Current through Register Vol. 28, No. 3, September 1, 2024
3.1 Fire
Flow Tables.
3.1.1 Required fire flows are to
be determined from the Fire Flow Tables 1 and 2 based on exposure hazard,
building areas, and the occupancy use of the structure(s) being considered. The
Fire Flow Tables specify required minimum hydrant spacing and required fire
flow and duration.
3.1.2 Where
existing public, private, or central water systems including municipalities,
cannot meet the fire flow requirements specified in Fire Flow Table 2, the
provisions of Fire Flow Table 1 shall apply.
Exception: The requirements of Fire Flow Table 3
may be applied to areas where there is a public, private, or central water
system, but the requirements of Fire Flow Table 2 cannot be met. The setbacks
may be reduced proportionally based on the amount of water available. This
exception does not apply to new public, private, or central water systems,
including municipalities, nor does it apply to expansions to existing public,
private, or central water systems, including
municipalities.
3.1.3 All areas are aggregate gross square
footage as shown in the Fire Flow Tables. In all unusual structures and mixed
occupancies not shown in the Fire Flow Tables, the State Fire Marshal shall
determine required flows, hydrant spacing, duration, and available
capacity.
3.1.4 Where a fire alarm
signaling system is required by Fire Flow Table 1, this system shall be
automatic, supervised off-site, and shall consist of full coverage by smoke
detection and alarm notification. Where smoke detection devices will not
function by reason of device limitation, heat detection shall be provided in
those specific locations. Fire alarm signaling system plans and specifications
shall be submitted for review, in accordance with Regulation 701, Chapter 4.
Exception: Where the building is protected
throughout by an automatic sprinkler
system.
3.2 Modification for Sprinkler System
Installations.
3.2.1 Where the structure being
considered is protected throughout by an automatic sprinkler system, the
required fire flow shall be modified to meet the designed sprinkler demand
where hydraulically calculated plus outside hose streams as specified in the
applicable NFPA Codes and Standards as adopted and/or modified by these
Regulations.
Exception: Hose stream allowance may be eliminated
by the State Fire Marshal where there is no public nor private water system
supplying the automatic sprinklers.
3.2.2 Where a pipe schedule system is
installed, the fire flow shall be modified to meet the minimum acceptable flow
at the base of the riser and residual pressures as specified in the applicable
NFPA Regulations as adopted and/or modified by these Regulations, plus outside
hose stream requirements.
Exception: Hose stream allowance may be eliminated
by the State Fire Marshal where there is no public or private water system
supplying the automatic sprinklers.
3.2.3 Where the structure being considered is
protected throughout by a residential sprinkler system, the required fire flow
shall be modified to meet the designed sprinkler demand as hydraulically
calculated, plus estimated domestic demands during peak use times as determined
by the water supplier.
3.3 Modification for Flammable and
Combustible Liquids and Gases and Special Hazard Sites.
3.3.1 Where the site being considered
contains flammable and combustible liquids and gas installations, the required
fire flows are to be determined by the Office of the State Fire Marshal based
on exposure hazards, aggregate capacity of the installation, the specific
hazard of the installation, and as specified in the applicable NFPA Codes and
Standards as adopted and/or modified by these Regulations.
3.3.2 Where the site being considered
contains outdoor tire storage or disposal operations and falls under the scope
of Regulation 706, Chapter 5, then the provisions of Regulation 706, Chapter 5
shall apply.
3.3.3 Where, in the
opinion of the State Fire Marshal, the site being considered constitutes or is
in need of such a level of advanced designed or engineering criteria, the State
Fire Marshal may require a Fire Protection Engineering Analysis in accordance
with Regulation 701, Chapter 4, Section
9.0.