BIEs for your business: what it is and how to install it in your company 2026

The obligation to protect a premises or building against fire has been usually fulfilled by placing fire extinguishers. In fact, if you stop to think about it, you've probably seen them in your building, workplace, institute, etc.

But, although it is the most common element, it is not the only way to protect yourself from fire.

Actually, There are other methods that can be installed as an alternative to put out any fire that may occur. . Let's not forget that investing in security is not only about putting measures in place to prevent theft.

Unfortunately, fire is, in many cases, our worst enemy. Here you have an alternative to protect yourself from it:

BIE: what is it?

BIE is the acronym for equipped fire hydrant. It is a complete fire fighting system that, like a fire extinguisher, Helps put out a fire manually.

To do this, it has a hose connected to the water supply network, which makes its service, in principle, inexhaustible. A good option for many types of business.

The BIEs have the following elements:

• Cupboard:The equipped fire hydrant system is placed inside a cabinet, usually red in color with a glass front door, allowing you to see inside and identify the fire hose.
• hose holder: The hose holder, also called reel, is an object in which The coiled hose is placed for complete support . If it is necessary to use it, you only have to open the cabinet and pull the end of it.
• Hose: The most relevant thing about this element is that has a set length, regulated in Royal Decree 513. All of them must measure 20 meters long.
• Nozzle or lance: The nozzle is located at the end of the hose, and It serves to regulate the output of water that emanates from it , as well as controlling the way it comes out (it can be jet or nebulized, depending on the need).
• Valve: We had already mentioned that the BIE must be connected to the water supply network.
  The valve, It is the element that connects the fire hydrant Equipped with a water intake, and can be opened and closed to control its passage.
• Pressure gauge: The pressure gauge is an object through which you can measure the water pressure, in addition to checking that the intake is working correctly.

Types of equipped fire hydrants

The types of BIEs that exist and can be installed are also something that is regulated in Royal Decree 513, which develops the Regulation of Fire Protection Installations (RIPCI). This regulation came into force on December 12, 2017.

According to the legislation, there are two types of mouths equipped fire stations, designed for different needs:

25mm equipped fire hydrant

The measurement refers to the diameter of the hose, which in these cases is semi-rigid and 20 meters long. It has the capacity to supply a flow rate of 100 liters per minute at 3.5 bar pressure at the tip of the spear.

45mm fitted fire hydrant

In this other case, the diameter of the hose is 45 mm, and it would not be semi-rigid but flexible. They measure exactly the same, 20 meters, and its capacity in this case would be 200 liters per minute at 3.5 bar pressure at the tip of the spear.

The difference between both types of BIEs, as can be seen, lies in the flow of water they are capable of supplying.

While The former are indicated for those places where the risk of fire is low, the latter are recommended when this risk is high.

How and where to install a BIE

Assuming that installing an equipped fire hydrant istask for professionalsYes, there are a series of rules that must be met in this regard.

BIEs are characterized by being easy to use and have an inexhaustible water source. For this reason, they are recommended in large places with a lot of traffic, where a system that is simple and effective is essential.

So, the usual thing is to place them in:

• public buildings: Town halls, police stations, ministries, libraries, municipal offices, etc.
• Residential places: Hotels, nursing homes, student homes, garages, apartment blocks...
• Shopping, leisure and service centers.
• Educational or health buildings: Hospitals, schools, institutes or universities.

Regarding how, there are certain aspects that must be taken into account and regulations that must be met when installing a BIE.

• The placement of the system must be a maximum of 5 meters from the exit of the fire sector, and must have a horizontal route.
• C At most it can be 25 meters from the origin of the evacuation , in addition to not exceeding 50 meters between two equipped fire hydrants.
• The nozzle and valve can be at a maximum height of 1.5 meters , never above. On the sign that indicates the location of the BIE, the lower part must be located between 1.5 and 2.2 meters from the ground, and respecting a distance of 30 cm from the ceiling.

BIEs maintenance

Another aspect included in Royal Decree 513 on equipped fire hydrants is its maintenance. So, this It will include reviews of different elements every 3 months and every 1 and 5 years.

• Quarterly: Accessibility, signage and all components are checked, including pressure gauge reading, cleaning and greasing of closures and hinges and inventory verification.

• Once a year:Operation of the lances in all their positions, the pressure gauge and the hose. Also disassembly of the hose and testing.
• Every 5 years: Rebelling of the BIE, which consists of subjecting the hose to a pressure of 15kg/cm2 (hydrostatic test).

In conclusion, if you have a business, it would be a good idea to install an equipped fire hydrant if you have a large and mostly busy area.

However, in case this is not the case and you still opt for this option due to its ease of use.

You can place a 25mm diameter hose, which has enough capacity to protect a small business of the risk of fire.

Having the necessary tools to put out a fire is great, but if you have smoke detectors to Intervene before a dangerous fire breaks out , better. In Yoigo Alarms We have these products and many more so that you can ensure your home as much as possible.

Enter to our website or call 900 822 500 if you want more information about security devices for your home.

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