Extinguishing a large fire usually requires more than 500,000 liters of water per hour. But if near such a large-scale fire there is no centralized water supply, then the only solution is the presence of a fire (fire) reservoir.
Characteristic
A fire reservoir is a hydraulic structure in which water is stored to provide fire fighting. It is part of a fire water supply system . They are created in the territories of industrial facilities, settlements, in those places where there is no centralized water supply system.
Fire reservoirs can be a natural formation - the sea, river, lake, which contain the necessary amount of water to fight fires. Moreover, the presence of liquid in them should provide its volume for the estimated time. This time period is modeled in relation to nearby settlements, industrial enterprises.
A fire reservoir also belongs to a fire reservoir. Typically, this design has a metal, rigid body. Recently, fire tanks made of high-strength plastic have become widespread. Their sizes are also calculated on the basis of the estimated water consumption for extinguishing a fire. In one place there may be several pieces to achieve the required volume.
Water requirements
According to existing regulatory documents, in the absence of a central water supply, fire ponds should be built in certain cases if:
- the number of inhabitants in the village is less than 5000 people;
- socially significant infrastructure facilities (hospitals, theaters, train stations, educational institutions) are operated in the volume of less than 1000 cubic meters;
- if people are at facilities that belong to fire hazardous explosive categories B, D, D, and if the nominal required fire extinguishing flow rate is more than 10 liters per second;
- storage of agricultural products is carried out in warehouses, the total volume of which is less than 1000 cubic meters;
- if mineral fertilizers are stored in warehouses with volumes less than 5000 cubic meters;
- when storing fruits and vegetables and if refrigerators are present in these warehouses.
Natural Fire Pond Requirements
If in the immediate vicinity of settlements there is a natural water source that can be used to extinguish a fire (lake, river, pond), then it must be designated.
When there is a need for a natural fire reservoir, the requirements to which it must meet are as follows:
- in accordance with the data of hydrometeorological structures, it does not dry out during the year;
- there is no freezing of the reservoir to the bottom;
- the entrances are equipped with a dense and solid platform on which a fire truck can stand;
- the source contains the required amount of water according to the standards.
Water volume calculation
If residential buildings and industrial facilities do not have water supply, then fire protection standards require a minimum of two water bodies. At the same time, everyone is required to have half the volume of water that will be required for a possible fire extinguishing.
The volume itself is calculated based on the number of people who live in the village or are located in structures. In this case, they proceed from the number of fires that can occur simultaneously in different places. The size of the fire reservoir is directly dependent on the number of persons who may be in the building. The more of them, the more this object should be.
To extinguish possible fires in settlements (towns, villages), the calculation of the volume of water for extinguishing one fire is 5 liters per second. The same parameter applies to the territory of agricultural facilities.
For industrial enterprises, the minimum water flow rate is defined at 15 liters per second. Moreover, if in these buildings there are ceilings made of wood or flammable parts, then the flow rate increases by 5 liters per second from the standard indicator.
Equipment, security, inspection of reservoirs
An artificial fire reservoir is usually filled naturally through rain, melt water. It can also be filled by pouring fire water into it. In this case, it is necessary to take control of its level, taking into account evaporation. This is especially true in spring and summer. Checking the fire reservoir is usually carried out as planned.
In winter, during the period of freezing, it is necessary to create ice holes on their surface for supplying fire hoses.
As a rule, fences are arranged around the perimeter of the fire reservoir. They are designed to prevent unauthorized access to the reservoir by outsiders (recreation of citizens), as this can lead to its pollution.
Pond construction works
The preparatory process for the construction of an artificial fire reservoir involves significant work and considerable financial costs.
Initially, calculations are carried out to determine the required volume of the future reservoir. Next, a choice is made of a place on the territory of a settlement or industrial facility or in their immediate vicinity.
The configuration is determined, the device of the fire reservoir, which should provide a safe approach to the shore. In this case, slopes, the location of roads, buildings, as well as other infrastructure structures of the settlement are taken into account.
Design documentation is being developed, coordinated with all necessary authorities.
Excavation work is underway. After removal of the soil, waterproofing works are carried out. They are performed by various methods: asphalt coating is applied; concreting of the base and shores; clay or stone cladding; covering the walls of the future reservoir with synthetic film.
Next, it is filled with water. It can be imported, extracted from a well, a water supply system, or through recharge from a river, stream, or lake.
When constructing a fire reservoir, it is necessary to provide equipment along its perimeter of sites or piers. They should provide an area of free and year-round access for fire trucks, as well as unhindered water intake for extinguishing a fire. Their coating should be solid, with dimensions of at least 12x12 meters.
Significantly simplifies the creation of reservoirs, the presence in the place of their location of ravines, hollows, depressions.
From the point of view of reliability, it is believed that artificial capital construction is much better than a natural reservoir, although it requires significant costs. They are simple for long-term operation, including in the event of extreme climatic situations.
Sign "Fire reservoir"
Before putting the facility into operation, it, as well as the adjacent pier, must be designated in accordance with the provisions of regulatory documents. To do this, a sign is installed - a sign "Fire reservoir". It has a white graphic symbol. The inscription is also carried out white on a red background. In this case, the percentage of red should be more than 50% of the total volume of the sign.
Other information about the pond
According to the requirements of GOST, signs indicating a fire reservoir can be supplemented with other information. It may contain information on the volume of water or on the distance to the fire building. Such information plates, indicators of fire reservoirs, are made on a rectangular basis, the filling of which is made red throughout the area. Border is optional.
All inscriptions are executed in white. Regulatory documents require that additional signs be placed in relation to the main label “Fire Reservoir” below or to the right.