Graf UK Tanks Help a Private School to Fight Fires

A firefighting system from water management specialists Graf UK was specified for the complex needs of a remote private school for a hat-trick of reasons.

Graf UK Tanks Help a Private School to Fight Fires

The Graf UK system, comprising four 52,000-litre tanks which are located in various locations at Kingham Hill School in the Cotswolds, was selected for its cost-effectiveness, speed of installation, and low long-term maintenance costs.

The independent day and boarding school for 11 to 18-year-olds was built in 1886 in 100 acres near Chipping Norton but due to its remote location has relied on a pumped water supply for the accommodation, rather than a mains supply.

However, in terms of this being suitable for firefighting, its low pressure and volume really ruled it out, and the school’s main firefighting reserve was its 25m swimming pool and adjacent training pool.

School bursar Catriona Thompson said, “Whilst the local fire services had been happy with the existing arrangements for many years, it was not the ideal solution and in conjunction with our insurers, we wished to find a better solution. The Graf system has provided an excellent solution to a fairly complex issue.”

The school considered siting additional tanks and pumps at the bottom of the hill next to its pumping station (and its drinking water tanks) and then installing a ring main hydrant system around the site to meet the 90m requirement of BS 3251.

“However, this proved to be cost prohibitive given the size of the site. Installing the Graf tanks was suggested by the contractor and met the requirements of the fire service and the insurers in a cost effective and time-beneficial manner. The long-term maintenance costs were also much reduced,” said Cat.

The four 52,000-litre Carat XXL tanks have been placed strategically around the site to comply with the 90m rule. Given the buildings are spread over a significant area, it took a bit of planning to get them in suitable locations distance-wise but also in locations that were aesthetically appropriate.

The locations were selected by consulting engineers Foreman Roberts, the school’s administrators, who had not used Graf UK systems before, but will now go to them first for any suitable future ones.

Director Paul Stallard said, “Initially, a project was looked into to provide a piped hydrant service but the costs were prohibitive, and then on the suggestion of the contractor BA Hull we investigated the Graf tanks as an alternative means of providing firefighting water supplies across the campus but for a much more cost effective pricing level."

“This was about 50% of the cost of a piped hydrant service and was largely due to the remote location of the piped water supply so I expect the cost differential wouldn’t be that big on other projects where the water supply was closer.”

BA Hull excavated the holes for the tanks, which were specifically designed to be lightweight but robust for firefighting, then lifted them in via a crane, and backfilled with shingle in phases while the tanks were being filled with water.

Dan Collins of BA Hull said, "The alternative was to bring up a separate supply which would have needed separate tanks and generator backup, but this was the most feasible option to manage this project, to appease the fire brigade."

“The contract went really smoothly to be fair. We have worked with Graf for some time now. All of our guys really like the products. They find them easy to install. They’re well designed and compared to other manufacturers, they’re built of sturdy material.”

He added,“We have a really good working relationship with Graf and will use them in the foreseeable future and would like to work even more closely with them, doing more installations with them.”

For a video of the installation, go to www.youtube.com/watch?v=qv309vv5EcY