scope:

This standard shall cover the minimum requirements for the installation of private fire service mains and their appurtenances supplying the following:

(1) Automatic sprinkler systems

(2) Open sprinkler systems

(3) Water spray fixed systems

(4) Foam systems

(5) Private hydrants

(6) Monitor nozzles or standpipe systems with reference to water supplies

(7) Hose houses

This standard shall apply to combined service mains used to carry water for fire service and other uses.

This standard shall not apply to the following situations:

(1) Mains under the control of a water utility

(2) Mains providing fire protection and/or domestic water that are privately owned but are operated as a water utility 

This standard shall not apply to underground mains serving sprinkler systems designed and installed in accordance with NFPA 13R that are under 4 in. (102 mm) in size.

This standard shall not apply to underground mains serving sprinkler systems designed and installed in accordance with NFPA 13D.

Purpose. The purpose of this standard shall be to provide a reasonable degree of protection for life and property from fire through installation requirements for private fire service main systems based on sound engineering principles, test data, and field experience.

Retroactivity. The provisions of this standard reflect a consensus of what is necessary to provide an acceptable degree of protection from the hazards addressed in this standard at the time the standard was issued. 

Unless otherwise specified, the provisions of this standard shall not apply to facilities, equipment, structures, or installations that existed or were approved for construction or installation prior to the effective date of the standard. Where specified, the provisions of this standard shall be retroactive. 

In those cases where the authority having jurisdiction determines that the existing situation presents an unacceptable degree of risk, the authority having jurisdiction shall be permitted to apply retroactively any portions of this standard deemed appropriate.

The retroactive requirements of this standard shall be permitted to be modified if their application clearly would be impractical in the judgment of the authority having jurisdiction and only where it is clearly evident that a reasonable degree of safety is provided.