We are Timerun Co., Ltd., which is doing installation work and maintenance of firefighting equipment in Tokyo.We are writing about daily work, fire equipment, fire law. We sometimes introduce overseas fire fighting equipment.
Our blog has come to access from overseas. Therefore, I would like to briefly introduce the fire fighting equipment and fire fighting law in Japan.
Fire fighting equipment in Japan
Types of firefighting equipment
Fire fighting facilities in Japan are installed according to very detailed standards. Following the fires of the past, very strict standards have been set. There are three types of equipment required.
- Fire extinguishing equipment
- Fire alarm equipment
- Fire evacuation equipment
We will install these three types of equipment in accordance with the standards set by law.The standard is determined by “Use applications””building area” and “capacity”.
First, determine the purpose of the building. Next, find the area of the building and the number of people it can accommodate. This will determine the fire equipment to be installed.The same standards apply for new buildings and existing properties.
Type to use
There are 20 types to use. Strict standards are set for types that can accommodate large numbers of people. Conversely, if the number of people is small and the risk is low, the setting is loose.
- Theater/Venue
- Cabaret, nightclub Dance hall/Amusement hall/Sex customs Karaoke/Private room
- Traditional restaurant /restaurant
- Store
- Hotel /Apartment house
- Hospitals, nursing homes, welfare facilities, kindergartens, nurseries,
- Elementary school/junior high school/university/other school
- Library/Museum/Museum
- Hot air bath /public bathhouse
- Bus terminal /Airport/Station (only for getting on and off)
- Shrine/Temple/Church
- factory/Movie studio,TV studio
- Parking Lot /Aircraft hangar
- Warehouse
- Things that have never appeared
- Multiple items/ Underground mall
- Important cultural property
- Arcade over 50 meters
- Mountain Forest
- Boat/car
Strict standards apply for types written in red “Specific use”. Other than that, the standards are loose.
Standard by area
There is a standard for each of 1 to 20. We will design and install various equipment according to the standards according to the installation standards.
For example, hotel is
|
Fire extinguisher |
More than 150㎡ Underground, no window, 3 or more 50㎡ or more |
|
Indoor fire hydrant |
A:Fire resistant structure + non-combustible finish 2,100 ㎡ or more B:Semi-fire resistant structure + non-combustible finish 1,400 ㎡ or more C:Normal building 700㎡ or more Underground, no windows, 4th floor and above A: 450㎡ B: 300㎡ C: 150㎡ or more |
|
sprinkler |
11th floor and above Floor area 6,000 or more |
|
Outdoor fire hydrant |
1st floor 2nd floor total area Semi-fireproof building :6,000㎡ or more Other :3,000㎡ or more |
|
Automatic fire alarm system |
ALL |
| Emergency broadcast |
More than 300 people |
| Evacuation equipment |
Basement/floors above 2nd floor：30 or more people on the floor |
|
Guide light |
ALL |
|
Consolidated watering |
Total basement floor area 700㎡ or more |
|
Connection water pipe |
The number of floors is 7 or more excluding the basement The number of floors excluding the basement is 5 or more and 6,000 ㎡ or more |
|
Emergency electrical outlet |
11 or more floors except basement |
I wrote the standards for the hotel. It is set in detail for each fire equipment. A fire alarm must be installed at the hotel. So, when you come to Japan, you can have a good night’s sleep with peace of mind.
Also, there are many simple accommodations in Japan. Even a simple dormitory must pass the fire department screening. You can stay with peace of mind in a simple dormitory.
Fire fighting equipment made in Japan
Japanese firefighting equipment can only be used for products that have passed the national certification.Japanese firefighting equipment can only be used for nationally certified products. Therefore, Japanese manufacturers are doing research and development every day to bring out wonderful products to the world.
There is a famous fire equipment company in Japan. “NOHMI” “HOCHIKI” “NITTAN” “Panasonic” of four big makers. In addition, there are HATSUTA” and “MORITA” which are famous for fire extinguishers.
“MORITA” also manufactures fire trucks.
Legal inspection once every 6 months
Fire fighting equipment in Japan must be inspected once every six months by law. Firefighting equipment is an emergency equipment and must be available immediately. Therefore, legal inspection is required.
And you have to report the inspection result to the fire department once a year. (Report once every three years if there is little risk of fire)
The inspection is done by a private inspection company. Inspectors can only perform inspections if they have national qualifications. If the inspection fails and repairs are required, it will be done by a qualified nationally qualified person. Unqualified people cannot do that.
Fire department inspection
There are penalties if you violate the Fire Service Act. For example, “unchecked”, “unreported”, and “unrepaired”.
In the case of Tokyo, fire officers under the jurisdiction come to the inspection once every few years. If the equipment is not maintained properly, an improvement order will be issued.
If there is a risk to life, a building use prohibition order may be issued.
Since Japan is a law-abiding country, all kinds of detailed laws are in place. There are some difficult aspects, but it can be said that the building can be used very safely.
