Fire Hydrant Required for Small Remote Building?

3/27/2024

I have a project that is a building 10-ft x 20-ft and is used only for electrical equipment. The building is remotely located, 10 miles from the nearest town.

Would a fire hydrant be required for such a structure?

If not, what code exception would allow the omission of a hydrant?

Thanks in advance.

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11 Comments

Matt C.

3/27/2024 08:42:39 am

I assume you're somewhere in the US, judging by your use of 'miles' haha. I can't speak for any jurisdictional requirements but here in Ontario (Canada), on its own, no there wouldn't be any requirement for a water supply unless the building area exceeded 600m^2 (~6460 sqft). What is your code of reference? IBC?

Sean Kyer

3/27/2024 08:51:15 am

Yes, it is in the USA, and the project is being built according to IFC/IBC 2018 ed.

IFC starts at zero square feet for each construction type. The building is not meant to be occupied but workers will occasionally enter the building.

Jesse

3/27/2024 08:47:23 am

This is a great case of your milage may vary. Having worn the AHJ hat in the past, I wouldn't have required a hydrant for a remote 200 sq. ft. building. That merely tank water on the first due Engine Co.

Richard W Mercer

3/27/2024 08:59:41 am

A few questions:

What is the Construction Code used by the Jurisdiction?

What is the Occupancy Classification of the structure under the Constuction Code?

How far away is the closest hydrant? Or is this a Rural Area not provided with hydrants?

Dwight Havens

3/27/2024 09:35:53 am

Subject to modification by local law, water supply requirements can be found in IFC, Chapter 5, Fire Service Features. Section 507, Fire Protection Water Supplies is the applicable section. The base requirement is that you have to have an "approved" water supply. Approved means "Approved by the Fire Code Official."

If adopted, Appendix B, Fire-Flow Requirements for Buildings applies. If not adopted, it can be used as guidance by the Fire Code Official in approving the available water supply in accordance with Section 507. Section B103, Modifications, is the section commonly used to address the question you raised. As you can see, under the IFC, it is up to the Fire Code Official to make the final determination, unless the local requirements allow an appeal to a higher authority.

Conrad

3/27/2024 02:47:33 pm

As Dwight stated, Appendix B is useful for IFC jurisdictions.
I have seen approval for remote buildings that are other than one and two family dwellings where the design is similar to a 200-400 sq ft building (like a shipping container) with 10-30 ft clearances to combustibles (gravel is popular) and fire extinguisher(s) on the plan.

IFC Appendix B Section B103.1 Decreases
The fire code official is authorized to reduce the fire-flow requirements for isolated buildings or a group of buildings in rural areas or small communities where the development of full fire-flow requirements is impractical.

In case the jurisdiction follows NFPA 1:
18.4.3.1 Decreases in Fire Flow Requirements
18.4.3.1.1*
Fire flow requirements shall be permitted to be decreased by the AHJ for isolated buildings or a group of buildings in rural areas or suburban areas where the development of full fire flow requirements is impractical as determined by the AHJ.
18.4.3.1.2
The AHJ shall be authorized to establish conditions on fire flow reductions approved in accordance with 18.4.3.1.1 including, but not limited to, fire sprinkler protection, type of construction of the building, occupancy, development density, building size, and setbacks.

Jack G

3/27/2024 09:56:01 am

IBC table 102 requires /1 hydrant.
If you are doing that then I d install sprinklers also.
At a .15 it comes to about 30 gpm. About 2 k gallons.
Maybe a pressure tank.
I d install a fdc at street to a hydrant near the building. Install sprinklers off the main.
Install a small pressure tank with supervisory water off the tank.
Automatic fill from the well.
Had to do this for a day care center in the middle of no where.
Worked. Had 2 kitchen fires. Put out the fire and automatically refilled.
Expensive!

Wes

3/27/2024 10:01:34 am

IBC Table 102?

A larger daycare center (much more critically occupied building) with a kitchen would make a little more sense to protect than a remote electrical building, in my opinion. My guess is the daycare center was required to be sprinkler protected, whereas this application would not be.

Glenn Berger

3/27/2024 09:59:32 am

This subject is one that the authorities will give a more direct requirement of rules to be followed.

I do not expect that once a fire respondent arrives on site that there will be anything left to save.

Todd E Wyatt

3/27/2024 11:15:26 am

SUMMARY
Coordinate with the AHJ (e.g. Fire Marshal) the requirements for the fire protection water supply per IFC-2018 based on the building’s Occupancy Classification(s) (OC) and/or Specific Building Areas and Hazards which determines where an automatic sprinkler system (ASPS) is required.

EXPLANATION
The adopted scoping Code (e.g. IBC-2018) determines where an automatic sprinkler system (ASPS) is required to be installed based on the building’s Occupancy Classification(s) (OC) and/or Specific Building Areas and Hazards (per IBC-2018 903.2.1 - 903.2.11)

IBC-2018 903.2 Exception permits the exclusion of an ASPS in “… spaces or areas in telecommunications buildings …” but this may not be applicable to your Project.

Based on the assign OCs, the project may not require an ASPS so the associated “FIRE DEPARTMENT CONNECTIONS” for the ASPS per 903.3.7 is not applicable.

Review of the IFC-2018 Chapter 5 Section includes references to “FIRE DEPARTMENT CONNECTIONS” but only those associated with “Hydrant for standpipe systems” (505.5.1.1) and in the Fire Command Center (508.1.6. (13.6)).

IFC-2018 includes requirements for “Fire Protection Water Supplies” which includes 507.5 Fire Hydrant Systems and where they are required (507.5.1).

Todd E Wyatt

3/27/2024 11:15:52 am

REFERENCES
IFC-2018
507 Fire Protection Water Supplies
507.1 Required Water Supply
An approved water supply capable of supplying the required fire flow for fire protection shall be provided to premises on which facilities, buildings or portions of buildings are hereafter constructed or moved into or within the jurisdiction.
507.2 Type of Water Supply
A water supply shall consist of reservoirs, pressure tanks, elevated tanks, water mains or other fixed systems capable of providing the required fire flow.
507.5 Fire Hydrant Systems
Fire hydrant systems shall comply with Sections 507.5.1 through 507.5.6.
507.5.1 Where Required
Where a portion of the facility or building hereafter constructed or moved into or within the jurisdiction is more than 400 feet (122 m) from a hydrant on a fire apparatus access road, as measured by an approved route around the exterior of the facility or building, on-site fire hydrants and mains shall be provided where required by the fire code official.
Exceptions:
1. For Group R-3 and Group U occupancies, the distance requirement shall be 600 feet (183 m).
2. For buildings equipped throughout with an approved automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 or 903.3.1.2, the distance requirement shall be 600 feet (183 m).
507.5.1.1 Hydrant for Standpipe Systems
507.5.2 Inspection, Testing and Maintenance
507.5.3 Private Fire Service Mains and Water Tanks
507.5.4 Obstruction
507.5.5 Clear Space Around Hydrants
507.5.6 Physical Protection

IBC-2018
Section 903 Automatic Sprinkler Systems
903.2 Where Required
Approved automatic sprinkler systems in new buildings and structures shall be provided in the locations described in Sections 903.2.1 through 903.2.12.
Exception: Spaces or areas in telecommunications buildings used exclusively for telecommunications equipment, associated electrical power distribution equipment, batteries and standby engines, provided that those spaces or areas are equipped throughout with an automatic smoke detection system in accordance with Section 907.2 and are separated from the remainder of the building by not less than 1-hour fire barriers constructed in accordance with Section 707 or not less than 2-hour horizontal assemblies constructed in accordance with Section 711, or both.
903.3.7 Fire Department Connections
Fire department connections for automatic sprinkler systems shall be installed in accordance with Section 912.

Section 912 Fire Department Connections
912.1 Installation
Fire department connections shall be installed in accordance with the NFPA standard applicable to the system design and shall comply with Sections 912.2 through 912.6.
912.2 Location
With respect to hydrants, driveways, buildings and landscaping, fire department connections shall be so located that fire apparatus and hose connected to supply the system will not obstruct access to the buildings for other fire apparatus. The location of fire department connections shall be approved by the fire code official.
912.2.1 Visible Location
Fire department connections shall be located on the street side of buildings or facing approved fire apparatus access roads, fully visible and recognizable from the street, fire apparatus access road or nearest point of fire department vehicle access or as otherwise approved by the fire code official.
912.2.2 Existing Buildings
On existing buildings, wherever the fire department connection is not visible to approaching fire apparatus, the fire department connection shall be indicated by an approved sign mounted on the street front or on the side of the building. Such sign shall have the letters "FDC" not less than 6 inches (152 mm) high and words in letters not less than 2 inches (51 mm) high or an arrow to indicate the location. Such signs shall be subject to the approval of the fire code official.
912.3 Fire Hose Threads
Fire hose threads used in connection with standpipe systems shall be approved and shall be compatible with fire department hose threads.
912.4 Access
Immediate access to fire department connections shall be maintained at all times and without obstruction by fences, bushes, trees, walls or any other fixed or moveable object. Access to fire department connections shall be approved by the fire code official.
Exception: Fences, where provided with an access gate equipped with a sign complying with the legend requirements of this section and a means of emergency operation. The gate and the means of emergency operation shall be approved by the fire code official and maintained operational at all times.
912.4.1 Locking Fire Department Connection Caps
The fire code official is authorized to require locking caps on fire department connections for water-based fire protection systems where the responding fire department carries appropriate key wrenches for removal.
912.4.2 Clear Space Around Connections
A working space of not less than 36 inches (762 mm) in width, 36 inches (914 mm) in depth and 78 inches (1981 mm) in h

Fire Hydrant Required for Small Remote Building?

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