Image courtesy of Clintonville Tribune and Fireman's Fest
Building permit requirements for FH differ from FHR
We have been working on a project recently where we had to determine whether work platforms, for elevated access to the roofs of the vehicles being maintained, required fire hydrant and/or fire hose reel coverage. We considered these platforms as mezzanines as defined in the Building Code of Australia i.e. not a storey (see A1.1 definitions).
We had no option for a regulation 309 consent from the MFESB for the project due to timing of the design so we had to agree on full compliance with the designers. This gave us no option for project specific discussion with the MFESB as part of the 309 consent process.
From our review of AS2419.1 and AS2441 again our “rule of thumb” (from the wording of AS2419.1 in Clause 3.2.3.1 and Clause E1.4 (d) of the BCA) is:
- For Fire Hydrant coverage – where external hydrants cannot be provided to protect the whole building internal hydrants shall be provided to protect the other parts; versus
- For Fire Hose Reels – provide fire hose reels to serve only the storey at which they are located.
So why the difference?Our interpretation is that it has something to do with mezzanines being considered less critical with respect to the nature of their use. As they are not storeys and therefore don’t require an exit there is no exit at which to locate a FHR. Until the introduction of E1.4 (e) (i) in the BCA2009 a FHR would also be within 4m of an exit so as an occupant you could follow it back to where you started for safety. In addition FHR are only for use by the occupants and therefore for first aid fire fighting rather than the sort of fire fighting operations conducted by fire brigades.
Whereas Fire Hydrants are used for both life safety and fire brigade intervention under the BCA (and asset protection under other legislation) and in order to satisfy these corresponding requirements you presumably need fire hydrant coverage throughout.
If you come across it in your designs we recommend you discuss it with both your Hydraulics / Fire Services designer and your Building Certifier. We have had not had the opportunity to discuss it with the MFB, but will let you know when we do.
Tags: BCA, Building Permits, Fire Hose Reels, Fire Hydrants