Ouvrir ou fermer les bouches d’incendie ?

Abstract

Since 2015, evermore numerous urban areas have been affected by « street pooling » within the Île-de-France region, in the dog days of summer. These spontaneous practices, which have been publicized since then, consist in opening fire hydrants and bring forth to high water geysers in the public space. The ephemeral and illicit use of this fire defense equipment, which is connected to the drinking water supply network, is at the very heart of a complex background. Thus, the phenomenon reveals, but also triggers, a set of technical, social and territorial tensions and disturbances revolving around the fire hydrant.

Keywords

• urban practices
• drinking water
• fire hydrant
• street pooling
• water supply network
• global warming