What alternative methods were used to fight the fire?

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Firefighters Employed Contingency Method Due to Dry Rising Main Malfunction

Firefighters deployed a contingency method of running hoses directly from their fire engine up the building's staircase to combat a blaze at Block 309 Clementi Avenue 4 on July 31. This alternative approach was necessitated by a faulty dry rising main, which experienced a significant drop in water pressure, preventing water from reaching the eighth floor effectively. The dry rising main, a system designed to deliver water throughout a building for firefighting, had a dislodged coupling, according to a preliminary assessment by the Holland-Bukit Panjang Town Council.
Contingency Hose Method Utilised

The standard procedure for accessing water on higher floors involves the dry rising main. However, when this system failed due to a pressure loss, the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) crew resorted to an alternative. They established a direct hose connection from the fire engine parked outside the building, extending the hoses up through the internal staircases to the fire floor. This method, while more labour-intensive, allowed them to continue supplying water to the scene of the fire.
Regular Training for Contingency Procedures

The SCDF stated that the switch to running hoses directly from the fire engine up the staircase is a procedure that firefighters regularly train for. This preparedness ensures that crews can adapt and respond effectively even when primary firefighting infrastructure, such as the dry rising main, malfunctions during an emergency. Such drills are crucial for maintaining operational readiness in diverse scenarios.
Dry Rising Main Malfunction Identified

The incident at Block 309 Clementi Avenue 4 was attributed to a failure in the dry rising main system. A preliminary assessment by the Holland-Bukit Panjang Town Council indicated that a coupling securing a part of the dry rising main had become dislodged during the firefighting operation. This dislodgement led to a loss of water pressure, critically hindering the ability to deliver water to the affected floor.
System Maintenance and Investigation

The dry rising main at the block had undergone its last scheduled servicing and pressure testing on March 14 and was found to be in satisfactory condition at that time. Following the incident, the town council has since repaired the dislodged coupling. The SCDF conducted tests on August 2, and further checks are planned for other blocks managed by the town council. The council is cooperating with the SCDF's investigation and plans to review its maintenance and testing protocols for all firefighting water systems.

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What alternative methods were used to fight the fire?

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