Firelines

General Information

Firelines are generally described as the water supply line for fire suppression systems and/or hydrants from the City-owned water main to backflow preventer. Within the City, firelines are classified as private infrastructure beyond the first isolation valve on the City main as described in Chapter 19 of the City Code. Once in service, firelines and their backflow preventers are required to be tested annually as part of the City’s Cross Connection Control Program.

The Municipal Services and Operations Department (MSO) requires firelines to meet a set of design, construction, and material standards as described within the Department’s Technical Resources Page. Those seeking to design, install, and/or repair these systems are encouraged to review all relevant documentation. An excerpt of relevant standards is included below:

• Standard Detail Sheets  
  • 2900 – Waterline (PDF) 
  • 2902.2 – Fireline Connection Detail (PDF)  
    • Note: Maximum distance between the City main and the backflow preventer is 100-feet for 2-inch firelines and 50-feet for firelines larger than 2-inches in diameter. 
• 2902.6.1 – Backflow Manhole Detail (PDF)  
  • Required for 2-inch firelines where the distance from the City main to the backflow preventer within the building would exceed 100-feet 
• 2902.6.1 – Backflow Vault Detail (PDF)  
  • Required for firelines larger than 2-inches in diameter where the distance from the City main to the backflow preventer within the building would exceed 50-feet 
• Construction Material Specifications  
  • Section 2900 – Waterline (PDF) 
  • Anticipated Submittals 
    • 2-inch firelines
    • Firelines larger than 2-inches in Diameter

Please contact the Engineer of the Day (mso-eod@lawrenceks.org) with questions regarding the design or construction of firelines. 

New Installations

Installation of new firelines is reviewed and permitted through Planning and Development Services (PDS) as either a Plumbing Permit or a New Construction Permit in coordination with the fire suppression system. All applications are received online via the City’s Enterprise Permitting & Licensing (EPL) System.

Applicants are required to provide both the Fireline Material Submittals as well as the Fire Suppression System Calculations at the same time for concurrent review by relevant staff. Where the fireline layout on the site is not obvious, the Applicant may be required to provide a site plan for review.

These items may be provided as part of the Building Permit application or as a Deferred Submittal within 30 days of the permit being issued. Documentation for Deferred Submittals may be uploaded as files to the existing Building Permit. PDS Staff are notified of the upload and relevant reviews are assigned. Please contact Permit Technician Mike Rinke (mrinke@lawrenceks.org or 785-832-7700, option 2) with any questions regarding the permitting process or online system.

Depending on the location of the existing watermain and proposed connections, additional Right of Way (ROW) and Temporary Traffic Control permits may be required. Additional information on the City’s ROW Management Office is available online or by contacting rowpermits@lawrenceks.org.

When permitted, firelines are to be inspected both by the MSO Department as well as Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical Department. These are to be scheduled by the Applicant in EPL and denoted as MSO – Fireline and Fire Line inspections respectively within that system. These inspections are in addition to the Fire Sprinkler Rough In, and Fire Sprinkler Pressure Test inspections that are required of new fire suppression system installations.

Downtown Fire Sprinkler Program

Within the Downtown Urban Conservation Overlay District, applicants may elect to have the City assist in fireline installation as part of the City’s Downtown Fire Sprinkler Program.

All buildings not currently served by a fire protection sprinkler system and for which no existing tap serves the building, are eligible to receive a fire protection service tap for a flat fee of $3,000, provided that the building owner agrees to install a full fire protection sprinkler system throughout the building. A single tap (and the requisite service tap fee) may be shared by multiple buildings provided that the building owners sign a Fire Protection System Cross-Connection Agreement and subject to the review and approval of the City. Tap installation will be coordinated with the building owner and/or the building tenant.

City Responsibilities

• Tap city watermain, install tapping valve (inclusive of valve box & cover), and install fireline to the edge of the City ROW and/or building face (ends with plain end pipe)
• Obtain permits for work within the ROW as needed
• Restore ROW as needed

Applicant Responsibilities

• Return executed Service Agreement and associated $3,000 payment
• Continue installation from the ROW to the fire suppression system inclusive of coring building foundations and surface restoration outside the ROW
• Review Technical Resources and install a backflow manhole or vault if required by the fireline distance.
  • Applicant to review proposed fireline routing with MSO Staff to determine total length
• Provide material submittals for applicant provided items as required.
• Coordinate / perform Fire Line and Fire Sprinkler Pressure Test inspections as needed

City crews are scheduled 4-6 weeks out following receipt of an executed Service Agreement and associated payment. For additional information on this program, and to make an application please contact MSO (785-832-7800 / MSO@lawrenceks.org).