Chapter 15.14
FIRE HYDRANTS
Sections:
15.14.020 Installation – Notice – Transfer of ownership to city.
15.14.025 Location of hydrants.
15.14.030 Hydrant spacing and distribution within zoned areas – Exceptions.
15.14.040 Structural requirements – Inspection.
15.14.050 Violation – Penalty.
15.14.005 Title.
This chapter shall be known as the standard for fire hydrants of the city of Mount Vernon. (Ord. 3069 § 1, 2001).
15.14.010 Definitions.
A. “Chief of fire prevention” means the chief of fire prevention of the city of Mount Vernon, or the chief’s designee.
B. “Fire flow” means the flow rate of water supply per minute measured at 20 psi residual pressure which is necessary and available for firefighting at a specific building or within a specific area in accordance with the standards set forth in Appendix B of the 2003 Edition of the International Fire Code.
C. “Flush-type hydrant” means a hydrant installed below road grade.
D. “Private hydrant” means a fire hydrant situated and maintained so as to restrict its use. The location of the hydrant may be such that it is not readily accessible for immediate use by the fire department for other than certain private property.
E. “Public hydrant” means a hydrant situated and maintained so as to make it accessible for use by the fire department at all times without restriction as to its immediate use for firefighting purposes.
F. “Water utility” means the agency, governmental unit or business which supplies water to the city of Mount Vernon. (Ord. 3284 § 21, 2005; Ord. 3069 § 2, 2001).
15.14.020 Installation – Notice – Transfer of ownership to city.
As a condition of approval of a permit to construct or remodel a building in the city of Mount Vernon, each such building shall be protected by a fire hydrant or hydrants installed in accordance with the provisions of this chapter and applicable provisions of the 2003 Edition of the International Fire Code. Such hydrants shall be installed prior to construction of any building, shall be accessible by road and shall be connected to the water utility distribution system. It shall be the duty of the installer to notify the fire department in writing when a hydrant is available for use. All hydrants, excluding water mains, upon approval by the chief of fire prevention after testing and inspection, shall become the property of the city of Mount Vernon. (Ord. 3284 § 22, 2005).
15.14.025 Location of hydrants.
The location, number and type of fire hydrants and the installation of all fire hydrants shall meet the approval of the chief of fire prevention and shall be subject to such acceptance testing as required by the chief of fire prevention. (Ord. 3069 § 4, 2001).
15.14.030 Hydrant spacing and distribution within zoned areas – Exceptions.
Fire hydrants shall be located at all street intersections. In addition, fire hydrants shall be installed as follows:
A. Hydrants installed in areas zoned single-family residential (R-A residential agricultural district, R-1 single-family detached residential) shall be spaced on not more than 500-foot intervals along public streets and approved fire apparatus access roads. The most remote portion of the first floor exterior wall of a building shall not be more than 650 feet from a fire hydrant measured in a route around the building and along fire apparatus access roads. If intersections are over 600 feet apart, an additional hydrant shall be placed at an intermediate location.
B. Fire hydrants installed in any area zoned other than single-family residential including areas zoned multifamily, commercial, educational, institutional, assembly, storage and industrial shall be spaced on not more than 300-foot intervals along public streets and approved fire apparatus access roads. The most remote portion of the first floor exterior wall of a building shall not be more than 450 feet from a fire hydrant measured in a route around the building and along fire apparatus access roads. If the distance between intersections in such zoned areas is more than 400 feet apart, additional hydrants shall be required between such intersections.
C. Public buildings, including schools, and buildings being occupied by conditional use permits, located in single-family residential areas shall be classified as commercial for the purpose of fire hydrant protection and shall meet the requirements of subsection B of this section.
D. The number of fire hydrants required for a building or complex of buildings shall be based on the formula:
|
Required fire flow |
= |
Number of hydrants |
|
1,500 gpm |
E. If more than one fire hydrant is required to meet the fire flow demand for a building or complex of buildings under common ownership, all hydrants shall be within 600 feet of the building or complex of buildings measured along the approved fire apparatus access road or public street.
F. Buildings requiring fire flow less than 2,500 gallons per minute may have fire hydrants on one side of the building.
G. Buildings requiring fire flow greater than 2,500 gallons per minute shall have fire hydrants served by a main that loops the building or complex of buildings and reconnects back into a distribution supply main in a separate location.
Exception: Where property lines, topography or other features prevent fire department apparatus access to one or more sides of a building, or complex of buildings, this requirement may be waived if, in the opinion of the fire chief or his/her designee, suitable fire protection features are installed in the premises.
H. All fire hydrants shall be located at least 40 feet from the buildings they serve. When, in the opinion of the fire chief or his/her designee, the materials or processes in a building or complex of buildings constitute a hazardous condition, hydrants shall be located at least 80 feet from the building.
I. Existing two-port fire hydrants shall be replaced by the property owner when a short plat is created within 300 feet of existing property zoned for commercial, industrial, manufacturing, public office, multifamily uses, and 500 feet of existing property zone for residential uses.
J. All hydrants shall be made accessible to fire department personnel by roads capable of supporting fire fighting vehicles and equipment.
K. Any variance in the hydrant spacing requirements shall be at the discretion of the chief of fire prevention, based upon utility topography and building location. (Ord. 3069 § 5, 2001).
15.14.040 Structural requirements – Inspection.
A. All hydrants installed in areas zoned single-family residential shall be served by circulating water mains not less than eight inches in diameter. Dead-end mains servicing hydrants shall be no less than eight inches in diameter except that hydrant leads of less than 100 feet in length may be six inches in diameter. Final decision as to size of hydrant leads and water mains shall be made only after consultation with the water utility.
B. In the case of a building, other than a single-family dwelling, which is located so that any portion of such building is more than 300 feet from the vehicle travel lane from the nearest city street, the lead from the service main to hydrant shall be no less than eight inches in diameter.
C. Standard fire hydrants shall include two hose outlets with inside diameter of two and one-half inches and one pumper hose outlet with inside diameter four inches (3.75 minimum). All two and one-half-inch ports shall have National Standard threads; pumper port threads shall be No. 3 Pacific Coast threads. Actual measurements for the threads on the two and one-half-inch ports shall be 3.0625 outside diameter at seven and one-half threads per inch. Pumper port threads shall measure 4.828 outside diameter at six threads per inch. The size and shape of the hydrant operating nut shall be one and one-fourth-inch pentagon.
D. The pumper port shall be equipped with a permanent five-inch “Storz” adapter. The adapter shall be No. 3 Pacific Coast thread (4.828 x 6) rigid female by five-inch one-quarter turn “Storz” fitting with set screw.
E. The installation of either an auxiliary gate valve, with “O” ring packing, or an American Waterworks Association approved valve between service mains and hydrants, which is sufficient to permit repair and replacement of a hydrant without disruption of water service, shall be required. Final decision by the fire department as to the location of the valve shall be made only after consultation with the water utility.
F. Hydrants shall be set plumb to the finished grade with the lowest outlet of the hydrant no less than 16 inches above the grade level and with no less than 36 inches of clear area about the hydrant for clearance of the hydrant wrench on outlets and control valves.
G. The pumper port shall face the street and the view of hydrants shall not be obstructed by any structure or vegetation within a distance of 50 feet in the direction of vehicular approach to such hydrant.
H. Barriers to protect hydrants from damage by vehicles shall be installed when required by the chief of fire prevention. Barriers shall be as follows:
1. At least the height of the hydrant;
2. Of four-inch diameter reinforced concrete or concrete-filled pipe. Reinforcement iron shall consist of four pieces the length of the barrier;
3. Buried at least three feet in the ground;
4. Located a minimum of three feet around the hydrant;
5. Barriers shall not interfere with operation of the hydrant;
6. Number of barriers shall be specified by the chief of fire prevention.
I. The location of all valves and fire hydrants installed shall be properly and accurately marked on identifiable plans or drawings, one copy of which shall be furnished to the chief of fire prevention prior to installation.
J. All new fire hydrants shall be painted in accordance with fire department standards prior to acceptance by the fire department. When required by the chief of fire prevention, hydrant locations shall be identified by the installation of reflective markers.
K. The type and class of pipe for a particular installation shall be determined through consideration of the maximum working pressure, the lying conditions, corrosion, and susceptibility of pipe to other external loads, including earth loads, installations beneath buildings, and traffic or vehicle loads. All piping shall be listed or meet AWWA standards. (Ord. 3069 § 6, 2001).
15.14.045 Tampering.
Fire hydrants required by this chapter to be installed or maintained shall not be removed, tampered with or otherwise disturbed except for the purpose of extinguishing fire, training, recharging or making repairs, or when allowed by the fire department. (Ord. 3069 § 7, 2001).
15.14.050 Violation – Penalty.
Any person violating any of the provisions of this chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished as provided by the laws of the state of Washington and MVMC 1.20.010. (Ord. 3069 § 8, 2001).