The provision of water is crucial for firefighting. Our appliances only carry a limited supply to be used for putting out the fire and securing our personnel’s safety. Although additional tankers can be provided they may not be available everywhere and capacity is limited depending on the distance to the nearest water source.
It is therefore recommended to supply water either through the regional/local water network and street hydrants or where this is not feasible through static water supply tanks/ponds etc.
Water requirement flows and volumes are outlined in the Firefighting water supplies code of practice. Please note that some territorial agencies (TA) have adopted the code of practice in their regional plans.
For new and existing buildings Fire and Emergency New Zealand provides a Firefighting facility checklist (FFFC) that serves as a guide on information needed on discussion on accessible water. Please note that it also includes signoff sections for formal agreement needed for other firefighting facilities that might be needed to meet the requirements in relevant standards or the Building Code.