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NFPA 1142 Fire Protection Water Tanks

NFPA 1142 Water Supplies for Suburban and Rural Fire Fighting

Pioneer Water Tanks are utilized as water supplies for firefighting, in accordance with NFPA 1142. Pioneer Water Tanks are the reliable water supply that stands ready to provide water consistently in case of emergencies and for daily domestic use. 

The wide array of fire connections are configurable based on the project requirements including antivortex nozzles and hydrant hookups.

Pioneer Water Tanks for suburban and rural firefighting

NFPA 1142 specifies water supplies for firefighting purposes in rural and suburban areas. This is typically defined as within areas that have less than 500 – 1000 people per square mile. 

If the water structure is unable to supply a minimum of 250gpm at 20psi above the average domestic use, supplemented water supplies may be required. The NFPA 1142 standard may also be implemented whenever the AHJ, the authority having jurisdiction, requires it.

Areas without existing adequate and reliable water supply systems, as determined by the AHJ, can supplement or add a water storage tank to fulfill requirements. The local authority determines the capacity needs, based on the fire flow equation stated in the local fire code.

“Cisterns should have a minimum usable volume as determined by the AHJ, based on the methods described in Chapter 4. There is no real limit to the maximum capacity.” NFPA 1142 Annex B.4.1

Pioneer Water Tanks have engineering packages available for standard capacities. Our qualified engineering personnel and independent consultant engineers can also provide a stamped cover letter per project, as well as provide documentation as required.

“The design of the cistern must be submitted to the AHJ for approval prior to construction. All plans must be signed by a licensed/registered professional engineer.” NFPA 1142 Annex B.4.3.5

Fire Tank Options

The designs of Pioneer fire-protection tanks comply with NFPA 22 standards for fire-water storage and come with a complete set of engineer-approved drawings and calculations.

We offer water storage solutions that comply with state fire and building standards codes. The manufacturer’s direct conditional warranty guarantees Pioneer Water Tanks for up to 20 years for residential projects and up to 10 years for commercial installations.

NFPA 2022 Water Tanks

NFPA 1142 Fire-Flow Requirements for Buildings: Determining the Water Tank Capacity Requirements

The fire flow calculation covered in NFPA 1142 is intended for areas without available water systems, where a supplemented or additional water supply is required. 

The NFPA 1142 method employs the volumetric capacity of the specific structure to calculate the minimum water supply.

The NFPA 1142 fire flow formula is:
Minimum water supply (MWS) = (Total structure volume) ÷ (Occupancy hazard classification number) * Construction classification number

The AHJ has the final say to capacity and connection requirements. Pioneer Water Tanks work well with local specifications and have permit packages ready.

Tested and Proven

Pioneer Water Tanks are manufactured to NFPA 22 requirements and have been third-party tested and proven.

The following video is a Pioneer Water Tank that was tested with a 30-minute flame immersion test conducted by the Australian Government Bushfire Cooperative Research Center. 

The Pioneer Water Tank maintained structural integrity and proved able to retain water during and after the fire front, essential elements for a fire protection water supply.

Protect your tank with Pioneer

A feat of engineering excellence, the Pioneer V-LOCK® wall profile is designed to stand the test of time and provides superior internal support for the tank liner.

The AQUALINER Fresh® antimicrobial tank liner is designed keep your water fresher, cleaner and healthier for longer.

Pioneer V-LOCK®
AQUALINER Fresh®

Dual Use Water Tanks

Pioneer Water Tanks are cost-effective for dual purposes and are approved for fire protection and drinking water storage. 

Dual service water storage tanks can be used for fire protection, irrigation, as a potable drinking water source and more applications. Ensure adequate water supply is ready in case of an emergency with the appropriate fire connections for residential and commercial needs. 

This is typically achieved with two separate plumbing systems being implemented with the water tank. The plumbing pipe for the separate use does not extend below the water elevation that is reserved for fire protection.

We can deliver and install water storage tanks from 5,000 to 1,000,000-Gallons. Pioneer Water Tanks are backed by our industry-leading 20-Year warranty so you can rest easy knowing you have a water storage solution that will last.

Domestic Fire Reserve Image Showing Reserve Supply Tank for Fire Protection
Napa Fire Protection Tank Hill Country Rainwater LLC

Pioneer Water Tanks are approved for fire protection and drinking water storage. Combining several uses into one dual-use water tank saves money as compared to buying two separate water storage systems. 

Our standpipe or external fitting options diverts the additional water supply to ensure that it doesn’t affect the required mandated usable water capacity for fire protection. We offer commercial accessory options to comply with local requirements.

  • Cost-effective dual purpose tank for multiple water needs
  • Complies with NFPA requirements for fire protection water tanks
  • NSF-61 Certified AQUALINER® Fresh tank liner keeps water fresh and clean
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Tank Sizes

Models of Pioneer Water Tanks include:

XLR Domestic Series:

Designed for rural and domestic applications

Designed for installation on a sand pad or concrete ring beam foundation

XLE Commercial Series:

Designed for permitted commercial and seismic applications including fire

Designed for installation on a concrete ring beam foundation

Special Order Tank Sizes Available

Special order tank sizes up to 700,000-gallons with a wide variety of accessories and COLORBOND® steel colors available for residential, agricultural, commercial, and fire protection applications.

*For fire protection

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All purchases made from Pioneer are subject to the terms and conditions outlined in your final contract or sales agreement with your authorized Pioneer dealer. The governing law applicable to your purchase will be based on the specific terms agreed to in that contract.

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