APPENDIX 33A

Requirements for Underground Water Tank and Fire Pumps

Underground Water Tanks:

1. The FWT shall be RCC constructed in two equal compartments with isolation facilities to allow periodic
cleaning and maintenance works of each compartment
2. Vents shall be appropriately sized.
3. Manhole and cat ladder shall be provided for maintenance.

Underground Fire pumps or the pumps located in the lowest location in a building are not permitted.If this is
inevitable, the following arrangements shall be put in place:-

1) Arrange of natural drainage with a capacity of at least 200% of the pump capacity.
2) Avoid the possibility of an arrangement whereby water accumulating on any protected floor might
drain into the pump room.
3) Place the Pumps, Controller and the batteries as high as possible i.e must be 500 mm above the floor
level
4) Install water detector with an N.C. valve in the water supply line. The detector should be connected to
the Fire Alarm Control Panel (FACP) of the building.
5) Two (2) Drainage pumps should be installed. Each pump should have a capacity exceeding the
maximum water supply to the reservoir.
6) The Drainage pumps should be connected to emergency electrical supply with a fire rated line as any
other critical safety equipment and the power lines should be supervised.
7) Ventilation (Supply & make up) shall be provided to obtain the max.efficiency of the fire pump. The
system shall be designed taking into account the heat decapitated from the diesel engine.
8) Ventilation Fans shall be provided and be connected to similar Emergency electrical supply
9) Make sure that it would not be possible to silence any audible alarm originated from the pump house
other than in the pump house itself.
10) Avoid long exhaust pipe and arrange drainage cock for accumulated condense water and acids.
11) Diesel fuel tank shall be installed above ground, Lockable enclosure with shade for the external diesel
tank shall be provided.
12) Bund provision 110% capacity and Crash Bar (if the tank located on the vehicular path shall be
provided.
13) Diesel Tank should not be installed in the set back area
14) Minimum 1 feet high curb & down hill sloping needs to be provided around the access opening(s) to
avoid water (including storm water) entering the pump room.
15) Pump room shall be protected with automatic sprinkler installation.
16) RCC staircase shall be provided to access the pump room. Cat ladder with steel hatch opening is not
acceptable.
17) The slab over the pump room shall be removable type for pump maintenance.
18) Emergency lighting shall be provided as per NFPA-101

Rev. 01 December 2012 Page 1of 1

Excerpt from Trakhees / Ports. Customs & Free Zone Corporation - Fire Protection, Fire Prevention & Fire/Emergency Control Regulations (2012 Edition)