Code of practice for installation and maintenance of internal fire hydrants and hose reels on premises
1989 Edition

IS 3844 outlines the capacities for underground and terrace tanks based on factors such as building usage, height, and floor area. For residential buildings, tanks range from no underground storage with 20,000 L terrace tanks for structures up to 15 m, to 150,000 L underground tanks and no terrace tanks for buildings between 45 to 60 m. For apartments and private homes, tanks are generally omitted below 15 m but required above that height up to 24 m. Hotels have specified volumes starting at 50,000 L underground and 20,000 L terrace for buildings up to 15 m. Tank depths should not exceed 3.5 m plus a sump, and compartments should include gate valves for maintenance. Access routes for firefighting vehicles must be at least 6 meters wide, and terrace tanks must be robustly supported.

Fire pumps must have an automatic backup power supply to guarantee operation during power outages, typically via a diesel generator set with automatic transfer or a dedicated emergency sub-station. Wet-riser installations require two pumps — a primary and a standby — each powered by separate sources with automatic activation triggered by pressure drops. Pumps should be mounted on a concrete foundation at least 75 mm thick with vibration dampening and sized appropriately to accommodate the pump, motor, and couplings. Horizontal split-case centrifugal pumps made from corrosion-resistant materials are preferred for reliability and durability.

Hydrants in wet-riser systems must be positioned so that no point in the protected area is more than 30 meters from a hydrant, with hydrants installed between 0.75 m and 1 m above the floor. Horizontal spacing between rising mains should not exceed 50 meters. Dry-riser systems for buildings 15 to 24 meters tall feature a two-way fire service inlet about 1 meter above ground level, with air release valves at the top and drain valves at the bottom. External hydrant piping is buried at least 1 meter underground, supported every 3 meters, and constructed from cast iron or treated steel pipes with protective measures at vehicle crossings.

Internal fire hydrants and associated valves require inspection every six months to assess inlets, landing valves, drain valves, hinges, locking mechanisms, and valve components for readiness. Hose reels should be regularly checked for leaks and damage, while an annual full hose run-out test under operating pressure ensures integrity and flow rates meet or exceed 0.5 liters per second. If testing all reels is impractical, at minimum, the highest hose reel on each rising main should be tested to verify performance.

Yes, under IS 3844 Clause 7.12, a wet-riser pump can feed a partial sprinkler system if the basement area protected is under 500 m² and the shop or departmental store area is less than 1000 m². The pump must have a minimum capacity of 2850 liters per minute and be paired with a stand-by pump of equal capacity powered by a diesel engine or generator. Both pumps should be automatic and operate from separate power supplies to ensure continuous fire protection.