Sanitary Sewer
Special Requirements.
The requirements below supersede the requirements of
Local Sewer Authority. The regulations of the local sewer
NFPA 24:
authority should be followed.
A secondary water supply for high rise buildings shall
Discharge in Remote Rural Areas. In areas where no
be provided in seismic zones 2, 3, and 4 by an on-site
public sewers exist, septic tanks and leach fields should
reservoir supplying fire pumps installed in accordance
be used for sewage discharge. Cesspools are not permit-
with NFPA 20. The supply to the fire pump shall include an
ted. Septic systems will have additional land area (in
auxiliary bypass (normally closed) from the municipal
accordance with local and State code requirements) for
water supply. The secondary water supply shall have
future expansion of the discharge system.
enough capacity to supply building fire suppression
systems for a 30-minute duration in accordance with
Locating Sewer Pipes. All sewer lines will be located
appropriate NFPA requirements.
below unpaved areas if at all possible.
For buildings located in rural areas where established
water supply systems for fire fighting are not available; the
Manholes. Pipe runs between manholes should be
water supply shall be obtained from a tank, reservoir or
straight lines.
other reliable source. The minimum quantity for adequate
Manholes must not be located in the main pedestrian
water supply shall be determined by the design team fire
route in walkways. The placement of manholes in other
protection engineer and approved by the GSA regional fire
pedestrian areas such as plazas and entry courts should be
protection engineer. See Chapter 7, Fire Protection & Life
avoided, particularly in the primary traffic routes across
Safety, for additional information.
plazas and entry courts.
Fire Hydrants. Fire hydrants shall be provided for all
Cleanouts. Cleanouts will be provided on all service lines,
new construction and renovation projects in accordance
approximately 1500 mm (5 feet) away from the building,
with NFPA 24. The local fire department shall be
and at all line bends where manholes are not used.
consulted with regard to their specific requirements
regarding the locations of fire hydrants and thread types
Storm Drainage
for hydrant outlets.
It is GSA policy to separate storm drains from sanitary
sewers within the property limits, even in cities where
separate public systems are not yet available. A storm
drainage system may consist of vegetated swales, paved
36 F A C I L I T I E S S T A N D A R D S
FOR THE
PUBLIC
BUILDINGS
SERVICE
2.6 Site Utilities
Revised March 2005 PBS-P100
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