In a perfect world we would always be able to prevent a fire emergency rather than actually fight a fire. Unfortunately fire prevention system no matter how advanced or automated, is subject to entropy, which means that if inspections and routine maintenance isn't performed regularly, chances are, at some point, you or someone is going to have to extinguish a fire.
Fire hydrant reticulation refers to the pipework that allows fire hydrants access to water from the water main. This is absolutely essential to fire fighters who are trained to extinguish fire.
When a fire is caused by an electrical malfunction, and the burning area has exposed electrical wires or if the fire is electrical in any nature, spraying it with water can be deleterious as water conducts electricity. The same goes for a chemical fire that could explode upon contact with water.
Sadly, untrained individuals could worsen an already bad situation. For these reasons it is important to keep clear signage on hydrants and hose reels informing the person who is about to use them to contact the fire department immediately, before doing anything else.
It's important to mention that fire hydrants and fire hose reels are a kind of first strike against a fire, and can supply an individual with unlimited water, to protect himself and or property from the intense heat generated by the fire.
Fighting a class A fire using a hydrant is 10 times more effective than an extinguisher, that is to say if the fire is not electrical or chemical in Nature.
There are regulations that govern the reticulation of fire hydrants and hose reel placement, the Standard refers to this as system coverage, and fire hose reels must be placed in strategic locations so that any part of the building can easily be reached with a hose.
In most cases every hose reel must be in proximity to a hydrant, but hydrants don't have to be accompanied by a hose reel. If a building has internal hydrants then, however a hose reel is required.
Any single area greater than 500m2 is required to have hose reels weather or not there are any hydrants nearby.
Contact our experts for a free survey of your Hydrants and hose reels. Make sure that you are up to date with fire safety standards.
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