Chapter 13.16
FIRE HYDRANTS
Sections:
13.16.030 General applicability.
13.16.040 Procedures for compliance.
13.16.050 Water system requirements.
13.16.060 Fire hydrant requirements.
13.16.070 Purveyor requirements.
13.16.080 Industrial and commercial area requirements.
13.16.120 Enforcement, violation, appeal and penalty.
13.16.010 Purpose.
The purpose of this chapter is to better protect the residents, inhabitants, commercial developments and industrial developments in the city against the dangers of fire. (Ord. 603 § 1, 1981).
13.16.020 Definitions.
The words and phrases used in this chapter shall have the following meanings:
A. “Agricultural building” means a structure designed and constructed to house farm implements, hay, grain, poultry, livestock or other horticultural products. This structure shall not be a place of human habitation or a place of employment where agricultural products are processed, treated or packaged; nor shall it be a place used by the public.
B. “Board of appeals” means the city council.
C. “Building valuation data” means the building standards monthly issued by the International Conference of Building Officials.
D. “Commercial areas” means any area proposed to be developed with buildings or structures other than family dwellings.
E. “Dead-end main” means a water main over 50 feet long and not being fed from both ends at the time of installation.
F. “Family dwelling” means a building under one roof which accommodates not more than two families.
G. “Fire department” means the fire authority normally responsible for fire protection in the area.
H. “Fire flow” means the minimum flow of water required for fighting a fire at a specific building, development or within a specific area. Said minimum flows shall be determined by the fire marshal based on the criteria set forth in the International Fire Code (IFC), 2009 Edition, and all subsequent amendments thereto.
I. “Fire hydrant” means a mechanical device which is self-draining and frost free and is constructed to provide the required fire flow for the area served. The fire hydrant must be approved by the city’s department of public utilities.
J. “Fire marshal” means the building official of the city.
K. “Flush-type hydrant” means a hydrant that is installed entirely below the grade.
L. “Gpm” means gallons per minute.
M. “Industrial area” means an area developed with uses first permitted in zone classifications M-1, M-2 and M-3.
N. “Private hydrant” means a fire hydrant situated and maintained to provide water for firefighting purposes. The location shall be such that it is readily accessible for immediate use by the fire department.
O. “Public hydrant” means a fire hydrant so situated and maintained as to provide water for firefighting purposes without restrictions as to its use for the purpose of firefighting. The location is such that it is accessible for immediate use of the fire department.
P. “Purveyor” means the federal agency, state agency, county agency, city/town, municipal corporation, partnership, district, institution, person or persons owning or operating a public water system or the authorized agent.
Q. “Substantial alteration” means any alteration, remodeling or structural change, with a total cost of 25 percent or more of the current assessed valuation of the building. Substantial alterations will be cumulative over a five-year period. When the cumulative alteration costs reach 25 percent or more of the building’s current assessed valuation, the building shall meet all water flow requirements.
R. “Travel distance” means that measurements are made by the route the fire engine would travel.
S. “IBC” and “IRC” mean the International Building Code and International Residential Code as adopted by the city.
T. “IFC” means the International Fire Code as adopted by the city.
U. “Water main” means the piping used to deliver fire flows intended for fire protection in amounts as required by this chapter. (Ord. 1796 § 3, 2012; Ord. 1777 § 1 (Exh. A), 2012; Ord. 603 § 2, 1981).
13.16.030 General applicability.
Except as exempted in this chapter, the following shall be subject to the minimum flow and fire hydrant requirements:
A. New commercial and industrial structures;
B. Subdivisions or short subdivisions;
C. Substantial alterations or additions to existing commercial or industrial structures;
D. New water systems, replacement or new extension to existing systems shall comply with the city’s comprehensive water plan;
E. Changing of occupancy of an existing building to a higher classification;
F. A residential building. (Ord. 713 § 1, 1983; Ord. 603 § 3, 1981).
13.16.040 Procedures for compliance.
The following shall be required of all subdivisions, short subdivisions and commercial and industrial areas:
A. The water main to be installed shall meet the requirements of the city’s comprehensive water plan.
B. Water system plans shall be approved in writing by the public works director and/or the city engineer, and be inspected by the same.
C. The approved water system must be installed prior to the issuance of a building permit. This requirement may be waived if a bond or other surety is posted and approved prior to the issuance of the building permit. The amount of the bond or other surety shall be determined by the purveyor supplying the water. The type of bond, or other surety, and the form thereof shall be approved by the city attorney and filed with the city clerk or finance director-treasurer. (Ord. 1859 § 83, 2014; Ord. 1751 § 1 (Exh. A), 2011; Ord. 662 § 1, 1982; Ord. 603 § 5, 1981).
13.16.050 Water system requirements.
A. The International Fire Code (IFC), 2009 Edition, and all subsequent amendments thereto, shall be used as the standard for the amount of fire flow that shall be required.
B. New or replaced water mains shall be installed or replaced in accordance with the city’s comprehensive water plan. In areas not covered by the city’s comprehensive water plan, new or replaced water main size shall be determined by the public works director and/or the city engineer. In cul-de-sacs, an eight-inch main need only extend to the last required fire hydrant and normal domestic lines may be installed thereafter to the remaining residences. (Ord. 1859 § 84, 2014; Ord. 1796 § 4, 2012; Ord. 603 § 6, 1981).
13.16.060 Fire hydrant requirements.
A. Standard fire hydrants shall have no less than five-inch main valve openings (MVO) with two two-and-one-half-inch outlet ports and a four-inch streamer outlet. All ports shall have National Standard Threads that meet the approval of the affected fire department. Fire hydrants shall meet the American Water Works Association (A.W.W.A.) C-502-05, published in 2005 and all subsequent amendments thereto, standards for private fire hydrants.
B. Fire hydrants shall stand plumb and be set to the finished grade. The bottom of the lowest outlet of the fire hydrant shall be no less than 18 inches above the grade. The area around the fire hydrant shall be free of obstructions which would prevent adequate access to and use of the fire hydrant. Where the street cannot be clearly defined or recognized, the steamer port shall face the most likely route of approach by fire apparatus.
C. Fire hydrants shall not be obstructed by any structure, vegetation, or have the visibility impaired for a distance of 50 feet in the direction of vehicular approach to the fire hydrant.
D. Fire hydrants are to be accessible for fire department pumpers.
E. Fire hydrants subject to vehicular damage (e.g., those located in parking lots) shall be adequately protected.
F. The table as set forth in this section specifies the maximum allowable distance which buildings shall be from a fire hydrant.
|
Type of Development |
Hydrant Spacing Maximum* |
Distance to Structure Maximum |
|---|---|---|
|
Subdivisions and short subdivisions limited to family dwellings |
700 |
350 |
|
Multiple dwelling – low density – 12 or less units per acre |
500 |
250 |
|
Commercial and multiple dwelling – high density – more than 12 units per acre |
400 |
200 |
|
Industrial, hospitals, shopping centers, schools, areas of more than 20 commercial establishments |
300 |
150 |
*Travel distance shall be measured by the pathway required for the fire department to lay fire hose.
All fire hydrants shall be color coded as follows:
1. Green: over 1,000 gpm.
2. Orange: 500 to 1,000 gpm.
3. Red: less than 500 gpm.
4. White cross over the top of color-coded fire hydrant to indicate that it is to be used to fill tankers only.
5. Color code shall be displayed on fire hydrant bonnets.
G. When the center of a building to be protected is greater than the maximum travel distance from the structure to a fire hydrant, on-site fire hydrants shall be installed.
H. Location of the fire hydrants shall be determined by the fire marshal and/or fire chief.
I. The location of all water mains, fire hydrants and valves to be installed shall be properly and accurately marked on identifiable plans or drawings. Four copies of all plans and drawings shall be furnished to the city building department.
J. All fire hydrants must be approved by the appropriate water authority prior to installation.
K. The installation of all fire hydrants and their attendant water system connections shall conform to the design standards and specifications promulgated by the appropriate water authority. (Ord. 1796 § 5, 2012; Ord. 603 § 7, 1981).
13.16.070 Purveyor requirements.
All purveyors shall continuously supply water at or above the minimum flow requirements specified in this chapter; provided, that the purveyor need not comply with these regulations in the event of vandalism, acts of God, loss of power and temporary shutdown for repairs and/or replacement. (Ord. 603 § 7, 1981).
13.16.080 Industrial and commercial area requirements.
The requirement stated in this section applies to all commercial and industrial areas: when the required fire flow exceeds 2,000 gpm additional fire hydrants shall be required. Fire hydrants shall be served on the property by an eight-inch or larger water main. (Ord. 603 § 8, 1981).
13.16.090 Compliance.
If there is a conflict between the provisions of this chapter and any other ordinance or code of the city, then the most stringent requirements shall apply. (Ord. 603 § 10, 1981).
13.16.100 Waivers.
Some of the requirements of this chapter may be waived and/or alternate procedures approved by the fire marshal, if the alternative procedure will not result in an unreasonable risk to persons or property. All waivers and alternate procedures shall be in writing; the reasons given for each; a copy shall be placed in a waiver notebook; a copy shall be mailed to the appropriate fire chief; and a copy shall be given to the board of appeals. Neither the fire marshal nor any other authority is authorized to waive the requirements of the International Fire Code, the International Building Code or the International Residential Code. (Ord. 1777 § 1 (Exh. A), 2012; Ord. 603 § 9, 1981).
13.16.110 Exemptions.
The following is exempt from these regulations: a single-family dwelling or duplex that is built upon a single lot which is not constructed for the purpose of sale or rental. (Ord. 603 § 4, 1981).
13.16.120 Enforcement, violation, appeal and penalty.
A. A building permit shall not be issued for subdivisions, short subdivisions or commercial and industrial structures until the provisions of this chapter have been fully complied with.
B. In addition to the above, the fire marshal and the public works director are authorized to issue cease and desist orders whenever any person, firm or corporation is taking any action which is in violation of this chapter.
C. 1. Decisions or orders of the fire marshal or public works director made pursuant to the authority in this chapter may be appealed to the board of appeals by an aggrieved party. A written notice of appeal shall be filed with the city clerk within 15 days of the date of decision. Such notice shall clearly state the date of the decision from which the appeal is taken; the nature of the decision; and the manner in which the appellant is aggrieved. The notice shall be subscribed and sworn to by the appellant.
2. Upon receipt of such appeal, the board of appeals shall consider the same and within 60 days of the date of filing shall issue an order either affirming the decision, reversing the decision or remanding the decision for further consideration in light of specific facts, found by the board of appeals, which facts were previously unknown to the fire marshal or the public works director.
3. All issues which are on appeal shall be stayed until a final decision has been made by the board of appeals. No plat shall be approved, no building permit shall be issued and development and construction shall cease during the appeal period, unless such is authorized by the board of appeals.
D. Any knowing violation of the provisions of this chapter or any knowing failure to comply with the requirements of this chapter shall be a misdemeanor. Each and every offense committed shall be deemed to be a separate offense and each day that a violation continues shall be deemed to be a separate offense. (Ord. 1859 § 85, 2014; Ord. 1777 § 1 (Exh. A), 2012; Ord. 1751 § 1 (Exh. A), 2011; Ord. 842 § 15, 1986; Ord. 603 § 11, 1981).