Appendix C

Appendix C
TECHNICAL GUIDELINES ON THE PROVISION OF

RISING MAINS FOR BUILDING UNDER CONSTRUCTION
1. The responsibility of the main contractor of the project is to actively work

closely with the PE to ensure that all requirement for the provision of rising
mains in the building are complied with and allowed for in the
construction stage
2. An inspection checklist has been designed for the provision of rising

mains in buildings under construction (see Annex A). The major items in
the checklist are elaborated as follows:
a. Provision of dry & wet risers
(i) All rising mains (dry & wet) shall be made operational for all storeys
(except the uppermost 3 storeys) as soon as the uppermost
completed storey reaches 24m. This is because the uppermost 3
storeys are likely to be strutted with props and scaffoldings for the
purpose of gaining structural strength. Moreover, some of the
staircases may not have been provided yet, hence no access
available to the upper storeys.
(ii) Dry & wet rising mains shall be installed progressively as the
building gains height, in order to provide to fire-fighting
capabilities to all stages of construction. All outlets, landing valves
inlets, water tanks and pumps, where required shall be provided
and made readily operational.
b. Provision of normal lift/ passenger hoist
(i) A normal lift is preferred for the purpose of fire-fighting. However,

we are fully aware that this is not possible at the construction
stage. As a ready-made alternative, the passenger hoist (usually
installed on site) can then be made available for use by
firefighters.
c. Provision of electrical supply
(i) A generator set may be used for fire-fighting if the permanent

power supply is not available prior to the completion of the
building. In a fire situation, an experienced worker should be
made available to operate the generator set immediately.
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d. Provision of fire engine accessway
(i) It is difficult to provide fire engine accessway during construction

stage as the entire site is invariably cluttered with all kind of
activities and items such as electrical services, water pipes,
excavation works and all kinds of equipment. Space for fire
engine accessway may not even be available or, otherwise very
limited .
(ii) However, in spite of the site constraints, adequate fire engine

accessway shall be provided where practicable, for the purpose
of conducting fire-fighting operations.
(iii) Where there is no fire engine accessway provided at site, the

main contractor should install more portable fire extinguishers at
every floor, which would facilitate first-aid fire fighting by
construction workers. This would at least help to control any fire
that may occur before the arrival of the fire engine. Nevertheless,
it is important that good housekeeping is observed.
e. Provision of adequate pressure & flow
(i) It is important to note that for the rising mains to be effective, it

must be hydraulically tested and a pressure-release valve installed
at the highest point of the riser stack. In the case of wet riser
system, a break tank of only 11.5 cubic metre is required to
provide for close-range fire-fighting for at least 5 minutes and the
continuous flow of water supply can subsequently be drawn from
the public fire hydrant. The main contractor should also bear in
mind that the break tank must be installed before the building
reaches 60 meters mark.
(ii) For the testing of flow rate for wet riser system (residential & non-
residential buildings), the topmost landing valve should be tested
(under pump/gravity feed) with a flow rate of at least 27 L/s. This
minimum flow rate required for residential buildings will also be
applicable to non-residential buildings (commercial building), as
the fire hazard in both types of buildings are similar while under
construction.
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ANNEX A
INSPECTION CHECKLIST FOR RISING MAINS IN BULIDING

UNDER CONSTRUCTION
S/No Description Yes If no, remedy
action/comments
PART A
1 Dry rising mains shall be installed

progressively during the course of
construction as per approved plan and
made operational for all storeys except
the uppermost 3 storeys, for building
exceeding 8 storeys or habitable height
of 24m.
2 Wet rising mains shall be installed
progressively during the course of
construction as per approved plan and
made operational for all storeys except
the uppermost 3 storeys, for building
of 60m. The following shall be provided:
a. Break tank with minimum water
capacity of 11.5 cubic metre; and
b. Fire pumps which are operational and
supplied with emergency power
supply.
3 Provision of breeching inlets (2-way / 4-
way)* provided as per approved plan.
The following shall be complied with:
a. Breeching inlets made operational
and housed in protective enclosure; and
b. Labelled and numbered accordingly.
4. Riser stacks labelled and numbered
accordingly:
a. Earthing to be provided; and
b. Air relief valve provided.
5. Landing valves provided with blank caps
and are strapped and padlocked in
closed positiion.
6. Dry rising mains are hydrostatically tested
to constant pressure of 13.8 bars for at
least 2 hours.
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7. Flow rate and pressure of wet rising mains
are to comply with the following:
a. Flow rate of topmost 3 landing valves
is not less than 27 l/s;
b. Static pressure at landing valves is less
than 8 bars; and
c. Running pressure is between 2 bars
and 5.5 bars.
8 Lift/passenger hoist ready for firefighters'
use shall be provided for building
of 24m.
9 Generator set or adequate PUB power
supply shall be provided for emergency
lighting and fire-fighting purpose.
10 Provision of adequate fire engine
accessway (where practicable) for fire-
fighting purpose.
11 Adequate portable fire extinguishers to
be provided on each floor. Fire
extinguisher of 13A rating for every
500sq.m.
Date inspected:____________by______________________Signature_____________
*Delete as appropriate
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ANNEX A
S/No Description Yes If no, remedy

action/comments
PART B : CHECKLIST FOR THE TESTING OF RISING MAINS
BREECHING INLET In - Not In – Remarks

Order Order
1 Inlet housed in protective
enclosure
2 Rigidly support
3 Labeled " dry/wet Riser Inlet "
and numbered accordingly
4 Clear of obstruction
RISER
5 Air relief valve provided
6 Labeled & numbered
accordingly
7 Earthing provided
LANDING VALVE
8 Blank cap provided
9 Strapped and padlock in
closed position
10 Clear of obstruction
TESTING OF PRESSURE/FLOW
11 Dry rising mains
a. Pressure constant at 300
psi (20.7 bar) for 30 mins.
b. Regularly tested
12 Wet rising mains
a. Static pressure shall not
be less than 8 bar
b. Topmost landing valve
Fully opened (under
pump/gravity feed) with
flow rate at 27 L/S
c. Provide break tank with
Minimum water
capacity of 11.5m
Date inspected:____________by______________________Signature_____________
Revised on 1 March 2002
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Appendix C

TECHNICAL GUIDELINES ON THE PROVISION OF

1. The responsibility of the main contractor of the project is to actively work

2. An inspection checklist has been designed for the provision of rising

a. Provision of dry & wet risers

b. Provision of normal lift/ passenger hoist

(i) A normal lift is preferred for the purpose of fire-fighting. However,

c. Provision of electrical supply

(i) A generator set may be used for fire-fighting if the permanent

(i) It is difficult to provide fire engine accessway during construction

(ii) However, in spite of the site constraints, adequate fire engine

(iii) Where there is no fire engine accessway provided at site, the

e. Provision of adequate pressure & flow

(i) It is important to note that for the rising mains to be effective, it

INSPECTION CHECKLIST FOR RISING MAINS IN BULIDING

1 Dry rising mains shall be installed

S/No Description Yes If no, remedy

BREECHING INLET In - Not In – Remarks

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