PDFWAC 246-293-640

Minimum standards for fire flow.

(1) City, town, or county legislative authority shall set minimum fire flows where local standards are adopted under WAC 248-57-900.
(2) Where local standards are not adopted under WAC 248-57-900, Table 1 shall identify minimum fire flows. Contact with the county and local fire protection authority shall be made before applying these standards in a water system plan or to design of individual development.
TABLE 1
MINIMUM FIRE FLOWS*
Development Classification
Minimum Fire Flow
Requirement
(as described under WAC 248-57-400)
 
Rural
None
Residential
500 gallons per minute for 30 minutes
Commercial and multifamily structures greater than 4000 sq. ft.
750 gallons per minute for 60 minutes**
Industrial
1000 gallons per minute for 60 minutes**
*
**
Minium flows are in addition to requirements for normal domestic maximum use.
Commercial and industrial buildings may be subject to higher flow requirements when evaluated on an individual basis by the local fire protection authority.
Note:
Minimum standards in most cases require less flow than categories in the guidelines published by the Insurance Services Office (Municipal Survey Service, 160 Water Street, New York, New York 10038) and therefore may not result in lower insurance rates.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.70.040. WSR 91-02-049 (Order 121), recodified as § 246-293-640, filed 12/27/90, effective 1/31/91. Statutory Authority: Chapter 70.116 RCW. WSR 89-16-065 (Order 2840), § 248-57-500, filed 7/31/89, effective 8/31/89. Statutory Authority: RCW 70.116.080. WSR 79-04-007 (Order 1378), § 248-57-500, filed 3/12/79.]