Fire protection services pipework systems

—wastewater removal
Re–issued September 2003

EPA 244/03: This guideline replaces EPA Technical Bulletin No. 21, ‘Wastewater removal
from fire protection services pipework systems (October 2000).

Introduction
Wastewater and washdown water from many small and diffuse sources currently drain into the
stormwater system, and that combination carries a large pollution load directly into our waterways
and oceans.
While litter and rubbish are usually the most visible pollutants, contaminants such as oil and grease,
sediments and residual chemicals can also have a significant pollution impact.
Reducing and where possible eliminating sources of pollution—such as wastewater from fire
protection pipework systems—before they enter our waterways is more effective than attempting to
treat the downstream effects.
Most urban areas are well served with adequate waste disposal in a sewage system or septic tank
drainage effluent system (STEDS), and by waste collection services.
These guidelines identify options and management techniques considered to comply with the
requirements of Section 25 (General Environmental Duty) of the Environment Protection Act 1993 (the
Act) for wastewater discharges from fire protection pipework systems in new buildings.

Discharge provisions
Discharge provisions for various types of systems are tabled overleaf.

System Type
Fire Sprinkler
(town main direct feed or
pumped with control valve
assembly)
a) All installations
b) Residential and light hazard
installations
c) Ordinary hazard, high and
large density special hazard
installations
d) Open spray type (deluge and
similar) installations
Building Fire Hydrant
(town main direct feed)
Fire Hose Reel
Pumps, tanks or dams
* For off-site disposal, the building owner should be made aware of ongoing annual costs for system maintenance,
testing and alterations which necessitate waste water removal.
Fire protection services pipework systems wastewater removal—September 2003
Functional Use
Single sprinkler test at valve set or
end of line
Local work area or minor drain
down utilising portable collection
vessel.
System annubar flow test and drain
down at control valve assembly
System annubar flow test and drain
down at control valve assembly
Commissioning flow test to
protected area if required
Flow test (commissioning and
ongoing)
Drain down
Flow test and drain down
(commissioning and infrequent
testing)
Flow test
Tank overflow
Tank and drain down
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Discharge Provision
Connected to sewer or soakage pit or holding
tank with restricted outlet to sewer or
holding tank (sullage system) with pump
outlet to sewer or garden area.
Empty to sewer or soakage pit or garden area
at a rate to avoid flooding.
Connected to sewer or soakage pit or holding
tank with restricted outlet to sewer or
holding tank (sullage system) with pump
outlet to sewer or garden area.
Note: offsite disposal is an alternative
method.*
Connected to holding tank with restricted
outlet to sewer or holding tank with pump
outlet to sewer or stormwater interceptor
system capable of removing sediment.
Note: offsite disposal is an alternative
method.*
No restrictions due to system arrangement—
discharge to ground surface is inevitable,
runoff to stormwater interceptor system
capable of removing sediment.
No restrictions due to flow required to
discharge from millcocks.
Connected to holding tank with restricted
outlet to sewer or holding tank with pump
outlet to sewer or stormwater interceptor
system capable of removing sediment.
Discharge to sewer or garden area by use of
hose reel nozzle.
Recirculation testing back to tank/dam only.
Note: where recirculation testing is not
available, refer flow test requirements for
sprinkler systems as applicable.
No restriction as this is an emergency
situation.
Connected to sewer or soakage pit or holding
tank with restricted outlet to sewer or
holding tank (sullage system) with pump
outlet to sewer or garden area
 Fire protection services pipework systems wastewater removal—September 2003

Further information
Wastewater should not be allowed to exit the site onto neighbouring property as this may cause
environmental nuisance.
Where the quality of wastewater is not known, discharge to the sewer system should be provided,
subject to applicable discharge rate conditions.
Where service discharge quantities are considered suitable for soakage pits, their capacity and design
should comply with sections 7.4.1 and 7.4.3 of the SA Health Commission Code Standard For The
Construction Installation And Operation Of Septic Tank Systems In South Australia.
The use of garden area discharge locations is limited but should ensure vegetation preservation and
tolerance to flooding, and avoid disturbance of landscape formation.
Where services discharge options allow for connection to stormwater interceptors, their capacity and
design should be based on manufacturers’ performance data and comply with British Standard Code
of Practice for Building Drainage BS8301–1985, or Australian approved equivalent. Such interceptors
may be dedicated to the fire system or combined with building/site stormwater reticulation
provisions.
Discharge limitations are based on a system’s normal functional testing and maintenance operations.
Emergency discharge conditions are not restricted.
Discharge arrangements to holding tanks, soakage pits, garden areas and stormwater interceptors
should be provided with appropriate signage (at the drain initiation source) to indicate maximum
permitted duration of time for test, limitation on input for system drain down, and the restriction on
use during inclement (high rainfall) weather.
As an alternative to on-site discharge, off-site disposal of wastewater from major drain downs and
flow tests can be arranged through the services of a licensed waste transporter. In this situation, the
fire system interface should include a flexible hose, quick release-type coupling for tanker
connection, and appropriate signage. Examples of such signage are:

WARNING
WARNING
STORMWATER INTERCEPTOR USED FOR DRAIN AND
HOLDING TANK USED FOR DRAIN AND TEST.
TEST.
PERMITTED DISCHARGE TIME NOT TO EXCEED
……. MINUTES. AVOID USE DURING HIGH RAINFALL PERIODS.

WARNING
DRAIN AND FLOW TEST DISCHARGE PROVISIONS
ARE ARRANGED FOR OFF-SITE DISPOSAL ONLY.

TO ARRANGE DISPOSAL, CONTACT:

_______________(CONTRACTOR)

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 Fire protection services pipework systems wastewater removal—September 2003

Acknowledgments
This guideline has been prepared in consultation with the following industry reference group:
Ashley Hallendal Ashley Hallendal & Assoc.
Keith Bleechmoore AMCA
Bob Mitchel Connell Wagner
David Moses David Moses & Assoc.
David Robinson Lincolne Scott
Jeffery Clark SA Water
Ken Hutt Secon Consulting Engineers
and Adelaide City Council

Currency of these guidelines

These guidelines offer advice to assist with compliance with the general environmental duty and
specific environmental policies. They are subject to amendment and persons relying on the
information should check with the EPA to ensure that it is current at any given time.

FURTHER INFORMATION
Legislation
Legislation may be viewed on the Internet at: ww.parliament.sa.gov.au/dbsearch/legsearch.htm
Copies of legislation are available for purchase from:
Government Information Centre Telephone: (08) 8204 1900
77 Grenfell Street Facsimile: (08) 8204 1909
Adelaide SA 5000 Freecall (country): 1800 182 234

For general information please contact:

Environment Protection Authority Telephone: (08) 8204 2004
GPO Box 2607 Facsimile: (08) 8204 9393
Adelaide SA 5001 Freecall (country): 1800 623 445
Internet: www.epa.sa.gov.au

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