Things you Need to Know About Fire Protection Storage Tank
When there’s a fire going on, a fire protection system is a big help put out the fire and protect the area until fire trucks arrive on the field. A suppression system should have a water storage tank or tank with suppressing chemicals or agents that can extinguish the fire. Fire protection storage tank supply water to the sprinkler system or the suppression system as required by the local authority. Water tank for fire suppression should be well placed on areas with the high possibility of fire. Here are some quick tips you need to know about fire protection tanks.
The Tank Location
Fire protection tank is installed in areas that need protection from constant fire. Traditionally, fire protection tanks are installed in high places. To decide where to put the containers, you need to follow specific regulations and codes set by NFPA or the National Fire Protection Association. Fire suppression water storage can also be found six feet below the ground. Usually, fire protection tanks are made of fiberglass or stainless steel and know to be very durable. The containers are known to be resistant to most damage, including extreme heat or cold, earthquakes, or intense storms. Underground water storage is known to have at least two chambers so you can store water in the sprinkler system as well as store potable drinking water.
Fitting the tanks
When you decide to put a fire protection water containment tank, you have to check that all outlets are made up of raw materials that are resistant to high temperatures. You also have to see if the draw-off are built in a way that firefighters can connect their hoses to the storage tank easily.
Tank Security
If you are setting up a fire protection storage tank, you need to make sure that the storage tank is secure and the water is not contaminated by outside forces like bacteria, molds, or soil. It is also vital to secure every outlet that is connected to the supply tank. Not only that, it is imperative to build a proper outlet structure to make sure that the outlet structure is appropriately set up so that the water flow is not hindered in case of fire.
Operations
A fire protection tank should run even with the absence of electricity. It is important because, during a fire breakout, there’s a big chance of power outage. In a situation like this, diesel or petrol generated water pumps can help firefighters to get the water from the containment tank. If there’s a fire in a commercial location, there’s a big chance that the fire can reach several office spaces. The big advantage of putting a containment tank is that it can power different types of sprinkler system available in the market today. You have to make sure that the tank is connected to all the sprinkler system in the building, to ensure that the extinguisher covers every corner of the building.
(To know more about NFPA, visit https://www.nfpa.org.)
It Should Meet the National Fire Protection Association Requirements
Make sure that your storage tank will meet all the requirements set by NFPA. Here are some points that you need to follow to make sure that the requirements for your storage tank are followed:
Inspection
When checking your fire protection storage tank, you need to use a pair of binoculars to inspect all the hard to reach areas in the tank. You need to check for the signs of any damages outside of the tank. Aside from the tank walls, you also need to check the tank-water indicator, once a month. It is one of the most crucial parts in the tank because it tests the quantity and level of the water stored inside the container. You also need to check the inside of the tank at least once every three years. It is essential to check the inside of the tank because it is the part of the tank that touches the water. With thorough inspection, you can see every damage that needs immediate repairs.
Testing
You can use different kinds of equipment to test the fire protection tank. One of the essential equipment for testing is the tank heater. The tank heater will make sure that the container does not freeze when winter time comes. Before putting the tank heater, make sure that the heater is working. Every tank should be tested once every 3 or 5 years, according to NFPA.