Delivery valve installations for firefighting purposes - Part 1: Wall hydrants with semi-rigid hose
1Key Takeaways
This standard specifies requirements for cabinets and their equipment for hose reels with rigid hose according to DIN EN 671-1. It specifies wall hydrant designs type F and type S, which differ in their application, extinguishing capacity, and water connection requirements. NOTE: DIN 14462 and DIN 1988-600 apply to the…
2Expert Interpretation
This in-depth analysis of the DIN 14461-1:2016-10 wall-mounted fire hydrant standard covers the technical requirements, installation specifications, operating instructions for Type F and Type S fire hydrants, and an analysis of the main differences from the 2003 version of the standard, providing professional guidance for fire protection engineering design.
DIN 14461-1 Standard Overview and Revision Background
DIN 14461-1:2016-10, "Fire hose connection devices - Part 1: Wall-mounted fire hydrants with semi-rigid hoses," is the latest version published by the German Institute for Standardization in October 2016, replacing the previous version from July 2003. This standard is a key technical specification for firefighting equipment and carries the international classification number ICS 13.220.10.
This revision reflects the latest developments in firefighting technology. Major changes include: updating normative references, adjusting the technical requirements for hose connection valves, improving labeling regulations, clarifying fire hydrant naming conventions, expanding the connection hole size, and adjusting coating requirements in accordance with the latest safety labeling specifications.
Scope of Application and Core Concepts of the Standard
This standard applies to hose reel cabinets and their equipment requirements equipped with semi-rigid hoses that comply with DIN EN 671-1. It specifically specifies the technical requirements for Type F and Type S wall-mounted fire hydrants, which differ significantly in their scope of use, fire extinguishing performance, and water supply connection requirements.
| Comparison dimensions | F-type wall fire hydrant | S-type wall fire hydrant |
|---|---|---|
| Applicable objects | Use by fire brigades and professionals | Self-use by non-professionals |
| Hose connection valve specifications | Size 2 (according to DIN 14461-3) | Size 1 (according to DIN 14461-3) |
| Hose diameter | 25mm | 19mm |
| Fire extinguishing water volume | Not applicable | 24 L/min (at 0.2MPa pressure) |
| For use by fire brigade | Supported | Not supported |
Technical requirements for equipment configuration
According to the requirements of Chapter 5 of the standard, the equipment configuration of wall fire hydrants must be strictly implemented in accordance with the provisions of Table 1, mainly including the following core components:
Hose connection valve system: Type F adopts a size 2 connecting valve and is equipped with a type C fixed coupling that complies with DIN 86204; Type S adopts a size 1 connecting valve. If it is directly connected to a drinking water system, it must also be equipped with a safety device required by DIN 14461-3.
Hose system: Type F uses a semi-rigid pressure hose with an inner diameter of 25mm, with a maximum length of 30 meters; Type S uses a hose with an inner diameter of 19mm, also with a maximum length of 30 meters. All hoses must comply with DIN EN 694.
Reel system: A swingable hose reel that complies with DIN EN 671-1 must be used, equipped with a swing arm and internal reel mounting rails.
Cabinet design and dimension specifications
The standard sets detailed requirements for the design of fire hydrant cabinets, including two basic structural types: built-in cabinets (Type B) and surface-mounted cabinets (Type C). Cabinet dimensions are determined by the hose reel diameter. Specific requirements are shown in Table 2.
For reels with a diameter not exceeding 600mm, the minimum dimensions of a Type B cabinet are: width 700mm, height 800mm, and depth 250mm; the corresponding dimensions for Type C cabinets are 740mm, 840mm, and 250mm. When the reel diameter exceeds 600mm, the dimensions must be increased accordingly to ensure that there is a gap of at least 35mm between the reel and the cabinet body at any position.
The connection holes can be arranged on the left or right side wall, or on the upper left or upper right position of the back wall. For specific dimensional requirements, see Figure 2 of the standard. The diameter of the F-type connection hole is 74mm, and that of the S-type is 46mm, with a tolerance range of ±1mm.
Material and manufacturing requirements
Chapter 6 of the standard specifies detailed technical requirements: the cabinet body must be made of metal and be treated with anti-corrosion; the cabinet door must have sufficient rigidity to ensure normal opening and closing, and should be able to open 180 degrees; a double-door design must be adopted when the door width exceeds 750mm.
It is particularly important to note that the main components of the locking device must be made of metal and the door handle must be of embedded design. In addition, the cabinet must maintain good ventilation, but to prevent contamination, ventilation holes should not be opened on the door.
Installation and labeling requirements
The installation instructions (Chapter 7) require manufacturers to provide detailed installation instructions, including: the hose connection valve and reel bearing should be arranged on the same side to ensure that there are no kinks when connecting the hose; the water supply pipe must not pass through the space inside the cabinet; and unpainted cabinets must be painted after installation.
In terms of labeling, it must be equipped with the F002 identification symbol (200×200mm) in accordance with DIN ISO 7010 and the instruction plate (74×210mm) in accordance with DIN 4066, clearly marked "Wandhydrant Type F" or "Wandhydrant Type S".
Operational Instructions and Maintenance Requirements
Chapter 8 of the standard specifies the required operating instructions: In the event of a fire, turn the handwheel to the left to open the valve; remove the spray gun and extend the hose to the required length; pay attention to safety when using near electrical equipment (limited to equipment below 1000V, minimum distance of 3 meters); after use, turn the handwheel to the right to close the valve and immediately arrange maintenance.
Maintenance emphasizes that firefighting equipment must only be used in fire situations throughout its service life. If water remains in the system and is not flowing, it poses a hygiene risk. In particular, when connected to a drinking water system, it may pose a threat to drinking water.
Implementation Recommendations and Precautions
Based on the technical requirements of this standard, the following implementation recommendations are proposed:
Planning and Design Phase: Architects, planners, and fire departments should appropriately select F-type or S-type fire hydrants based on the specific fire protection area requirements. In particular, the use of S-type fire hydrants requires coordination with the relevant fire protection agencies, as they are not suitable for use by fire brigades.
Installation implementation phase: Strictly adhere to the installation requirements of DIN 14462 and DIN 1988-600 to ensure that the connection holes are correctly located and the pipes are arranged reasonably. Pay special attention to F-type fire hydrants and ensure that pressure hoses that comply with DIN 14811 can be connected without kinks.
Operation and maintenance phase: Establish a regular inspection and maintenance system to ensure that the equipment is always in a usable state. Pay special attention to water hygiene issues, and take additional protective measures for equipment connected to drinking water systems.
The implementation of this standard will help use fire hoses with smaller cross-sections to avoid water accumulation. These fire hoses are no longer suitable for fire extinguishing operations by fire brigades, but are designed for self-service fire extinguishing by building users.