Part B of the current building regulations have a requirement for access and facilities for the fire service to assist in the protection of life in the event of attendance. This includes a provision of non-automatic fire fighting systems for firefighters to undertake the task.
The most common types of system are fire mains and these can take the form of external hydrants, an internal dry riser system or an internal wet riser system.
Apart from Approved Document B the systems are also noted and guidance given in BS9990, BS9991 and BS9999. The type of system installed is dependent on building height.
Generally a building more than 18 metres high but less than 50 metres high will have a dry riser system installed, above 50 metres a wet riser system is installed. Although that is not to say that a wet riser system may be required by authorities for a building under 50 metres high due to restricted access or a complex layout.
A wet riser system is necessary where the pumping pressure for water exceeds the capability of a standard pumping appliance. The system consists of a water storage tank, pumps, pipe arrays up the building to valves at each floor level to allow fire personnel the ability to connect hoses and nozzles efficiently within the building in the event of fire. The system designed to maintain sufficient pressure and flow for two firefighting nozzles (jets) for a minimum of 45 minutes. The water storage tank is also provided with an emergency infill pipe to allow remote filling by emergency service personnel to increase the duration of the system and continue firefighting operations when required.
BS9990:2015 for non-automatic firefighting systems in buildings is the British Standard and recognised Code of Practice for this type of system.
Patron Fire Consulting are able to provide project specific specifications, schematics, basic or full working designs for installation in 2D CAD together with hydraulic calculations using Canute software, in addition to documentation support whether pre-contract, contract or post contract stages including O&M Manuals and Planned Maintenance.
Our staff are conversant using online portals such as Asite, Viewpoint and Doc elite should such services be required to fulfill our obligations or system design reviews on a clients’ behalf.
More information is available within the relevant sections or use the contact us facility within this web site.