Firewater Containment Study
PLM calculate the predicted quantity of water that may be used in a major fire, determine where the water will go and whether it will be retained on site. As part of the study we make recommendations on how firewater control and containment can be improved. The methodology used is in line with the philosophy of the Environment Agency's pollution prevention guidelines PPG 18, making our reports particularly suitable for companies applying for a licence under IPPC.
Our firewater containment study involves a visit to your site to study your site layout, buildings, plant and structures, then calculations to determine how many firewater jets will be needed and their likely positions. Whilst on site we will consider your firefighting water supplies to determine their adequacy. We will then calculate the likely duration of the fire and any ancillary use of water such as decontamination, sprinklers etc. and, from this, determine the total quantity of water that may be used.
Using a laser we then determine the gradients, low lying areas and depressions on site and calculate the holding capacity of each of the low-lying areas or depressions including the drainage and effluent system. We then determine how the water will flow from one area to the next as they become full to capacity.
Where we identify areas that containment will be lost we calculate the likely quantities of water that will flow off-site and give recommendations how this quantity can be retained - this may be as simple as raising kerb heights.
Your report will contain:
- discussions on the quantity of water that may be required to bring the identified major fire or incident under control
- advice on whether your water supplies are adequate
- plans showing where firewater will flow, collect and go off-site
- recommendations for improvements on firefighting water supplies, control and containment
- all calculations and methodology.
For more information and a no-obligation quote please contact PLM.
