Circular No. 04/2009/TTLT/BXD-BCA guiding the implementation of water supply for fire prevention and fighting in urban areas and industrial zones

JOINT CIRCULAR

Guidelines for Implementing Water Supply for Fire Prevention and Fighting in Urban Areas and Industrial Zones

Pursuant to the Law on Fire Prevention and Fighting dated June 29, 2001;

Pursuant to Decree No. 17/2008/NĐ-CP dated February 4, 2008 of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Construction;

Pursuant to Decree No. 136/2003/NĐ-CP dated November 14, 2003 of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Public Security;

Pursuant to Decree No. 35/2003/NĐ-CP dated April 4, 2003 of the Government detailing the implementation of certain provisions of the Law on Fire Prevention and Fighting;

Pursuant to Decree No. 117/2007/NĐ-CP dated July 11, 2007 of the Government on the production, supply, and consumption of clean water;

The Ministry of Construction and the Ministry of Public Security provide guidelines for implementing water supply for fire prevention and fighting in urban areas and industrial zones, economic zones, export processing zones, high-tech parks (hereinafter referred to collectively as industrial zones) as follows:

 

I. SCOPE OF REGULATION AND APPLICABLE SUBJECTS

1. This Circular guides the implementation of planning, investment, construction, and operation activities aimed at ensuring water supply for fire prevention and fighting (PCC) in urban areas and industrial zones.

2. The water supply system for PCC includes centralized water supply systems, fire hydrants, and water intake points installed along water supply pipelines, fire water storage tanks, and water intake points at natural water sources such as ponds, lakes, rivers, streams, canals, etc.

3. All organizations and individuals, both domestic and foreign, residing and working in Vietnam have the responsibility to implement this Circular.

II. PLANNING THE WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM FOR FIRE PREVENTION AND FIGHTING

1. When preparing general urban planning, detailed planning, and specialized water supply planning for urban areas and industrial zones, it is necessary to determine the water supply system for PCC as an inseparable component of the project.

2. The content of the water supply system planning for PCC in the general urban planning and industrial zone planning includes:

a) Determining the water sources needed for PCC: water from centralized water supply systems, natural water sources (ponds, lakes, rivers, streams, canals, etc.);

b) Determining the required flow rate on the centralized water supply network for PCC needs according to current standards and regulations;

c) Determining the required water pressure for PCC on the centralized water supply network;

d) Estimating the cost for the urban and industrial zone water supply system for PCC.

3. The content of the water supply system planning for PCC in detailed planning includes:

a) Determining specific water sources needed for PCC (from reservoirs of water supply stations, ponds, lakes, rivers, streams, canals, etc.);

b) Determining the required flow rate and pressure for PCC based on the planned network and according to standards regarding the number of simultaneous fires, burning time, and fire water reserve capacity in water supply stations and booster stations;

c) Determining pipeline routes and locations for fire hydrants and water intake points;

d) Determining the capacity of fire water storage tanks in residential areas and the locations of water intake points for firefighting vehicles at ponds, lakes, rivers, streams, canals;

đ) Estimating the cost for the urban and industrial zone water supply system for PCC.

4. The content of the water supply system planning for PCC in urban and industrial zone water supply planning includes:

a) Determining the required flow rate and pressure for PCC based on the planned network and according to current standards and regulations;

b) Determining pipeline routes for fire hydrants, distances between hydrants, and their locations;

c) Determining the water pressure for PCC on the water supply pipeline network; various adjustment plans for pressure and flow rate for firefighting;

d) Estimating the cost.

5. Planning the water supply system for PCC in urban areas and industrial zones must be based on current fire prevention and fighting standards and regulations.

6. In cases where urban areas and industrial zones already have approved urban planning and water supply planning but lack planning for the water supply system for PCC, supplementary planning for the water supply system for PCC must be established.

7. Responsibilities for organizing, reviewing, and approving the planning of the water supply system for PCC shall be carried out in accordance with Decree No. 35/2003/NĐ-CP dated April 4, 2003 of the Government detailing the implementation of certain provisions of the Fire Prevention and Fighting Law; Decree No. 08/2007/NĐ-CP dated May 28, 2007 on urban planning, and Decree No. 117/2007/NĐ-CP dated July 11, 2007 on the production, supply, and consumption of clean water.

8. Costs for planning the water supply system for PCC shall be covered by local government budgets. Costs for planning the water supply system for PCC in industrial zones shall be borne by the investors according to the guidance provided by the Ministry of Construction on the method for calculating the unit price for planning.

III. REQUIREMENTS FOR DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF THE WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM FOR FIRE PREVENTION AND FIGHTING

1. During the design and construction of water supply pipelines, solutions to increase water flow during fires must be calculated according to current regulations. On the primary and secondary pipeline networks, fire hydrants and water intake points for PCC must be arranged. Fire hydrants and water intake points for PCC should not be installed on the main transmission pipelines of the water supply system; in exceptional cases, they may only be installed at network distribution points, valve shut-off points, air release points, and sediment discharge points.

2. When designing fire hydrants and water intake points for PCC, they must meet the requirements for flow rate and pressure according to fire prevention and fighting standards and regulations and must be uniformly installed throughout the urban and industrial zone water supply system.

3. The locations of fire hydrants and water intake points for PCC must be conveniently arranged for water extraction and transportation and must be marked with signs or indicators.

4. New urban areas and concentrated industrial zones with their own water supply systems or booster stations must be equipped with pumps with high flow rates and pressures (minimum source pressure not less than 40 meters of water column) to allow direct firefighting from fire hydrants and water intake points for PCC.

5. In streets, alleys, and narrow lanes where fire hydrants and water intake points for PCC cannot be installed above ground, underground fire hydrants and water intake points for PCC must be designed and installed to ensure water supply for PCC.

6. In residential areas with narrow roads where fire hydrants and water intake points for PCC cannot be installed above or below ground or where there is no centralized water supply system, fire water reserve tanks must be constructed for each area according to the guidance of the Fire Prevention and Fighting Police Department.

7. At ponds, lakes, rivers, streams, canals... designated as water sources for firefighting purposes, convenient water intake points (docks, beaches, wellheads) should be designed and constructed to facilitate water extraction by firefighting vehicles.

8. Consulting design units must design the firefighting water supply system in conjunction with urban and industrial zone water supply systems in accordance with current technical standards and regulations on firefighting.

9. The design documentation for the firefighting water supply system must be reviewed by the Fire Prevention and Control Police Authority regarding design and firefighting equipment before construction commences. The classification of review for urban and industrial zone firefighting water supply systems (during project investment planning) is detailed as follows:

a) The Fire Prevention and Control Police Bureau shall conduct reviews concerning firefighting for centralized water supply systems in cities and industrial zones that have been appraised by the Ministry of Construction.

b) The Fire Prevention and Control Police Department of Provincial or Municipal Public Security Departments or the Fire Prevention and Control Police Authorities of localities shall conduct reviews concerning firefighting for centralized water supply systems in remaining cities (according to the city classification of the Ministry of Construction) and other projects delegated by the Fire Prevention and Control Police Bureau.

10. The firefighting water supply system must be constructed according to the approved design by authorized agencies and ensure the stipulated schedule. In cases where changes are made to the approved design, the investor must submit a written request which must be approved in writing by the competent authorities.

11. Special firefighting equipment (nozzles, fire hydrants, sprinklers, hoses, coupling devices...) on the firefighting water supply system must be inspected by the authorized Fire Prevention and Control Police Authority before installation in accordance with regulations.

IV. RESPONSIBILITIES FOR INVESTING IN FIREFIGHTING WATER SUPPLY PROJECTS AND EQUIPMENT.

1. Components, facilities, and equipment of the firefighting water supply system include:

a) Reservoirs, pumping stations, and pipelines within centralized water supply systems;

b) Firefighting nozzles and hydrants installed on water supply pipelines;

c) Construction of water intake points at ponds, lakes, rivers, streams, canals... as planned for firefighting water usage;

d) Firefighting pumps at clean water pumping stations in industrial zones and concentrated residential areas;

e) Construction of reservoirs and boreholes for firefighting water supply in residential areas;

g) Localized water-based firefighting systems in high-rise buildings, industrial enterprises, business establishments, and other hazardous premises;

h) Firefighting materials and equipment belonging to the firefighting water supply system.

2. Investment responsibilities: People's Committees of provinces and centrally-administered cities are responsible for ensuring funding for firefighting water supply investments. Investors and facility owners are responsible for investing in their own firefighting water supply systems according to approved plans, specifically as follows:

a) Water supply units (water companies, water plants...) are responsible for investing in equipment within centralized water supply systems (reservoirs in treatment plants, clean water pumping stations, pipeline networks); firefighting nozzles and hydrants installed on centralized water supply pipelines; firefighting water reservoirs in residential areas. Investment costs are included in the total investment cost to determine clean water prices.

b) Sewage units (sewage companies, urban environment companies, urban infrastructure companies...) are responsible for investing in docks and beaches for firefighting water extraction from ponds, lakes, rivers, streams, canals... Construction and renovation costs are included in annual infrastructure investment budgets.

c) Infrastructure investors of new urban areas, industrial zones, and functional zones according to projects are responsible for investing in firefighting pumps and firefighting equipment on centralized water supply pipeline networks. Investment costs are included in the total infrastructure investment cost of urban and industrial zones.

d) Facility owners are responsible for investing in localized firefighting water supply systems in their own facilities.

V. MANAGEMENT, USE, AND PROTECTION OF URBAN AND INDUSTRIAL ZONE FIREFIGHTING WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS:

1. Water supply units are responsible for managing, operating, maintaining, and protecting centralized water supply systems and firefighting nozzles and hydrants installed on pipelines under their management, as well as firefighting water reservoirs and boreholes in concentrated residential areas for firefighting purposes.

In Ho Chi Minh City, the Fire Prevention and Control Police Department is responsible for managing and using firefighting hydrants, organizing their protection, inspecting, proposing repairs, maintenance, and replacement of firefighting hydrants according to the Decision of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee.

2. Sewage units are responsible for managing, maintaining, and protecting firefighting water intake points at ponds, lakes, rivers, streams, canals... designated and constructed as firefighting water intake points.

3. Infrastructure management units are responsible for managing, operating, maintaining, and protecting firefighting water supply systems in new urban areas, industrial zones, and functional zones according to projects.

4. Public Security Departments of provinces and centrally-administered cities (Fire Prevention and Control Police Departments) or Fire Prevention and Control Police Authorities are responsible for effectively utilizing urban and industrial zone firefighting water supply systems and coordinating with water supply system management and operation units (water supply units, sewage units, infrastructure management units) to develop management and utilization plans for firefighting water supply systems.

5. Fire Prevention and Control Police Authorities are responsible for cooperating with water supply units in forecasting annual water usage plans necessary for firefighting operations and confirming the amount of water used for firefighting from urban and industrial zone water supply systems.

6. Fire Prevention and Control Police Authorities and water supply system management and operation units are responsible for periodically inspecting the quality of firefighting water supply systems. In cases where damage to firefighting water supply systems is discovered, the management and operation units must develop repair and maintenance plans as soon as possible.

7. Facility owners are responsible for managing, operating, maintaining, and protecting localized firefighting water supply systems in their facilities.

8. Organizations and individuals may only extract water from firefighting water supply systems for firefighting purposes. Firefighting water intake docks and beaches must be used solely for firefighting operations.

9. It is strictly prohibited for any organization or individual to obstruct, move, or destroy the materials and equipment of the urban fire protection water supply system and industrial zones. Water from the centralized water supply system, fire hydrants, fire water outlets, and fire water storage tanks shall not be used for other purposes.

10. Local authorities at all levels, Construction Departments, Provincial Public Security Departments, Municipal Public Security Departments under the Central Government, and the Fire Prevention and Fighting Department of Ho Chi Minh City shall cooperate with water supply and drainage units to develop plans to protect the urban fire protection water supply system. Management boards of industrial zones, new urban areas, and functional zones according to project plans shall be responsible for managing and protecting the fire protection water supply system within their jurisdiction.

VI. COSTS FOR USING WATER FOR FIRE PROTECTION WORK

1. The cost of using water drawn from the clean water supply system and centralized fire water storage tanks for fire protection work shall be paid from the local budget based on confirmation by the Fire Prevention and Fighting Police agency and the Water Supply Unit.

2. The cost of using water drawn from the clean water supply system at the premises (after the water meter) for fire protection work shall be borne by the premises and paid to the Water Supply Company.

VII. HANDLING VIOLATIONS

1. Acts that infringe upon and cause damage to components of the urban fire protection water supply system and industrial zones shall be handled according to current laws.

2. Acts that obstruct or delay the extraction of water from water sources for fire protection work shall be handled according to Decree No. 123/2005/NĐ-CP of the Government on penalties for violations in the field of fire prevention and fighting. In cases where violations result in serious consequences, they shall be handled according to the Penal Code as stipulated by law.

VIII. IMPLEMENTATION

1. People's Committees of Provinces and Municipalities directly under the Central Government shall be responsible for organizing and implementing this Circular.

2. Construction Departments, Provincial Public Security Departments, Municipal Public Security Departments directly under the Central Government, or Fire Prevention and Fighting Departments shall advise and assist the People's Committees at the provincial level in organizing and implementing this Circular and directly bear responsibility for inspecting and supervising planning, investment construction, and management of fire prevention and fighting systems in their respective jurisdictions.

3. Water supply and drainage units shall be responsible for managing, operating, maintaining, and developing the fire protection water supply system.

4. Local authorities at all levels shall have the duty to inspect and supervise the investment construction of the fire protection water supply system and participate with water supply and drainage units in ensuring the safety of the fire protection water supply system in their respective jurisdictions according to the provisions on hierarchical management by the People's Committee at the provincial level.

5. The Technical Infrastructure Department under the Ministry of Construction and the Fire Prevention and Fighting Police Department under the Ministry of Public Security shall be responsible for inspecting, urging, and guiding the implementation of this Circular, and annually report to the Ministry of Construction and the Ministry of Public Security on the situation and results of implementation. This Circular takes effect from June 1, 2009, and replaces the Inter-Ministerial Circular No. 10/TT-LB dated December 31, 1994, issued by the Ministry of Interior (now the Ministry of Public Security) and the Ministry of Construction. Organizations and individuals during the implementation process, if encountering difficulties, are advised to reflect them to the Ministry of Construction (through the Technical Infrastructure Department) and the Ministry of Public Security (through the Fire Prevention and Fighting Police Department) for timely guidance.

This Circular takes effect from June 1, 2009, and replaces the Inter-Ministerial Circular No. 10/TT-LB dated December 31, 1994, issued by the Ministry of Interior (now the Ministry of Public Security) and the Ministry of Construction. Organizations and individuals during the implementation process, if encountering difficulties, are advised to reflect them to the Ministry of Construction (through the Technical Infrastructure Department) and the Ministry of Public Security (through the Fire Prevention and Fighting Police Department) for timely guidance./.