1 Del. Admin. Code § 702-6-3.0

Current through Register Vol. 28, No. 5, November 1, 2024

Section 702-6-3.0 - Required Fire Flows

3.1 Fire Flow Tables.

3.1.1 Required fire flows are to be determined from the Fire Flow Tables 1 and 2 based on exposure hazard, building areas, and the occupancy use of the structure(s) being considered. The Fire Flow Tables specify required minimum hydrant spacing and required fire flow and duration.

3.1.2 Where existing public, private, or central water systems including municipalities, cannot meet the fire flow requirements specified in Fire Flow Table 2, the provisions of Fire Flow Table 1 shall apply.

Exception: The requirements of Fire Flow Table 3 may be applied to areas where there is a public, private, or central water system, but the requirements of Fire Flow Table 2 cannot be met. The setbacks may be reduced proportionally based on the amount of water available. This exception does not apply to new public, private, or central water systems, including municipalities, nor does it apply to expansions to existing public, private, or central water systems, including municipalities.

3.1.3 All areas are aggregate gross square footage as shown in the Fire Flow Tables. In all unusual structures and mixed occupancies not shown in the Fire Flow Tables, the State Fire Marshal shall determine required flows, hydrant spacing, duration, and available capacity.

3.1.4 Where a fire alarm signaling system is required by Fire Flow Table 1, this system shall be automatic, supervised off-site, and shall consist of full coverage by smoke detection and alarm notification. Where smoke detection devices will not function by reason of device limitation, heat detection shall be provided in those specific locations. Fire alarm signaling system plans and specifications shall be submitted for review, in accordance with Regulation 701, Chapter 4.

Exception: Where the building is protected throughout by an automatic sprinkler system.

3.2 Modification for Sprinkler System Installations.

3.2.1 Where the structure being considered is protected throughout by an automatic sprinkler system, the required fire flow shall be modified to meet the designed sprinkler demand where hydraulically calculated plus outside hose streams as specified in the applicable NFPA Codes and Standards as adopted and/or modified by these Regulations.

Exception: Hose stream allowance may be eliminated by the State Fire Marshal where there is no public nor private water system supplying the automatic sprinklers.

3.2.2 Where a pipe schedule system is installed, the fire flow shall be modified to meet the minimum acceptable flow at the base of the riser and residual pressures as specified in the applicable NFPA Regulations as adopted and/or modified by these Regulations, plus outside hose stream requirements.

Exception: Hose stream allowance may be eliminated by the State Fire Marshal where there is no public or private water system supplying the automatic sprinklers.

3.2.3 Where the structure being considered is protected throughout by a residential sprinkler system, the required fire flow shall be modified to meet the designed sprinkler demand as hydraulically calculated, plus estimated domestic demands during peak use times as determined by the water supplier.

3.3 Modification for Flammable and Combustible Liquids and Gases and Special Hazard Sites.

3.3.1 Where the site being considered contains flammable and combustible liquids and gas installations, the required fire flows are to be determined by the Office of the State Fire Marshal based on exposure hazards, aggregate capacity of the installation, the specific hazard of the installation, and as specified in the applicable NFPA Codes and Standards as adopted and/or modified by these Regulations.

3.3.2 Where the site being considered contains outdoor tire storage or disposal operations and falls under the scope of Regulation 706, Chapter 5, then the provisions of Regulation 706, Chapter 5 shall apply.

3.3.3 Where, in the opinion of the State Fire Marshal, the site being considered constitutes or is in need of such a level of advanced designed or engineering criteria, the State Fire Marshal may require a Fire Protection Engineering Analysis in accordance with Regulation 701, Chapter 4, Section 9.0.

1 Del. Admin. Code § 702-6-3.0

25 DE Reg. 74 (7/1/2021) (final)