20150924Fire Marshal Comments.pdf

Jean Jewell
From:Jean Jewell
Sent:Thursday,September24,2015 8:16AM
To:Jean Jewell
Subject:FW:Fire Marshals Written Comments
From:Romeo Gervais [mailto:[e-mail]]
Sent:Wednesday,September 23,2015 11:42 AM
To:Mike Morrison
Subject:UWI-W-15-01 Comments
My name is Romeo Gervais,and I am the Deputy Chief Fire Marshal for the City of Boise Fire Department.I am writing
concerning the application made by United Water Idaho in Case No.UWI-W-15-01.
Residential sprinkler system installation is regulated by National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)13D,as adopted by
the City of Boise and the State of Idaho.NFPA 13D was specifically developed to provide reasonable levels of life safety
while allowing cost effect installations.One item that allows cost savings is the use of single water tap.This single tap
supplies both the domestic and fire protection demands.The addition of the ongoing monthly fee for a separate tap
negates some of the cost saving measures of this national model standard.
I would recommend United Water allow combined domestic and fire protection services for meter sizes up to 2-inches
where used to supply NFPA 13D systems.NFPA 13 and NFPA 13R systems should still require separate dedicated service
lines.The fire protection system would be metered and any water used would be billed as part of the normal domestic
use.Generally with meters larger than 2-inches,fire protection services should be a separate dedicated service
line.The vast majority of NFPA 13D systems can be serviced by either a %“or 1”meter based upon the required
pressure and flow.If additional justification exists to further restrict the meter sizes to 1”for combination systems,the
majority of homes should still be able to take advantage of the combination option.
Meter sizes should not be used to restrict pipe sizes.Often the supply lines are larger than the meter size to improve
system hydraulics.
The customer should be able to review and choose from either option;standalone fire protection supply or combined
domestic/fire protection supply,as allowed in NFPA 13D.
Regards,
Romeo P.Gervais,P.E
Romeo P.Gervais,P.E.
Deputy Chief—Fire Marshal
[phone] Work
[phone] Cell
[e-mail]
333.N.Mark Stall Place
Boise,ID 83704
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