The Use and Control of Fire-Fighting Equipment

BOTSWANA STANDARD

BOS 254-2:2007

BOTSWANA BUREAU OF STANDARDS

BOS 254-2:2007

The use and control of fire-fighting equipment— Part 2:Fire hose reels, hydrants and booster connections

BOS 254-2: 2007

Foreword

This Botswana standard was approved by the Technical Advisory Committee of the Standards Council on 2007-05-31.

The Botswana Bureau of Standards (BOBS) was established under the Standards Act No. 16 of 1995, with a primary responsibility of preparing Botswana Standards.

During the preparation of this standard, assistance was derived from the South African standard, SANS 10105-2 - 2004: The use and control of fire-fighting equipment- Part 2: Fire hose reels, hydrants and booster connections.

During the preparation of this standard, the following organizations were directly represented in the Technical Committee, MED 6-Fire Safety:

Ministry of Works, Tranpsort and Comminucations,MrSBKgokong(Chairperson)

Dept. of Civil Aviation

Botswana Bureau of StandardsMrTNTlhomelang (Technical Secretary)

Afrox BotswanaMrTBoshoff

BotsfireMrMBishop

Botswana Bureau of StandardsMrTPhirinyane

Firefighting Products& ServicesMrsJFraser

Gaborone Private HospitalMrsGNlebesi

Ministry of Local GovernmentMrSJChinoganhira

Gaborone City Council

Ministry of Works, Tranpsort and Comminucations,MrWTNtshimane

Dept. of Civil Aviation

Okavango ElectronicsMrGSClarke

ZMCK Consulting EngineersMrSKentshitswe

Published by:

Botswana Bureau of Standards

Private Bag BO 48

Gaborone

Botswana

Telephone:+267 3903200

Fax:+267 3903120

Email:

Website:

ICS 13.220.20

BOS 254-2: 2007

The use and control of fire-fighting equipment — Part 2: Fire hose reels, hydrants and booster connections

1Scope

This part of BOS 254 covers the requirements for the installation and inspection of fire hose reels, hydrants and booster connections.

2Normative references

The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this standard. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced documents (including any amendments) applies. Botswana Bureau of Standards (BOBS) maintains registers of currently valid standards.

BOS 5, Fire hose reels (with semi-rigid hose).

BOS 6, Symbolic safety signs – Part 1: Standard signs and general requirements.

BOS 65- 2, The production of reconditioned fire-fighting equipment – Part 2: Fire hose reels, hydrants and booster connections.

SANS 1128-1 (SABS 1128-1), Fire fighting equipment – Part 1: Components of underground and above-ground hydrant systems.

SANS 10400-T, The application of the National Building Regulations – Part T: Fire protection.

SANS 10400-W, The application of the National Building Regulations – Part W: Fire installation.

3Definitions

For the purposes of this part of BOS 254, the definitions given in BOS 6, SANS 1128-1 and BOS 65- 2, and the following definition apply:

responsible person: person (being the owner of the building or a person appointed in writing by the owner) who is responsible for the site control of fire hose reels, hydrants and booster connections and for keeping the necessary records

4Requirements

4.1General

4.1.1Fire hose reels, hydrants and booster connections for installation shall comply with the requirements of BOS 5 and SANS 1128-1.(see also SANS 10400-W)

4.1.2Fire hose reels, hydrants and booster connections shall be conspicuously located where they will be readily accessible and immediately available in the event of fire. They shall preferably be located along normal paths of travel, including near exits from areas, but in such a way that they shall not cause obstruction. Their positions shall be identified by means of signs complying with the provisions of BOS 6.

4.1.3Fire hose reels shall not be obscured from view, except where their positions are clearly marked.

4.1.4The responsible person shall ensure that the hose reels, hydrants and booster connections are used only for purposes that they are intended for.

4.1.5The location of each fire hose reel, hydrant and booster connection shall be identified and recorded (using an identification mark).

4.2Avoidance of corrosion

Fire hose reels that comply with the requirements of BOS 5 have a fairly high corrosion resistance. However, except in specific pre-determined cases, do not position them where they may be exposed to the elements, to unduly corrosive atmospheres or to splashing by corrosive liquids.

5Distribution of fire hose reels, hydrants and booster connections

5.1The number of hose reels, hydrants and booster connections needed to protect a hazard shall be determined as outlined in SANS 10400-T.

5.2The distances and the areas protected shall be determined in accordance with SANS 10400-T.

6Site control

6.1Site inspection

To ensure the accessibility, reliability and usability of all fire hose reels, hydrants and booster connections on site, nominate a responsible person to inspect them at least once a month or more frequently when circumstances so require. The following aspects are to be checked during the inspection:

a)whether the fire hose reels, hydrants and booster connections are due for reconditioning;

b)whether the frame of the fire hose reel is firmly fixed to the wall;

c)whether all connections are free from leaks or indications of weeping;

d)whether the hose is showing signs of cracking or bleaching from the sun or damage from chemicals within the environment;

e)whether the hose reel frame is showing signs of rust or deterioration from the weather or abnormal conditions within the environment and needs reconditioning;

f)where a gauge is fitted, whether the water pressure to the hose reel, hydrant and booster connection is at least 300 kPa;

g)whether the seals on the hose reel and hydrant are not broken; and

h)whether there are no missing or broken parts on the fire hose reel, hydrants and booster connections.

6.2Action

6.2.1If the water pressure is less than 300 kPa, report it to the owner or the appropriate local authority.

6.2.2If any of the checks in 6.1 show that the hose reel, hydrant or booster connection has been tampered with, or is damaged, impaired, leaking or corroded or that the service due date has expired or that the hose reel, hydrant and booster connection is due for reconditioning, arrange for reconditioning in accordance with BOS 65- 2.

6.3Inspection records

Keep a record (initialled by the responsible person), of each inspection, showing:

a)the date on which the inspection was performed;

b)the extent of any site repairs;

c)a means of identifying any hose reel, hydrant or booster connection that was found to require reconditioning; and

d)whether all necessary reconditioning was arranged.

7Reconditioning

The reconditioning of fire hose reels, hydrants and booster connections shall be carried out in accordance with the requirements of BOS 65- 2.

Annex A

(informative)

Fire-fighting precautions

A.1When fighting a fire, isolate, if possible, the electricity supply to that part of a building in which a fire occurs.

A.2Hold the hose in such a way as to direct the water towards the base of the fire.