This section establishes the minimum design requirements that shall be met by the Fire Protection Design Professional. City of Chicago Building Codes and standards provide the baseline code requirements. However, where these requirements exceed those of local Code, these standards shall take precedence.
Water Service
A combined Domestic Water and Fire Protection service shall be utilized for the facility. This single connection shall be sized based on the flow rate required for the Fire Protection system, and increased by one pipe size for addition of the Domestic Water demand. The Fire Protection main shall split from the combined service immediately upon entry to the building, prior to the Domestic Water meter assembly. A double detector check valve assembly shall be provided at the location where the water services split to prevent backflow from the fire protection system into the domestic system. The distance from the building to the right of way may necessitate the installation of a heated enclosure for the water service. Coordinate need and location with Civil Engineer or Record.
Flow and Pressure Test
A test of the incoming water supply shall be performed in order to determine the allowable flow rate and pressure of the service. This information shall be requested from the Chicago Department of Water Management at the beginning of the project. Information obtained shall include date of test, overall flow rate and system pressures, both static and residual. This flow test information shall be presented on Fire Protection plans. From this information, it shall be determined by the Engineer of Record if there shall be a need for a Fire Pump System and to verify that the available water supply to the building is sufficient. Discuss with the water department the time of the year which flow test is taken to address seasonal adjustments in water pressure delivered from the water department.