Dry, wet and wet columns and fire hydrants
From design to installation, Axima Sécurité Incendie offers the best fire protection and safety solutions in compliance with current standards.
For the installation of dry columns, wet columns or fire hydrants, Axima Sécurité Incendie provides support for all types of project.
Dry or loaded columns: effective fire support
What is a dry column?
A dry stack is a fire-fighting device that saves fire-fighters time. They are installed in buildings with floors or basements.
It consists of a rigid pipe running through the building. A fire hose can be connected at either end. It's a kind of fixed, pre-positioned hose. One end is inside the area to be protected, the other outside.
The dry column: invaluable for firefighters
In the event of a fire in a protected area, the fire-fighting team responsible for supplying the fire will connect the dry stack to the fire truck using a flexible hose. The fire-fighting team then climbs to the relevant floor (or lower), unwinds its hose and connects it to the other end of the dry stack.
In simple terms, the dry stack serves as a shortcut for delivering the water needed to extinguish the fire in the shortest possible time.
Fire safety dry standpipe regulations
External supply outlets must be no more than 3 m from the entrance to the building where the column is located, and no more than 60 m from a hydrant or fire hydrant.
For establishments open to the public (ERP)
They are required where high-risk premises are located on floors where the lowest floor is more than 18 metres above the level of the road accessible to fire-fighting equipment.
For covered parking lots
Also required when the parking lot has at least three levels immediately above or below the reference level. Dry columns are then installed in each stairwell or in the evacuation hatch.
What are wet columns?
These are fixed, rigid pressurized pipes designed to facilitate firefighting operations.
Unlike the dry standpipe, the wet standpipe is pressurized and permanently supplied by pumps and a water reserve. A wet column can be likened to an indoor fire hydrant.
They are permanently supplied with water and are connected to pumps, reservoirs, pressure boosters or any other device used to supply fire-fighters' hoses.
The advantage of the loaded (or wet) column
In the event of a fire, the firefighting team in charge of tackling the disaster connects its hoses directly to the floor in question. This reduces the manoeuvring time required to attack the disaster zone in the shortest possible time.
Installation and maintenance of dry and wet columns
They are carried out by us in compliance with standard NF S 61/759.
Fire hydrants: for fast water supply
Fire hydrants are fire-fighting devices installed by local authorities or private companies(industry, establishments open to the public, military sites) on their premises.
What is the role of a fire hydrant?
Through an underground or overhead water supply network, fire hydrants make pressurized water available to firefighters. Fire hydrants are made up of pipes with an internal diameter of at least 100 mm.
Installation and maintenance of fire hydrants
Axima fire safety, complete support from design to installation of your fire hydrants:
- Layout and sizing studies
- Compliance studies
- Preparation and follow-up of administrative procedures, compliance reports
- Earthworks and hydrant installation
We provide compulsory maintenance of fire hydrants , as well as repairs and troubleshooting as required by standard NF S 62-200.
In winter, the underground drain valve opens when the water valve is fully closed, to prevent the water from freezing.
