Indicators of water consumption for external fire extinguishing: justification
methods, standardization practices, ways of improvement
Authors:   All-Russian Research Institute of
            Fire Protection of EMERCOM of Russia, Vlasov Konstantin Sergeevich , Poroshin Aleksandr Alekseevich ,   All-Russian Research
            Institute of Fire Protection of EMERCOM of Russia
Published: December 2024

Introduction. The article discusses the results of studies on the substantiation
of water consumption indicators for external fire extinguishing. Existing methods and
mathematical models for calculating water consumption for external fire extinguishing
are analyzed, taking into account the characteristics of protection objects and the
tactical capabilities of fire departments. Problematic issues regarding the current
practice of rationing water consumption for external fire extinguishing are identified.
A description of the calculation method based on Big Data technology is given, which
allows you to obtain data on water consumption for external fire extinguishing
individually for each subject of the Russian Federation with the possibility of updating
them based on data for the last 2-3 years. The proposed method differs from established
approaches, in which indicators of water consumption for external fire extinguishing
were determined in 1970-80 and were applied uniformly throughout the Russian Federation.
Goal and tasks. The purpose of the study is to improve methods for substantiating water
consumption indicators for external fire extinguishing, taking into account regional
factors. The objective of the study is to conduct a critical analysis of the current
rationing practice and identify the distinctive features of organizing water supply for
firefighting needs in the constituent entities of the Russian Federation, as well as to
develop a method for determining water consumption indicators for external firefighting,
taking into account regional factors. Methods. To solve the problem, methods for
processing large amounts of data based on Big Data technology were used. Results and
discussion. Directions for improving methods for substantiating water consumption
indicators for external fire extinguishing are proposed, taking into account the
characteristics of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation. For example,
based on the proposed method, calculations of water consumption for external fire
extinguishing were carried out in a number of cities of the Russian Federation, which
showed that there is a need to adjust the current standards, since their standard values
are many times higher than the calculated ones. Conclusions. A method for determining
water consumption for external fire extinguishing is proposed, on the basis of which the
need to adjust the indicators of water consumption for external fire extinguishing given
in the current regulatory framework is shown. This need is determined by an analysis of
the current practice of extinguishing fires, as well as the regional characteristics of
the constituent entities of the Russian Federation. Keywords: fire extinguishing; water
consumption; fire extinguishing agent supply devices; big data.