When required—E1D2(1)

Fire hydrants are needed to prevent the spread of fire between buildings and fire compartments. They are basically needed for fire brigade use and are not intended for use by occupants. Properly trained people and special equipment are needed for effective firefighting using a fire hydrant system.

The floor area of 500 m² referred to in E1D2(1)(a) represents the level of hazard which justifies the installation of a fire hydrant system.

If the building is located a substantial distance from a fire brigade station equipped to utilise fire hydrants, E1D2(1)(b) allows the building to be constructed without a fire hydrant system. The reasons for this are that the fire hydrants are intended for use only by a fire brigade and the benefit of fire brigade intervention during a building fire is expected to diminish with the passage of time.

AS 2419.1—E1D2(2)

Under E1D2(2), the installation of a fire hydrant system, including the associated water supply, pipe work, pumps, and so on, must be in accordance with AS 2419.1 subject to concessions granted under E1D2(3).

Clause 4.2 of AS 2419.1 requires a four hour water storage capacity for firefighting purposes. This clause does not apply to Class 8 electricity network substations where town main water supply cannot be connected and where at least one hour storage capacity of water for fire fighting purposes is provided. The reduced capacity is in recognition of the inherent fire mitigation measures such as boundary separation, vegetation removal programs, and perimeter access road protection associated with remotely located Class 8 electricity network substations. The nature of the initial fire response will also always require substation staff involvement prior to any fire brigade response. This removes the need for large water storage capacities usually associated with early intervention by the fire brigade.

Location—E1D2(3)

External fire hydrants are to be located in accordance with the requirements of AS 2419.1. Multiple buildings may be served by a single fire hydrant providing the proximity requirements of AS 2419.1 are met.

For internal fire hydrants, E1D2(4) generally requires the installation of internal fire hydrants on the storey they are to service. The reason for this is to eliminate running a fire hydrant hose up or down a stairway. Also, if the sole-occupancy units are in different ownership or leasehold, access between them may be difficult.

E1D2(4) grants a concession when a sole-occupancy unit occupies more than one storey. The concession is conditional on the fire hydrant being located at the level of egress from the sole-occupancy unit.

In the case of a Class 2 or Class 3 building or a Class 4 part, there is no limitation on the size or number of storeys within the sole-occupancy unit which can be served by the fire hydrant.

For Class 5 to Class 9 buildings the concession is limited to sole-occupancy units with only two storeys, where the fire hydrant at the entrance level provides total hose coverage. AS 2419.1 provides details of the required coverage.

If any conflict exists between AS 2419.1 and the BCA, then the BCA takes precedence. Additional information can be obtained by reference to the standard, includingit’s informative appendices.

AS 2419.1 provides the details for determining the number of fire hydrants required and where they should be located.

Pumpsets

Requirements for pumpsets, including the location of pumprooms, etc., is contained in AS 2419.1.

Water source, pressures and flows

The requirements for the water supply and source, and the required flows and pressure for the fire hydrant system to operate effectively are contained in AS 2419.1.