Private Fire Service Mains
Private FireService Mains
Per NFPA 24, a private fire service main is that pipe and its appurtenances on private property that is between a municipal source of water and the base of the sprinkler system riser. These mains also service fire hydrants on private property. Their purpose is to distribute water from the building’s water supply source to the sprinkler system. Private fire service mains begin at the separation point where responsibility transitions from the local municipality to the property owner. They are also required when fire hydrants must be located closer than existing municipal hydrants or when automatic fire sprinkler systems are needed.
Private fire service mains can be aboveground or underground, with underground installations being the most common to avoid freezing in colder conditions.
Ahern is dedicated to ensuring the reliability of private fire service mains in compliance with NFPA industry standards. Contact us today for your installation and maintenance needs.
In the past year, we've conducted life safety inspections of over 29,600 facilities company-wide.
It’s always a good experience working with Ahern. We're contacted ahead of time to confirm scheduling, the tech shows up on time and completes the work properly. Follow-up documentation is prompt and concise.
Protect Your Fire Service Mains with Expert Maintenance
To extend the life of private fire service mains, regular maintenance through quarterly and annual inspections, as outlined in NFPA 25, is essential. These inspections help identify potential issues early and ensure the fire protection system remains functional and reliable.
To maintain compliance, key inspections and testing include:
- Control valves (also known as road boxes or curb stops)
- Check valves
- Backflow preventer
- Monitor nozzles
- Annual Flushing: helps reduce or eliminate sediment build-up and gather results to support a 5-year internal inspection
- Private hydrant flow tests
Control and check valves on private fire service mains are often located in underground vaults or pits. These situations are confined spaces that potentially require additional manpower, retrieval lines, air exchange, and air monitoring.
Ahern prioritizes safety and adheres to strict standards while performing inspections, testing, and maintenance. Whether you need installation, regular inspections, or emergency repairs for your private fire service mains, Ahern’s experienced team has the expertise to deliver solutions.
Nearly 30,000 clients have a primary technician assigned to their facility.
Prompt response, scheduling, and providing the outcome of service. Great communication. Awesome work!