Joint 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 the provision of water for fire prevention and firefighting 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 the provision of water for fire prevention and fighting (PCCC) in urban areas and industrial zones, economic zones, export processing zones, high-tech zones (hereinafter referred to collectively as industrial zones) as follows:

I. SCOPE OF REGULATION AND APPLICABLE SUBJECTS

1. These Circulars guide the implementation of planning, investment, construction, and operation activities to ensure the provision of water for fire prevention and fighting (PCCC) in urban areas and industrial zones.

2. The system for providing water for PCCC includes centralized water supply systems, fire hydrants, and water intake points installed along water supply pipelines, firewater storage tanks, and water intake facilities 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 these Circulars.

II. PLANNING FOR 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 fire prevention and fighting (PCCC) as an inseparable component of the project.

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

a) Identifying the water sources that need to be used for fire prevention and fighting: 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 according to current standards and regulations;

c) Determining the required pressure for fire prevention and fighting on the centralized water supply network;

d) Estimating the cost for the urban and industrial zone water supply system for fire prevention and fighting.

3. The content of the planning for the water supply system for fire prevention and fighting in detailed planning includes:

a) Identifying specific water sources that need to be used for fire prevention and fighting (from reservoirs of water supply stations, ponds, lakes, rivers, streams, canals, etc.);

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

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

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

đ) Estimating the cost for the urban and industrial zone water supply system for fire prevention and fighting.

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

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

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

c) Determining the pressure for fire prevention and fighting on the water supply pipeline network; various schemes for adjusting pressure and flow rates for firefighting;

d) Estimating the cost.

5. Planning for the water supply system for fire prevention and fighting 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 content related to the planning for the water supply system for fire prevention and fighting, supplementary planning for the water supply system for fire prevention and fighting must be established.

7. The responsibility for organizing, reviewing, and approving the planning for the water supply system for fire prevention and fighting 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 Law on Fire Prevention and Fighting; 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. The cost of planning for the water supply system for fire prevention and fighting shall be borne by local budgets. The cost of planning for the water supply system for fire prevention and fighting in industrial zones shall be borne by the investors according to the guidance of the Ministry of Construction on the method of calculating the unit price for planning.

III. REQUIREMENTS FOR THE 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 must be installed. Fire hydrants and water intake points should not be installed on the main transmission pipelines of the water supply system, except at network distribution points where shut-off valves, air release valves, and sediment discharge valves are located.

2. When designing fire hydrants and water intake points, 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 must be conveniently arranged for water extraction and transportation and must be marked with signs or directions.

4. New urban areas and concentrated industrial zones with their own water supply systems or booster stations must install pumps with high flow rates and pressures (with a minimum source pressure of 40 meters of water column) to allow direct firefighting from fire hydrants and water intake points.

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

6. In residential areas with narrow roads where fire hydrants and water intake points cannot be installed either above ground or underground, or where there is no centralized water supply system, firewater 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 extraction points (docks, beaches, wellheads) should be designed and constructed to facilitate water collection 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 under provincial or municipal public security organs or the Fire Prevention and Control Police Department under local authorities shall conduct reviews concerning firefighting for centralized water supply systems in remaining cities (according to the classification of cities by 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 strictly according to the approved design and ensure the stipulated progress schedule. In cases where changes occur compared to the approved design, the project investor must submit a written request and obtain written approval from 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 prior to installation in accordance with regulations.

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

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

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

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

c) Construction of water extraction 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 water 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. Responsibilities for Investment:

Provincial and municipal People's Committees are responsible for ensuring funding for firefighting water supply investments. Project owners and facilities 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 water extraction nozzles and hydrants installed on centralized water supply pipelines; water reservoirs for firefighting water supply in residential areas. Investment costs are included in the total investment cost to determine clean water prices.

b) Sewage units (sewage companies, urban environmental companies, urban infrastructure companies...) are responsible for investing in docks and beaches for firefighting water collection at 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 water pumps and firefighting equipment on centralized water supply pipeline networks. Investment costs are included in the total infrastructure investment cost for urban and industrial zones.

d) Project owners and facility owners are responsible for investing in localized firefighting water supply systems at their own projects and 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 water nozzles and hydrants installed on pipelines they manage, as well as water reservoirs and boreholes for firefighting water supply 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 decisions of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee.

2. Sewage units are responsible for managing, maintaining, and protecting firefighting water extraction points at ponds, lakes, rivers, streams, canals... designated and constructed as firefighting water extraction 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. Provincial and municipal public security organs (Fire Prevention and Control Police Departments) or Fire Prevention and Control Police Departments 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 water supply system management and operation unit must develop repair and maintenance plans as soon as possible.

7. Project and facility owners are responsible for managing, operating, maintaining, and protecting localized firefighting water supply systems at their projects and facilities.

8. Organizations and individuals may only extract water from firefighting water supply systems for firefighting purposes. Firefighting water extraction 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 materials, equipment of the urban fire 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, and Ho Chi Minh City Fire Prevention and Fighting Department have the responsibility to coordinate with water supply and drainage units to develop plans to protect the urban fire water supply system. Management boards of industrial zones, new urban areas, and functional zones according to project plans are responsible for managing and protecting the fire water supply system within their jurisdiction.

VI. COSTS FOR USING WATER FOR FIRE PREVENTION AND FIGHTING WORKS

1. The cost of using water drawn from the clean water supply system and centralized fire water storage tanks for fire prevention and fighting works shall be paid from the local budget based on confirmation by the Fire Prevention and Fighting Police Department 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 prevention and fighting works shall be borne by the premises and paid to the Water Supply Company.

VII. VIOLATION HANDLING

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

2. Acts that obstruct or delay the extraction of water from water sources for fire prevention and fighting works will 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 will be handled according to the Penal Code as stipulated by law.

VIII. IMPLEMENTATION ORGANIZATION

1. People's Committees of provinces and centrally governed cities are responsible for organizing and implementing this Circular.

2. Construction Departments, Provincial Public Security Departments, or Ho Chi Minh City Fire Prevention and Fighting Department are responsible for advising and assisting the provincial People's Committee in organizing and implementing this Circular, and directly bear the 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 are responsible for managing, operating, maintaining, and developing the fire water supply system.

4. Local authorities at all levels are tasked with inspecting and supervising the investment construction of the fire water supply system and participating with water supply and drainage units in ensuring the safety of the fire water supply system in their jurisdiction according to the分级任务并进行精确翻译：

5. The Technical Infrastructure Department under the Ministry of Construction and the Fire Prevention and Fighting Police Department under the Ministry of Public Security are responsible for inspecting, urging, and guiding the implementation.

This Circular replaces Circular No. 10/TT-LB dated December 31, 1994, and takes effect 45 days from the date of signing. Organizations and individuals encountering difficulties during implementation are advised to report 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./.