Provision of Fire Hydrants to new Buildings

Para 15.7 of Approved Document B, Volume 2, introduces for the first time the need to consider fire hydrants as part of the Building Regulation process.

Previously, if they were provided, then the Fire Authority usually met the cost. Every new building/ compartment >280m2, if it is more than 100m away from an existing hydrant, should be provided with a new hydrant that is within 90m of an entrance, and at 90m apart around a building – this is potentially very onerous because it can mean providing a ring of fire hydrants within private land.

Typically, at least a 100mm dia. main is required – with costs of up to £500-£700 per linear metre there may be a significant ‘ouch’ factor if this has not been budgeted for.

Alternatives include nearby access to a river, etc, or on site storage of at least 45000 litres. Our experience, since April 2007, is that even some Fire Officers recognise that these requirements can be onerous. There are perhaps two approaches to this: firstly, do the earliest possible survey of the existing provision; secondly, we arrange a meeting with the Fire Authority to discuss what they consider as a reasonable provision.