Ring main hydrants

[Revol]

Hi - I just wanted to canvas some opinions on the provision of fire hydrants. Approved Doc B seems to imply that a single hydrant is sufficient irrespective of a buildings size/ required percentage of vehicular access. No reference, in terms of hydrants is made to BS 9990 however it seems appropriate that a designer would refer to this is establishing their proposal. BS 9990 under section 5.2 states that where hydrants are provided as part of a fire ring main system and that these be provided at not more than 90 meter centers. A fire ring main system is defined under 3.10.3 as '..water main which encircles a building or series of buildings ...'. So, AD-B = hydrant, BS 9990 ring main with hydrant outlets at 90 meter intervals.

[wee brian]

Remember that ADB is only asking for hydrants for large buildings that are being built where the existing level of provision is inadequate. In most case the existing hydrant provision will be enough and/or the Fire Authority will have to make arrangements themselves.

Like most Fire Service facilities stuff in ADB, if you have a sensible fire authority then just ask them what they need and provide that.

[Dinnertime Dave]

In most case the existing hydrant provision will be enough and/or the Fire Authority will have to make arrangements themselves.

Make arrangements for themselves? Recently threatened by IO that they could enforce the provision of a hydrant via FSO. Because we have not taken measures to mitigate the effect of fire.

[colin todd]

Sensible fire authority is an oxymoron in England and a truism in Scotland.

[Revol]

Remember that ADB is only asking for hydrants for large buildings that are being built where the existing level of provision is inadequate. In most case the existing hydrant provision will be enough and/or the Fire Authority will have to make arrangements themselves.

Like most Fire Service facilities stuff in ADB, if you have a sensible fire authority then just ask them what they need and provide that.

wee brian - as my user name may suggest I work in the world of building regs as an approved inspector (que booing and hissing from the cheap seats). I agree that sometimes that fire authority may be of assistance but the BCB remains the AHJ. My question was really about what's appears to be conflicting guidance. Let's take a new 20,000 m2 warehouse that requires 100% perimeter access. If it's within 100 meters of a single existing hydrant it's fine and yet if it's 110 meters from the same hydrant it requires private hydrants, if BS 9990 is consulted these should be a Fire ring main around the building and at no more than 90 meters apart

[wee brian]

That's OK, I'm familiar with the building regs and have even worked for an AI in the past.

The Fire Authority has a duty to ensure adequate water supplies under the Fire and Rescue Services Act.

If its a large building away from public hydrants then yes it makes sense for the developer to pay for the provision of private hydrants, but a few FRAs take the mickey. There are some sensible people in English FRAs, you just have to track them down. I think each FRA has a "water Officer".

You could do the straightforward 90m thing from BS9990 but they might end up in inconvenient places so a better solution could be found.

[Revol]

wee brian - glad to hear you've spent time on the dark side