Internal fire-fighting water supply: purpose and test
During the construction of real estate objects, one of the main tasks to ensure their safe operation is high-quality design, installation and effective operation of fire safety systems. The existing building codes and regulations provide for the mandatory presence of an internal fire-fighting water supply system in public and residential real estate, as well as in administrative structures. This system provides for a local network of pipelines together with additional engineering means and equipment that ensure the timely supply of water as a fire extinguishing agent to fire hydrants with a pressure not lower than the established standards.
Purpose of the system
An internal fire-fighting piping system is needed to provide first aid for localizing and extinguishing a fire in order to maximize the effective elimination of limited fires. Often, during an emergency, the internal fire pipeline is used before the arrival of fire brigades, in the event that this does not contradict safety regulations and does not endanger the health and lives of people living in the building or service personnel.
Integrated fire-fighting water supply systems are classified into two main types depending on their functionality and usage, namely:
- multifunctional water supply;
- fire-fighting water supply system for special purposes.
The special fire-fighting piping system is designed exclusively for fire fighting functions. Such a water supply system is assembled from steel pipes and is suitable mainly for high-rise multi-storey buildings. The multifunctional type can be used both as a water supply network for domestic needs and as a fire-fighting water supply system. It is often connected to the building's traditional water supply system.
In addition, the internal water supply is divided into ring and dead-end. The first type involves the installation of a certain number of locking devices, which can, if necessary, exclude damaged areas from the general water supply line, thereby ensuring the uninterrupted operation of the system in emergency situations. The dead-end type can be used in the case when the number of end fire hydrants does not exceed 12 units.
In case of insufficient water pressure in the internal fire water supply system, additional pumping systems and installations must be installed. They ensure proper network pressure on all floors of the building. Such installations are often located in separate utility rooms adjacent to the main building. General control over the operation of the system and ensuring continuous operation can be carried out by special automatic and remote control units. Such equipment makes it possible to automatically control the water level in the tanks, to start fire-fighting pumps at insufficient pressure, to regulate the operation of shut-off valves, and also provides a fire warning by giving light and sound signals in the manned building.
Normative base
The basic rules and regulations for the arrangement and use of a fire-fighting water supply system are contained in SNiP 2.04.01 / 85. In addition, the following sources are the normative documents that govern the mandatory presence of this system:
- Law of the Russian Federation No. 123-F3, which approves technical regulations on fire safety requirements;
- Government Decree No. 390 “On Approval of the Fire Regime Rules in the Russian Federation”;
- Code of practice 10.13130.2009 “Fire protection systems. Internal fire-fighting water supply. Fire safety requirements ".
The listed regulatory documents contain the basic rules and norms for the use of internal fire-fighting water supply, standards for the minimum level of water consumption during extinguishing, depending on the category of the building and other essential conditions.
Inspection and testing
Reliable and efficient operation of the fire-fighting pipeline system largely depends on the timely and complete verification of its performance. The main parameter that is subject to testing and is the object of practical tests is the useful level of fluid loss of the pipelines. In accordance with the established rules and regulations, such tests must be carried out at least 2 times throughout the calendar year (in the spring and autumn months). In this case, the ambient temperature should not be less than 5 ° C. Such activities should be carried out by specialized institutions and enterprises that have special permits and admission to such work.
The main types of checking the performance of fire-fighting water pipes are:
- fluid loss testing;
- testing the shutter mechanisms of fire-fighting cranes for proper operation.
The normative document that regulates the performance testing of internal fire-fighting water pipelines is the "Testing procedure for internal fire-fighting water pipelines", which was approved by the Ministry of the Russian Federation for Civil Defense and Emergencies.
The test results of the fire-fighting water supply system are recorded in the relevant protocols and inspection reports, technical charts for fire hydrants are formed. All documentation is certified by authorized members of the commissions.
Normal and efficient operation of fire-fighting water pipelines is guaranteed not only with the technically sound condition of the entire system and individual equipment, but also with highly qualified training of service personnel. Employees should periodically undergo training courses, improve their qualifications, study and implement in practice new approaches to the maintenance and operation of the internal fire fighting system.
