What is the minimum fire flow needed for a residential structure in Seattle?

The minimum fire flow needed for a residential structure in Seattle is 1000 gallons per minute (GPM). This standard is established to ensure that adequate water supply is available to effectively combat a fire in a typical residential setting. The requirement takes into consideration factors such as the size and type of construction, fire load, and potential fire spread within the property.

A flow rate of 1000 GPM is sufficient to provide the necessary volume of water to manage the fire, allowing firefighters to engage in both direct attack strategies and establish a defensive perimeter if needed. This level of flow is critical for sustaining operations over time and ensuring that multiple hoses or streams can be utilized simultaneously, which is vital in residential areas that may have structures in close proximity to one another.

Other flow rates mentioned are either higher or lower than what is regarded as the typical minimum requirement for most residential buildings, which tailors the fire flow to the expected firefighting capabilities and community safety standards in Seattle.