Order of February 1, 1978

Water supply for fire-fighting equipment.
" The estimated hourly flow of water required in the vicinity of each individual risk depends on the number of hoses included in the contingency plan.

"The medium risk, corresponding to the most frequent case, justifies the use of two large lances and therefore requires a flow rate of 60m³ of water per hour".

"This volume is an average value, which can be modified according to the nature and importance of the risk to be defended.

"The fire department should have 120m³ of water on site at all times, which can be used in two hours. The need to continue extinguishing the fire without interruption requires that this quantity can be used without moving the engines.
It should be noted that the above requirements are only minimums (medium risks) and that, when the risks are significant (districts saturated with housing, old buildings where wood predominates, factories, warehouses, theaters, various isolated risks, etc.), it is necessary to provide for the simultaneous intervention of several pumping engines.").

These needs can be met in a variety of ways:

• From a distribution network,
• Through natural watering holes,
• Through artificial reserves.

a) Distribution network
- Supply the distribution network with a fire reserve at least equal to 120m³, taking into account, if necessary, a guaranteed supply for the duration of the disaster,
- Avoid dead-end pipes (cuts, scaling),
- Hydrants must, in principle, be supplied by pipes and connections with a diameter at least equal to their orifice,
- Hydrants must normally have a diameter of 100 mm,
- Flow rate of 60m³/h minimum at 1 bar pressure,
- Dynamic pressure of 1 bar minimum,
- Hydrants must comply with standard NFS 61211,
- Fire hydrants must comply with standard NFS 61213,
- Maximum distance of 400 m between two hydrants, distributed according to the risks to be defended,
- Hydrants must be accessible and signposted.

Lastly, the decree of February 1, 1978 specifies the existence of 70 mm hydrant poles, which are used when pipework does not allow the correct supply of 100 mm hydrants or poles, and the possibility of installing a standardized hydrant on a smaller diameter pipe, provided that the 60 m³/h flow rate is respected.

b) Natural water points
- Supply a minimum of 120 m³ in 2 hours, whatever the season,
- Located no more than 200 m from the risk to be defended,
- Suction height must not exceed 6 m,
- Accessible in all circumstances,
- Suction area(s) or platform(s) of 12 m² or 32 m²,
- Possibility of installing a remote suction pit, dam or retention basin.

c) Artificial reservoirs
- The minimum capacity must be 120 m³ in a single block. In the case of a supply from a distribution network or a spring, a reduction equal to twice the hourly re-supply flow rate may be allowed,
- The location will be carefully chosen in relation to the risk to be defended,
- Accessibility will be ensured in all circumstances,
- The structure will provide sufficient fire defense against an average risk located within a 200 m radius,
- A 0.80 m manhole with a minimum 0.40 m sump will be provided.

Note: Provided their capacity is at least equal to 240 m³, natural or artificial water points can be assimilated to large-capacity hydrants. However, an inexhaustible water source can only be equivalent to as many hydrants if it has as many fitted suction points.

d) Exceptional cases
- Suction pit
- Minimum 80 mm pipe,
- Flow rate at least equal to 6 l/s,
- Minimum capacity of 2 m³,
- Spacing of 200 to 300 m.

- Any property, isolated house in the countryside, farmhouse or dwelling presenting limited risks must be able to be defended against fire. Reserves of 60 m³ may be created, but this minimum should remain the exception.

e) Providing fire protection
- Urban communities (INSEE: over 2,000 inhabitants)
In urban communities, the need for water supply means that large reservoirs and large-diameter distribution pipes are required.
Fire-fighting can therefore normally be provided by hydrants used in conjunction with existing natural water points.
In certain disadvantaged areas, it is necessary to build either artificial reservoirs or sump pits.

Rural communities (INSEE: less than 2,000 inhabitants)
In rural communities, the network is generally not sufficient for fire-fighting purposes.
If the community has suitable natural water points, the network can be built without taking into account the needs of the fire department.
If this is not the case, the choice is between reinforcing the distribution network, creating artificial reserves or a combination of the two solutions.

f) Accessory hydrants
- Case 1: Pipe diameters and hydrant characteristics comply, but the fire reserve is less than 120 m³,
- Case 2: Fire hydrants are 70 mm diameter with 65 mm connections. Flow must be at least equal to 30 m³ /h with a pressure greater than or equal to 1 b.
- 3rd case: Fire hydrants are 40mm diameter with 40mm connections. Flow must be at least equal to 15 m³ /h with a pressure greater than or equal to 4 b.