7. WATER SUPPLY.

7.1 Water for the sprinkler system shall be stored in any easily
accessible surface or underground reservoir or above ground tanks
of steel, concrete or masonry. The effective capacity of the
reservoir (above the level of foot valve seat by a height equivalent
to three times the diameter of the suction pipe in case of negative
suction and above the level of suction puddle flange or the level of
top of the pump casing whichever is higher by a height equivalent
to three times the diameter of the suction pipe in case of positive
suction) for various classes of occupancies of sprinkler installations
shall be as indicated in Table 1 hereunder:

TABLE - 1

CLASS OF EXCLUSIVE WATER STORAGE

HAZARD

LIGHT HAZARD Not less than 20 minutes run for the pumping
capacity or 35 m3 whichever is greater

Not less than 1 hour run for the aggregate pumping

ORDINARY capacity or 200 m3 whichever is greater.
HAZARD

HIGH HAZARD Not less than 2 hours run for the aggregate
pumping capacity

Note A higher capacity of reservoir than that required as per

Table 1 may be stipulated by the Committee where
considered necessary.

7.2 Water supplies for the sprinkler installations shall be free from
suspended, fibrous or other matters, which may accumulate in the
system pipework, and it is recommended to use filtered water for
the system.

7.3 The use of salt or brackish water is not normally allowed. In special
circumstances where there is no suitable fresh water source
available, consideration may be given for the use of salt or
brackish water provided the installation is normally charged with
fresh water.

7.4 Combined reservoirs for other fire fighting systems such as

Hydrant system, Water spray systems etc., along with the sprinkler
system are permissible provided a) All the suction inlets or foot
valves are at same level and b) Aggregate capacity of the
reservoir is equal to the total requirement of all the systems put
together.

7.5 Reservoirs of and over 225-m3 capacities shall be in two

independent but interconnected compartments with a common
sump to facilitate cleaning and repairs. The construction and

1
 arrangement of the reservoir and the common sump shall be in
accordance with the provisions in rule 7.3 of the Fire Protection
Manual (12th edition) published by the Committee.

7.6 Level indicator shall be provided for measuring the quantity of

water stored at anytime. The indicator shall preferably be
graduated to read directly in M 3 of water.

7.7 Water reservoir shall be cleaned at least once in two years or more
frequently if necessary to prevent contamination and
sedimentation.

7.8 It is advisable to provide adequate inflow into the reservoir so that

the protection can be re-established within a short period.

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