Potable Water and Fire Protection Water in one trench
Potable Water and Fire Protection Water in one trench
(OP)
Any problem laying both potable and fire protection water in the same trench?
FYI..The fire water is neither potable nor it is gray.
FYI..The fire water is neither potable nor it is gray.





RE: Potable Water and Fire Protection Water in one trench
RE: Potable Water and Fire Protection Water in one trench
Fire mains are not addressed in the standard specifications.
However, since both the fire main and potable water main are constucted of water main quality piping (this is considered special construction), you should have no problem installing both of these services in the same trench.
You should install the pipes at least wide enough apart such that you are able to operate a compacting machine between the pipes.
RE: Potable Water and Fire Protection Water in one trench
RE: Potable Water and Fire Protection Water in one trench
RE: Potable Water and Fire Protection Water in one trench
Richard A. Cornelius, P.E.
WWW.amlinereast.com
RE: Potable Water and Fire Protection Water in one trench
1.9.1 SEPARATION OF WATER AND SANITARY AND/OR COMBINED SEWERS
A. Standards for separation of water mains and sanitary sewers lines.
B. PARALLEL INSTALLATIONS:
1) Preferred/Normal Condition – water lines shall be constructed at least 10 feet horizontally from a sewer or sewer manhole whenever possible. The distance shall be measured edge-to-edge.
2) Unusual Conditions – when local conditions prevent a horizontal separation of at least 10 feet, the water line may be laid closer to a sewer or sanitary sewer manhole provided that:
a. The water main shall be placed in a separate trench, with elevation of the bottom of the water line at least 18 inches above the top of the sewer; or
b. The water main shall be placed in the same trench as the sewer, and located to one side, on a bench of undisturbed earth, and the elevation of the bottom of the water main shall be at least 18 inches above the top of the sewer; or
c. Where this vertical separation cannot be obtained, the sewer shall be constructed of AWWA approved Ductile Iron Pipe pressure-tested in place to 50 psi without leakage prior to backfilling. The sewer manhole shall be of watertight construction and tested in place.
"Special construction" is constructing the sewer from water main type materials.
RE: Potable Water and Fire Protection Water in one trench
Maybe particularly if there is any chance that the potable water line in the area may have to be dug up and tapped for connection in the future it would be a good idea when the parllel installation or crossing is made to also to well-mark the lines (all kinds of pipe can of course now be durably marked for the services in such locations with very close parallel or even colored/labeled/marking tapes spirally wound around the pipes, special colored and/or labeled polyethylene wraps, or other means, and of course taps could even conceivably be installed to draw off and test samples of withdrawn water from any suspect pipe/line before someone drinks from a new service (as appears to be at least hinted in some crossing areas of standards). Where potable water and other pipes etc. must be installed in close proximity, there may also be some value to very strong/robust (impact/gouge/damage-resistant etc.) pipe materials in general, as "stuff happens" and maybe particularly in such congested areas.
RE: Potable Water and Fire Protection Water in one trench
see section R18-5-502
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