A fire water tank is a separate storage of water installed on the property to provide a ready source of water for sprinklers or hoses in a case of a fire emergency. Generally, they are a requirement in places such as large rural communities or those located in wildland interface areas where the chances of a wildfire are much higher.
The size of the tank is regulated by local laws and requirements set by national and state fire safety organizations and regulations. A specialized tank designed for fire protection typically meets NFPA-22 standards.
NFPA-22 is the National Fire Protection Association Standard for Water Tanks for Private Fire Protection, and it sets minimum requirements for design, construction, and installation of water tanks used for fire suppression purposes. Every system design and tank constructed by Tarsco Bolted Tank follows this standard, which is also endorsed by Factory Mutual (FM) as well as American Water Works Association (AWWA).
To determine the proper size of a fire water tank, start by calculating the required fire flow rate for the facility and the desired duration of water supply. This can be done by multiplying the desired fire flow rate by the expected duration of the water demand until additional fire hydrants or tanker trucks could be brought in.
The water supply outlet for a fire protection tank should be placed in a location compatible with the fire department’s hydrant and it should be equipped with a pump that boosts the pressure. This will ensure that the tank can deliver water at a fire-fighting flow rate, even with the high water demands of the fire department. The tank is usually insulated to prevent the water from freezing, and this insulation should be inspected on a regular basis. In addition to this, the interior of the tank should be inspected at least once every three years. fire water tank