Section 4 – Fire Hydrant Systems - FPA · PDF fileSection 4 – Fire Hydrant Systems ... For legibility of hydrant system block plan where fitted. Section 4 – Fire Hydrant Systems

Section 4 – Fire Hydrant SystemsGraham GreenNational Compliance ManagerWormald

All slides are Copyright of FPA Australia 2013Content from AS1851-2012 reproduced with permission from SAI Global Ltd under Licence 1301-c095

General Notes and Precautions

• Routine service activities for pumpsets are in addition to the requirements listed in the tables for sprinkler systems and hydrant systems as appropriate

• Where multiple pumps supply fire protection systems, only one pump shall be rendered inoperative at any time

• Prior to commencing any preventive maintenance activity all automatic start devices, both local and remote, shall be checked to ensure they are isolated and tagged or locked out.

Section 3 – Fire PumpsetsGeneral Notes and Precautions


General Notes and Precautions

• Section 4 of AS1851-2012 covers:

• fire hydrant installations

• fire mains

• fire brigade booster assemblies; and

• other associated equipmentRoutine service of combined hydrant and sprinkler systems shall be carried out in accordance with the requirements of:

• This section for hydrant systems

• Section 2 for automatic fire sprinkler systems

• Section 4 for fire pumps; and

• Section 5 for fire service tanks.

Section 4 – Fire Hydrant SystemsGeneral Information


Baseline DataBaseline Data shall include a water supply valve list including valve unique number, location and whether monitored or locked.

Section 4 – Fire Hydrant SystemsBaseline Data


Section 4 – Fire Hydrant SystemsRoutine Service – Frequency and Table References

Frequency Fire Hydrant Systems

Monthly* 4.4.1

6 Monthly 4.4.2

Yearly 4.4.3

5 Yearly 4.4.4

* Monthly routine service is only required where pumpsets are fitted


Section 4 – Fire Hydrant SystemsMonthly (Table 4.4.1)

Monthly Routine Service Schedule

Fire Hydrant Systems



Item 1.1: Monthly service

Where pumpsets are fitted complete all pumpset monthly service activities, as listed in Table 3.4.1.

Note: The starting devices belong to the hydrant system




Item 1.3(b): Pump-starting devices function test—Compression ignition engine (diesel)

(b) RESTART the pumpset using the manual starting device and again run the compression ignition engine in accordance with Section 3.

Note: The option to conduct this test on a rotating basis

This same provision applies to electric motor driven pumpsets(see Item 1.4)



Section 4 – Fire Hydrant SystemsSix-monthly (Table 4.4.2)

6 Monthly Routine Service Schedule

Fire Hydrant Systems



Item 2.1: Monthly service

COMPLETE all monthly service activities, as listed in Table 4.4.1.




Item 2.2: Water supply stop valves and isolating valves

OPERATE (two full turns) all water supply stop valves (including backflow prevention stop valves and underground key-operated valves except where owned by the water supply authority) and verify they are fully open, secure in the open position (relaxed ¼ turn if appropriate) and are correctly labelled as indicated on the valve list.

CommentTesting of underground key-operated valves owned by the water supply authority may be difficult to achieve at time of undertaking 6 monthly service. It may be necessary to record this activity as a non-conformance at time of service and develop procedures to co-ordinate and document the results of the test with the local water supply authority.





Item 2.3: Hydrant valves (above ground)

CHECK all hydrant valves:a) Are accessible.b) Hand-wheels are securely fitted.c) Blanking caps, where fitted, are in good condition.

Note: Hydrant Valves are the technically correct term however they are also known as landing valves, hydrant outlets, etc..





Item 2.4: Hydrant valves (below ground)

CHECK all hydrant valves:a) Are accessible.b) Blanking caps, where fitted, are in good

condition.c) Check cover plate for ease of openingd) Not leaking.

Note: Prior to AS1851-2005 below ground valves were not required to be maintained.





Item 2.5: Booster assembly (where fitted)

CHECK all booster assemblies:a) Are accessible.b) Hand-wheels are securely fitted.c) Pressure gauges and blanking caps, where fitted, are in

good condition.d) For condition of washers on booster assembly connection

inlets.e) For legible labelling indicating maximum system working

pressure.f) For legibility of hydrant system block plan where fitted.





Item 2.6: Remote pump starting

DEPRESSURIZE the hydrant system(s) at the most hydraulically disadvantaged hydrant and CHECK that the pump starts.

Notes:The hydraulic head (weight of water) may prevent the pump from starting where a hydrant is operated on upper floors. This test is designed to ensure the pump will start on these occasions.





Item 2.7: Hydrant and booster connections—Compatibility

CHECK that all hydrant and booster connection points are compatible with local brigade requirements.

Note: Compatible simply means that the local brigade is able to connect to the booster




Item 2.8: Hydrant hose (where fitted)

CHECK all branch pipes, nozzles and hose couplings are in good condition, compatible with the hydrant valves and properly stowed.




Item 2.9: Foam concentrate and loose equipment (where provided)

CHECK:a) Equipment provided in the cabinet is in accordance with the

cabinet contents list.b) Equipment items are compatible and in good condition.c) Foam concentrate containers are in good condition, seals are

intact and the labels are legible.d) Signage for legibility.

NOTE: Storage of foam concentrate in aggressive environments may require testing or replacement of the concentrate.




Item 2.10: Cabinets

CHECK that all hydrant and booster cabinets or enclosures are accessible, clear of extraneous materials, clearly and correctly marked and in good condition




Item 2.11: Pressure-reducing/pressure-limiting valves

CHECK pressure readings on the low side of pressure-reducing and pressure-limiting valves for deviations from designed operating pressure.

Note: Gauges or facilities for gauges should be installed immediately upstream and downstream of the valve(s).

Note: These devices are generally only installed in high rise buildings where there is an elevated tanks




Item 2.12: Block plan (where required) and pressure gauge schedule

CHECK for legibility and appropriate location.

Note: Site Documentation accuracy check is conducted yearly (refer to Item 3.12 of Table 4.4.3)

Documents

Section 4 – Fire Hydrant Systems - FPA · PDF fileSection 4 – Fire Hydrant Systems ... For legibility of hydrant system block plan where fitted. Section 4 – Fire Hydrant Systems