Fire Code Standards
Fire Code Standards
(OP)
I am doing a feasibility model in WaterCAD for water service to a new residential development. My firm's SOP for fireflow is 1500 gpm per fire hydrant using two fire hydrants at the same time (totaling 3,000 gpm) for two hours while maintaining a 20 psi pressure. That standard has been passed around by word of mouth and no one knows where it originated. The local governing agency (county) does not specify fireflow requirements and TCEQ (Texas Commission on Environmental Quality) requires 1,500 gpm with 20 psi on top of regular flow.
My problem is that our current system at the new development cannot handle 3000 gpm for 2 hours on top of average flow, but it can handle 1500 gpm. So I need to justify using 1500 gpm against "its just the way we have always done it" unless there is a reason to why we do it that way.
I have looked at the IFC and the NFPA for anything further but they seem to line up close to TCEQ.
Am I missing anything?
My problem is that our current system at the new development cannot handle 3000 gpm for 2 hours on top of average flow, but it can handle 1500 gpm. So I need to justify using 1500 gpm against "its just the way we have always done it" unless there is a reason to why we do it that way.
I have looked at the IFC and the NFPA for anything further but they seem to line up close to TCEQ.
Am I missing anything?





RE: Fire Code Standards
RE: Fire Code Standards
That being said, there can be greater local requirements, as well as ISO and insurance ratings etc. To consider, that may well look more favorably on greater flow capabilities of fire protection systems. There is actually also an "NFPA" forum you might visit, if you need more specialized information.
RE: Fire Code Standards
http://www.isomitigation.com/downloads/ppc3001.pdf