Fire Protection Ensured: How Companies Meet the Requirements for Extinguishing Water Supply

Fire protection for companies covers a wide range of different tasks. On the one hand, it includes many measures and technologies to prevent fires. On the other, it covers firefighting, including marking escape routes in buildings.

One thing that firefighting can’t do without is the extinguishing water. Anyone involved in fire protection planning must also plan the extinguishing water supply. That doesn’t just mean the hydrants installed on public streets; it is not the duty of municipalities to take precautions for every conceivable fire hazard. According to building law and fire department law, the owners of buildings that are especially fire-prone or in an unfavorable location must ensure their own additional and, above all, adequate extinguishing water supply. These include, for example, companies where there is a particularly high risk of fire in the warehouse and in production. Due to climate change, the topic of extinguishing water supply is more relevant than ever when it comes to fire prevention.

Every company must give some thought to an extinguishing water supply. The Industrial Building Directive only makes vague specifications in both the Model Building Code (MBO) and the Model Administrative Act for Technical Building Provisions (M-VVTB). For example, it requires between 96 and 192 cubic meters of water per hour for each so-called fire compartment for a period of two hours — a broadly defined quantity. A fire compartment is a structurally delimited area secured by fire-resistant components. These fire compartments can be accessed through fire doors, each of which must meet the same requirements as the fire protection component to which they are connected.

Supplying commercial buildings with extinguishing water

In practice, companies must ensure that the extinguishing water supply meets the requirements of the fire department. The latter has its own recommendations and usually offers advice. There are four different options for a reliable supply of extinguishing water:

Connection to the water network: This is the standard for most companies. However, the connection must be adequately dimensioned to ensure a permanent water pressure of 1.5 bar and supply the necessary quantities of water. In the case of a larger industrial campus, companies should install their own hydrants and ensure that they have the correct water pressure.
Extinguishing water tanks: For some companies, the conventional water connection will not be sufficient. Companies in certain sectors, such as the chemical industry, also require additional security. The installation of extinguishing water tanks, such as underground cisterns or extinguishing water ponds, is an option for them. These must be such a size that they cover the requirements determined on the basis of the fire compartments.
Natural water sources: In some cases, companies have access to natural water sources such as ponds, lakes, or rivers. These are suitable as an extinguishing water reserve, usually in addition to a water connection. The companies must, however, provide processing and pumping systems.
Sprinkler systems: They reduce the need for extinguishing water by fighting fires at an early stage and preventing them from spreading. The planning and design of such systems is determined by special standards and guidelines. The fire department can also provide advice on this.

Diverse requirements

Although these are the typical options for supplying extinguishing water, there are still special cases. For example, there are special regulations for listed buildings. They require individual — and expensive — solutions, like dispensing with extinguishing water and replacing it with foam or powder. This also requires advice, in this case from the regional monument protection authorities.

Another element of fire protection is the regular maintenance and inspection of the extinguishing water supply because, in an emergency, only a few minutes are available. The corresponding systems must always be ready. That also includes valves, taps, and pumps. These systems are only used in an emergency, so they should be inspected frequently to ensure that they remain in working order.

This brief insight already shows that the requirements for the extinguishing water supply are diverse. In any case, careful planning is needed. Ultimately, it’s irrelevant whether a new construction project is planned or an older industrial facility needs to be upgraded to meet the new standards. Fire protection is taken very seriously by the authorities and meticulously checked. Precise fire protection documentation plays an important evidentiary role that can relieve the workload for the fire protection officers.

Fire protection documentation planning made easy

For fire protection, planning and documentation are the be-all and end-all. In addition to comprehensive process descriptions, companies need floor plans and notices showing escape routes, as well as access routes for the fire department. Usually, fire protection officers should have documents in digital and analog form, such as plans in the corridors. The best way to achieve comprehensive documentation is through software. With TENADO PROTECT, companies can master challenging organizational fire protection projects and plan fire protection documentation even without CAD experience.

TENADO PROTECT is a fully-fledged CAD program. Adaptations to the premises, such as the installation or removal of walls or a change in seating, can be made without any difficulty. Escape routes, assembly points, and alarm points, as well as the corresponding symbols, can be placed easily and intuitively. The program offers all the relevant plan templates, from fire safety regulations to escape and rescue plans, fire department routes, and room plans. Protection zones can also be defined with just one click.

TENADO PROTECT also takes into account the extinguishing water supply. Planning and implementing an adequate water supply requires a careful analysis of the specific conditions of each building. That is why the software is constantly updated to be in line with the latest standards in fire protection and extinguishing water supply. It ensures that company safety can always be guaranteed — the central task in fire protection.

Play it safe with TENADO PROTECT — experience TENADO PROTECT live, free of charge and with no obligation. Click here for the live presentation of TENADO PROTECT.

Fire Protection Ensured: How Companies Meet the Requirements for Extinguishing Water Supply

Supplying commercial buildings with extinguishing water

Diverse requirements

Fire protection documentation planning made easy

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