TBC
Fire flow in Auckland
Find out the fire flow available from our water network to support firefighting across Auckland
Watercare’s fire flow map shows fire flow provision across Auckland for private firefighting systems including sprinklers, private internal hydrants and fire reticulation networks. The map gives developers, designers, engineers and Fire and Emergency New Zealand clear information about levels of fire flow according to location, Auckland Unitary Plan zoning, and capacity of the local water network.
The map does not replace a site-specific assessment. You will still need to confirm capacity for your development and may need to fund local network upgrades to achieve the fire flow shown.
Why managing fire flow is important
Water for firefighting is supplied through the same pipes, reservoirs and pumps as everyday water use. Firefighting and testing fire systems draw water at much higher rates than normal, reducing network pressure and straining infrastructure if overall demand is not carefully managed.
Managing fire flow provision balances firefighting and everyday needs to protect the water supply as Auckland grows and demand for water increases. Careful management reduces the risk of failures, service interruptions and other customer impacts such as dirty water.
Flow from a hydrant on a given day is not a reliable indicator of long-term levels as network configuration, pressure management, growth and operational requirements change.
Fire flow categories
Fire flow categories
Water sources, the size and connectivity of pipes, and land use all influence fire flow provision and vary depending by area:
Metropolitan in the Rural Urban Boundary
Hibiscus Coast, North Shore, West Auckland, Central Auckland, East Auckland, and Manukau generally have an extensive well-connected water network with a reliable supply for drinking and firefighting.
In some areas fire flows of up to 200 l/s may be achievable, but flow varies significantly depending on the local network configuration, elevation, pressure zone constraints and demand.
Papakura is operated and maintained by Veolia is not included in the fire flow Map.
Satellite towns with a Rural Urban Boundary
Warkworth, Kumeu-Huapai, Riverhead, and Pukekohe have good coverage, but there may be limitations. Fire flow in these areas can reach up to 50 l/s. These towns are intended for managed urban expansion and have the full range of Auckland Unitary Plan zones[M
Satellite towns without a Rural Urban Boundary
These smaller towns are not usually connected to the bulk network and have limited fire flow capacity, relying instead on xxx: Fire flow may also be constrained by plant capacity, source yields, reservoir storage volumes, bulk infrastructure limitations and operational requirements:
- Rural towns – Paremoremo, Muriwai, Waitākere (McEntee Reservoir water supply zone), Huia Village, Parau, and Bombay. There are no plans to expand the network here so fire flow, if it exists, is only at the level of the existing local network.
- Urban towns – Wellsford, Te Hana, Snells Beach, Algies Bay, Helensville, Waiwera, Clarks Beach, Glenbrook, Waiuku, Kingseat, Patumahoe, and Clevedon have limited network capacity, but with potential for growth. Fire flow available depends on the specific location.
Fire flow and Auckland Unitary Plan zonings
Fire flow provision depends on Auckland Unitary Plan zoning. Different land uses have different firefighting needs and the fire flow provision thresholds reflect this. Actual available flow depends on network capacity, hydraulic conditions and site-specific servicing constraints. Site-specific assessments must be carried out[EV3.1] with hydrant flow tests only at Watercare request to avoid impacts on the network.
Open Spaces, Conservation Zone, Green Infrastructure Corridor, Strategic Transport Corridor, all Rural and Coastal zones, Water, Hauraki Gulf Islands, and Road have not been assessed.
Private firefighting systems
Private firefighting systems
We allow for Fire and Emergency New Zealand use of two hydrants at 12.5 l/s (litres per second) giving a total hydrant flow of 25 l/s. This is set aside from the total fire flow available with the remaining flow potentially available for private firefighting systems.
Residential areas
For a single residential unit that meets the requirements for a direct sprinkler connection, up to 7.5 l/s may be available directly from the network. In this scenario, a tank and pump system would not be required.
For multi-unit developments requiring sprinklers, a base flow of up to 7.5 l/s may be available as a direct connection, or to fill storage tanks for a pump-and-tank sprinkler supply. 25 l/s is still required to be available for hydrant flow. In this scenario, Watercare accepts a total fire flow demand of 32.5 l/s. Developers may need to do a hydrant flow test at Watercare’s request to confirm this flow is available, and they may need to upgrade the local water network at their cost to support this exception.
New or future urban areas
Where a new network is required for residential development, we've assumed it will provide capacity for 25 l/s fire flow. Developments needing more than 25 l/s will need to engage with Watercare at feasibility stage.
Business, Industrial and City Centre areas
For Business, Industrial and City Centre areas with 100 l/s or 200 l/s hydrant firefighting flow, the maximum flow rate to fill a tank system is 25 l/s.
Fire flow by area and land use
The table below shows the maximum fire flow a property can potentially achieve based on land use and location. Actual fire flow may be lower, depending on the capacity and availability of the local network.
What this means 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. A site-specific assessment may still be requested by Watercare to confirm the network can deliver that flow to your specific development. Assessments must follow Watercare’s Code of Practice for hydrant flow tests and are at developers cost.
Contact Watercare means further consultation 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 to ensure your project’s feasibility.
No Capacity means the 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 early to understand the requirements for your project and the extent of local network upgrades if they are needed.
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:
- Auckland Unitary Plan Zoning: Residential - Single House Zone
- Sprinkler flow requirement: 5 l/s
- Hydrant flow test outcome: 40 l/s
For this zoning, the public local water network is expected to provide 25 l/s for hydrant flow. Watercare may accept up to 7.5 l/s for a direct sprinkler connection or filling tanks.
A hydrant flow test result of 40 l/s confirms that the network can provide 25 l/s flow via hydrants and a maximum of 7.5 l/s for a sprinkler connection flow.
Flow above 25 l/s should not be considered as available capacity for the development and hydrant flow tests should only be completed at Watercare request.
The proposed development requires sprinkler demand of 5 l/s under the fire flow classification under the FENZ Code of Practice and fire engineer assessment for the building use.
Watercare approves the application as it does not exceed the 7.5 l/s provision.
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.