Fire flow design guidelines 2011

Fire Flow DesignGuidelines

JUNE 2011

FIRE FLOW DESIGN GUIDELINES

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

FOREWORD ................................................................................................................................ 3

1. DISCLAIMER AND COPYRIGHT ...................................................................................................... 3 2. HOW TO USE THESE GUIDELINES .................................................................................................. 4

PART 1: FIRE FLOW DESIGN GUIDELINES ..................................................................................... 5

1. GENERAL DESIGN CRITERIA FOR FIRE FLOWS IN WATER RETICULATION MODELLING ................. 5 1.1 Background demand used in assessment .......................................................................... 5 1.2 Fire flow provision .............................................................................................................. 6 1.3 Residual pressure ............................................................................................................... 7 1.4 Reservoir capacity for fire fighting .................................................................................... 7 1.5 Minimum pipe diameters ................................................................................................... 7 1.6 Hydrant spacing ................................................................................................................. 8 1.7 Design criteria summary table ........................................................................................... 9

2. MANAGEMENT OF DEVELOPER REQUESTS FOR FIRE FLOW ......................................................... 9 2.1 Assessment of system for private fire system designers ................................................. 10 2.2 Caution when providing information to designers .......................................................... 10 2.3 Changes to levels of service ............................................................................................. 11 2.4 Use of LWU street hydrants by developers ...................................................................... 12 2.5 Metering of fire services .................................................................................................. 12

3. MARKING AND MAINTENANCE OF FIRE HYDRANTS ................................................................... 13 3.1 Maintenance .................................................................................................................... 13 3.2 Marking fire hydrant locations ........................................................................................ 13

PART 2: FIRE FLOW DESIGN LITERATURE REVIEW ...................................................................... 14

1. THE NEED FOR FIRE FIGHTING SUPPLY ........................................................................................ 14 2. RELEVANT LEGISLATION, STANDARDS AND CODES .................................................................... 14

2.1 Relevant legislation, standards and codes applicable to LWUs ...................................... 14 2.2 Legislation, standards and codes applicable to development ......................................... 17

3. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES .................................................................................................... 18 3.1 Local water utility ............................................................................................................ 18 3.2 Property owner/developer ............................................................................................... 19

4. NSW FIRE BRIGADE REQUIREMENTS .......................................................................................... 19 5. HYDRANT FLOW AND PRESSURE AND TANK STORAGE DESIGN PERFORMANCE ........................ 20

5.1 Flow requirements ........................................................................................................... 20 5.2 Pressure requirements ..................................................................................................... 20 5.3 Tank storage requirements .............................................................................................. 20 5.4 Determination of design demands .................................................................................. 20 5.5 95th percentile demands ................................................................................................. 21 5.6 Local water utilities .......................................................................................................... 21

WATER DIRECTORATE JUNE 2011

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6. HYDRANT INSTALLATION, INSPECTION, TESTING AND MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS .......... 21 6.1 Street hydrants ................................................................................................................ 22 6.2 Onsite hydrants ................................................................................................................ 22

7. METERING OF FIRE SERVICES ...................................................................................................... 22 8. ADVICE TO BE PROVIDED TO DESIGNERS OF PRIVATE SYSTEMS BY WATER AUTHORITIES......... 24

8.1 Minimum residual pressure ............................................................................................. 24 8.2 Pressure reduction consequences .................................................................................... 25

9. MODELLING OF FIRE FLOWS ....................................................................................................... 26

APPENDICES ............................................................................................................................. 28

APPENDIX 1: NSW DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS HISTORICAL DESIGN STANDARD ................. 29 APPENDIX 2: SUMMARY OF QUEENSLAND DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND RESOURCE

MANAGEMENT FIRE PROVISIONS .................................................................................................. 31 APPENDIX 3: NSW FIRE BRIGADE EXPECTATIONS ........................................................................... 32 APPENDIX 4: DETAILS OF LWUS/WATER AUTHORITIES SURVEYED ................................................ 34 APPENDIX 5: LWUS/WATER AUTHORITIES DESIGN FOR RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES....................... 35 APPENDIX 6: LWUS/WATER AUTHORITIES DESIGN FOR COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL PROPERTIES 36 APPENDIX 7: LWUS/WATER AUTHORITIES DESIGN FOR RURAL PROPERTIES................................. 37 APPENDIX 8: LWUS/WATER AUTHORITIES PLUMBING REQUIREMENTS FOR FIRE SERVICES......... 38 APPENDIX 9: ADVICE PROVIDED BY LWUS/WATER AUTHORITIES TO PRIVATE DESIGNERS ........... 39 APPENDIX 10: EXTRACT FROM AS2419.1 DESCRIBING FIELD TESTING TO DETERMINE 95TH

PERCENTILE DEMANDS ................................................................................................................... 40 APPENDIX 11: EXAMPLE FIRE FLOW APPLICATION FORMS FROM LWUS ....................................... 46


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FOREWORD The Fire Flow Design Guidelines was prepared by Hunter Water Australia Pty Ltd under the direction and peer review of the Water Subcommittee of the Water Directorate.

This document has two purposes: the first is to provide guidelines for Local Water Utilities (LWUs) on the criteria and standards that pertain to fire flows and the second is to provide a literature review of fire flow standards around Australia.

The completion of these Guidelines would not have been possible without the valuable assistance of Wayne Franklin from Rous Water and Chair of the Water Subcommittee and the following voluntary subcommittee members from the Executive Committee over the past 18 months:

• Wayne Beatty, Orange City Council • Kent Boyd, Parkes Shire Council • Greg Finlayson, Riverina Water County • Jason Ip, Riverina Water County Council • Stewart McLeod, Dubbo City Council. • David Steller, Armidale Dumaresq Council • Simon Thorn, Coffs Harbour City Council

In addition, the seven member councils that forwarded their example flow rate application forms for inclusion in Appendix 11 are thanked for their valuable contribution.

1. DISCLAIMER AND COPYRIGHT

These Fire Flow Design Guidelines set out recommendations on best practice for the management of fire flows in the reticulation systems belonging to LWUs in NSW.

Given the lack of specific regulations and standards, these Guidelines are issued as best practice guidance for LWUs. Alternately, LWUs may adopt standards better fitting to their local circumstances.

The Water Directorate and its consultants:

• do not guarantee the accuracy, currency or completeness of the information contained in the manual

• are not responsible for the result of any actions taken on the basis of the information in this manual, nor for any error in, or omission from this manual

• do not accept liability for any loss or damages arising from the use of the information contained in this document

• expressly disclaim all and any liability and responsibility to any person, whether a recipient, reader or otherwise, in respect of anything, and of the consequences of anything, done or omitted to be done by any such person in reliance upon the whole or part of the contents of this manual.

The Fire Flow Design Guidelines should not be reproduced without written permission from the Water Directorate, except as permitted by the Copyright Act 1968. Photocopying and modifying these Guidelines is permitted when undertaken in accordance with the recommendations provided in the document. Water Directorate © 2011.


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2. HOW TO USE THESE GUIDELINES

This document is divided into two parts to allow easy reference for the reader: guidelines on the minimum criteria, design and maintenance of fire flow infrastructure (Part 1) and detailed background information in the form of a literature review (Part 2).

Part 1 of the document contains guidance:

• on the minimum criteria for designing water reticulation where a LWU desires to make provision for fire flows in residential, commercial and industrial areas.

• to LWUs in their response to proponents of significant developments seeking to meet their fire fighting obligations from Council’s water reticulations.

• on appropriate maintenance and management standards for fire hydrants in their respective reticulations.

Part 2 of the document contains record:

• of the research undertaken in preparation of the Guidelines presented in Part 1 • of the relevant legislation, codes and standards applicable to fire flows applied by

different water authorities plus records of interviews and literature research undertaken.


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PART 1: FIRE FLOW DESIGN GUIDELINES The NSW Local Government General Regulation 2005 requires LWUs to install fire hydrants to extinguish fires (refer Part 2, Section 2.1.1) but there are few qualifications to that direction.

The regulation does require the LWUs to maintain hydrants that are installed in working order. Most importantly, the regulation does not specify flow rates, pressure or spacing of fire hydrants. There is no other legislation that requires a LWU to do anything more with respect to fire flows than what is set out in the Regulation.

There is an expectation from the NSW Fire Brigade, building developers and the general community that water reticulation systems provided by a LWU will be able to be used to fight a fire.

Given the loose legislative requirements and the expectations of the reticulation users it appears appropriate that the LWU makes provision for fire flows within reasonable limits. In response to the need to provide guidance to the appropriate levels of implementation, this Part is divided into the following sections:

• General design criteria for fire flows in water reticulation modelling • Management of developer requests for fire flow • Marking and maintenance of fire hydrants.

1. GENERAL DESIGN CRITERIA FOR FIRE FLOWS IN WATER RETICULATION MODELLING

The basic approach to modelling fire flows using a hydraulic model is:

• determine and apply a background demand across the whole of the reticulation model • determine and apply the chosen fire demand at the chosen model node(s) • ensure pipe diameters and pipe configurations are adequate to achieve the chosen

residual pressure in the reticulation • ensure reservoir capacities are adequate to provide a fire fighting reserve of water.

Further considerations in designing a water reticulation capable of providing reasonable fire fighting capacity are:

• minimum pipe diameters in the reticulation • spacing of fire hydrants.

Guidelines for each of the above design criteria are outlined below.

1.1 Background demand used in assessment

Whilst the Australian Standard 2419.1 does not regulate the provision of infrastructure by a LWU it does provide good guidance to a number of areas of consideration by a LWU and it is recommended as an appropriate de facto standard for reticulation design.

AS2419.1 specifies that in assessing the capacity of a water supply system to provide for fire fighting a base demand level must be selected which is defined as the 95th percentile demand. Fire flows are then superimposed on this base demand with an assessment then carried out to


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determine residual pressures. There are two methods available within AS2419 on which to assess the 95th percentile demand.

First method

A modelling assessment based on the flows that are obtained for 95% of the time. This must take into account the varying levels of demand achieved not only on a daily basis but also on a diurnal basis to assess the flow that exists within the network 95% of the time.

Second method

95th percentile can also be defined as the maximum flow on the day of the year where 95% of the days in that year have a lower peak demand. This level of demand requires daily demand to be available for the LWU over an extended period of time so that the assessment of the 95th percentile can be made. Once the daily flow that represents the 95th percentile is determined, a diurnal model would be imposed and the highest flow rate obtained from the super imposition of the diurnal pattern on the 95th percentile demand day would be used as the base design flow within the system.

Where a hydraulic model is available but insufficient flow records are available to determine the 95th percentile flow, a more basic modelling approach could be undertaken utilising the NSW Public Works methodology given in Appendix 1. Utilisation of this method requires the running of an instantaneous model which allows 0.1 L/sec/tenement demand, plus an appropriate demand allowance for non-residential development throughout the reticulation and the required fire flow at the node adjacent to the development under consideration.

1.2 Fire flow provision

Once the base 95th percentile flow has been determined, an assessment then needs to be made on the appropriate level of fire flow required by the development. This fire flow must then be superimposed on the 95th percentile flow to analyse the water supply network hydraulics.

AS2419.1 specifies a minimum flow rate per hydrant for fire fighting purposes as 10 L/s. The previous Department of Public Works Guideline used until the mid 1980’s specified 11 L/s. Thus it can be seen that adoption of the fire flow provision using AS2419 is consistent with the previous Department of Public Works standard.

AS2419 specifies the minimum number of hydrants that are required to be assessed for various building classifications consistent with the BUILDING CODE OF AUSTRALIA. Where a building development requires additional hydrants each flowing at 10 L/s then AS2419 specifies requirements for the building developer to satisfy in order to meet the development requirements.

LWUs are not required to meet the fire flow requirements of every development.

In low rise residential areas it is recommended that the LWU makes provision for fire flows from one hydrant at 10 L/s. This would normally ensure fire fighting capability for residential properties is supplied as a minimum.

In high rise residential areas, commercial areas and industrial areas it is recommended that the LWU make provision for fire flows from two hydrants at 10 L/s.


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1.3 Residual pressure

AS2419.1 outlines the residual pressures required at the design fire flow rates within a building development. Two key criteria are that 250 kPa is required for a fire hydrant unassisted by boosters, whilst 150 kPa is sufficient if a fire brigade pumping appliance is to be connected. These pressures are what a developer is required to provide in a fire fighting system for a development and there is no legislative requirement that a water utility meet these pressure requirements in routine reticulation design

The NSW Fire Brigade has an expectation that there will be a minimum pressure at 150 kPa available at any street hydrant within the reticulation system of the LWU. Again there is no legislative requirement that such a pressure will be achieved under fire flow conditions. It is noted that the 150 kPa minimum pressure is selected to ensure that the fire brigades pumps do not cavitate and experience resultant damage and also that suction hoses between the hydrant and the fire appliance pump are not sucked flat.

.

Achievement of a 150 kPa residual pressure under fire flow conditions may prove too onerous and potentially expensive to the LWU. It is therefore appropriate that during routine reticulation design with fire flows superimposed on the reticulation a positive residual head be maintained.

Individual LWUs however would be advised to consult with their local fire brigade commander to determine if there are circumstances within their area of operations where 250 kPa may be more appropriate, e.g. in locations where a tender is unable to gain access.

1.4 Reservoir capacity for fire fighting

A further consideration when modelling the water reticulation for fire flows is to consider the quantity of water a LWU should provide in reserve in their water reservoirs for fire fighting.

For a developer, AS2419.1 specifies that the minimum fire flow rates should be provided for not less than 4 hours. This code requirement is in agreement with the NSW Fire Brigade who support it as a general requirement.

Once the LWU has selected the fire flow rate that it is prepared to supply, water reservoirs should be checked to ensure that not less than four hours storage is available to satisfy both the fire flow requirement and the background 95th percentile demand. This can be done by hydraulic modelling of the reticulation over a 24 hours period. The modeller should ensure that the reservoir does not empty and when the reservoir is at its lowest level the residual pressure in the reticulation is adequate to meet design criteria.

1.5 Minimum pipe diameters

Hydraulic modelling of a water reticulation will reveal the combination of pipe diameters that are required to achieve the minimum flow and pressure design criteria set for the respective water reticulation. Whilst there are no codes or regulations that specify minimum pipe diameter requirements in a reticulation there is ample evidence (refer to Appendices 1, 2, 5, 6 and 7) that precedent has been set in this area and it is recommended that this precedent be observed.


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The following minimum pipe diameters are recommended:

• Low rise residential 100 mm • High rise residential 150 mm • Commercial areas 150 mm • Industrial areas 150 mm

Rather than installing a single 150 mm main in commercial areas some water authorities install a 100 mm main on each side of the road to facilitate future development servicing and minimise disturbance to landscaping that may occur due to road crossings.

Specific analysis may indicate that larger pipe diameters are required in some areas.

LWUs, when considering whole of community costs for new commercial/industrial development areas, may require installation of infrastructure such as larger diameter water pipes that could provide additional hydrants flowing at 10 L/s to satisfy the higher fire fighting requirements. If LWUs made this assessment it would potentially reduce duplication of individual onsite infrastructure required to service individual customers. This may lead to a lower whole-of community cost for provision of fire fighting flows. Such an assessment must be made by the LWU at the planning stage for the new zone development, e.g. a new industrial zone or a new commercial zone.

1.6 Hydrant spacing

The NSW Local Government Regulation requirement for fire hydrants does not apply to mains of less than 100 mm diameter nor to areas where the water supply is insufficient for the operation of fire hydrants (refer Part 2, Section 2.1.1). Note that there are no criteria given for assessing if a water supply is sufficient to support fire hydrant flows.

With respect to hydrant spacing the Regulation merely says that they should be “at such convenient distances and at such places”. Therefore it is necessary to look elsewhere for guidance on fire hydrant spacing.

The various water authorities consulted during preparation of this guideline have considerable variance in their hydrant spacing (refer Appendix 4, 5, and 6) and vary the spacing between residential, commercial and industrial areas.

Hydrant spacing is dictated by the need for the Fire Brigade to lay a reasonable length of hoses between the hydrant, their appliance and the fire. The Fire Brigade has varying opinions on the resultant fire hydrant spacing with a preference for 70 m and a maximum of 120 m. AS2419 provides further guidance in that it specifies a total fire hose length of 80 m (refer to Part 2, Section 6.1).

It is recommended that the appropriate spacing for fire hydrants in urban areas is a maximum of 70 m and for fire hydrants in rural residential areas is a maximum of 120 m.


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1.7 Design criteria summary table

The following below summarises the information given in sections 1.1 to 1.6 above.

Item Criteria Reference

Flow Provision

Background Demand 95th Percentile 1.1

Instantaneous Background Demand 0.1 L/sec/tenement 1.1

Fire Flow Provision

Residential Buildings (3 storeys or less)

10 L/s 1.2

High rise residential 20 L/s 1.2

Commercial area 20 L/s 1.2

Industrial area 20 L/s 1.2

Residual Pressure

Desirable pressure in the main at the hydrant

150 kPa 1.3

Minimum pressure in the main at the hydrant

Must be positive 1.3

Reservoir Capacity

Minimum reserve capacity in reservoir for fire fighting

4 hours of 95th percentile demand and fire flow

1.4

Minimum Pipe Diameters

Low Rise Residential (3 storeys or less)

100 mm 1.5

High Rise residential 150 mm 1.5

Commercial area 150 mm 1.5

Industrial area 150 mm 1.5

Hydrant spacing

Urban Maximum 70 m 1.6

Rural residential Maximum 120 m 1.6

Rural Not normally provided 1.6

2. MANAGEMENT OF DEVELOPER REQUESTS FOR FIRE FLOW

There are no legal requirements for a LWU to make specific provision for the fire fighting requirements of a developer where that developer is attempting to meet the requirements of the Building Code of Australia and or other relevant codes and regulations.


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It is therefore up to the LWU to decide what level of responsibility it wishes to accept with regard to meeting specific fire fighting requirements of specific developments. In making that decision LWUs should be conscious of the fact that the water reticulation infrastructure is a community asset and should wherever possible be utilised to support the economic wellbeing of the community.

2.1 Assessment of system for private fire system designers

Building developers are required to meet the fire requirements of the Building Code of Australia which specifies AS2419. In some circumstances, the developer’s fire fighting requirements may be satisfied if sufficient fire flow and residual pressure are available on an LWU hydrant located in a suitable position for the proposed development (AS 2419 specifies distances from hydrants to point of attack for fire fighting appliances). However, in many circumstances, a suitable LWU hydrant will not be available in which case the building developer will need to design a fire service to meet the requirements of the Building Code of Australia and AS 2419. In both circumstances, the developer will require specific information from the LWU on residual pressures in the LWUs pipe network at the required flow rate, which the developer should specify to meet their requirements under the Building Code of Australia.

2.2 Caution when providing information to designers

Pressure can be derived using hydraulic computer models or onsite flow tests (refer Part 2, Section 8.2).

LWUs, in providing information to the designers, need to be aware that flow and pressure information provided will form the basis for design of their private fire fighting system. The private fire fighting system will require testing and certification on a regular basis. LWUs will need to calculate the 95th percentile pressure available at the flow rate specified by the developer. This will require the LWU to determine the 95th percentile demand by one of the methods specified in 1.1 above, superimpose the fire flow nominated by the developer and calculate the residual pressure that will remain in the LWU pipe network at the point of connection.

In some circumstances, the LWU may have to specify a maximum flow rate that the designer can be entitled to in order to avoid impacting on other customers by reducing pressures below acceptable levels. If this situation arises, the designer will either have to provide storage or booster capacity or a combination of both to meet their requirements for fire fighting as required by the Building Code of Australia and AS2419.1.

To ensure the developer supplies the correct information to the LWU for this hydraulic assessment to be made, LWUs should develop a standard proforma. Typical proforma for developers to apply to Council for a statement of available pressures for fire fighting purposes, are attached as Appendix 11.

Careful consideration needs to be given by an LWU regarding the advice provided to the designers of private fire systems. Water supply systems are dynamic in nature, with hydraulic conditions changing over time due to residential growth/decay, commercial/industrial growth/decay, change in ownership or nature of properties, or changes to the system infrastructure. LWUs need to carefully word the advice they provide to system designers to ensure that no guarantee is given as to the adequacy of the flow and pressure information provided into the future.


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Typical examples of disclaimers used currently can be reviewed in Example 1 and Example 2 below.

EXAMPLE 1:

The above flow and pressure information is a calculated estimate from mathematical models of the water supply system, and should not be treated as a guarantee of supply in any way. These values are not representative of conditions at all times of the day or season and are subject to variables beyond Council’s control, such as a proposed system augmentations, variations in system demands or changes in hydraulic operation of the network. You should also be aware that Council is presently undertaking a pressure and leakage management program that may result in a reduction in water supply flow and pressure in the area.

For these reasons <insert council name> cannot guarantee water pressure greater than the following for use within the property.

Normal Daily Water Demand (Background Demand) – 22 m at the property boundary Fire System Demand – 12 m residual pressure in Council’s water supply main at the hydrant with the following maximum flow rates: residential – 15 L/s for 2 hours duration commercial/industrial – 30 L/s for 4 hours duration

NOTE: Pressures/ flows quoted above are specific to an existing LWU and were used in this document in entirety, and may not represent intended compliance with any Australian Standard or design code.

EXAMPLE 2:

The calculated residual mains pressure quoted above may be used at the applicant’s risk for the design of the installation of private fire hydrants, fire sprinkler systems, fire hose reels and domestic fixtures only, in accordance with the provisions of Council’s Policy. The calculated hydraulic information provided in this letter is valid for 12 months from the date of the conducted field test.

2.3 Changes to levels of service

The water industry in general is under pressure to manage unaccounted for water. A range of water service providers have either implemented or are considering implementing pressure reduction as a means of reducing the amount of unaccounted for water. One of the key issues that must be considered before implementing pressure reduction is the impact of the pressure reduction proposal on the fire flow capacity of the water supply system. This needs to be considered from two perspectives:

• the LWUs’ perspective • private developments.

From the LWUs’ perspective, system modelling of the proposed pressure reduction should be carried out to confirm that the LWUs commitment to fire flows, i.e. 10 L/s per hydrant with a


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positive residual pressure superimposed on the 95th percentile demand can still be satisfied (if these are the flows and pressures adopted by the LWU). In most circumstances a properly designed pressure reduction system should be able to achieve this requirement.

For building developments, however, reduction in pressure may sufficiently change the situation such that the fire service installed on that development can no longer meet the requirements under the Building Code of Australia. This could occur in particular where the LWU had advised the developer that residual pressures in the LWUs mains were sufficient to enable the development to take fire flows without the provision of booster pumps or storage or a combination of both.

By retrofitting pressure reduction, it may mean that when the annual testing cycle for the development takes place, the developer finds out that their fire service no longer complies with the requirements of the Building Code of Australia. In these circumstances it can be an expensive exercise for the owner to retrofit the necessary infrastructure to comply. For circumstances where commercial/industrial developments may be impacted by proposed pressure reduction schemes, it is recommended that advance notice be given to building owners before pressure reduction is implemented to enable them time in which to have their systems re-assessed and potentially retrofitted to ensure compliance with the lower expected pressure. Alternatively, the initial advice to developers could include a “minimum guaranteed pressure” clause, and any pressure reduction measures would be required to take this guarantee into account.

2.4 Use of LWU street hydrants by developers

A property developer, under some circumstances, in lieu of providing onsite fire services, may rely on a LWU hydrant installed adjacent to their property to satisfy the requirements of the Building Code of Australia. This would only occur where the LWU has issued a statement that confirmed that the required flow and residual pressures are available from that hydrant.

The LWU is not required to make available street hydrants for developers to satisfy the Building Code of Australia fire fighting requirements of their respective development. In agreeing to do so, the LWU should give careful consideration to the operational and maintenance implications of assigning specific fire fighting attributes to a hydrant. The property developer may be required under their ongoing certification requirements to either have this hydrant tested on an annual basis or reconfirm with the LWU that the required flows and pressures were still available. LWUs need to consider this ongoing maintenance/testing certification requirement and the implications regarding private access to LWU hydrants for the purposes of testing.

2.5 Metering of fire services

Where metering of the water supply for fire fighting purposes is required by the LWU, a meter may be installed:

• on a by-pass such as around a backflow prevention device • inline, provided the meter does not have internal mechanisms that could limit flow,

including in the event of meter failure.

Where inline meters are installed, the meter assembly should not include a strainer and should have the same nominal bore as the fire service. The hydraulic effect of the meter and


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associated pipework and fittings must be included in flow and pressure calculations of the fire hydrant system design.

3. MARKING AND MAINTENANCE OF FIRE HYDRANTS

3.1 Maintenance

The NSW Local Government (General) Regulation states the following:

“(1) The Council must maintain the hydrants in effective working order”.

The above direction is not supported by any performance standards. No requirements have been able to be identified for LWUs that specify inspection testing and maintenance requirements to be undertaken on fire hydrants installed in a LWUs reticulation.

A LWU should have a programmed maintenance routine that ensures they assess the following on periodic basis:

• Marking: inspect and make good all hydrant markers on roadways, poles and other locations.

• Hydrant Covers: Inspect and exercise each cover. • Hydrant: Engage standpipe. Due to the amount of water that would be wasted it is

recommended that LWUs not exercise the standpipe once engaged.

3.2 Marking fire hydrant locations

The NSW Fire Brigade has advised the following is their desired approach to hydrant marking:

• blue cats eyes to be permanently fixed on the roadway, street or lane adjacent to the hydrant

• indicator plates are fixed to utility poles • poles show distance and pipe diameter that should be used in addition to cats eyes • future location methods may include electronic records e.g. laptop interface with regular

updates showing hydrants.


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PART 2: FIRE FLOW DESIGN LITERATURE REVIEW 1. THE NEED FOR FIRE FIGHTING SUPPLY

NSW legislation specifically identifies the requirement for LWUs to provide a water supply for the purposes of fire fighting.

There are, however, no legislative requirements for the LWUs to provide a set pressure or flow rate. It is this separation of responsibility that can, in some cases, lead to a misunderstanding of the LWUs requirements for the provision of fire fighting supply.

The Building Code of Australia, in combination with and by referencing various Australian Standards, specifies the flow rate and pressures that must be provided for fire fighting purposes when a building is designed.

In the case of individual buildings, designed by developers in accordance with the Building Code of Australia and any other relevant standards, the fire fighting requirements will be satisfied in order to receive approval. There are however many cases where individual properties (for example residential homes) may be solely reliant on the street hydrant or a fire brigade tender for fire fighting flows. In these cases, the Building Code of Australia places no requirement on provision of fire fighting flows.

It is up to LWUs to ensure that developers are provided with appropriate system performance data based on the required flow rate for the new development. It is up to the developers to make alternative (onsite) arrangements if the LWU determines that the required pressure and flow rate requirements cannot be met.

The design of new water supply systems should incorporate provision for fire fighting supply in line with proposed land use, as individual augmentations to ensure compliance with the Building Code may lead to unnecessary duplication of infrastructure and resulting increased community costs for design, supply and maintenance.

2. RELEVANT LEGISLATION, STANDARDS AND CODES

Several documents refer to provision of water for fire fighting purposes in various levels of detail. Some of these are legislative, some are design standards, whilst others are guidelines. The following Acts, Codes and Standards are related to provision of water for fire fighting and should be read in conjunction with these guidelines.

This section has been subdivided into two sub-sections to differentiate between legislation, standards and codes directly applicable to LWUs and other legislation, standards and codes that do not directly apply to LWUs but provide relevant information that may be taken into consideration when designing for fire flows.

2.1 Relevant legislation, standards and codes applicable to LWUs

2.1.1 NSW Legislation

The NSW Local Government Act 1993 through the NSW Local Government (General) Regulation 2005, a regulation under the Local Government Act 1993, provide instructions on the installation, maintenance and removal of hydrants and on keeping water in all pipes with hydrants (Part 6, Division 2, Clause 142).


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Local Government Regulation clause 142 states:

(1) The council:

(a) must install hydrants in its watermains at such convenient distances, and at such places, as may be necessary for the ready supply of water to extinguish fires, and

(b) must maintain the hydrants in effective working order.

This subclause does not apply to a water main that is less than 100 millimetres in diameter or if the water supply system is not sufficient for the operation of fire hydrants (in such circumstances the council may provide other means for the ready supply of water to extinguish fires).

(2) The council may, at the request and expense of the owner or occupier of a building, install a hydrant (to be used only for extinguishing fires) in or in the vicinity of the building. If such a hydrant is installed, the council must ensure that it is maintained in effective working order.

(3) A council may remove a hydrant from any of its watermains if satisfied on reasonable grounds that the hydrant is no longer needed.

(4) The council must at all times keep charged with water all its pipes to which hydrants are connected unless prevented from doing so:

(a) by drought or other unavoidable cause or accident, or

(b) while necessary repairs to the pipe or hydrant are being carried out.

(5) Persons authorised to do so by the council may take water without charge for the purpose of extinguishing fires.

2.1.2 NSW Department of Public Works Guidelines

Many of the water supply distribution systems in NSW Councils would have originally been designed using guidelines developed by the NSW Department of Public Works. The only guideline that is available is attached as Appendix 1 and dates to about the mid 1980’s. This guideline recommended fire flows based on the type of building development as specified in the then Ordinance 70.

The NSW Department of Public Works Guidelines quoted Ordinance 70 as requiring a minimum residual pressure of 275 kPa and where this cannot be achieved Ordinance 70 specification 10 required the installation of fire pumps. The flow and pressure requirements of Ordinance 70 align well with the requirements of AS2419.1 Fire Hydrant Installations.

The NSW Department of Public Works Guideline further recommends that investigators (reticulation modellers) should ensure that reticulation networks be able to supply the fire flows appropriate to a building in the zoning of land being served against a background demand of 0.1 L/s/tenement and achieve a positive pressure throughout the network. The achievement of the positive head rather than the pressure requirements of Ordinance 70 was the approach normally undertaken.


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It would appear therefore that the older distribution systems currently maintained by councils would not satisfy the requirements of the Australian Standard for fire hydrant installations.

2.1.3 WSAA – Water Supply Code of Australia (WSAA 03-2002 Version 2.3)

The Water Services Association of Australia has prepared standard documentation with the intent of it being adopted by the major water authorities located around Australia who belong to this association.

This code, described as a technical reference, has been adopted and modified by several water authorities for their own design guidelines (e.g. Sydney Water and Hunter Water Corporation have both adopted the Water Supply Code of Australia but have modified to suit their own requirements). The WSAA Water Supply Code of Australia in §3.2.4 Fire Flows states that:

Unless otherwise required by Water Agency’s operating licence, the water supply system shall not be specifically designed for fire fighting capability. Where a specific allowance is required, the Water Agency shall specify design requirements.

Sydney Water, in its version of the Water Supply Code of Australia, has left that particular clause unchanged.

Hunter Water Corporation in their version has included the application of fire flows on top of design flows and specified minimum pressures that should be available at the hydrant when the fire flow is being taken on top of their normal design requirements. It is understood that Hunter Water’s requirements are very similar in practice to that required under AS2419.1 – Fire Hydrant Installations. It should be noted that this is a matter of conscious decision by the Corporation not an outcome of a response to a legislative requirement or operating licence requirement.

2.1.4 Queensland Department of Environment and Resource Management (DERM)

This Department is the regulator of water service providers in Queensland. Some of its guidelines are mandatory where specified by legislation and some serve only as a guideline for adoption by the service providers where considered appropriate. DERM have prepared a document titled Planning Guidelines for Water Supply and Sewerage. Chapter 6 of this document titled “Network Modelling” sets out guidelines for design of water supply distribution systems including calculations of flows and is very detailed in spelling out guidelines for fire provisions.

In general this document specifies residual pressures to be assessed at a background demand of 2/3 peak hour flow with the specified fire flow superimposed on this background demand. As an additional check, when the specified fire flow is superimposed on the peak hour flow a positive pressure must still be obtained.

Appendix 2 is a copy of the relevant section of this DERM document. This document spells out the guideline requirements for flows for different building classifications, the duration that the flow should be provided and residual pressures.

It is understood this guideline had no regulatory backing and historically was used as a basis for assessing amount of subsidy provided by the Queensland government to water service providers. Many Queensland service providers have adopted these guidelines.


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2.1.5 AUS-SPEC

AUS-SPEC is a “framework” document, similar in intent to the WSAA guidelines. AUS-SPEC allows insertion of relevant clauses on a needs basis, and merely provides the prompts for ensuring that a specification may be considered robust. The design demand clause in this document makes no provision for fire flow. The clause on hydrant spacing states 60 metres.

As such, there are no specific requirements for the design of fire fighting systems, other than that inserted by the end-user of the specification. The document references many relevant standards and guidelines, including AS2419.1 and WSAA documents.

2.2 Legislation, standards and codes applicable to development

2.2.1 Building Code of Australia

The Building Code of Australia 2010 Volume 1 outlines the requirements for provision of hydrants, and the design criteria for those hydrants (Section E1.3). The code is applicable to new developments. The code references installation in accordance with AS2419.1.

Volume 2 of the Building Code of Australia deals specifically with single residential buildings (and non-habitable buildings) and does not mention hydrants nor provision of fire fighting supply.

2.2.2 Plumbing Code of Australia 2004

The Plumbing Code of Australia 2004, produced by the National Plumbing Regulators Forum, states in Part B4.0 that the Plumbing Code “sets out requirements … from the point of connection or other acceptable source(s) to the fire fighting equipment…” i.e. it does not apply to the LWU’s facilities, rather it applies to the private facilities from the point of connection with the LWU water supply network.

The Plumbing Code outlines objectives and performance requirements and identifies relevant other standards and codes which must be complied with. There are no specific flow or pressure requirements which are unique to the Plumbing Code.

2.2.3 AS3500.1:2003 AS/NZS Plumbing and Drainage

AS3500.1:2003 section 6 deals with fire services. §6.2 states that “Fire services shall comply with the requirements of the relevant regulatory authority” and further references the Building Code of Australia and Plumbing Code of Australia for provision of fire services.

AS3500 also references other standards, including AS2118.1 (Automatic fire sprinkler systems), AS2419.1 (Fire hydrant installations), AS2441 (Installation of fire hose reels) and AS2941 (Fixed fire protection installation- Pumpset systems).

2.2.4 AS2419.1-2005 Fire Hydrant Installations

This standard is not applicable to LWU street hydrants. The standard applies to hydrants provided by developers to satisfy the requirements of the Building Code of Australia.


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The standard outlines design requirements for hydrant systems, including flows, pressures, location/ arrangement of pipework and hydrants, supply and storage, pumpsets, boosters, ancillary equipment and commissioning.

One key point made within commentary C3.2.2.1 states that:

Whilst street hydrants may be used to provide coverage in system design if they can provide suitable performance, most water agencies do not design their systems to cater for individual property fire fighting flow and pressure requirements.

If a developer of an individual property proposes to utilise a LWUs street hydrant to satisfy the requirements of the Building Code of Australia, the developer will need to have documentation from the LWU that specifies the performance of the respective street hydrant and a commitment to the maintenance of that performance. It is at the LWUs discretion if it will issue documentation that would allow the developer to rely on the street hydrant to satisfy their requirements.

With respect to the above, it should be noted that AS2419.1-2005 §1.1 states that:

This Standard also applies to street fire hydrants used in lieu of onsite fire hydrants or to supplement the coverage by street fire hydrants.

This is of particular interest to water authorities as the flow and pressure statement provided to a developer for a street hydrant meets the requirements of AS2149 the developer may rely on this hydrant rather than installing a private hydrant.

3. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

3.1 Local water utility

The LWU under the Local Government (General) Regulation 2005 has an obligation to install hydrants in its watermains at such convenient distances, and at such places, as may be necessary for the ready supply of water to extinguish fires and must maintain the hydrants in effective working order. In addition, the LWU may, at the request and expense of the owner or occupier of that building, install a hydrant in the vicinity of the building as part of its own network i.e. additional street hydrants. If such an additional hydrant is installed, the LWU must ensure that it is maintained in effective working order or consider requiring the property owner to accept responsibility for its ongoing maintenance. This would also apply to situations where the developer relies on existing LWU hydrants for fire fighting certification.

The LWU has no prescribed standards that it must meet with respect to providing minimum levels of flow or pressure at these hydrants, nor are standards set for the prescribed level of maintenance.

The LWU is expected to provide developers with information regarding available flow and residual pressure from the public water supply to enable the private property owners to design fire fighting systems for the development for which the standards are mandated. However the format, information content, methodology of fire flow information provided to property owners/developers are not explicitly stated in any documents.

Design of private fire systems requires initial advice from the LWU typically stating minimum available pressure and flows from their network. However such advice needs to be accompanied by assumptions, procedures and any possible supply limitations or restrictions.


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The LWU will need to clarify the ongoing validity of any advice provided. This would normally be done by means of a disclaimer. This will enable the LWU to avoid claims from private property owners for compensation where changes to system operations affect the available system pressures.

LWUs require combined water service and fire service to be metered, however, such metering should not unduly restrict fire flows and the fire system design should cater for the increased headloss associated with metering devices.

Dedicated fire services may be monitored for unauthorised or excessive use by typically installing a small diameter metered bypass with appropriate backflow prevention. Though this does not necessarily measure volumes accurately, it does indicate that water has been used through the dedicated fire service.

3.2 Property owner/developer

The property owner/developer must comply with the Building Code of Australia with respect to fire fighting provisions. The amount of flow required to be provided is specified in the Building Code of Australia for private properties and is dependent upon the class of building being erected. The Building Code of Australia requires the property owner/developer to design their systems in accordance with AS2419 – Fire Hydrant Installations, which has specific requirements for flow and residual pressure that must be achieved at hydrants installed in private property. In addition, this Code specified regular maintenance requirements including testing the private fire system to ensure that the flow and pressure requirements are satisfied on a 12 monthly basis.

If available flows and pressures are insufficient to be directly supplied from the LWU then the property owner/developer needs to provide their own infrastructure to ensure compliance with the Building Code of Australia and AS2419. Additional infrastructure may include fire storage tanks, booster valve assemblies, fire booster pumps etc. Note that advice and approval from LWUs is still required.

Under the Building Code of Australia residential properties are not required to install fire protection systems and are thus totally reliant on the LWUs supply in the event of a fire where distribution mains are located nearby.

The private property owners’ ongoing compliance is dependent on the continuing availability of flow and pressure from the LWU upon which they based their original design.

Where the LWU requires backflow protection to be installed as part of the fire fighting service the property owner has an ongoing obligation to maintain and test the backflow prevention device. The fire system design should also allow for the additional headloss associated with backflow prevention devices.

4. NSW FIRE BRIGADE REQUIREMENTS

NSW Fire Brigade has no legislative provisions that require LWUs to provide minimum flows or pressures. Their main interest is in being able to obtain sufficient water and sufficient positive suction pressure to fight fires. A summary of these expectations is attached in Appendix 3.


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5. HYDRANT FLOW AND PRESSURE AND TANK STORAGE DESIGN PERFORMANCE

There is no legislation that specifies the performance requirements for the hydrants a LWU installs in accordance with the Local Government Act 1993. AS2419.1 provides standards for fire hydrants installed by developers and these performance standards are with the exception of pressure residual, suggested as appropriate guidance for a LWU. The LWU would utilise the flow rate specified in AS2419.1 for a hydrant and superimpose it over the base demand in their water reticulation model.

5.1 Flow requirements

AS2419.1 §2.3.1 outlines the flow rate requirements for different building classes. The flow rates are determined by a combination of building use and building floor area, and are expressed in terms of number of hydrants flowing simultaneously1. The minimum flow rate per hydrant is defined as 10 L/s2

5.2 Pressure requirements

.

AS2419.1 §2.3.2 outlines the pressures required at the design flow rates. Two key criteria are that 250 kPa is required (in NSW) for attack fire hydrants, unassisted by boosters, whilst 150 kPa is sufficient if a fire brigade pumping appliance is to be connected3

These residual pressure requirements may prove too onerous for a LWU undertaking routine reticulation modelling. It is felt that the NSW Public Works criteria of achieving a positive residual head throughout the reticulation is more appropriate.

.

5.3 Tank storage requirements

AS2419.1 §4.2 specifies that the minimum flow rates should be provided for not less than 4 hours. If a LWU intends to provide a volume of water in their reservoir(s) for fire fighting systems designers should assess the maximum guaranteed fire flow rate from the system and size storage tanks accordingly. Alternatively the LWU may specify the requirement for the developer to supplement the town water supply with an onsite backup in accordance with AS2419.1 §5.

5.4 Determination of design demands

Design demands are effectively determined by the system to which they apply. LWUs define their own average and peak day demands, as well as other factors such as diurnal patterns and demand allowances for different water use categories.

For example, average day demand for a system can be defined as total annual demand divided by the number of days in the measured year. Peak day can be defined as the maximum demand day in a given year. Typical diurnal patterns may be determined by installing flow meters on key supply pipelines to specific development types e.g. into residential estates or

1 AS2419.1-2005 §2.3.1, Table 2.1 2 AS2419.1-2005 Table 2.2 3 AS2419.1-2005 Table 2.2


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industrial areas. If these methods are not possible, collaboration with similar LWUs could result in more effective determination of demands.

It is noted that previous prescriptive approaches to determining theoretical demands have in many cases been superseded as improved demand monitoring capabilities have become available. These prescriptive demands are not necessarily incorrect, however adoption of measured consumption patterns would inevitably lead to better management of the water supply network.

5.5 95th percentile demands

When designing for fire fighting requirements, the system supply capacity must be assessed. This involves calculation of pressures under a “base” demand scenario, then overlaying the fire fighting flow rate.

AS2419 §2.3.3 describes the process for determining the “base” water network demands over which fire flows are imposed. These base demands are calculated by either network modelling or flow testing. Appendix F of AS2419 contained a detailed description of procedures to follow when flow testing, however this appendix is informative only and should be used as such.

5.6 Local water utilities

A range of water authorities were surveyed to ascertain their current standards with respect to fire design in their reticulation networks. The results of the survey are provided in Appendices 4, 5, 6 and 7.

The results of the survey demonstrate that the practices and recommendations of the various LWUs are inconsistent and vary widely. Despite this, the survey provides insight into the matters a LWU should consider when designing and supplying fire fighting flows.

6. HYDRANT INSTALLATION, INSPECTION, TESTING AND MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS

Whilst the Local Government Act 1993 requires a LWU to provide hydrants for fire fighting, no performance standards are specified and accordingly there is not prescription for the location or maintenance of hydrants.

No requirements have been able to be identified for LWUs that specify inspection testing and maintenance requirements to be undertaken on fire hydrants installed in the public systems. AS1851-2005 Maintenance of Fire Protection Systems and Equipment specifies these requirements for private systems. However, as part of the survey undertaken as part of this assignment LWUs were requested to provide information on their practices with respect to maintenance.

Many LWUs have their own guidelines regarding the location of hydrants within the water supply network. In many cases, these design standards are based on a combination of Australian Standards and legacy design guides e.g. Department of Public Works design manual. Appendices 5, 6 and 7 show the results obtained from the LWUs surveyed with respect to hydrant spacing.


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6.1 Street hydrants

Many LWUs have their own guidelines regarding the location of hydrants with the water supply network. In many cases, these design standards are based on a combination of Australian Standards and legacy design guides e.g. Department of Public Works design manual. Appendices 5, 6 and 7 should the results obtained from the Water Authorities Survey with respect to hydrant spacing.

The current Australian Standards for fire hydrant design are AS3500.1 (metering requirements only) and AS2419.1-2005 Fire Hydrant Installations. AS2419.1-2005 only provides advice regarding onsite hydrant installations (i.e. not street hydrants). WSA03-2002 provides guidance regarding fire hydrant installation in streets, including installation, purpose, size and spacing. It is again noted that the WSAA guidelines are intended to be customised to meet the requirements of the individual LWU, and as such most recommendations are to be in accordance with the requirements of the respective LWU.

Generally the spacing of LWUs street hydrants are typically based on land zoning definitions (i.e. residential, rural, industrial or commercial) and maximum hose lengths of a typical fire fighting appliances, consisting of (AS2419:2005, Figure 3.2.2.2a):

• 20 metres maximum of suction hose length; • 60 metres maximum of discharge hose length; • 10 metres maximum of spray distance from the nozzle.

6.2 Onsite hydrants

The current Australian Standards for onsite fire hydrant design are AS3500.1 (metering requirements only) and AS2419.1:2005 – Fire Hydrant Installations.

AS2419 – Fire Hydrant Installations provides advice regarding onsite hydrant installation (i.e. not street hydrants) and details the requirements for plumbing installations for hydrant services. The approach taken by the LWUs surveyed is available in Appendix 8.

7. METERING OF FIRE SERVICES

There is some ambiguity in the ability of LWU to require installation of meters on fire services. Typically, the metering of fire services may be based on whether the fire service is a dedicated service (i.e. serving no other function) or whether it is part of a shared service providing domestic supply.

The metering of fire services may also be based on the likelihood of unauthorised or excessive use (i.e. testing). LWUs are managing their operations to reduce the amount of unaccounted water that includes a component of unmetered water and the unauthorised use of water through unmetered fire services should be included in the management program.


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Photograph 1: Typical Arrangement showing Fire Brigade Booster Assembly Arrangement

The NSW Code of Practice for Plumbing and Drainage has the following clause:

NSW 6.5 Metering of a Fire Hydrant or Sprinkler Service

Water supply to a fire hydrant or sprinkler service shall not be metered unless directed by the Authority.

Fire hydrant services shall be installed with a double check detector assembly which incorporates a metered by-pass. An authorised meter shall be supplied, installed and maintained by the property owner.

Individual meters for hydrant/sprinkler and domestic services may be required by some authorities.

It should be noted that there is a current proposal to move away from the Code of Practice and rely on AS3500. AS 3500.1:2003 Clause 6.5 states:

Water supply to a fire hydrant or sprinkler service shall not be metered unless directed by the network utility operator.


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This clause in AS3500 is not consistent with AS2419.1-2005 which states:

4.1.2 Metering of Water Supply

Where the metering of the water supply for fire fighting purposes is required by the water agency, inline meters shall not be installed.

NOTE: The preferred method is a metered bypass across a non-return valve.”

NSW Fire Brigade considers the requirements of AS2419 should apply. They have commented, however, that AS2419 is under review and a revised draft clause on metering has been prepared as follows:

4.7.2.1. Metering of Water Supplies

Where metering of the water supply for fire fighting purposes is required by the water agency, a meter shall be installed:

(a) on a by-pass such as around a backflow prevention device, or (b) inline, provided the meter does not have internal mechanisms that could limit flow,


Where inline meters are installed, the meter assembly shall not include a strainer and shall have the same nominal bore as the fire service. The hydraulic effect of the meter and associated pipework and fittings shall be included in flow and pressure calculations of the fire hydrant system design.

NOTE: A LWU may specify requirements differing from the above as a condition of connection to its reticulated water supply.”

If this clause is adopted, and NSW Fire Brigade is of the opinion that it will be adopted, it will be clear that LWUs will have the right to enforce metering of fire and sprinkler services.

8. ADVICE TO BE PROVIDED TO DESIGNERS OF PRIVATE SYSTEMS BY WATER AUTHORITIES

AS2419- Fire Hydrant Installations requires designers of fire hydrant systems to base their designs upon information provided by the LWU. In the absence of such information or the absence of a public system, the designer must provide storage and pressure facilities to meet the requirements of the standard. In most circumstances, the designer acting on behalf of the developer will approach the LWU requesting information about available flows and pressures.

As has been discussed above, the required flow for development is found within AS2419 and varies depending on the class of building. The residual pressure is also specified in AS2419 but these pressures relate to the private fire hydrants.

8.1 Minimum residual pressure

AS2419 spells out the pressure requirements and describes the basis for determining the base water network demands over which fire flows are imposed. These base demands, defined as 95th percentile demands, are calculated by either network modelling or flow testing.


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The 95th percentile demands are defined as:

• the pressure at a particular point that can be maintained for 95% of the time based on system modelling4

• either the minimum pressure available on the day of the year where 95% of the days in that year have a lower peak demand (approximately equates to the 18th highest demand day in any year), or the minimum pressure available on the highest demand day excluding the lowest 5% of pressures on that day

or

5

Alternate to modelling, the pressures may be determined by testing the water supply system using approved methods

.

6

The minimum residual pressure/flow rate information must be provided by the LWU. The designer of the development should normally provide the fire flow that they have determined applies to their development as part of their request for the pressure statement from the LWU.

such as the testing methods outlined in Appendix F of AS2419.1. Hydrant testing is preferable when there is no available system model or the model does not represent the system as designed. Examples of this situation are if the model is not at system design capacity or when it is known that friction characteristics could produce unreliable results without field verification.

Appendix 9 presents the results of the information provided by LWUs to designers of hydrant systems.

8.2 Pressure reduction consequences

In discussions with some of the respondents to the Water Authorities Survey, the key issue with respect to the advice provided is the ongoing (i.e. future) accuracy of the information provided. This is particularly the case for LWUs where pressure reduction has been undertaken in association with leakage management strategies. Depending on previous advice provided, the implications of pressure reduction programs are greatest when the minimum pressure under 95th percentile demands is reduced, due to this being the AS2419.1 design pressure.

It is possible to install pressure reducing valves which reduce pressures to the 95th percentile pressure across the whole day and not impact on supply pressures. This is due to the ability of the pressure reducing valve to open (i.e. throttle the flow less) in response to increased demand. If the fire flow within a system designed as such occurred at the theoretical 95th percentile minimum pressure, the pressure reducing valve would already be fully open (no flow restriction) and the system performance would be equal with a system without pressure reducing valves.

If the pressure reduction program results in minimum pressures below the 95th percentile demand minimum pressures, then end users will potentially receive reduced system performance in comparison with the original fire fighting design (assuming that the original design was based on higher minimum pressures). In this case, it is recommended that careful consideration is given to pressure reduction in areas where fire fighting system design advice was previously given. This consideration could include consultation with end users to whom previous advice was given to ensure that fire fighting system designs can comply with

4 AS2419.1-2005 §2.3.3 item (a) 5 AS2419.1-2005 §2.3.3 item (b), further explained in Note 2 6 AS2419.1-2005 §2.3.3 item (c) and item (d)


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standards under the reduced pressures. It could also include revising the area of rezoning such that only areas where design pressures were not provided experience pressure reduction.

An alternative to this (more relevant to new design approvals) is to cover the provided flow @ minimum pressure design information with an indemnification clause against future area rezoning.

One clause clarifying the accuracy of provided information is as follows:

The above flow and pressure information is a calculated estimate from mathematical models of the water supply system, and should not be treated as a guarantee of supply in any way. These values are not representative of conditions at all times of the day or season and are subject to variables beyond Council’s control, such as a proposed system augmentations, variations in system demands or changes in hydraulic operation of the network. You should also be aware that Council is presently undertaking a pressure and leakage management program that may result in a reduction in water supply flow and pressure in the area.

For these reasons <> cannot guarantee water pressure greater than the following for use within the property.

Normal Daily Water Demand (Background Demand) – 22 m at the property boundary

Fire System Demand – 12 m residual pressure in Council’s water supply main at the hydrant with the following maximum flow rates:

• residential – 15 L/s for 2 hours duration • commercial/industrial – 30 L/s for 4 hours duration

NOTE: Pressures/ flows quoted above are specific to an existing LWU and were used in this document in entirety, and may not represent intended compliance with any Australian Standard or design code.”

An alternate clause is:

The calculated residual mains pressure quoted above may be used at the applicant’s risk for the design of the installation of private fire hydrants, fire sprinkler systems, fire hose reels and domestic fixtures only, in accordance with the provisions of Council’s Policy. The calculated hydraulic information provided in this letter is valid for 12 months from the date of the conducted field test.

Please find enclosed a duplicate copy of this letter which must be returned to Council with the design calculations.

These clauses provide a means by which the LWU can modify their system. It is however considered prudent that LWUs provide advice to development designers outlining potential system changes (i.e. potential pressure reductions) that should be allowed for in fire fighting system design.

9. MODELLING OF FIRE FLOWS

In addition to being an effective tool for general system planning and operational assistance, computer models representing a LWUs water supply system can be used to assess fire flow


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capacity. Models can be used to assess instantaneous flow/pressure relationships under fire flow condition. Extended period simulations can also be used to assess reservoir performance whilst the system is drawing flows for fire fighting.

A variety of modelling packages are available on the public market, and range in functionality and useability, depending on the requirements of the LWU. Models can be based on the LWUs asset data, with some modelling packages allowing direct interface with GIS. SCADA integration is becoming more common, which (if available) allows validation of modelled systems utilising data logging devices (reservoirs, flow meters, pumping stations) already present within the water supply network.

Modelling of system performance under fire flow conditions can provide more accurate system performance than hydrant testing in the field, as it allows direct estimation on a 95th percentile day, rather than whatever day the hydrant testing happens to occur on. A 95th percentile day can set up as a single base case, with variations on that model then allowing pressure and flows to be assessed at specific points within the network. Alternatively, some modelling packages allow fire flows to be assessed, in turn, across an entire water supply system.

It is noted however that the key to achieving reliable results from any computer model is correct construction of the model, verification against observed data, and adequate updating of the model to ensure changes to the system are accurately represented.

LWUs have previously used a variety of methods for setting up a system model, ranging from using in-house resources (if available) to sub-contracting the task to external consultants. It is recommended that, as part of the model setup process, sufficient training is provided to LWU staff such that the model may be utilised as required, rather than simply constructing a model which is never again utilised.

A non-exhaustive list of companies that produce water supply system modelling packages is given below. It is recommended that the LWU makes careful consideration of the modelling software to be used, as features of different packages can vary widely. LWUs should specifically check the fire flow simulation options with the software providers to determine if the software is capable of such simulations.

• Water Network Modelling Software • Bentley (WaterCAD, WaterGEMS) • DHI (MIKE NET, MIKE URBAN) • EPANET • HCP (WATSYS) • MWH Soft (H2ONet, H2OMap, InfoWorks) • WaterCom (Pipes++)


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APPENDICES


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APPENDIX 1: NSW DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS HISTORICAL DESIGN STANDARD

`


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APPENDIX 2: SUMMARY OF QUEENSLAND DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT FIRE PROVISIONS

Table 5.5 from Department of Environment and Resource Management Planning Guidelines for Water Supply and Sewerage – Chapter 6 – Network Modelling.


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APPENDIX 3: NSW FIRE BRIGADE EXPECTATIONS

Fire Fighting Meeting Summary

The following is what is generally aimed for once fire crews arrive onsite. In general:

• a standard hose length is 30 m. This can however be as short as say 23 m due to hose repairs

• standard hose diameter is 70 mm • a single hydrant standpipe connects to two hoses, each hose drawing 10 L/s • fire pumper has capacity of 1800-2000 L - for rescue and rapid suppression purposes

only- tender must then be refilled from street mains (can be done whilst pumping from fire pumper)

• adequate residual pressures under required flow is essential- lower can pressures cause soft suction hose to collapse. The higher the pressure the better

• preference is for 25 - 30 m head before drawing fire flow • watermains must provide a minimum residual pressure of 150 kPa at required fire flows,

however the NSWFB believes 200 kPa is preferable (this is to minimise pump cavitation and associated risk of damaging pumps)

• fires are generally extinguished within 4 hours- any extended time could be due to nature of fire (fuel load) or unavailability of adequate water

• hydrant spacing of 90 m permits connection within one to two hose lengths to nearest hydrant

• maximum hydrant spacing of should be no greater 120 m.

Residential areas:

Flow Preferences:

• usually two connections to a single hydrant (20 L/s) • alternative is two separate hydrants (10 L/s each).

Industrial areas:

• up to three separate hydrant connections (20 L/s per hydrant- 60 L/s total).

Rural areas:

• large rural fires (sheds etc.) could use up to 2 hydrants (40 L/s total)- usually restricted due to available supply.

The maintenance and inspection of hydrants are the responsibility of the LWU, however the NSWFB carry out inspections and minor maintenance such as vegetation removal and indicator plate replacements as part of their preparedness role. The possibility of a register (uncertain what format) is currently being explored to reduce duplicate inspections by Sydney Water and the NSWFB.

Inspections of Hydrants:


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Recycled Water:

• program currently in place to start acceptance of recycled water (three schemes in Sydney Water area have been accepted e.g. Rouse Hill uses hydrants with recycled water provided quality acceptance is satisfactory)

• quality has to meet Australian Guidelines for Water Recycling: Managing Health and Environmental Risks, and consistent with individual Recycled Water Quality Management Plans for each scheme.

Hydrant Marking:

• preference is for blue cats eyes to be permanently fixed on the roadway street lane adjacent to the hydrant

• indicator plates are fixed to utility poles • pole also show distance and pipe diameter that should be used in addition to cats eyes • future location methods may include electronic records e.g. laptop interface with regular

updates showing hydrants.

Domestic/Home Sprinklers (AS2118.5 – 2008):

The following strategies are being considered:

• could be suitable remote areas where response times are longer • a minor reduction may not significantly affect NSWFB operations as sprinkler operation

could potentially contained fires to affected rooms • cost savings could be obtained by reducing street pipe size requirements due to lower

required flow rates (although 100% installation of sprinklers would be necessary).

Metering of Fire Services:

NSW Fire Brigade considers that Clause 4.1.2 of AS2419.1-2005 which states:

“Where the metering of the water supply for fire fighting purposes is required by the water authority, inline meters shall not be installed.” is applicable.

They have advised however that this Standard is currently under review and an alternate clause has been proposed as follows:

“4.7.2.1. Metering of Water Supplies

Where metering of the water supply for fire fighting purposes is required by the water authority, a meter shall be installed:

(a) on a by-pass such as around a backflow prevention device, or (b) inline, provided the meter does not have internal mechanisms that could limit flow,


Where inline meters are installed, the meter assembly shall not include a strainer and shall have the same nominal bore as the fire service. The hydraulic effect of the meter and associated pipework and fittings shall be included in flow and pressure calculations of the fire hydrant system design.

NOTE: A LWU may specify requirements differing from the above as a condition of connection to its reticulated water supply.


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APPENDIX 4: DETAILS OF LWUS/WATER AUTHORITIES SURVEYED

LWU/Water Authority Contact Name Basis of Standard Contact Phone Number/web address

Hunter Water Corporation S Horvath In - House/AS2419 (02) 4979 9481 Sydney Water Stephen Kay Nil (02) 4172 21597 NSW Public Works Kamal Fernando In - House 1985/based on

Ordinance 70 (02) 9372 7869

Tweed Shire Council Dubbo City Council Stewart McLeod AUSSPEC which nominally calls

up the Building Code of Australia.

(02) 6801 4800

Tamworth Regional Council Doug Hill Old DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS standard now modified to 10 L/s at 15 m head

(02) 6767 5809

Shoalhaven City Council Ljupco Lazarevski Local Government Regulation (02) 4429 3255 Queensland DERM In House http://www.derm.qld.gov.au/water/regulatio

n/pdf/guidelines/water_services/wsguidelines.pdf

Gold Coast Water Bruce Douglas In-house and Based on recognised Community Service Obligation and Qld Guidelines

(07) 5582 8164

NSW Fire Brigade Superintendent Chris Jurgeit (02) 9742 7400

http://www.derm.qld.gov.au/water/regulation/pdf/guidelines/water_services/wsguidelines.pdf�




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APPENDIX 5: LWUS/WATER AUTHORITIES DESIGN FOR RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES

LWU/Water Authority

Base Design Flow Fire Flow (L/s)

Residual Pressure (m head)

Duration of Flow (hours)

Hydrant Spacing (m)

Minimum Pipe Size (mm)

Comments

Hunter Water Corporation

95% demand 10 15 not specified

100-120 100

Sydney Water Peak Day None Specified

None Specified

120 100

NSW Public Works 0.15 L/s per tenement except if more than 1000 tenements use 0.10 L/s

11 28 not specified

not specified

100

Tweed Shire Council

Dubbo City Council Peak Day 10 13 60 100

Tamworth Regional Council

Peak Day 10 15 not specified

75 100

Shoalhaven City Council

0.05 L/s/ET None Specified

None Specified

80 100

Queensland DERM 2/3 Peak Hour 15 12 2

Gold Coast Water 2/3 Peak Hour 15 12 2 80 100

NSW Fire Brigade 20 total positive 70-75 with max 120

Flow is total not necessarily from one hydrant


Page 36

APPENDIX 6: LWUS/WATER AUTHORITIES DESIGN FOR COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL PROPERTIES

LWU/Water Authority Base Design Flow Fire Flow (L/s)



Hydrant Spacing (m)


Comments


95% demand 20 15 70-120 150


None Specified

120 100


15 or 22 28 not specified

None Specified

None Specified

Tweed Shire Council

Dubbo City Council Peak Day 20/40 13 60 150


Peak Day 10 15 not specified

75 150

Shoalhaven City Council 0.05 L/s/ET None Specified

None Specified

80 150

Queensland DERM 2/3 Peak Hour for zone or peak hour localised

30 12 4

Gold Coast Water 2/3 Peak Hour 30 12 4 80 150

NSW Fire Brigade 60 total positive 4 hours 70-75 with max120 Flow is total not necessarily from one hydrant


Page 37

APPENDIX 7: LWUS/WATER AUTHORITIES DESIGN FOR RURAL PROPERTIES

LWU/Water Authority

Base Design Flow

Fire Flow (L/s)



Hydrant Spacing (m)


Comments


95%demand 10 15 180-220 150


None Specified

120 100


11 28 not specified

None Specified

None Specified

Tweed Shire Council

Dubbo City Council

Peak Day None Specified

Minimum 1 120 100


None Specified None Specified

None Specified

not specified

None Specified

None Specified


0.05 L/s/ET None Specified

None Specified

up to 150 100

Queensland DERM 2/3 Peak Hour 7.5 12 2 small community

Gold Coast Water 2/3 Peak Hour 7.5 12 2 80 100 small community post 2009 - 15 L/s pre 2009

NSW Fire Brigade up to 40 total positive up to 4 hours

70-75 with 120 max

Flow is total not necessarily from one hydrant


Page 38

APPENDIX 8: LWUS/WATER AUTHORITIES PLUMBING REQUIREMENTS FOR FIRE SERVICES

LWU/Water Authority Metering Backflow

Fire hose reels Hydrants Sprinklers Fire hose reels Hydrants Sprinklers

Hunter Water Corporation Y Y Y Y Y Y

Sydney Water Y Y Y Y Y Y

NSW Public Works

Tweed Shire Council

Dubbo City Council Y Y

Y Y Y

Tamworth Regional Council Y

Y Y Y


Queensland DERM

Gold Coast Water Y

Y Y Y


Page 39

APPENDIX 9: ADVICE PROVIDED BY LWUS/WATER AUTHORITIES TO PRIVATE DESIGNERS

LWU/Water Authority Information Requested from Designer

Information Provided Comments

Fire Flow (L/s)


Flow Flow (L/S)


Pipe Size (mm)


Hunter Water Corporation Y Y Y Detailed disclaimer

Sydney Water Y Y Y Y Y Statement valid for twelve months. Direct notification if system reconfigured.

NSW Public Works Not applicable

Tweed Shire Council

Dubbo City Council

Tamworth Regional Council Y Y Y Recognise need to qualify statement re changes in system configuration.

Shoalhaven City Council Y Y Y Y Statement valid for twelve months and states that changes can take place from time to time

Queensland DERM Not Applicable

Gold Coast Water Y Y Y Detailed disclaimer


Page 40

APPENDIX 10: EXTRACT FROM AS2419.1 DESCRIBING FIELD TESTING TO DETERMINE 95TH PERCENTILE DEMANDS


Page 41


Page 42


Page 43


Page 44


Page 45


Page 46

APPENDIX 11: EXAMPLE FIRE FLOW APPLICATION FORMS FROM LWUS

• Coffs Harbour City Council - Water Pressure Reading • Coffs Harbour City Council - Fire Flow Test Results • Dubbo City Council - Fire Flow Investigation Form • Dubbo City Council – Water Pressure Template • Griffith City Council – Flow Rate Application Form • Griffith City Council - Flow Rate Test Form • Riverina Water County Council – Network Analysis Report • Tamworth Regional Council – Flow Pressure Template • Tweed Shire Council – Mains Pressure and Flow Rate Inquiry • Wyong Shire Council – Water Pressure Test Request

Water Pressure Reading Application

Applicant:

Postal Address:

Location of Test:(Location plan to be lodged with application)

Type of Test

Fire flow (with static pressure) Static Pressure Only

Signature Date

OFFICE USE ONLY:

Fee $ Receipt Paid / /

Test Result

Location of Hydrants or Other Outlet _________________________________

Time of Test: Date of Test

Hydrant Location � �(metres/head)�North/South/East/West

Static PressureNOTE:Pressures & Flows provided are relevant only at time of test Dynamic Head (m)

Flow Max __ L / Sec

22 L/sec

15 L/sec

11 L/sec

4.5 L/sec

1 L/sec

Testing Officer:

Property No DataWorks Reply Date

All information for this agreement is being voluntarily collected for the process your application. Your information would comprise part of a public register related to this purpose. The information will be kept by Council and will be disposed of in accordance with the Local Government Disposal Authority. You are entitled to review your personal information at any time by contacting Council.

Postal Address: Locked Bag 155 Coffs Harbour NSW 2450 Phone (02) 6648 4000; Fax (02) 66484 199; Email: [email protected]

DX 7559; ABN 79 126 214 487Administration Building: 2 Castle St Coffs Harbour

Our Ref:

Date

Addressee

Dear Sir

Water Pressure Test : Location

At ________ on ___________ 2011 a water flow pressure test was carried out on the water mains at __________________________ and resulted as follows.

Hydrant location East WestStatic Pressure m m

Flow Dynamic Head (m)35 L/Sec (max)22 L/sec15 L/sec11 L/sec4.5 L/sec1 l/sec

For further information please contact 6648-4471.

The above flow and pressure information is not representative of conditions at all times of the day or season. Conditions could be affected by proposed system augmentations, variations in system demands or changes in hydraulic operation of the network. If further information is required, application can be made to provide pressure and flow data from Council’s current model.

Yours faithfully

S:\Data - WATER DIRECTORATE\Action Plan\Fire Flows\Appendix 11\Dubbo Fire Flow Investigation Form.docx

FIRE FLOW INVESTIGATION FORM

CUSTOMER NAME: …………………………………………………………………………………………….. POSTAL ADDRESS: …………………………………………………………………………………………….. …………………………………………………………………………………………….. PHONE NUMBER: ……………………………………………………………………………………………... LOCATION TO BE INVESTIGATED FOR FIRE FLOW: …………………………………………………………………………………………….. …………………………………………………………………………………………….. ……………………………………………… ………………………………. APPLICANT SIGNATURE DATE Office Use Only: Fee Paid:

Date: Receipt No. CSO.

Receipt Type: - 462 Receipt Code: - 30 GL: - 02.05010.3051.550

WS7.7, RM:SC L:\WSASSET\Fireflows\Water Pressure template.doc (date) ATTENTION: (address) Dear Sir/Madam WATER PRESSURE: address In reply to your request received by Council on ………., you are hereby advised as follows: 1. The maximum available water pressure in Council’s …. mm main adjacent to the site,

running along ………….. is approximately …. kilopascals at periods of low consumption, eg overnight or wet weather.

2. The expected minimum water pressure is approximately …. kilopascals. This will

occur under normal system operating conditions at a time of peak demand, eg late afternoon on a hot summer day, and does not take account of abnormal conditions that may result from a broken main, empty reservoir, or the like.

3. The pressure in the main for various fire flow rates is as indicated below:

Flow (L/s) Pressure (kPa)

0 5 10 15 20

4. Council has no surveyed ground levels available near to the site, but from airborne laser

survey maps held by Council a level of R.L. ……. has been adopted and these pressures are related to that level.

5. Please note that these results have been obtained from an uncalibrated water supply

hydraulic model and this should be taken into account when reviewing results. Yours faithfully Water Asset Planning Engineer

FORM (Blanks not to be photocopied. Print direct from DAKS)

(Printed on 24-Jun-11 at 10:06)

(WS-FO-206) Application for a Flow Rate Test

Approved: Quality Systems Manager Group / System: Water, Sewerage & Drainage Document ID: WS-FO-206 Version: 2

Relevant To: Date Issued: 23-Jul-08 Revised: 17-Dec-09 Status: Approved Page: 1 of 2

APPLICANT DETAILS: Applicant Name:

Applicant Postal Address:

Contact Phone Number:

Contact Email Address:

PROPERTY TO BE TESTED Street Address:

Lot: Assessment no:

DP: Parcel:

Description: (e.g. 6 x Residential Flats)

(see note 1)

Does Building Exceed 25 metres? Yes No

PURPOSE OF FLOW TEST Fire Service Yes (see note 3) No

Connection to Town Supply Yes No Mains extension Yes No

Other Yes No

Is a street hydrant required? Yes No

If Fire Service: Internal Hydrants Yes No If Yes, how many? (see note 3)

Hose Reels Yes No If Yes, how many? (see note 3)

Sprinklers Yes No If Yes, how many? (see note 3)

Applicant Signature: Date: / / NOTE: 1. Attach plans or draw plan overleaf, include as much information as possible. 2. Applicable fee (see current Management Plan – Fees & Charges) MUST be paid with lodgement of application. 3. Hydraulic Calculation Report will be required for connection/part connection to a fire service. 4. Test results are valid for 6 months. 5. Please work off 40-60mts head pressure to accommodate future installation of pressure reduction valves.

OFFICE USE ONLY: Receipt Code 215 Fund: 141117.0521 (Fee MUST be paid with lodgement of application) Payment Amount:$ Receipt Number: Date: / / Applicant NAR: Applicant Notified: Yes Date: / / Requires Hydraulic Calculation Report? Yes No



(WS-FO-206) Application for a Flow Rate Test


Relevant To: Date Issued: 23-Jul-08 Revised: 17-Dec-09 Status: Approved Page: 2 of 2

SITE PLAN:



(WS-FO-211) Flow Rate and Pressure Testing


Relevant To: Date Issued: 14-Sep-09 Revised: 17-Dec-09 Status: Approved Page: 1 of 1

Name: Address of Premises to be Tested: Lot: _______ DP: ________________ Parcel:____________ Assessment: ______________ Actual Location of Test: Size of Main: Date: Time: Weather: Temperature: Static Pressure Before Test: kPa Residual Pressure at Flow Rate of 5.0 L/s (300 L/m) kPa Residual Pressure at Flow Rate of 10 L/s (600 L/m) kPa Residual Pressure at Flow Rate of 15 L/s (900 L/m) kPa Residual Pressure at Flow Rate of 20L/s (1200 L/m) kPa

Residual Pressure at Flow Rate of L/s: kPa

Static Pressure After Test kPa Maximum Pressure: kPa

Minimum Pressure: kPa

Comments:

Address Lot No.

Available Flow Rates

(L/sec)

Residual Pressure

(m)0 64.075 62.81

10 59.6815 54.920 48.5525 40.7230 31.4435 20.7540 8.69

43.29 0

Model Software: H2ONet Analyzer 6

Hydrand Flow Graph

Comments / Notes

The above is the available hydrant flow at this node without additional fire demands

Job / Description:

Above information based on an uncalibrated model of the system.

The required minimum residual pressure to be maintained at any one time is 20 m head.

Pipe Diameter NB (mm) Location:

Date: Attention:

Pipe/Node/Hydrant ID Elevation AHD (m)

Street Name Sect. No. DP. No.

Address:

Riverina Water County Council

Network Analysis Report - Node Hydrant Flows

Client: Ref: Fire Flows

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50

Res

idua

l Pre

ssur

e (m

)

Available Flow (L/s)

HYDRANT FLOW CURVE

S:\Data - WATER DIRECTORATE\Action Plan\Fire Flows\Appendix 11\Tamworth Flow Pressure Template - May 2011.docx

TAMWORTH REGIONAL COUNCIL

Postal Address P.O. Box 555 Tamworth NSW 2340

Ray Walsh House 437 Peel Street

Tamworth NSW 2340

FACSIMILE TRANSMISSION WATER ENTERPRISES TO: FROM: FAX No: FAX No: (02) 67675849 ATTENTION: TELEPHONE: (02) 67675 DATE: LAND FILE: No of PAGES: TRIMMED TO LF

(Initial when Complete)

SUBJECT: FLOW AND PRESSURE TEST –

Dear Sir In reply to your enquiry of concerning the above it is advised that the following test results were achieved at the locations shown on the ATTACHED plan.

Date : Time :

Water main size: Summary Results: Flow & Residual Pressure Results:

Location (A) Location (B) Static Pressure: (KPa) Asset No: Asset No: Maximum Flow obtained during test: (Litres/second) (Flow - Litres/second) (Residual Pressure – Kpa)

You are advised that these figures apply only to the flow and pressure available at this particular time and the results will vary from time to time depending on several factors including, reservoir head and usage by others in the reticulation system. Council is not able to guarantee these results will be available at all times or that these are minimum results and therefore they should be used as a guide. Please contact Mark Brodbeck should you wish to discuss this matter further. Regards

Customer Service | 1300 292 872 | (02) 6670 2400 PO Box 816 Murwillumbah NSW 2484 Fax (02) 6670 2429 | ABN 90 178 732 496 [email protected] | www.tweed.nsw.gov.au

Mains Pressure and Flow Rate Inquiry - Water April 2011.doc Page 1 of 1

Mains Pressure and Flow Rate Inquiry 2010 - 2011

Requested by

Phone Mobile

Email

Postal Address

Location of Test (plan attached)

Date

Tests Required Pressure: Yes No Hydrant Flow Rate: Yes No

Specify Flow Rates Required (L/s)

5 10 15 20 25 30 35

Other Tests (specify)

Test Results – Operator Use Only

Flow Rate (L/s) Nil

Pressure (Kpa)

Maximum Flow Rate L/s

Operator’s Name

Asset Location - Hydrant No.(s)

Comments

Office use only

Date Fee Paid $

Receipt No Officer

MNEMONIC BackFlowHydTest

Minimum Test Fee of $255.60 must be paid prior to issue of Certificate ($399.40 if traffic control required). Job No. B0852.0004. Enquiries to Gary Cain (02) 6670 2600.

Water Directorate Incorporated

Gary Mitchell, Executive Officer

Office: Level 12, 447 Kent Street, Sydney 2000

Telephone: 02 8267 3010

Facsimile: 02 9283 5255

Email: [email protected]

Web: www.waterdirectorate.asn.au

Documents

Fire flow design guidelines 2011