Reliable firefighting water supplies

Extinguishing systems can be found in every conceivable location. Not only in utilities and industry, but also in public infrastructure such as tunnels, bridges, locks and stations. After all, the chance of a fire starting here can never be ruled out. Contracting company QUALM has specialized in the design, construction, inspection, testing and maintenance of extinguishing systems for over forty years. In some places it is extra important to be well prepared for a fire. Not because the risk is higher, but because the places are more difficult to reach, such as in (railroad) tunnels and at stations.

"We have only one goal in mind and that is to increase fire safety," says Eric Mulders of contracting company QUALM. The more than eighty years "young" family business is active in piping and groundwork and performs in-house GWW work under specific conditions. Think of the (re)laying of a gas or drinking water pipeline. Over the past four decades, QUALM has built up expertise in fire safety and, in particular, in the field of extinguishing water facilities. "Since we have national tunnel legislation in the Netherlands, the safety of many tunnels has improved enormously. It is great that we as QUALM also make a positive contribution to this. With our work, we help the fire department act appropriately and effectively in emergency situations."

In the Schiphol Gate Tunnel, QUALM replaced part of the existing GRE fire mains with a larger diameter pipe and renewed several valves.

Fast and adequate extinguishing

QUALM has provided many stations and (railroad) tunnels in our country with a fire water supply. "For example, at Geldermalsen station we are going to install a PE dry fire line with filling points on either side of the station," Eric continues. His son Menno Mulders, appointed director of Aannemingsbedrijf QUALM since January 2020, adds: "A total of seven off-take points will be realized on the three platforms. In the event of an emergency, the fire department will connect to a tapping point so that extinguishing water is quickly and adequately available on the platform. In addition, we are/were also involved in enlarging the extinguishing water pipes in the Schiphol Gate tunnel. In two weekend off-duty shifts, we replaced part of the existing GRE fire-extinguishing pipes with a pipe with a larger diameter and renewed various valves on behalf of Volker Rail with sixteen employees. An intensive, but interesting project. That applies to all tunnel projects, by the way. It requires good planning in advance and optimal coordination with all parties involved. After all, access is limited."

In addition to fixed piping above and below ground in every conceivable material (ductile iron, PE, galvanized steel and Glassfiber Reinforced Epoxy), QUALM also supplies and rents temporary firewater facilities. "When carrying out maintenance work on parts of the extinguishing system, emergency facilities can sometimes be needed. From mobile fire monitors and ready-to-use fire hoses to a complete temporary firefighting facility with a firewater pump and water supply. We realized the latter, for example, for the renovation of the Coentunnel and the Drechttunnel. Thanks to our years of experience and well-trained employees, we design and realize the right extinguishing water supply for every application. Temporary or permanent, where we also manage and resolve any malfunctions through our 24/7 breakdown service," Eric concludes.