Ensuring Safety: The Importance of Proper Clearance and Direction of Internal Fire Hydrants as per AS 2419.1-2021

Proper clearance around internal fire hydrants and fire exit doors is essential for building safety. The new Australian Standard AS 2419.1-2021 sets guidelines for internal clearance, and proper direction of fire hydrant outlets is critical to minimize harm to building occupants in case of emergency.

Having the fire hydrant located close to a swing exit door ensures that firefighters can quickly locate and access the hydrant without having to navigate through a building and potentially wasting valuable time.

Internal fire hydrant outlets should face the descending stair in a building for several reasons;

??????i.?????????Visibility: This allows for clear visibility of the fire hydrant for firefighters, making it easier for them to locate and access the hydrant quickly during an emergency.

?????ii.?????????Emergency Evacuation: In the event of a fire, occupants will be evacuating the building by descending the stairs, having the fire hydrant located near the stairs ensures that firefighters have quick and easy access to the hydrant as they work to contain and extinguish the fire.

????iii.?????????Accessibility: Directing the outlet towards descending stair also allows for easy access for maintenance and testing.

Proper clearance around internal fire hydrants and fire exit doors is essential for building safety, as outlined in the new Australian Standard AS 2419.1-2021. The guidelines for internal clearance and proper direction of fire hydrant outlets are critical to minimize harm to building occupants in case of emergency. Locating the fire hydrant close to a swing exit door allows for quick and easy access for firefighters, while directing the outlet towards the descending stair allows for clear visibility, easy access during emergency and easy access for maintenance and testing.