Water Supplies for Fire Protection Systems Buddy Dewar Vice President NFSA

1. Water SuppliesforFire Protection SystemsBuddy Dewar Vice President NFSA

2. What is a Fire Line and What Needs to be Done? Who Does It? How Do You Do It? Summary Agenda – Fire Line Installation

3. What are The Laws and Rules and Codes and Standards and ….. What is a Fire Line and What Needs to be Done?

4. Why are fire lines feeding fire protection systems treated “specially?” • Fire protection systems are life safety systems. • Fire protection systems are property safety systems. • National standards distinguish fire protection fire lines and domestic fire lines differently (Two different standards NFPA and AWWA standards). • Excessive insurance and liability issues. Florida Specific Laws

5. Defined by Florida Law: • s. 633.102 (11)  A "fire protection system" is a system individually designed to protect the interior or exterior of a specific building, structure, or other special hazard from fire. Such systems include, but are not limited to, water sprinkler systems, water spray systems, foam-water sprinkler systems, foam-water spray systems, CO2 systems, foam extinguishing systems, dry chemical systems, and Halon and other chemical systems used for fire protection use. Such systems also include any overhead and underground fire mains, fire hydrants and hydrant mains, standpipes and hoses connected to sprinkler systems, sprinkler tank heaters, air lines, thermal systems used in connection with fire sprinkler systems, and tanks and pumps connected to fire sprinkler systems. Fire Protection Systems

6. The Florida Legislature has empowered the SFMO with authority to adopt codes and standards. Rule 69A-3, FAC, which is also referenced in Rule 69A-46, FAC, adopts codes and standards that apply to underground fire lines. State Fire Marshal Rules

7. Automatic Water Supply • Each FP System Must Have At Least One Source of Water • Water Supplies Must Be Reliable • Water Supplies Must Be Capable of: • Providing Required Flow • For The Required Duration

8. Automatic means a water supply that is not dependent on any manual operation, such as operating valves, starting pumps, or making connections. “Automatic” Supply

9. “Reliable” Water Supply • Reliable simply means that water in sufficient quantity and duration willbe available when needed. • May require freeze protection. • Secondary source of water may be required – EOR decision.

10. An Example of the process“Capacity” of Water SupplyThis should be done by EOR or Tech • Volume & Pressure shall be determined from waterflow test data. • Allowance should be made for seasonal or time of day fluctuation. • Testing of water supplies should be done with industrial flow considerations. • Future changes or community growth should be considered.

11. Minimum Water Supply Water Supply For Sprinklers Per Area/Density Curves Plus Hose Stream Demand

12. Minimum Water Supply Example • Dewar’s White Label Distillery • 65,000 Square Feet • Storage does not exceed 12 feet in Height

13. Distilleries • Ordinary Hazard - Group 2 • Minimum Density - 0.20 gpm/sq. ft. • Minimum Area of Sprinkler Operation - 1,500 sq. ft.

14. Minimum Water Supply 0.20 gpm/sq.ft. X 1,500 sq. ft. = 300 gpm

15. Hose Stream and DurationNFPA 13, Total Combined Hazard Inside Hose Inside and Classification Outside Duration in (gpm) Hose (gpm) Minutes Light 0, 50, or 100 100 30 Ordinary 0, 50, or 100 250 60—90 Extra Hazard 0, 50, or 100 500 90—120

16. Minimum Water Supply Dewar’s Distillery Sprinkler Demand - 300 gpm Hose Demand - 250 gpm Total Demand - 550 gpm Duration - 60 - 90 Minutes

17. Pipe & Appurtenances on Private Property 1. Between a POS and the base of a riser. 2. Between a POS and the inlet of foam systems. 3. Between a POS and the base elbow of private hydrants or monitor nozzles. 4. Fire pump suction and discharge piping not within the building. 5. Beginning at the inlet side of the check valve on a gravity or pressure tank. Private Fire Service Main

18. NFPA 22 Water Tanks NFPA 15 Monitor Nozzle NFPA 16 Foam Water Standard Scope Boundaries NFPA 20 Fire Pumps NFPA 15 Fixed Water Spray Hydrant NFPA 13 Sprinkler System Point of Service Property Line City Water Main

19. Subsection 633.102, (24), F.S.,  "Point-of-Service" means the point at which the underground piping for a fire protection system as defined in this section using water as the extinguishing agent becomes used exclusively for the fire protection system.” Different than plumbing code. State law takes precedent over code language adopted by reference. Point of Service

20. Acceptable Water SuppliesNFPA 24 • Public Water Systems • Tanks • Gravity • Suction • Pressure • Rivers or Lakes • Pumps

21. Only One Licensed By The State Fire Marshal Who Installs Underground Fire Lines Supplying Fire Sprinkler Systems?

22. Chapter 633, Florida Statutes • Underground fire lines feeding fire sprinkler systems can only be installed within the scope of practice of a: • Contractor I • Contractor II • Contractor IV - NFPA 13D Installations Only, or • Contractor V

23. s. 633.336(1)  It is unlawful for any organization or individual to engage in the business of layout, fabrication, installation, inspection, alteration, repair, or service of a fire protection system, other than a preengineered system, act in the capacity of a fire protection contractor, or advertise itself as being a fire protection contractor without having been duly certified and holding a valid and existing certificate, except as hereinafter provided. Who touches firelines?

24. s. 633.102 (3)(a)  "Contractor I" means a contractor whose business includes the execution of contracts requiring the ability to lay out, fabricate, install, inspect, alter, repair, and service all types of fire protection systems, excluding preengineered systems. Certification Classifications

25. s. 633.102 (3)(b)  "Contractor II" means a contractor whose business is limited to the execution of contracts requiring the ability to lay out, fabricate, install, inspect, alter, repair, and service water sprinkler systems, water spray systems, foam-water sprinkler systems, foam-water spray systems, standpipes, combination standpipes and sprinkler risers, all piping that is an integral part of the system beginning at the point of service as defined in this section, sprinkler tank heaters, air lines, thermal systems used in connection with sprinklers, and tanks and pumps connected thereto, excluding preengineered systems. Certification Classifications

26. s. 633.102 (3)(d)  "Contractor IV" means a contractor whose business is limited to the execution of contracts requiring the ability to lay out, fabricate, install, inspect, alter, repair, and service automatic fire sprinkler systems for detached one-family dwellings, detached two-family dwellings, and mobile homes, excluding preengineered systems and excluding single-family homes in cluster units, such as apartments, condominiums, and assisted living facilities or any building that is connected to other dwellings. Certification Classifications

27. s. 633.102 (3)(e)  "Contractor V" means a contractor whose business is limited to the execution of contracts requiring the ability to fabricate, install, inspect, alter, repair, and service the underground piping for a fire protection system using water as the extinguishing agent beginning at the point of service as defined in this act and ending no more than 1 foot above the finished floor. Certification Classifications

28. s. 633.334 (4)  The Contractor V may install the cross-connection backflow prevention device as defined in this chapter on new installations following the engineer of record’s direction on the type and size of the device. • Intent is that the Engineer of Record will specify the correct backflow device. • The backflow installed must be compatible with the fire sprinkler system water flow and pressure demands. State law

29. The devices will add from 4 -15 psi on the average to the fire protection system hydraulic calculation demand. Most sprinkler systems are hydraulically calculated to within 5 psi of the available water supply. Retrofitting DDC’s or RPZ’s

30. Add a Domestic Tap?

31. RPZ and FDC’s RPZ Needs FDC Check Valve

32. 633.334(4)  …. The retrofitting of a backflow device on an existing fire protection system will cause a reduction in available water pressure and probable system malfunction. The development of aboveground fire protection system hydraulic calculations is a task of the Contractor I and II, as defined in this chapter. Accordingly, a Contractor V is expressly prohibited from retrofitting cross-connection backflow prevention devices on an existing fire protection system, and only a Contractor I or Contractor II who is tasked to recalculate the system and take corrective actions to ensure that the system will function with the available water supply may retroactively install these backflow devices on existing fire protection systems. State law

33. For liability avoidance ensure you follow the Florida Specific Laws regulating backflow. backflow

34. Requirements of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection Equipment to be Listed for Fire Protection Service Backflow Prevention

35. Annual Test – Done by Contractor I or II. • Forward flow test at system demand • Exceptions to Forward Flow Test • When connections for system demand are not available, run test at maximum flow • For 2 inch or smaller valves, run test without measuring flow • Where water rationing is in effect for more than 1 year, internal inspection can substitute for flow • Flow Test not required where pump testing causes demand flow through backflow device • Backflow certification test (after flow test) NFPA 25 - Control Valves

36. Backflow Testing • Means shall be provided downstream of all backflow prevention valves for flow tests at the system demand. • A full flow test of the backflow prevention valve can be performed with a test header or other connection downstream of the valve. A bypass around the check valve in the fire department connection line with a control valve in the normally closed position is also acceptable. When flow to a visible drain cannot be accomplished, a closed loop flow with a flow meter is acceptable to ensure flow.

37. Diagram of a Full Flow Test for a Backflow Prevention Device

38. Codes (AWWA M-14) and standards requires an RPZ/RPBA valve on all fire protection systems when the following conditions exist. • If the system contains anti-freeze or other chemicals, then an RPZ device is required. • If water can be pumped from a non-potable water supply such as a retention pond or lake then an RPZ is required • If there is a permanent or emergency connection whereby water can be pumped into the fire safety system-RPZ State Plumbing Code

39. Identifies cross-connection devices for fire protection systems. • Typically a double check is all that is required. • RPZ required when certain conditions such as anti-freeze chemicals are added to the water-based fire protection system. AWWA M-14 Manual

40. Required to be certified by DEP as a CC Inspector before doing any tests on a backflow. Contractor I, II & V Employees

41. Laws and Rules Governing Installation Practices 3. how Do You Do It

42. s. 633.306 (1)(c)  Equipment shall be installed in accordance with the applicable standards of the National Fire Protection Association and the manufacturer's drawings and specifications. (2)  Equipment shall be inspected, serviced, and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer's maintenance procedures and with the applicable National Fire Protection Association standards. State law

43. Considered more stringent than AWWA Standards Underground Fire MainsNFPA-24, 2007 Edition

44. Water Supplies • Choice Of Water Supply Shall Be Made In Cooperation With AHJ - NFPA 24, 2-1. • The Capacity Of The Water Supply Shall Meet The Needed Fire Flow As Determined By the EOR and the AHJ.

45. Plans Review • NFPA 24, 1-4.1. A Layout Plan Must Be Approved By the AHJ. • Typical Approving Authority Is Water Purveyor. • Ensuring proper EOR or Tech oversight minimizes issues with the fire official.

46. 1. Size & Location of all water supplies and piping. 2. Class, Type & Depth of existing and new piping. 3. Size, Type & Location of Control Valves, Meters, Regulators & Check Valves. 4. Sprinkler & Standpipe Risers or Monitor Nozzles to be supplied by the system. 5. Location & Detail of FDCs, if part of the private fire service main system. Plan Requirements

47. Pipe & Fittings 1. Selection 2. Coating & Lining 3. Joints 4. Fittings 5. Size

48. Selection of Pipe • Listed for Fire Protection Service • AWWA Standards • Consider fire resistance, maximum working pressure, laying conditions, soil conditions, corrosion, and external loads. • Minimum Working Pressure of 150 psi

49. Minimum 6” Pipe Exception: when hydraulic calculations show that the main will supply the total demand at the appropriate pressure. Systems that are not hydraulically calculated shall have a main at least as large as the riser Competitive advantage. Size of Pipe

50. Coating & Lining of Pipe • Ferrous Metal Pipe and Steel Pipe shall be coated and wrapped. • Internal Galvanizing does not meet these requirements • Exception for piping between check valves and outside hose couplings for fire department connections.