The introduction of appropriate fire protection is not only necessary, but also required by law. Here we mean hydrants . We distinguish external and internal hydrants. It is worth learning more about them and getting to know the rules for starting these devices.
Check out the hydrants at the Onninen wholesaler
Types of hydrants
Internal hydrants should be used in fire zones classified as ZL people hazard category. It is important to know that they should be located on each floor of a high-rise and high-rise building. The exception is a fire zone classified as ZL IV people hazard category. At the same time, an internal hydrant must also be located on each floor of a low-rise and medium-rise building. If the area exceeds 200 m2, and also in the ZL I, ZL II, ZL III and ZL V people hazard zones, hydrants 25 are used. On the other hand, hydrants 33 must be used in a garage if it is multi-storey or closed and has more than 10 parking spaces.
Even larger hydrants, i.e. 52 hydrants, should be used in zones 
production and storage facilities, in places where fire loads do not exceed 500 MJ/m2. Hydrants must also be located in places where the fire load density does not exceed 1000 MJ/m2. The hydrant must also be placed outside the building. It should then be part of the water supply network. It will be a source of water for fire-fighting purposes. In this case, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Administration also established the conditions when an external hydrant must be placed in the regulation of 24 July 2009. This applies to:
- settlement units with a population exceeding 100 people (which cannot be colonial buildings or located within the boundaries of a public building);
- public buildings and collective housing as well as construction and storage facilities with a volume exceeding 2,500 m3 or an area exceeding 500 m2;
- buildings with a fire zone exceeding 1,000 m2 or intended for the simultaneous presence of more than 50 people;
- agricultural buildings with a fire zone area exceeding 1000 m2.
How to activate an indoor hydrant?
The internal hydrant is an extremely important fire protection device. It should be placed on the internal water supply network. It is used to extinguish group A fires. Importantly, it can extinguish fires from a greater distance than is the case with fire extinguishers. It can also be used to extinguish fires. Activating the internal hydrant is really simple. All you need to do is:
- open the cabinet or, if necessary, break it;
- unwind the hose that ends with the nozzle;
- open the hydrant valve;
- direct the stream towards a visible source of fire.
Remember that indoor hydrants should not be used to extinguish fires in electrical installations or devices, as this can lead to electrocution. Hydrants should also not be used to extinguish fires in consumer electronics.
How to activate an outdoor hydrant?
To easily open the hydrant shut-off valve, you need to know that the distance between the hydrant valve stem and the edge of the hydrant must not be less than 0.8 m. Starting an external hydrant is not difficult. It is worth knowing that there is a mechanical sensor in it that monitors the opening and water intake. It is located at the base on the right side. There is also a volumetric sensor that also monitors the opening and water intake, but on the left side. A hose is connected to the hydrant, which allows quick and easy access to water, but it must be remembered thatthe external hydrant can only be used by authorized waterworks employees, as well as fire brigade units or volunteer fire brigades during fire extinguishing operations.
The safe use of hydrants requires their inspection. This should be done at least once a year. When it comes to technical inspections and maintenance of devices located on the premises of the workplace or in places of public use, these fire protection devices are also subject to technical inspections at least once a year. The manufacturer's recommendations must be followed here. Hydrants must be inspected by an authorized person. This is the owner of the water supply and fire protection network.