Minimum Height and Clearance for Fire Pump Enclosures
QFRS is committed to providing safe working environments for staff in line with the Queensland Government’s ‘Zero Harm’ policy. Fire pump enclosures require a minimum of:
- 2.1 metres head clearance.
- 1 metre wide, clear path of travel to the fire pump controller
- 1 metre wide, clear path of travel to the manual shut-down for diesel drivers
- 1 metre wide, clear path of travel to all other required control valves
These minimum requirements are supported by:
- Building Code of Australia 2009 (Part E1)
- Australian Standard 2941-2008 (Section 11, Clause 11.3)
- Australian Standard 2419.1-2005 (Clause 6.4; Sub-Clause 6.4.1)
Pumpset Configurations for Fire Hydrant Systems
The QFRS is experiencing a greater number of assessments submitted where only one pump is proposed to be fitted to the fire hydrant systems fed from break tanks and other water storage tank systems. Australian Standards 2419.1 – 2005, Section 6.2 Pumpset Configurations: indicates the number of on-site pumpsets required to achieve the hydrant flow and pressure requirements to meet the Standard.
Water Storage Tanks:
When assessing future building approval applications BAOs are to advise Building Certifiers and or Hydraulic Designers that two fire pumps are required for the fire hydrant system where water is provided solely from the water storage tank This will then fully comply with AS 2419.1, achieve specified performance and provide the safety redundancy for QFRS to meet operational requirements.
Break Tanks:
Where fixed on-site pumps are installed as a requirement of connection, the water agency having control of the reticulated water supply may require that a break tank be installed. A break tank is usually an on-site tank of limited capacity which:
a) Serves to limit the effects of a fixed on-site pump drawing from a reticulated water supply; or
b) Serves to manage pressure within the fire hydrant system.
When assessing future building approval applications BAOs are to advise Building Certifiers and or Hydraulic Designers that two fire pumps are needed for the fire hydrant system to achieve AS2419.1- 2005 and meet QFRS operational requirements. However QFRS operational needs may be achieved through the installation of one pump which would be via an alternative building solution (ABS) proposal. Any ABS proposal should include a full capacity bypass incorporating a booster assembly. The tank infill should also incorporate an isolation valve which closes automatically in the event of a pump failure. Note: The automatic isolation valve would be placed within the system pipework to ensure all available flow and pressure is provided to the attack hydrant/s and is not diverted to the break tank in the event of pump failure. The full capacity bypass and infill closure valve will afford the safety redundancy similar to the reticulated main being connected to the inlet of the pumpset.