Abstract
Aim: The objective of this paper is to present important problems related to supplying water to firefighting systems in high residential buildings. The article specially focuses on the adjustment of water supply systems in the existing high residential building to the requirements provided by the applicable regulations, as well as discrepancies contained in these regulations.
Methodology: This paper has been developed based on the comparison of the requirements for firefighting water supply systems in high residential buildings included in legal acts and Polish standards. The comparison was made with regard to the changes in the regulations from a historical perspective. Statistical information on water consumption for firefighting purposes in these buildings was used.
Results: Equipping high residential buildings in a firefighting water supply system with a hydrant valve 52 is to ensure effective firefighting by the fire brigade. The applicable regulations include strict requirements with regard to system capacity and method of supply. Statistical data on water consumption for firefighting purposes in residential buildings shows that the consumption is insignificant. Adjustment of the system to the requirements contained in the regulations is often impossible. It seems that some of the provisions in the regulations are mutually exclusive.
Conclusions: Statistical data on water consumption for firefighting purposes in high residential buildings indicates insignificant water consumption. It can be concluded from the above that the analysis of strict requirements on the capacity of the water supply system is recommended. Even while maintaining the existing requirements with regard to the capacity, it is not justified to use risers with a diameter of at least DN 80; it the costs of the investment to rise. The provisions contained in The Regulation of 7 June 2010 of the Minister of Internal Affairs and Administration on fire protection of buildings, other building faciliteis and sites (Polish Journal of Laws, Dz. U. z 2010 r., nr 109, poz. 719) univocally indicate cases where it is necessary to supply water to the system from two sources, one from the water supply network and the second from the fire brigade pumps. Such a solution is correct when the system is supplied in water from an open tank; however it must be regarded as irregular when water is supplied directly from the network. It is recommended to amend the regulation mentioned above on fire protection of buildings, other building faciliteis and sites, in the section related to water supply systems in high residential buildings, especially in order to unify the contained requirements with the ones provided by the Polish standards.
Keywords: water supply systems, residential buildings, firefighting systems, fire protection
Type of article: review article