Fire Rescue Victoria ("FRV") issues guidelines (GL-35) on conducting a hydrostatic test for new and existing fire hydrant systems, clarifying requirements for systems with and without brigade booster connections or pumps. This article provides a summary of GL-35 and the circumstances where a hydrostatic pressure test is not required.
A water supply proving test is a functional test of the water supply of an automatic fire sprinkler system or fire hydrant system to validate the required performance (duty) of the water supply. This test is used to determine if there has been any degredation in the water supply that could adversely affect the performance of the water supply between tests, placing the occupants of the building at risk from fire.
Australian Standard AS 2419.1 sets out the requirements for the system design, installation and commissioning of fire hydrant installations. The Standard also sets out specific requirements for a block plan to communicate the baseline data including system design, installation and performance criteria.
Australian Standard AS1851:2012 sets out the routine service requirements for an fire hydrant system. The five-yearly service requirements include ten items that are required to be conducted. While the Standard prescribes these items, they are written in no particular order. This article describes these items and a suggested order they should be undertaken.
Corrosion (rust) is a common cause of failure in automatic fire sprinkler systems, fire hydrant systems, hose reel systems, pumps and tanks, causing leaks and in in some cases catastrophic failure. In this article we discuss some basic metallurgy that provides a background for the causes of corrosion, as well as some solutions to help slow the rate of corrosion.
AS1851 is the Australian Standard for the Routine Servicing of a fire protection systems and equipment. In certain circumstances, it is vital that we know the installation Standard that a fire protection system or equipment has been installed and approved ("the Approved Design") in order for us to have a reference point for comparative performance.
In a building, a fire hydrant system is a safety measure or emergency equipment required in some buildings that comprises a series of components that when assembled together provide a source of water to assist fire authorities in a fire.