to the location of the room and I am in two minds as the fire strategy plans for the building show both rooms as non fire resistant.

Could the fact that the basement car park is open to the external atmosphere at one end be a reason for this fire strategy.

I would appreciate any comments on this issue.

Thanks,

Rocha

Title: Fire resistance of gas meter rooms and water tank rooms
Post by: Ashley Wood on September 05, 2006, 06:02:31 PM

Rocha,

The reason the room is ventilated is to allow the gas to distribute itself into a larger area and then out to atmosphere. If the room was closed tight then an explosion hazard would exist that could cause structural damage. If the gas leaks into the car park then if it is ignited the resulting shock wave caused by the explosion has an exit i. e to atmosphere. This will greatly reduce the possibility of structural damage. If you have concerns about this consider the installation of a flammable gas detection system to rase an alarm at the LEL.

Title: Fire resistance of gas meter rooms and water tank rooms
Post by: wee brian on September 06, 2006, 09:54:26 AM

Whatever you do don't get rid of the vents!!!!!

A gas leak will only become a problem if confined. This just wont happen in an open sided car park.

I would suggest that the cars are a greater risk than the two plant rooms. We dont enclose each car in FR

Title: Fire resistance of gas meter rooms and water tank rooms
Post by: Firewolf on September 06, 2006, 01:10:07 PM

Yep I agree - gas meter room does not require any additional measures for the reasons the other posters have comfirmed.

Title: Fire resistance of gas meter rooms and water tank rooms
Post by: Martin Burford on September 06, 2006, 01:28:20 PM

Rocha

Don't whatever you do GET RID OF THE VENTS!
Also why provide FR CoNSTRUCTION for a water tank room ?
Conqueror

Title: Fire resistance of gas meter rooms and water tank rooms
Post by: wee brian on September 06, 2006, 10:36:53 PM

Blimey - we are all agreeing on something - is this a first?

Title: Fire resistance of gas meter rooms and water tank rooms
Post by: Firewolf on September 11, 2006, 04:54:42 PM

ermmm i reckon it is Wee Brian

Title: Fire resistance of gas meter rooms and water tank rooms
Post by: Ken Taylor on September 13, 2006, 12:30:03 AM

I've even had to insist on the addition of vents to gas meter rooms on a number of occasions!