Fire supplies

Domestic/residential fire sprinkler systems can be fitted to new and existing residential properties.

There is no legal requirement for a water undertaker to increase the pressure or flow within an area of the mains network to meet the needs of a particular fire-fighting system. The designer must consider the pressure and flows available.

Wessex Water cannot and does not commit to providing a supply of water at a given building at such constancy or pressure to reach a height greater than that to which it would flow by gravitation through our water mains from the service reservoir or tank from which it was taken.
When designing a fire-fighting system, you should therefore carry out your own due diligence (taking into account the above) as to the steps you should take to ensure that the design is adequate for the building in question.

Standard Requirements

• All plumbing fittings and materials carrying or using mains water must be compliant with Regulation 4 of the regulations.
• All pipework (internal and external) used solely for fire-fighting purposes must be clearly labelled in accordance with British Standard 1710 – Pipe Marking. Below is an example ID for a pipeline conveying mains water for firefighting.
• Connecting the fire-fighting water supply for other purposes is an offence under the Water Industry Act 1991 (the Act). Any identified cross connections will require immediate removal enforced under Section 75 of the Act.
• Backflow prevention arrangements must be present on the fire-fighting supplies.
• All newly laid external pipework must be in barrier type pipe.
• The supply pipe must be a minimum of 32mm external bore.
• Fire-fighting supplies can be installed at newly built properties and installed retrospectively to existing premises
• Metering is to check for leakage and misuse, and we do not charge for emergency use for fire-fighting, servicing or testing fire-fighting equipment, or using the equipment for training purposes, as long as prior notification has been received.