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Fire Water Storage Requirements for Warehouses in India

Published: December 18, 2025
Read Time: 8 min

Warehouses play a crucial role in India’s supply chain, storing raw materials, finished goods, chemicals, FMCG products, and industrial equipment. However, warehouses are also classified as high fire-risk structures due to large storage volumes, combustible materials, and limited human presence. To minimize damage and ensure safety, fire water storage systems are mandatory for warehouses in India.

Understanding fire water storage requirements helps warehouse owners, developers, and industrial operators comply with regulations while safeguarding assets and lives.

Why Fire Water Storage Is Critical for Warehouses

Warehouse fires can spread rapidly due to:

  • High fire load
  • Stacked goods
  • Flammable packaging materials
  • Electrical systems operating continuously
  • A dedicated fire water tank ensures immediate availability of water for hydrants, sprinklers, and fire-fighting pumps during emergencies, even if the municipal water supply fails.

    For this reason, fire authorities in India strictly mandate separate fire water storage tanks for warehouses.

    Indian Standards for Fire Water Storage in Warehouses

    Fire water storage requirements for warehouses in India are governed by:

    1. National Building Code (NBC) of India

    The NBC classifies warehouses under industrial and storage occupancy. As per NBC:

  • Dedicated fire water storage is compulsory
  • Fire water tanks must be independent of domestic water tanks
  • Storage capacity depends on warehouse size, height, and fire load
  • 2. IS 2190 – Fire Fighting Installations

    IS 2190 specifies:

  • Minimum water storage requirements
  • Fire hydrant and sprinkler system design
  • Fire pump capacity and redundancy
  • 3. Local Fire Department Norms

    State fire services and municipal authorities may impose additional requirements based on:

  • Location (MIDC, industrial zones, SEZs)
  • Type of stored material
  • Warehouse height and floor area
  • Approval from the fire department is mandatory before obtaining occupancy or operational clearance.

    Fire Water Storage Capacity for Warehouses

    The required fire water tank capacity for warehouses varies based on several factors:

  • Total built-up area
  • Storage height
  • Nature of goods stored
  • Type of fire-fighting system (hydrant only or hydrant + sprinklers)
  • In general:

  • Small warehouses may require 50,000 to 100,000 liters
  • Medium to large warehouses may require 200,000 liters or more
  • High-risk warehouses storing chemicals or flammable materials may need even higher capacities
  • Royal Water Tank designs fire water storage tanks after detailed engineering calculations to ensure full NBC and IS compliance.

    Types of Fire Water Tanks Used for Warehouses

    Warehouses typically use robust and high-capacity fire water storage solutions such as:

  • Underground Fire Water Tanks
  • Above-Ground Steel Fire Water Tanks
  • Glass Fused Steel (GFS) Fire Water Tanks
  • Zinc Aluminium Steel Fire Water Tanks
  • Prefabricated Modular Fire Water Tanks
  • Prefabricated steel fire water tanks are increasingly preferred due to:

  • Faster installation
  • Long service life
  • Corrosion resistance
  • Easy expansion for future capacity needs
  • Key Design Requirements for Warehouse Fire Water Tanks

    As per Indian fire safety standards:

  • Fire water tanks must be clearly labeled “Fire Water – Not for Domestic Use”
  • Tanks should be easily accessible for inspection and maintenance
  • Proper suction, overflow, and drain arrangements must be provided
  • Tanks must be connected to fire pumps with backup power supply
  • Materials must be corrosion-resistant and durable
  • Royal Water Tank ensures that every fire water tank meets these technical and safety requirements.

    Why Choose Royal Water Tank for Warehouse Fire Water Storage?

    Royal Water Tank is a trusted manufacturer and supplier of fire water tanks for warehouses in India. Our solutions are:

  • Designed as per NBC, IS 2190, and fire authority norms
  • Available in custom capacities
  • Made from high-quality steel with advanced coatings
  • Suitable for logistics parks, cold storage units, FMCG warehouses, and industrial godowns
  • Easy to install and maintain
  • We work closely with consultants, EPC contractors, and fire departments to deliver approval-ready fire water storage systems.

    PREMIUM QUALITY MATERIALS IS OUR IDENTITY