SECTION 15310

UNDERGROUND FIRE PROTECTION PIPES & EQUIPMENTS

PART 1 GENERAL

1.1 SUMMARY

A. Scope of Specification
This specification prescribes the basic minimum requirements for installation,
field testing and inspection of underground fire protection systems.

B. Related Specifications
Work in this specification shall be coordinated
with Fire Protection Specification.

C. Related Technical Requirements

1. Section 15060 – Pipe and Pipe Fittings

1.2 REFERENCES

The publications listed below form part of this

specification. Each publication shall be the latest
revision and addendum in effect on the date this
specification is issued for construction unless noted
otherwise. Except as modified by the requirements
specified herein or the details of the drawings, work
included in this specification shall conform to the
applicable provisions or these publications.

A. ANSI (American National Standards Institute).

B. AWWA (American Water Works Association).
C. FM (Factory Mutual Research Corporation).
D. NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) Pamphlet No. 20
“Centrifugal Fire Pumps”.
E. IRI (Industrial Risk Insurers)
F. UBC (Uniform Building Code)
G. UL (Underwriters Laboratories) Fire Protection Equipment List
H. UFC (Uniform Fire Code

1.3 SYSTEM DESCRIPTION

A. Design Requirements

B. Provide underground fire water mains, hydrants, valves, fittings., in accordance

with this specification.

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1.4 SUBMITTALS

A. Shop Drawing

Shop drawing submittal shall be three (3) copies of

all design drawings and equipment data sheets to
be submitted to architect/engineer and the Owner
for approval. No fabrication or installation shall
proceed until approval is received from
Architect/Engineer.

1.5 TESTING

A. New systems shall be tested hydrostatically at no less than

14.5 bars (210 psi) pressure for 4 hours or as designated by
the test engineer or 3,4 bars (50 psi) in excess of the
maximum static pressure when the maximum static
pressure is in excess of 10.3 bars (150 psi). Underground
piping systems shall be tested with joints exposed. Testing
buried systems is not acceptable practice.

B. Hydrostatic test shall be executed according to NFPA 24.

Allowable leakage shall be as indicated or as designated
by the test engineer.

C. Underground mains and lead-in connection shall be

flushed according to NFPA 24. Flushing or as directed by
the authority having jurisdiction.

D. Submittals: The Contractor’s Material and Test

Certificate for Underground Piping according to NFPA 24
shall be submitted to the Owner and IRI proper to final
approval.

E. Operating tests of fire hydrants and control valves as

started in NFPA 24 shall be made.

PART 2 PRODUCT

2.01 PIPE AND FITTINGS

A. Above ground firewater pipes shall be carbon steel pipe,

ASTM A53 SCH 40 & SCH 80 and PVC, SCH. 80 for
underground firewater pipes or as specified in drawing.

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 B. Asphaltic coating or tape wrapping shall be applied to
outside surfaces of the steel pipes and pipe fittings.

C. Pipe clamps and tie rods shall be of materials listed in

NFPA 24, Section 8-6.2.5.

D. Pipe fittings shall be as per section 15060.

2.02 Thrust Block

Thrust blocks shall be of concrete of a mix no longer than 1 part cement, 2 – ½ parts
sand and 5 parts stone, for use in suitable soil, and shall bear against an undisturbed
vertical wall. Design and size of thrust blocks shall be in accordance with NFPA 24.

2.03 VALVES

A. Valves shall have mechanical joint ends and shall be 79.4

Kg. (175 Ib) IBBM double disc gate valves with non-
rising stems with indicator post bonnets. Kennedy Fig.
71X. Muller Fig. A-2050-20 or American Darling, CRS-
85. Indicator Post shall be adjustable type Kennedy Fig.
5451, Muller Fig. A-20800 or American Darling IP-71.
Note ! ! ! ! Hydrant control valve shall be non rising stem without flanged bonnet
for indicating post.

B. Flanged gated valves 2 – ½ inches and larger shall be

OS&Y, 79.4 Kg (175 Ib) standard flanges. Kennedy Fig.
68, M & H Fig. 81F, Muller Fig. A-2073-6.

2.04 FIRE HYDRANTS

Fire hydrants shall be dry barrel pattern in accordance with AWWA C502 and C110.
Hydrant shall have 4 inch MJ inlet and 4 – ¼ inch valve seat, two 65mm Fire hose
nozzles with caps and chains and one 115mm pumper connection. Kennedy K-12,
Muller A401, American Darling B-84-B or U.L. listed equal. Hydrant shall open
counterclockwise. Hydrant upstream of valve pit shall have pumper connection to
match responding fire department’s equipment. All hose threads shall match those of
responding fire department.

2.05 ROADWAY BOXES FOR HYDRANT CONTROL VALVES

Roadway valve boxes shall be cast iron, 2 piece screw type with cover marked fire
water. Two (2) tee handle wrenches shall be provided.

2.06 OUTSIDE FIRE HOSE EQUIPMENT

Provide fire hose house cabinet as shown in the site firewater piping layout.

PART 3 EXECUTION

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3.1 TRENCHING AND BACKFILLING

A. Trenches shall be full width to provide ample

room for workmen engaged in handling of pipe and
making joints. The depth of the trenches shall be such as
to allow minimum cover required by authority having
jurisdiction and NFPA 24. Trenching conditions shall
comply with local safety requirements.

B. Trenches shall be graded so as to prevent air pockets in fire protection

mains.

C. Bottom of trenches shall be graded to provide uniform bearing and

support for pipe between bell holes. A 100 mm (4 inch) thick small stone or
sand bedding material shall be placed in the bottom of the trench prior to pipe
installation.

D. Where rock is encountered, excavation shall extend 300 mm (12 inches)

below the bottom of the trench and shall be backfilled with suitable materials,
which shall be thoroughly compacted.

E. As soon as pipe is laid, sufficient clean earth shall be tampered along

sides of pipe between joints to protect it from movement. Pipe joints shall not
be covered until tests are made witnessed any leaks corrected.

F. Selected fill materials, free from laid sufficient clean earth shall be
tampered into position around pipe until pipe is covered, after which it may be
filled more rapidly. After pipe is covered, the backfilling shall be placed in
150mm (6 – inch) layer and each layer shall be thoroughly compacted.

3.2 ANCHORING MAINS

A. Suitable means of thrust restraint shall be provided

at each change of direction of the pipe and at tees,
plugs, caps, bends and hydrant. Additional restraints
shall be provided as required by specific
manufacturer’s recommendations.

B. Thrust block shall be used where soil is suitable and

in addition to other retrains on ductile iron pipe.
Design of thrust blocks shall be made by an
acceptable engineering calculation. Tables in
Appendix of NFPA 24 may be used as a guideline
for area of bearing face of concrete thrust blocks.

C. On steep grades, mains shall be properly anchored to

prevent slipping.

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 D. Clamps, rods, bolts, washers, and straps used shall
be sized, installed and of the materials as noted in
NFPA 24.

E. After installation, rods nuts, bolts, washers, claps,

and restraining devices except thrust blocks shall be
cleaned and thoroughly coated with a bituminous or
other approved corrosion-retarding material.

3.3 ALARM CHECK VALVE ASSEMBLY: UL/FM APPROVED

The valve assembly shall be rpvoided with the following

standard accessories:

A. Variable pressure trim with a retarding chamber and 1/8”

drain restruction.

B. Water pressure gages on the inlet and outlet side.

C. Water motor alarm / or electric pressure switch

D. Pressure relief valve

E. Water motor alarm strainer

F. Drain connections

G. Water motor alarm assembly

Material:

Body: Ductile Iron

Handhole cover: Steel, ASTM A715, Grade 50, HA
LA
Clapper: Stainless steel UNS-530400
Seat: Brass UNS-C84400
Clapper rubber: Ethylene Propylene Diene
Monomer
ASTMD-2000

Connections: Flange type, ANSI B-16.1, 175 psi rating

Piping: Brass or other corrosion resistant material

3.4 SPRINKLER TEST CONNECTION:

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The test connection should be made using an approved sight
glass assembly containing a smooth bore corrosion resistance
orifice. The control valve of the test connection shall be at an
accessible location.

END OF SECTION

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