Firefighting water facilities are important equipment used for fire prevention, fighting and control, including fire water sources and supply, outdoor fire protection, indoor fire hydrant systems, automatic sprinkler systems and fire monitors.
Fire Water Source and Supply Facilities
Fire Water Tank
The function of a fire water tank is to store the amount of fire-fighting water needed for the duration of a fire, ensuring continued water supply even if external water sources are interrupted. Common components include level control valves, level display devices, inlet pipes, outlet pipes, and drain pipes.
Fire Pump
The function of a fire pump is to provide pressure to the fire water system, propelling water to various fire-fighting equipment. They are classified into hydrant pumps and sprinkler pumps according to the system.
Hydrant pumps are used to pressurize the fire hydrant system, while sprinkler pumps supply water to the automatic sprinkler system. Pump components include control cabinets, pressure gauges, check valves, gate valves, and vibration dampers.
Fire Water Tank
The function of a fire water tank is to provide fire-fighting water for initial fires and maintain system pressure. It is usually located at the highest point of the building (e.g., the roof). Main components include float valves, overflow pipes, vent pipes, and level gauges.
Outdoor fire protection facilities
Outdoor Fire Hydrants
Outdoor fire hydrants provide a water source for fire trucks or are used directly for outdoor firefighting. They are available in above-ground, underground, and crash-resistant types.
Above-ground hydrants are exposed above ground for easy access and are suitable for warmer regions. Underground hydrants are buried underground to prevent freezing and are suitable for colder regions. Crash-resistant hydrants have a crash-resistant design on the top to prevent damage from vehicle collisions.
Fire Pump Connections
Fire pump connections allow fire trucks to supply water to the indoor pipe network when the indoor fire pump malfunctions or has insufficient water supply. They are available in above-ground, underground, and wall-mounted types, with interface specifications of DN100 and DN150.
Indoor Fire Hydrant System
Fire Hydrant Box
A fire hydrant box consists of a box body, fire hydrants, nozzles, hoses, alarm buttons, etc., and is divided into single-hydrant boxes and double-hydrant boxes.
A single-hydrant box contains one fire hydrant connection, and a double-hydrant box contains two fire hydrant connections. These are mostly used in public buildings.
Fire Hydrant
Fire hydrants are used to connect hoses and nozzles and control water flow. They are divided into indoor fire hydrants and pressure-reducing/stabilizing fire hydrants.
Indoor fire hydrants have a diameter of DN65 and are available in single-outlet and double-outlet versions. Pressure-reducing/stabilizing fire hydrants are used in high-rise buildings to prevent excessive water pressure.
Nozzles and Hose
A straight-stream nozzle sprays a jet of water and is used to extinguish general solid fires. A spray nozzle sprays a mist of water and is used for cooling, smoke extraction, or extinguishing electrical fires.
Fire hoses are made of hemp or synthetic fibers (such as polyurethane), and are available in sizes such as DN65 and DN50. The length is typically 25 meters.
Automatic Sprinkler System
Sprinkler Heads
Sprinkler heads function to burst or open when heated during a fire, spraying water to extinguish the fire. They are divided into closed sprinkler heads and open sprinkler heads.
Common closed sprinkler heads are divided into pendant, upright, and sidewall types:
Pendant sprinkler heads are installed below the ceiling, spraying water downwards. Upright sprinkler heads are installed upwards, spraying water upwards and then falling. Sidewall sprinkler heads are installed on the wall, spraying water to one side.
Open sprinkler heads are used in deluge systems and water curtain systems. They do not have heat-sensitive elements and all heads open during a fire.
Alarm Valve Assemblies
Alarm valve assemblies control the direction of water flow and activate the alarm device. They are divided into wet alarm valves, dry alarm valves, and deluge valves.
Wet alarm valves are used in wet systems, where the pipes downstream of the valve are always filled with water. Dry alarm valves are used in dry systems, where the pipes downstream of the valve are filled with compressed air, suitable for cold regions. Deluge valves are used in deluge systems; when opened, all sprinkler heads spray water simultaneously.
Piping and Valves
Pipes are made of hot-dip galvanized steel (corrosion resistant), ranging from DN25 to DN150. Fittings include tees, crosses, elbows, reducers, etc.
Common valves include signal valves, check valves, and safety valves.
Signal valves are installed before alarm valves to monitor their open/closed status. Check valves prevent backflow. Safety valves prevent excessive system pressure.
Water Flow Indicator
The function of the water flow indicator is to detect the water flow signal when sprinklers in a certain area spray water and transmit it to the alarm system.
Fire Monitor System
Fire Monitor
The function of a fire monitor is to spray water over a long distance, used in large spaces such as factories and stadiums. They are divided into fixed and automatic tracking types.
Fixed monitors are permanently installed and controlled manually or electrically. Automatic tracking and positioning jet extinguishing devices can automatically identify the fire source and spray water.
Fire Monitor Control Valve
The function of the fire monitor control valve is to control the direction and flow rate of the water from the monitor. It is often linked to an electric or hydraulic system.
The equipment and accessories for fire protection water facilities must be configured according to the building type, fire risk level, and code requirements. The core function is to ensure timely and effective water supply for fire extinguishing during a fire. Routine maintenance requires regular checks of the equipment's integrity, sealing, and functional effectiveness to ensure the system operates normally in emergencies.
