The Fire Line 607 inspection listed on a building permit refers to the inspection and testing of a structure’s fire line, and is required for validation and acceptance. The contractor will schedule the fire line inspection through the Development Services IVR Inspection Scheduling Hot line at 785-832-7710. The contractor will be contacted the morning of the inspection to schedule the next available time.
Fire line; (Public side) material specifications and details can be found at the City’s Utilities Technical resources section of web site at: https://lawrenceks.org/mso/technical_resources.
Fire line – Private: 4”-12” material specifications and details for underground piping can be found in Chapter 5 Article 5 the 2018 Plumbing Code located on the Planning and Development Services section of the City’s web site: https://assets.lawrenceks.org/city-code/chapter05.pdf.
Fire Line – Private – 13R systems with 2” fire line: The Lawrence Douglas County Fire Medical Department has allowed the following pipe schedule for 2” fire lines and compliance of installation.
- The 2” line has been approved by the Sprinkler Company, stamped engineer plans, for supplying enough flow to their system for fire suppression.
- The piping and fittings meet the City Plumbing Code for Water Service Pipe table 605.3
- The Fire line will be installed per NFPA 13 R and NFPA 24 for water service installation.
- The 2” pipe being installed meets or exceeds the 200 psi rating of High Density Polyethylene per ASTM-D2737. ( HD 3608 CTS sized 200 PSI)
- The fittings for the 2” pipe, meets or exceeds the 200 psi per ASTM 2737 and ASTM D-2239. HD-CTS (AWWA C-901)
- The system will be hydro static tested at 200 psi for 2 hours with visual inspection of pipe in open trench while on pressure. A flush will follow each tested fire line 1 minute for every ten foot of fire line and flush line.
- If the any of the proposed lines fail during the test, they will be replaced by copper lines.
- If any of the lines installed fail in the future for identifiable product failure all fire lines proposed will be replaced throughout the complex with approved copper water service lines.
- A continuous fire line from tap of water main to sprinkler riser to be uninterrupted without joints will be installed.
Other references for private water supply piping can be found in the 2016 edition of NFPA 24 section 10.1.1.
The installation of the private fire service main shall be installed in accordance with NFPA 24.
Inspection of the Fire Line will be in accordance with NFPA 24, 2016 Edition.
The Contractor shall complete the Contractor’s Material and Test Certificate for Underground Piping Form, and present the form to the Fire Inspector on the date of inspection and testing. An example of the form can be found in section 10.10 of the 2016 edition of NFPA 24.
Visual Inspection: The Fire Inspector shall be able to visually inspect the fire line in an open trench prior to back filling. As stated in NFPA 24 <“it may be necessary to perform some backfilling to protect the fire line during hydrostatic testing.” Support blocking and kickers should also be visible for inspection.
The following sections are from the 2016 NFPA 24 for Testing and Acceptance section. These are only excerpts of the standard. The owner and contractor should follow all applicable sections of this standard for installation.
10.10 Testing and Acceptance.
10.10.1 Approval of Underground Piping.
The installing contractor shall be responsible for the following:
- Notifying the authority having jurisdiction and the owner’s representative of the time and date testing is to be performed.
- Performing all required acceptance tests.
- Completing and signing the contractor’s material and test certificate(s) shown in Figure 10.10.1.
10.10.2 Acceptance Requirements.
10.10.2.1* Flushing of Piping.
10.10.2.1.1 Underground piping, from the water supply to the system riser, and lead-in connections to the system riser shall be completely flushed before the connection is made to downstream fire protection system piping.
10.10.2.1.2 The flushing operation shall be continued for a sufficient time to ensure thorough cleaning.
10.10.2.1.3 The minimum rate of flow shall be not less than one of the following:
- Hydraulically calculated water demand flow rate of the system, including any hose requirements
- Flow necessary to provide a velocity of 10 ft/sec, (3.1 m/sec) in accordance with Table 10.10.2.1.3
- Maximum flow rate available to the system under fire Conditions.
Table 10.10.2.1.3 Flow Required to Produce a Velocity of 10 ft/sec (3 m/sec) in Pipes
| Table 10.10.2.1.3 Flow Required to Produce Velocity of 10 ft/sec (3.0 m/sec) in Pipes | ||||
| Nominal Pipe Size | Flow Rate | |||
| in. | mm | gpm | L/min | |
| 2 | 50 | 100 | 380 | |
| 2 1∕ 2 | 65 | 150 | 570 | |
| 3 | 75 | 220 | 833 | |
| 4 | 100 | 390 | 1500 | |
| 5 | 125 | 610 | 2300 | |
| 6 | 150 | 880 | 3350 | |
| 8 | 200 | 1560 | 5900 | |
| 10 | 250 | 2440 | 9250 | |
| 12 | 300 | 3520 | 13,30
|
|
10.10.2.1.3.1
Where the flow rates established in Table 10.10.2.1.3 are not attainable, the maximum flow rate available to the system shall be acceptable.
10.10.2.1.4 Provision shall be made for the proper disposal of water used for flushing or testing.
10.10.2.2 Hydrostatic Test.
10.10.2.2.1* All piping and attached appurtenances subjected to system working pressure shall be hydrostatically tested at 200 psi (13.8 bar) or 50 psi (3.5 bar) in excess of the system working pressure, whichever is greater, and shall maintain that pressure at ±5 psi (0.35 bar) for 2 hours.
10.10.2.2.2 Pressure loss shall be determined by a drop in gauge pressure or visual leakage.
10.10.2.2.3 The test pressure shall be read from one of the following, located at the lowest elevation of the system or the portion of the system being tested:
- A gauge located at one of the hydrant outlets
- A gauge located at the lowest point where no hydrants are provided
10.10.2.2.4* The trench shall be backfilled between joints before testing to prevent movement of pipe.
10.10.2.2.5 Where required for safety measures presented by the hazards of open trenches, the pipe and joints shall be permitted to be backfilled, provided the installing contractor takes the responsibility for locating and correcting leakage.
10.10.2.2.6* Hydrostatic Testing Allowance. Where additional water is added to the system to maintain the test pressures required by 10.10.2.2.1, the amount of water shall be measured and shall not exceed the limits of Table 10.10.2.2.6, which are based upon the following equations:
U.S. Customary Units:
L = SD P 148,000 where:
L = testing allowance (makeup water) [gph (gal/hr)] S = length of pipe tested (ft)
D = nominal diameter of the pipe (in.)
P = average test pressure during the hydrostatic test (gauge psi)
Metric Units:
L = SD P 794,797 where:
L = testing allowance (makeup water) (L/hr)
S = length of pipe tested (m)
D = nominal diameter of the pipe (mm)
P = average test pressure during the hydrostatic test (kPa)
10.10.2.3 Other Means of Hydrostatic Tests. Where required by the authority having jurisdiction, hydrostatic tests shall be permitted to be completed in accordance with the requirements of AWWA C600, AWWA C602, AWWA C603, and AWWA C900.
10.10.2.4 Operating Test.
10.10.2.4.1 Each hydrant shall be fully opened and closed under system water pressure.
10.10.2.4.2 Dry barrel hydrants shall be checked for proper drainage.
10.10.2.4.3 All control valves shall be fully closed and opened under system water pressure to ensure proper operation.
10.10.2.4.4 Where fire pumps are available, the operating tests required by 10.10.2.4 shall be completed with the pumps running.
10.10.2.5 Backflow Prevention Assemblies.
10.10.2.5.1 The backflow prevention assembly shall be forward flow tested to ensure proper operation.
10.10.2.5.2 The minimum flow rate required by 10.10.2.5.1 shall be the system demand, including hose stream demand where applicable.