MECKLENBURG COUNTY
FIRE MARSHAL'S OFFICE
FIRE MAIN INSPECTION
Per NFPA 24 the authority having jurisdiction shall always be consulted before the installation or remodeling of private fire service
mains.
Requirements:
• Working plans shall be submitted for approval to the authority having jurisdiction before any equipment is installed
or remodeled.
• Pipe smaller than 6 inches in diameter shall not be installed as private service main supplying hydrants.
• For mains that do not supply hydrants, sizes smaller than 6 inches shall be permitted to be used to the following restrictions:
o The main shall supply only the following types of systems:
 Automatic sprinkler systems
 Open sprinkler systems
 Water spray fixed systems
 Foam systems
 Class II standpipe systems
o Hydraulic calculations shall show that the main is able to supply the total demand at the appropriate pressure.
• The Fire Department Connection (FDC) shall be properly supported.
• 4 inch piping is the minimum size permitted for a Fire Department Connection (FDC).
• Fire Department Connections (FDC) shall be located not less than 18 inches nor more than 48 inches above the level of
adjoining ground, sidewalk, or grade surface.
• Underground piping must rise 12 inches above ground to enter building.
• Hydrants shall be provided and spaced in accordance with the requirements of the authority having jurisdiction.
o Hydrants shall be located not less than 40 feet from the building to be protected.
o Hydrants shall be of an approved type and have not less than a 6 inch diameter connection with the mains.
o Hydrants shall have a 5 inch storz connection.
• Joint restraint – All tees, plugs, caps, bends, reducers, valves, and hydrant branches shall be restrained against
movement by using thrust blocks or restrained joint systems.
o Thrust blocks shall be of a concrete mix not leaver than one part cement, two and one-half parts sand, and fire parts
stone.
o Thrust blocks shall be placed between undisturbed earth and the fitting t be restrained and shall be capable of
resisting the calculated thrust forces.
• Approval of underground piping – The installing contractor shall be responsible for the following:
o Notifying the authority having jurisdiction and the owner’s representative of the time and date testing is to be
performed.
o Performing all required acceptance tests.
o Completing and signing the contractor’s material and test certificate(s).
• Hydrostatic Test – All piping and attached appurtenances subjected to system working pressure shall be
hydrostatically tested at 200 psi or 50 psi in excess of the system working pressure, whichever is greater, and shall
maintain that pressure at ±5 psi for 2 hours.
PEOPLE • PRIDE • PROGRESS • PARTNERSHIPS
2145 Suttle Avenue • Charlotte, North Carolina 28208-5237 • (980) 314-3070
North Carolina Recommended Depth of Cover Above Top of Underground Yard Mains
Pipe Thrust Block Examples
18 inch minimum
36 inch maximum
Typical Hydrant Connection with a Minimum and Maximum Height Requirement
Contactor’s Material and Test Certificate for Underground Piping
PROCEDURE
Upon completion of work, inspection and tests shall be made by the contractor’s representative and witnessed by the authority having jurisdiction. All defects shall
be corrected and system left in service before contractor’s personnel finally leave the job.
A certificate shall be filled out and signed by both representatives. Copies shall be prepared for approving authorities, owners, and contractor. It is understood the
owner’s representative’s signature in no way prejudices any claim against contractor for faulty material, poor workmanship, or failure to comply with approving
authority’s requirements or local ordinances.
Property Name:
Date:
Property Address:
Accepted by approving authorities (names)
Address
Plans
Installation conforms with plans
Yes
No
Equipment used is approved
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
If no, state deviations
Instructions
Location
Has person in charge of fire equipment been instructed as to location of
control valve and care and maintenance of this new equipment?
If no, explain
Have copies of appropriate instructions and care and maintenance
charts been left on premises?
If no, explain
Supplies Building
Pipe types and class
Underground
Pipes and Joints
Type Joint
Pipe conforms to
standard
Yes
No
Fittings conforms to
standard
Yes
No
Yes
No
If no, explain
Joints needed anchorage clamped, strapped, or blocked
in accordance with
standard
In no, explain
Test Description
Flushing: Flow the required rate until water is clear as indicated by no collection of foreign material in burlap bags at outlets such as
hydrants and blow offs. Flush at flows not less than 390 gpm (1476 L/min) for 4 in. pipe, 880 gpm (3331 L/min) for 6 in. pipe, 1560 gpm
(5905 L/min) for 8 in. pipe, 2440 gpm (9235 L/min) for 10 in. pipe, and 3520 gpm (13,323 L/min) for 12 in. pipe. When supply cannot
produce stipulated flow rates, obtain maximum available.
Hydrostatic: All piping and attached appurtenances subjected to system working pressure shall be hydrostatically tested at 200 psi (13.8
bar) or 50 psi (3.5 bar) in excess of the system working pressure, whichever is greater, and shall maintain that pressure ± 5 psi (0.35 bar)
for 2 hours.
Hydrostatic Testing Allowances: Where additional water is added to the system to maintain the test pressure required by 10.10.2.2.1, the
amount of water shall be measured and shall not exceed the limits of the following equation (For metric equation, see 10.10.2.2.6)
L = Testing allowance (makeup water), in gallons per hour
S = Length of pipe tested, in feet
𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆√𝑃𝑃
𝐿𝐿 =
D = Nominal diameter of the pipe, in inches
148,000
P = Average test pressure during the hydrostatic test, in pounds per square inch (gauge)
Yes
New underground piping flushed according to
No
standard by (company):
If no, explain
Through what type opening
How flushing flow was obtained
Public Water
Flushing Tests
Tank or
Reservoir
Fire Pump
Hydrant Butt
Open Pipe
Yes
Lead-ins flushed according to
No
Standard by (company):
If no, explain
Through what type of opening
How flushing was obtained
Public Water
Tank or
Reservoir
Fire Pump
Y Connection
to flange and
Spigot
Open Pipe
NFPA 24 (p. 1 of 2)
Hydrostatic Test
Joints Covered
All new underground piping hydrostatically tested at
psi
for
Yes
hours
No
Total amount of leakage measured
Leakage Test
gallons
hours
Allowable leakage
gallons
Hydrants
Number installed
hours
All operate satisfactorily
Type and make
Water control valves left wide open
Control Valves
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
If no, state reason
Hose threads of fire department connections and hydrants
interchangeable with those of fire department answering alarm
Date left in service
Remarks
Name of installing contractor
Tests Witnessed By:
Signatures
For property owner (signed)
Title
Date
For installing contractor (signed)
Title
Date
Additional explanation and notes
NFPA 24 (p. 2 of 2)