TBC
Fire flow in Auckland
Find out the fire flow available from our water network to support firefighting across Auckland
We've developed a Fire Flow Map that shows the fire flow available from our water network across Auckland. The fire flow shown on the map is the flow available for private firefighting systems e.g. Sprinklers or private internal hydrants and fire reticulation networks.
The map gives property developers, designers and Fire and Emergency New Zealand a consistent and transparent way to understand the fire flow that can be supported by our water network. It takes into account where a property is located, how the land is zoned under the Auckland Unitary Plan, and the capacity of the local water network.
The Fire Flow Map does not replace site-specific assessments. You may still need to confirm network capacity and suitability for your development, and upgrades may be required to achieve the fire flow shown on the map. Upgrades required will be at the developer’s cost.
The map provides a broad overview of fire flow capacity across Auckland. Individual properties may differ from the general area assessment depending on local network conditions. We will update the Fire Flow Map regularly to reflect changes in our network, updated hydraulic models, and any changes to the Auckland Unitary Plan zoning.
Use the online viewer below to check the fire flow available for private firefighting systems, such as sprinklers, at your development site.
How we've categorised Auckland
Auckland's water network varies significantly from one area to another. The sources of water, the size and connectivity of pipes, and the types of land use all differ across the region. To reflect this, we've divided Auckland into three geographic categories.
How fire flow aligns with Auckland Unitary Plan zonings
The fire flow available to a property depends on how the land is zoned under the Auckland Unitary Plan. Different land uses have different firefighting needs, so we've set fire flow thresholds that reflect these differences. The zoning framework has been used as a planning basis for categorising indicative fire flow expectations. Actual available fire flow remains dependent on network capacity, hydraulic conditions and site-specific servicing constraints.
The Unitary Plan zones we've assessed include: Residential, Open Spaces (excluding Conservation Zone). City Centre. Town / Local Centre. Business. Industrial. Future Urban Zones and Special Purpose.
The following zones have not been assessed for fire flow: Open Spaces – Conservation Zone, Green Infrastructure Corridor, Strategic Transport Corridor, all Rural and Coastal zones, Water, Hauraki Gulf Islands, and Road.
What does this mean for property developers?
If the map shows a fire flow value for your property, that is the maximum fire flow the network can potentially support for private firefighting systems, e.g. Sprinklers or private internal hydrants and fire reticulation networks. A site-specific assessment may still be requested by Watercare to confirm the network can deliver that flow to your specific development. These assessments will need to be done in line with our Practice requirements for Hydrant flow Tests and will be at the developers cost.
If the map shows "Come See Watercare", this means further consultation with us is required. This applies to special purpose zones, future urban zones, major hospitals, and some locations with unique network constraints. Please get in touch with us early in your planning process.
If the map shows "No Capacity", the existing network cannot support fire flow at that location. This applies to some rural areas where there is no water network or the network cannot provide hydrant flow.
If your property needs more fire flow than we aim to provide from hydrants or for private firefighting systems, you will need to put other measures in place to meet those requirements.
We encourage anyone planning a development to check the Fire Flow Map and talk to us as early as possible. This will help you understand whether your project could be affected and whether any network upgrades may be needed.
Fire flow for private firefighting systems
When we calculate the private fire flow available at a site, we first allow for Fire and Emergency New Zealand to use two hydrants at 12.5 L/s each, giving a total hydrant flow of 25 L/s. This 25 L/s is set aside from the total fire flow available from the network, and the remaining flow is what may be available for private firefighting systems.
For multi-unit developments that require sprinklers, a base flow of up to 7.5 L/s may be available to fill storage tanks for a pump-and-tank sprinkler supply, we would still require 25 L/s to be available from the water network for hydrant flow. Watercare will make an exception in this scenario and accept a total fire flow demand of 32.5 L/s, which is over the 25 L/s limit. The developer may need to perform a hydrant flow test to check the availability of the flow and may have to upgrade the water supply network if needed.
For a single residential unit development that meets the requirements for a direct sprinkler connection, up to 7.5 L/s may be available directly from the network, which means a tank and pump system would not be required.
We have prepared some examples of how this process would be applied at the bottom of this page.
The available fire flow for each site is shown on the online viewer / PDF’s and summarized in the table below.
LINK TO TABLE
Fire Flow Capacity Calculation Examples
Fire Flow Capacity Calculation Examples
Example 1 – Sprinkler for a single house in a Residential Area
An application to connect a sprinkler system to the water supply network has been submitted for approval.
Property and connection details.
AUP Zoning: Residential - Single House Zone
Sprinkler flow requirement 5 L/s
Hydrant flow test outcome 40 L/s
Based on Residential - Single House zoning, the public local water network is expected to provide 25 L/s for hydrant flow and Watercare may accept up to 7.5 L/s for a sprinkler connection.
For this example, a hydrant flow test result of 40 L/s confirms that the network can provide the allowable 25 L/s flow for firefighting via hydrants and a maximum of 7.5 L/s for a sprinkler connection flow. Note: Any flow above 25 L/s should not be considered as available capacity for the development and that a hydrant flow test should only have been completed upon specific request from Watercar
The proposed development requires a sprinkler demand of 5 L/s in line with the fire flow classification under the FENZ Code of Practice and Fire engineer assessment for the specific building use. Watercare will approve a maximum 7.5 L/s connection from the public water network for a direct sprinkler supply.
Example 2 – Sprinkler for an apartment building in a Residential Area
An application to connect a sprinkler system to the water supply network has been submitted for approval.
Property and connection details.
AUP Zoning Residential - Terrace Housing and Apartment Buildings Zone
Sprinkler flow requirement 17.5 L/s
Hydrant flow test outcome 45 L/s
Based on Residential - Terrace Housing and Apartment Buildings zoning, the public local water network is expected to provide 25 L/s for hydrant flow and Watercare may accept up to 7.5 L/s for a sprinkler connection.
For this example, a hydrant flow test result of 45 L/s confirms that the network can provide the allowable 25 L/s flow for firefighting via hydrants and a maximum of 7.5 L/s for a sprinkler connection flow. Note: Any flow above 25 L/s should not be considered as available capacity for the development and that a hydrant flow test should only have been completed upon specific request from Watercare.
The proposed development requires a sprinkler demand of 17.5 L/s in line with the fire flow classification under the FENZ Code of Practice and Fire engineer assessment for the specific building use. Watercare will approve a maximum 7.5 L/s connection from the public water network for a direct sprinkler supply.
Accordingly, the developer will need to provide the remaining 10 L/s through other means / a compliant supply solution. This could include a pump-and-tank system filled with the 7.5 L/s separate non-domestic connection supplying, a private bore, or another suitable supply arrangement.
Example 3 – Sprinkler in a Commercial / Business Area
An application to connect a sprinkler system to the water supply network has been submitted for approval.
Property and connection details.
AUP Zoning Business - Neighbourhood Centre Zone
Sprinkler flow requirement 20 L/s
Hydrant flow test outcome 55 L/s
The proposed development is for a small business and is located along a main residential arterial route and is surrounded by residential housing and is not located in a formal / dedicated business centre. The business scale and footprint is similar to the residential houses in the area. Based on this and the Business - Neighbourhood Centre zoning the public local water network is expected to provide 25 L/s for hydrant flow, and Watercare may accept up to 7.5 L/s for a sprinkler connection.
For this example, a hydrant flow test result of 55 L/s confirms that the network can provide the allowable 25 L/s flow for firefighting via hydrants and a maximum of 7.5 L/s for a sprinkler connection flow. Note: Any flow above 25 L/s should not be considered as available capacity for the development and that a hydrant flow test should only have been completed upon specific request from Watercare.
The proposed development requires a sprinkler demand of 20 L/s in line with the fire flow classification under the FENZ Code of Practice and Fire engineer assessment for the specific building use. Watercare will approve a maximum 7.5 L/s connection from the public water network for a direct sprinkler supply.
Accordingly, the developer will need to provide the remaining 12.5 L/s through other means/ a compliant supply solution. This could include a pump-and-tank system filled through the 7.5 L/s separate non-domestic connection supplying, a private bore, or another suitable supply arrangement.
Example 4 – Sprinkler in a Commercial / Business Area
An application to connect a sprinkler system to the water supply network has been submitted for approval.
Property and connection details.
AUP Zoning Business - Town Centre Zone
Sprinkler flow requirement 60 L/s
Hydrant flow test outcome 75 L/s
The proposed development is for a large commercial activity located in a formal dedicated business / town centre. The development has a commercial-scale footprint or is surrounded by commercial buildings. Based on this and Business - Town Centre zoning the public local water network is expected to provide 50 L/s for hydrant flow, and Watercare may accept up to 25 L/s for a sprinkler connection.
For this example, a hydrant flow test result of 75 L/s confirms that the network can provide the allowable 50 L/s flow for firefighting via hydrants and a maximum of 25 L/s for a sprinkler connection flow. Note: Any flow above 50 L/s should not be considered as available capacity for the development and that a hydrant flow test should only have been completed upon specific request from Watercare.
The proposed development requires a sprinkler demand of 60 L/s in line with the fire flow classification under the FENZ Code of Practice and Fire engineer assessment for the specific building use. Watercare will approve a maximum 25 L/s connection from the public water network for a direct sprinkler supply.
Accordingly, the developer will need to provide the remaining 35 L/s through other means/ a compliant supply solution. This could include a pump-and-tank system that is not filled through the main / direct non-domestic connection at a maximum flow rate of 7.5 L/s. Supplying the balance through, a private bore, redesigning the sprinkler layout to require a lower flow rate per fire cell or another suitable supply arrangement.
Key information
Use the online viewer below to check the fire flow available for private firefighting systems, such as sprinklers, at your development site.
The available fire flow for each site is shown on the online viewer / PDF’s and summarized in the table below.
Reach out to the team to help you get set up to successful manage your fire flow solutions.