Extract from AS 2419.11994 Australian Standard Fire hydrant installations Part 1: System design, installation & commissioning AS 2419.

11994 p12 SECTION3 SOURCESOFWATERSUPPLY 3.1 ACCEPTABLE SOURCES OF WATER SUPPLY The following sources of supply for a fire hydrant installation are acceptable either singly or in combinations: (a) Town mains. (b) Private reservoirs or tanks. (c) Rivers, lakes, dams, bores, or seawater. 3.2 MINIMUM WATER SUPPLY QUANTITY The minimum capacity of the source of water supply for a fire hydrant installation shall be not less than that necessary to satisfy the minimum flow rates specified in Clauses 4.5.1 and 4.5.2 as appropriate for a duration of not less than 4 h. The total water supply may be provided from off-site or on-site sources or both. An on-site source shall be provided when required by Clause 3.3. If one or more private reservoirs or tanks provide a source of water supply, they shall be so arranged as to ensure that during any maintenance, at least 50% of the required volume remains available for use. NOTE: See Notes under Clause 3.3. 3.3 ON-SITE WATER STORAGE On-site water storage shall be provided where (a) the off-site source has insufficient capacity or is unable to achieve the required flow rates; (b) the building has an effective height in excess of 25 m; or (c) the regulatory authority requires the installation of a break tank. Where on-site storage is provided to satisfy Item (a), it shall have a capacity appropriate to the circumstances. Where on-site storage is provided to only satisfy Items (b) or (c), or both, it shall be (i) if located at roof top in a sprinklered building, not less than 25 m3; otherwise (ii) not less than 25 m3 or that necessary to satisfy the minimum flow rates. On-site storage shall be arranged so that during any maintenance, at least 50% of the required volume remains available for use.( i.e SPLIT TANK ) Where two flows are specified at different hydrant outlet pressures, the higher flow at the lower pressure shall be the basis for tank capacity calculations (i.e. 10 L/s for each hydrant outlet required flow).
NOTES: The following Notes apply to Clauses 3.1, 3.2 and 3.3. 1. This Standard recognizes that the capacity of the water source may from time to time fall below that required for the 4 h duration for short periods, i.e to recover from an abnormal excessive demand, and that interruptions to the supply will occur at times of maintenance or repair. At such times, it would be expected that the local fire brigade would be notified so that it may take precautionary action as deemed appropriate. 2. If there is absolutely no water in the area then an on-site 4 h supply will be required. If water is available elsewhere off-site but is not connected to the site and it will take say, 1 h for the fire brigade to set up equipment to pump the water from that source to the site( where viable ), then an on-site supply having a capacity of only 1 h will be required, provided the off-site source has the capacity to supply the required flow rate continuously for a period of 3 h, to make up a total of 4 h water supply. 3. Where the town mains cannot meet hydrant system flow requirements, pumps or on-site storage, or both will be required. Consult the local fire authority in such instances. Where the town mains are capable of providing make-up supply to the on-site storage, the capacity of the on-site storage will be such that a 4 h supply is available based on the difference in flow rate between the hydrant system required flow rate and the make-up flow rate.

3.4 COMBINED SYSTEMS The water supply for combined systems ( sprinkler & hydrant ) shall be as follows: (a) Where a fire hydrant system is part of a combined hydrant and sprinkler system, the source of water supply shall additionally cater for the flow rate requirements of the sprinkler system (i) for the duration specified in AS 2118; and (ii) at the required flow rate determined by the sprinkler hazard.

4.5.4.3 Reliable automatic water The reliability of all make-up water to tanks shall be achieved by town mains, gravity or pumps complying with AS 2941 and provision shall be

made for measuring the rate of inflow of make-up water.

AS 2419.11994 APPENDIX p52 C4.5.4.2 Pump suction tanks Pump suction tanks are usually provided where water supplies cannot be pumped directly from a water source, e.g. town mains network with 4-h minimum capacity. Pump suction tank capacities are considered for determination on the same basis as fire sprinkler systems according to the occupancy hazard classification applicable to the building under protection. The tank capacity accounts for reliable infill, or the ability to allow the fire authority to supplement water supply from the water source or an alternative source. Therefore, each tank capacity will be subject to approval of the regulatory authority but, as a minimum, will comply with AS 2118 which allows the pump to operate at full capacity (most disadvantaged area of hydraulic operation) for 30 min (Light hazard ), 60 min ( Ordinary Hazard ) or 90 min ( High hazard ) according to the occupancy hazard classification used.

Hospitals-Class 9a