Chapter 15.32
FIRE HYDRANTS
Sections:
15.32.030 Inspections of private fire hydrants.
15.32.040 Property owner requirements for private fire hydrants.
15.32.060 Enforcement and penalties.
15.32.070 Use of public fire hydrants—Permits required.
15.32.010 Definitions.
For the purposes of this chapter, the following terms are defined:
“Maintenance” means work performed to keep a private fire hydrant operable or to make repairs.
“Owner” means the person or entity that holds record title to the property upon which a private fire hydrant is located.
“Private fire hydrant” means a valved connection to a water main for the purpose of supplying water to a fire hose or other fire protection apparatus, and which is not located on city-owned property.
“Testing” means a procedure of periodic physical and operational checks used to determine whether a private fire hydrant is capable of being operated as intended and will perform as intended.
History: Ord. 1444 §2, 2014.
15.32.020 Purpose.
The purposes of this chapter are:
(1) To ensure that every private fire hydrant to which the City of Gladstone or other municipal fire department connects in the event of a fire or emergency will function as designed to respond appropriately to the fire or emergency.
(2) To protect the public health, safety and general welfare of the city.
(3) To establish procedures for obtaining a city permit for the use of public fire hydrants in limited circumstances.
History: Ord. 1444 §2, 2014.
15.32.030 Inspections of private fire hydrants.
(1) Each private fire hydrant must be inspected by August 1st annually to determine if it is in proper working condition. Property owners may contract with the city Fire Department to perform the testing or they may hire a qualified contractor to do so. Regardless of whether the Fire Department or a third party performs the testing, the property owner is ultimately responsible for the cost and performance of any necessary maintenance and repair.
(2) If the Fire Department performs the testing and if the hydrant needs repair, the city will notify the property owner in writing by both regular first class and certified mail requesting that the hydrant be repaired within 30 days of the receipt of the letter. if the hydrant is not repaired within 30 days, the city will repair the hydrant and bill the property owner for the cost of the labor and materials necessary to put the hydrant back in proper working condition.
(3) If a qualified contractor performs the testing, it must submit to the city the testing results on a form provided by the Fire Department no later than seven days from the testing date. If maintenance or repairs are necessary, the property owner may contract for those repairs with a qualified contractor. If the repairs are not made within 30 days of the results submittal date, the city will repair the hydrant and bill the property owner for the cost of the labor and materials necessary to put the hydrant back in proper working condition.
History: Ord. 1444 §2, 2014.
15.32.040 Property owner requirements for private fire hydrants.
(1) Responsibility for properly maintaining a private fire hydrant is that of the property owner or the owner’s designee.
(2) By means of periodic inspections, tests, maintenance, correction, and repair, every private fire hydrant must be maintained in proper working condition, consistent with this chapter, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standard 25, and the manufacturer’s specifications or recommendations.
(3) Inspection, testing, maintenance, correction and repair must be implemented with the procedures meeting or exceeding those established in this chapter and NFPA Standard 25, and must be in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications or recommendations. This chapter controls in the event of a conflict among any of the aforementioned applicable standards. Inspection, testing, maintenance, correction, and repair must be performed by qualified maintenance personnel or a qualified contractor.
(4) The owner or owner’s designee shall notify the city Fire Marshal’s office before testing or shutting down a private fire hydrant or its water supply.
(a) This notification must include the purpose for the shutdown, the private fire hydrant involved, and the estimated time that the hydrant will be impaired.
(5) The owner or owner’s designee shall notify the Fire Marshal’s office when the private fire hydrant is returned to service.
(6) The owner or owner’s designee shall, within 30 days, correct or repair any deficiencies, damaged parts, or impairments found while performing the inspection, testing, and maintenance requirements of this chapter.
History: Ord. 1444 §2, 2014.
15.32.050 No city liability.
The city is not liable for loss or damage of any nature whatsoever caused by the city’s inspection of private fire hydrants. The city does not assume the duty of maintaining a private fire hydrant and is not responsible for any plumbing or equipment necessary for the proper function and maintenance of a private fire hydrant.
History: Ord. 1444 §2, 2014.
15.32.060 Enforcement and penalties.
(1) A civil penalty may be imposed for a violation of this chapter. Each week that the violation continues constitutes a separate violation of this chapter.
(2) Civil Penalty Schedule. The city’s current adopted civil penalty schedule applies to this chapter. Any judgments, penalties and/or payments shall be processed through the Gladstone Municipal court system.
History: Ord. 1444 §2, 2014.
15.32.070 Use of public fire hydrants—Permits required.
(1) It is unlawful for anyone other than approved city personnel to use a public fire hydrant for any reason without first obtaining a fire hydrant water permit from the city.
(2) The Gladstone Water Department is authorized to issue permits for public fire hydrant use. The Gladstone Water Department is likewise authorized to establish the standards and guidelines for such use, including establishing the appropriate application fee, if any, and the appropriate water usage fee.
History: Ord. 1444 §2, 2014.