On September 2, 2011, the Office of the State Fire Marshal released the Water-Based Fire Protection Systems Discharge Best Management Practices Manual on the State Fire Marshal website which can be obtained at: http://osfm.fire.ca.gov/strucfireengineer/pdf/aes/waterdischargemanual.pdf for use by individuals who flow water during inspection, testing and maintenance of all fire protection equipment throughout California.
Acting California State Fire Marshal Tonya Hoover wrote, “On behalf of CAL FIRE – Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) I am pleased to present the Water-Based Fire Protection Systems Discharge Best Management Practices Manual. The extensive discussions, analysis, and expertise resulting in these recommendations and best management practices (BMP) are essential to a balanced and appropriate approach for the proper processing of water discharged from a fire protection system. The testing and flushing of these life safety systems are important to the continued efforts to protect the citizens of California. The Task Force hopes that these BMP will be embraced at both regional and local levels providing a consistent application.
The OSFM would like to extend a sincere gratitude to Co-Chairs: James Parsegian; Deputy State Fire Marshal III, Fire Engineering Division, James Carver, Fire Marshal, El Segundo Fire Department, and Bruce Lecair, West Coast Regional Manager, National Fire Sprinkler Association and to each of the members and organizations for their dedication and commitment to this important project. We appreciate the participants’ willingness to share their time, energy, and talent; particularly during these very busy and difficult fiscal times. Through our partnerships we will continue to move fire and panic safety initiatives forward, providing a safer working environment for emergency responders and a safer environment for all those who live in and/or visit the State of California.“
It is important to note that while the discharge of water is prescribed by Federal and State Clean Water Acts, the CSFM's Water-Based Discharge Best Management Practice Manual are simply recommendations and best management practices (BMP's) and both state (CWB and RWQCB's) and local MS-4 Regulators may or may not accept these recommendations, based on region and case-by-case criteria. The document is now in the hands of the hands of the California Water Board who were active participants in this writing and will be presented to the 9 Water Quality Control Boards for further review and comment.
Source: USFA Press Office: (301) 447-1853
