Los Angeles Municipal Code § 57.507 Fire Protection Water Supplies

Section 507 of the CFC is hereby adopted in its entirety with the following exceptions, modifications, and additions.

Fire-flow requirements for buildings or portions of buildings and facilities shall be determined by an approved method as set forth in Sections 57.507.3.1 through 57.507.3.3.

Fire-flows shall comply with Table 57.507.3.1 for any structures, group of structures or facilities by the type of land development, or as otherwise determined by the Chief.

1. Where street alignments mandate the installation of dead-end mains, the fire-flow in gallons per minute may be adjusted downward, depending on the type of land development.

2. A minimum residual water pressure of 20 pounds per square inch is to remain in the system with the required gallons per minute flowing.

TABLE 57.507.3.1

FIRE-FLOW BY TYPE OF LAND DEVELOPMENT

Type of Land Development Fire-Flow in Gallons Per Minute 2,000 G.P.M. from three adjacent fire hydrants flowing Low Density Residential simultaneously High Density Residential and Neighborhood 4,000 G.P.M. from four adjacent fire hydrants flowing Commercial simultaneously 6,000 to 9,000 G.P.M. from four to six fire hydrants flowing Industrial and Commercial simultaneously

12,000 G.P.M. available to any block (where local conditions

High Density Industrial and Commercial (Principal indicate that consideration must be given to simultaneous fires, Business Districts or Centers) and additional 2,000 to 8,000 G.P.M. will be required).

Fire hydrant spacing and type of hydrant, by type of land development. See Table 57.507.3.2.

1. Every first story dwelling unit, first story guest room, and all first story portions of any commercial or industrial building must be within 300 feet of an approved fire hydrant.

2. All fire hydrants shall have 2 1/2-inch x 4-inch outlets or 4-inch x 4-inch outlets and conform to the minimum standards of the American Water Works Association for wet barrel hydrants. A minimum of one fire hydrant is to be provided at each intersection. “Built-up” type single 2 1/2-inch outlet hydrants (6-inch pipe surmounted by an angle valve) shall be used in areas having a static water pressure of 210 P.S.I. or more.

3. Streets with raised median center dividers, excessive traffic loads, or more than 80 feet in dedicated width require the installation of hydrants on both sides of the street. Additional intermediate hydrants are required in areas where restricted access, depth of lots, or blocks exceeding the maximum hydrant spacing intervals exist.

TABLE 57.507.3.2

FIRE HYDRANT SPACING

Net Land Area Served Per Distance Between Hydrants

Type of Land Development Type of Hydrant Hydrant on Roads and Fire Lanes 2 1/2-inch x 4-inch Double Low Density Residential *150,000 Sq. Ft. 600 Ft. Fire Hydrant High Density Residential & 2 1/2-inch x 4-inch Double *100,000 Sq. Ft 300 - 450 Ft. Neighborhood Commercial Fire Hydrant 2 1/2-inch x 4-inch Double Fire Hydrant or Industrial & Commercial *80,000 Sq. Ft. 300 Ft. 4-inch x 4-inch Double Fire Hydrant High Density Industrial & 4-inch x 4-inch Double Fire *40,000 Sq. Ft. 300 Ft. Commercial Hydrant

*This figure will be systematically reduced where greater fire-flow is required due to restricted access, depth of lots, length of blocks, or additional hazards.

Land use and required fire-flow. See Table 57.507.3.3.

TABLE 57.507.3.3

RESPONSE DISTANCES THAT IF EXCEEDED REQUIRE THE INSTALLATION OF AN AUTOMATIC FIRE SPRINKLERS SYSTEM

Maximum Response Distance **

Land Use * Required Fire-Flow Engine Co. Truck Co. 2,000 g.p.m. from three adjacent Low Density Residential 1-1/2 miles 2 miles hydrants flowing simultaneously High Density Residential 4,000 g.p.m. from four adjacent and Commercial hydrants flowing simultaneously 1-1/2 miles 2 miles Neighborhood

6,000 to 9,000 g.p.m. from four

Industrial and Commercial 1 mile 1-1/2 miles hydrants flowing simultaneously

12,000 g.p.m. available to any High Density Industrial and block (where local conditions Commercial or Industrial indicate that consideration must be 3/4 mile 1 mile (Principal Business Districts given to simultaneous fires, an or Centers) additional 2,000 to 8,000 g.p.m. will be required)

*Land use designations are contained in the community plan elements of the General Plan for the City of Los Angeles.

**The maximum response distances for both L.A.F.D. fire suppression companies (engine and truck) must be satisfied.

Fire hydrant systems shall comply with Sections 57.507.5.1 through 57.507.5.7 and Appendix C or by an approved method.

No person shall erect, construct, maintain, or build, or cause to be erected, constructed, or built, any structure, screen, or fence in such a location as to prohibit or restrict the ready operation and use of any fire hydrant, Fire Department connection to sprinkler system, exterior or combination standpipe system, or other installed fire protection equipment, nor plant or allow the growth of any vegetation which will hide or obscure said installed fire protection equipment.

No person shall park or place any vehicle or other mobile equipment in such a manner or position which would hinder or restrict the immediate and complete use, by the Department, of any fire hydrant, Fire Department connection to a sprinkler system, exterior or combination standpipe system, or any other fire protection equipment which is installed for Fire Department use.

Violation of Sections 57.507.5.4.1 through 57.507.5.4.2 shall be subject to penalties and minimum fines as prescribed in Section 57.110.4 and Table 57.110.4.

The Department shall have the authority to identify any fire hydrant by installing a blue reflector on the street or access road adjacent to the hydrant.