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All You Need to Know About Fire Cabinets and Extinguishers: Protecting Lives and Property

Fire cabinets and other fire-fighting equipment are integral to any building's safety system. They serve as the first line of defense against fires, safeguarding lives and property. This equipment must adhere to stringent standards set by organizations like the NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) in the United States, ensuring their effectiveness and readiness for emergencies.

Types of Fire Cabinets

Fire cabinets come in various types to suit different building needs and uses, primarily categorized into two main forms:

Hose Reel: These cabinets feature a rubber hose wrapped around a reel with an arm for easy deployment. They're designed for simple operation by individuals within buildings, making them ideal for quick responses to small fires before they escalate.

Hose Rack: These cabinets contain a reinforced fabric hose mounted on a rack. They're primarily used by specialized civil defense teams due to their durability and ability to withstand high pressures, delivering a larger water flow for fighting more substantial fires.

Fire Cabinet Installation Types

Fire cabinets are available in three main installation types, offering flexibility in architectural design while maintaining accessibility:

Exposed: The cabinet is fully exposed, protruding 25 cm from the wall, and is mounted directly onto the wall's surface. This installation type ensures high visibility and easy access.

Semi-recessed: This type protrudes 10 cm from the wall, with 15 cm recessed into it. It offers a more streamlined appearance while still keeping part of the cabinet accessible for opening and use.

Recessed: The cabinet is completely submerged within the wall, providing a clean, aesthetic look suitable for spaces that demand a seamless interior design.

All types of cabinets are available in various colors, such as the traditional red or stainless steel, and can sometimes include an additional side compartment for a fire extinguisher to boost initial response efficiency.

Fire Cabinet Installation Locations

Choosing the correct locations for fire cabinet installation is crucial for their effectiveness during emergencies. Ideal placement sites include:

Near escape stairs: To ensure fire-fighting means are available to occupants during building evacuation.

In garages at vehicle entrances and exits: Due to the higher risk of fires in these areas.

Next to the main building entrance: As the primary access point for fire suppression upon entry.

The cabinet's height from the ground should range from 90 cm to 150 cm to ensure easy access for most individuals.

External Fire Hydrants

In cases where a fire spreads and becomes difficult to control from inside the building, external fire hydrants become critical. These hydrants are strategically distributed around the building, with each covering a 30-meter radius, providing a powerful water source for firefighting teams. Each hydrant features a 2.5-inch tap, operates at 4.5 bar pressure, and delivers 250 GPM (gallons per minute) of water.

Dry Riser System

In some countries, a Dry Riser system is utilized. This is a 4-inch diameter pipe that runs vertically through all building floors and connects to the fire pump. A Check Valve is installed on this pipe to prevent backflow of water, and the riser ends with a Siemens Connection, often called a Landing Valve. This system is essential for efficiently supplying water to firefighting teams on upper floors.

Dry Riser Connection Requirements

To ensure maximum effectiveness, dry riser connections must meet specific fundamental requirements:

Visibility for firefighters: The connection must be clearly visible and exposed on the building's facade.

Installation on every facade for multi-facade buildings: If a building has multiple facades, a connection should be installed on each for easy access from any direction.

Easy access with no obstructions: There should be no obstacles hindering access to the connection, ensuring rapid deployment in emergencies.

In summary, fire cabinets and hydrants play a decisive role in fire safety strategies. By thoroughly understanding their types, installation locations, and requirements, we can ensure better protection for lives and property. You can learn more about this topic by visiting the UTS-EG website. Do you have any further questions about fire suppression systems?