For a fire suppression system in a building or facility to work reliably, it depends on a sufficient and uninterrupted water source. Because mains water may not always meet this need, a fire water tank becomes necessary in many projects. In this article we examine why a fire water tank is needed and the general scope of the NFPA 22 standard.
When Is a Fire Water Tank Necessary?
If the water pressure and flow rate required for water-based suppression systems (sprinklers, fire cabinets, hydrant lines) cannot be provided by the central or city network, a fire water tank and, where needed, a pump station must be established to meet this need. This is a critical safety measure, especially for facilities in regions where network pressure is low or where there is a risk of outages.
What Does the NFPA 22 Standard Cover?
NFPA 22 (Standard for Water Tanks for Private Fire Protection) is an international standard that defines the design, manufacture, installation and maintenance requirements of water tanks used for private fire protection systems. It covers the correct calculation of tank volume, the corrosion resistance of the material used, and the design of piping connections so as to ensure uninterrupted water flow during a fire.
How Is Tank Volume Determined?
Fire water tank volume is calculated based on the building’s risk class, the flow rate of the sprinkler system and the duration envisaged for suppression. As a general approach, a minimum of 30 minutes of water supply is envisaged for sprinkler systems and generally 60-90 minutes for hydrant systems; the exact duration and volume are determined by project-specific hydraulic calculations.
Which Regulations Apply in Türkiye?
In Türkiye, the basic regulation on fire protection is the Regulation on Fire Protection of Buildings (BYKHY); in projects, NFPA 22 and similar international norms may be referred to in addition to this regulation. Which standard will be taken as the basis in a project is clarified at the project engineering stage, according to the type of structure and the relevant legislation.
The Advantage of Modular Fire Water Tanks
Modular steel fire water tanks can be flexibly designed according to the required volume and can be installed on site relatively quickly. Galvanized steel stands out as an economical and durable material option for fire water storage.
Kolleksan can design bolted steel water tanks in line with the technical requirements of the AWWA D103 standard, and fire water tanks in line with NFPA 22 requirements. For more information about our standards, you can review our standards page, and for material options our steel water tank page.
