Residential Multipurpose Fire Sprinkler Systems - City of Bonney Lake

A minimum of one inch (1”) meter (or larger depending on fire flow demands) is required and a one and one half
inch (1 ½”) service line is required from the meter to the home. [The one inch meter cost (SDC fee) has been
reduced to the same cost as a five eights (5/8”) or a three quarter inch (3/4”) meter. The reason the city did this
was to provide the water needed and to provide a price reduction ($10k) to allow the installation of a residential
sprinkler system.]
Exception:
A. Existing 5/8” meters [installed prior to July 12, 2010] may be used if the sprinkler system is designed
for a 5/8” meter. Please note the system can not have a pump and tank design as it would involve a
prohibited backflow preventer. When the fire flow test occurs after installation, it will be based on two
sprinkler heads operating at the same time. However, if after installation the flow test does not pass, then
a 1” or larger meter will need to be installed.
B. A pump and tank system may be allowed with prior approval if all of the following condition are met:
1. The water system is provided from a well on private property.
2. The tank must be a self contained nonsiphonable refillable tank.
3. The tank must be designed for a minimum of ten (10) minutes of fire flow based on hydraulic
calculations for two heads.
4. The system must be designed to IRC Appendix R or NFPA 13D
4. If my existing meter is too small, will I have to replace it with a larger meter If so who pays for it
Meter set installation or replacement is the responsibility of the permitee. Prior to any work the permitee is to
contact the Community Development Engineer for inspection and approval. Once the meter set has been installed
and approved, contact the Public Works Department to request installation of the water meter. Details for the
meter set are available online through the City of Bonney Lake website at http://www.ci.bonney-lake.wa.us/
Note: All meters and meter sets provided and installed on water service connections shall be and remain
the property of the city and shall be removed only by the city.
5. If I share a main supply (1” tap off of the street main) with my neighbor (two meters being supplied by one 1”
water main tap) will it be sufficient to supply both houses
No. Depending on the flow requirements to your house you may need to install a new water main tap and a new
service line to the meter splitters. All new building supply lines from the water meter to the house have to be a
minimum of one and one-half inch (1 ½”).
6. Does a new town house or duplex require multiple water meters
Yes. Each duplex and townhouse style building unit will have a separate water meter and service for each living
unit. There shall be only one water meter installed for each building housing multiple residential units.
7. Can there be dead ends in the residential sprinkler system piping
Dead ends are limited to 36”. Your dead ends should be limited because you are installing a “loop system”. We
typically do not allow any dead ends unless they are unavoidable. Sprinkler systems need to meet the cities’
potable water requirements. The reason is to have the water circulate through all of the piping so there isn’t any
water contamination. You are drinking the same water that flows through your domestic water system and
sprinkler system.
8. Can we use the smoke detectors in the home as a form of notification of fire sprinkler system activation
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