Fire Sprinkler water suppied from a pond

[StoneCold]

I am considering creating a pond on our property to supply our fire sprinkler water. The design is about 4000gpm. If we don't create the pond and go with existing fire suppresson supply water we have to pipe it to our facility and then add a booster pump to get the pressure up. I think the piping/pump is going to run us about $600k. So I am thinking a pond may be the way to go. Storage tanks are also an option but the cost is about a wash with the piping system. Has anyone out there used the pond method? Would you do it again? One more little tid bit is that we are located in colorado so the pond will freeze on the top.

Regards
StoneCold

 

[SprinklerDesigner2]

I agree the NRS valve would be considered OK as the local water department (an authority having jurisdiction) requires it in the suction pipe.

I was thinking about Colorado, 40 psi and the 20 psi minimum requirement I am sure the EPA/Water department requires.

Everything I've ever seen concerning the minimum 20 psi suction pressure applies to anywhere on the suction line and not just the suction flange of the pump.

If there's a hill or ridge between the tap and pump inlet 30 feet high between the 1,500 feet (I can imagine this in Colorado) the available pressure in the highest point could be considerably lower then what is available at the pump suction flange.

If suction dropped to 15 psi midway nobody would ever catch it of course but it's still there.

Either way it goes this owuld be an interesting project.

 

[StoneCold]

Thanks for all your input.
You have given me a lot to think about on the possibility of using a pond.

Thanks
Stonecold