Fire Line Taps Alongside Sewer and Water Line Work
An independent, licensed plumbing contractor. Not affiliated with Denver Water or the City and County of Denver.
A fire line tap sometimes has to happen in the same trench or under the same right-of-way permit as a sewer or water line project already underway. Denver Sewer and Water coordinates that overlap so the fire authority's requirements do not get discovered halfway through someone else's dig. This page is specifically about that coordination, not a general fire tap overview.
- Fire line taps coordinated with sewer or water excavation on the same site.
- Shared right-of-way permit handled across multiple tap types.
- Fire authority sign-off sequenced with utility inspections.
- Separation distance from sewer and water lines maintained in a shared trench.
- Site restoration handled once, for all three utilities.
Get Your Free Quote!
When Does a Fire Tap Come Up During Sewer or Water Work?
Commercial redevelopment, a change of use that adds fire suppression, or new construction on a site that already needs a sewer or water tap are the common situations where a fire line tap has to be planned into an existing utility project instead of standing alone. The excavation may already be scheduled, the right-of-way permit may already be in process, and the fire line requirement shows up after that planning has started.
The risk in that sequence is treating the fire tap as an add-on to a sewer or water dig rather than its own approval path. The fire authority having jurisdiction reviews the suppression system design and the tap size independently of whatever the water or wastewater utility has already approved, and that review can change the trench layout, the vault requirements, or the schedule if it is not brought in early.
(720) 935-6221When fire tap coordination applies
- New commercial construction needing sewer, water, and fire taps together.
- A change of use adding fire suppression during a planned sewer or water project.
- Site redevelopment where all three utilities are being replaced.
- A fire line discovered undersized during unrelated sewer or water excavation.
- Properties adding a private hydrant during other underground work.
How Fire Tap Work Fits Into a Sewer or Water Project
- 1
Confirm the fire authority's requirements early
The fire authority having jurisdiction reviews suppression design and tap size, and that review is brought in before the shared trench layout is finalized.
- 2
Coordinate with the water or wastewater authority already involved
The utility approving the sewer or water tap and the fire authority do not automatically talk to each other, so both sets of requirements are confirmed against the same trench plan.
- 3
Right-of-way and traffic control permitting
One combined right-of-way permit is pursued where the authority allows it, covering all utility work in the shared trench.
- 4
Potholing and utility locates across the shared path
All buried utilities along the combined trench are located before excavation, including the required separation between fire, water, and sewer lines.
- 5
Tap, set the assembly, and maintain separation
Each tap is made to its own approved detail, with the fire service's valve, vault, and backflow assembly built to the fire authority's specification.
- 6
Sequence inspections and restore once
Each authority inspects its own tap on its own schedule, and the site is backfilled and restored only after all applicable sign-offs are in.
What Denver Customers Say About Working With Us
“Denver Water And Sewer did an excellent job replacing my sewer lines. Trevor and his crew are extremely competent, honest, professional and prompt.”
“Denver Sewer and Water was a great experience. We had been out of water due to a water main leak into the house for 2 weeks. They came out, gave a go”
“We had an underground water valve break on a Saturday. No fun and expensive to fix regardless of the repair company. Nevertheless, greatly apprecia”
What Drives Cost When a Fire Tap Shares a Project
Sharing a trench with sewer or water work reduces total excavation and restoration cost compared to three separate digs, but each utility's tap, vault, and assembly requirements are priced on their own scope. Fire lines are typically larger diameter and need a dedicated vault for the backflow assembly, which adds to the shared trench's footprint.
Tap fees for the water or sewer connection are set by that utility, and fire authority plan review and acceptance fees are set separately by the fire authority having jurisdiction. Neither is set or collected by us, and figures are confirmed with each authority before scheduling.
Call (720) 935-6221 to get all three scopes reviewed together before excavation starts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Fire, Sewer, and Water Tap Services
Fire Line Tap Services
Dedicated fire service taps, backflow, and hydrant installation.
Explore Fire Line Tap ServicesFire Line Tap Connection
New fire line connections to municipal mains with code-compliant installation.
Explore Fire Line Tap ConnectionBackflow Prevention
Backflow assembly installation and testing for fire and domestic services.
Explore Backflow PreventionSewer Line Tap Services
Sewer line taps to the public main, installed and repaired.
Explore Sewer Line Tap ServicesWater Line Tap Services
Water line taps to the public main, installed and repaired.
Explore Water Line Tap ServicesFire Lines in Denver
Fire line repair, replacement, and hydrant work.
Explore Fire Lines in DenverNeed a Fire Tap Coordinated With Other Utility Work?
We bring the fire authority's requirements into the plan before the trench opens. Call (720) 935-6221.