N.Y.C. Admin. Code § FC 507: Section FC 507: Fire Protection Water Supplies

507.1 Required water supply.

For premises requiring the installation of private fire hydrant systems or yard hydrant systems, an approved water supply capable of supplying the required design capacity for fire protection shall be provided.

507.2 Type of water supply.

A water supply shall consist of pressure tanks, gravity tanks, water mains or other approved fixed systems capable of providing the required design capacity.

507.2.1 Private fire service mains.

Private fire service mains and appurtenances shall be installed in accordance with NFPA 24 and the requirements of the New York City Department of Environmental Protection.

507.2.2 Water tanks.

Water tanks for private hydrant systems and yard hydrant systems shall be installed in accordance with NFPA 22.

507.2.3 Yard hydrant systems.

Outdoor amusement parks, bulk plants or terminals, lumber yards, trailer camps, industrial parks, and similar occupancies shall be provided with a yard hydrant system installed in compliance with the requirements of the construction codes, including the Building Code, this section and FC 914. Yard hydrants shall be installed such that the entire area may be reached by 250 feet (76.2 m) of hose from a yard hydrant or a street hydrant supplied from a direct connection to a city water main or other approved water supply.

507.3 Design capacity.

The design capacity of the water supply shall be determined by an approved method.

507.4 Water supply test.

Upon completion of the installation of a private fire hydrant system and yard hydrant system, a flow test shall be conducted to verify that the system provides the minimum design capacity required by FC 507.3. Certification of the water supply test shall be submitted to the commissioner by a registered design professional.

507.5 Private fire hydrant systems.

Private fire hydrant systems shall comply with the requirements of FC 507.5.1 through 507.5.6.

507.5.1 Where required.

Where the front entrance of a building is more than 250 feet (76.2 m) from a hydrant on a public street, as measured by an approved route, private fire hydrants and mains shall be provided as required by the commissioner.

507.5.2 Inspection, testing and maintenance.

Private fire hydrant systems shall be subject to periodic tests as required by the commissioner. Private fire hydrant systems shall be maintained in good working order at all times and shall be repaired when defective. Additions, repairs, alterations and servicing shall comply with approved standards.

507.5.2.1 Department flow tests.

The department may periodically inspect and test private fire hydrant systems, at the risk of the owner, for proper operation and unobstructed flow of such hydrant system.

507.5.3 Private fire service mains and water tanks.

Private fire service mains and water tanks shall be periodically inspected, tested and maintained in accordance with NFPA 25 at the following intervals:

1. Private fire hydrants (all types): Inspection annually and after each operation; flow test and maintenance annually.

2. Fire service main piping: Inspection of exposed, annually; flow test every 5 years.

3. Fire service main piping strainers: Inspection and maintenance after each use.

507.5.4 Obstructions.

Posts, fences, vegetation, rubbish containers, vehicles and other items shall not be installed, planted, placed, parked or stored near fire hydrants, fire department connections or fire protection system control valves in a manner that would obscure the location of such fire hydrants, connections or valves, or that would hinder immediate access thereto by firefighting personnel.

507.5.5 Clear space around hydrants.

A 3-foot (914 mm) radius clear space shall be maintained around the circumference of fire hydrants to allow unobstructed operation of the hydrant operating nut, except as otherwise required or approved.

507.5.6 Physical protection.

Where fire hydrants are subject to impact by motor vehicles, posts that comply with the requirements of the New York City Department of Environmental Protection shall be installed. Notwithstanding the requirements of FC 507.5.5, these posts may be installed no less than 2 feet (610 mm) from the hydrant if they do not obstruct the use of a 24-inch (610-mm) wrench on the hydrant operating nut.