Chapter 13.16
FIRE HYDRANTS1
Sections:
13.16.010 Chapter title.
13.16.020 Definitions.
13.16.030 Required.
13.16.050 Flush-type hydrants prohibited.
13.16.060 Installation requirements.
13.16.070 Special requirements.
13.16.080 Accessibility.
13.16.090 Dead-end mains prohibited.
13.16.100 Fire flow requirements.
13.16.122 Spacing between hydrants – Buildings more than 150 feet from right-of-way.
13.16.124 Spacing between hydrants – Commercial or industrial buildings.
13.16.126 Spacing between hydrants – Apartment buildings.
13.16.130 Penalty.
13.16.010 Chapter title.
This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the “Auburn fire hydrant/access ordinance.” (Ord. 3064 § 1, 1976.)
13.16.020 Definitions.
For the purpose of this chapter, the following words, terms, phrases and their derivations shall have the meaning given in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates. When not inconsistent with the context, words used in the present tense include the future; words in the plural number include the singular number and words in the singular number include the plural number. The word “shall” is always mandatory.
A. “APWA” means the American Public Works Association.
B. “AWWA” means the American Water Works Association.
C. “Fire chief” means the city fire chief or the fire marshal.
D. “Fire department” means the city fire department.
E. “Fire flow” means the measure of the sustained flow of available water for firefighting of a specific building or within a specific area at 20 pounds per square inch residual pressure, and shall be corrected to the lowest gallonage available based on peak-period demands and seasonal demands.
F. “Flush-type hydrant” means a hydrant installed entirely below grade.
G. “Private hydrant” means a fire hydrant situated and maintained to provide water for firefighting purposes with restrictions as to use. The location may be such that it is not readily accessible for immediate use by the fire authority for other than certain private property.
H. “Public hydrant” means a fire hydrant situated and maintained to provide water for firefighting purposes without restriction as to use for that purpose. The location is such that it is accessible for immediate use of the fire authority at all times.
I. “UBC” means the Uniform Building Code, including amendments, as adopted by the city.
J. “UL” means the Underwriters’ Laboratories, Inc.
K. “Water authority” means the city water division of the department of public works or any other municipal or quasi-municipal entity distributing water to fire hydrants within the city. (Ord. 4567 § 2 (Exh. A), 1992; Ord. 4377 § 2, 1990; Ord. 3064 § 1, 1976.)
13.16.030 Required.
All buildings constructed within the city, except as noted below, shall be served by fire hydrants installed in accordance with the requirements of this chapter. In addition, presently existing fire hydrants which do not conform with the requirements and standards of this chapter, when replaced shall be replaced with hydrants which do conform to the standards and requirements of this chapter. All fire hydrants shall be served by a municipal or quasi-municipal water system, or as otherwise approved by the fire chief. All hydrants shall be subject to testing, inspection, and approval by the fire department.
EXCEPTIONS:
A. New dwellings: Detached single-family dwellings constructed after the effective date of the ordinance codified in this section shall be exempt from the requirements for fire hydrants if all of the following conditions are met:
1. The dwelling is located on a lot zoned R-R (Rural Residential); and
2. The lot size is four acres or larger or is an existing platted lot as of the effective date of the ordinance codified in this section; and
3. The detached accessory buildings that are greater than 1,000 square feet in ground area must be separated from the family dwelling by 50 feet or more; and
4. The dwelling is protected by a residential sprinkler, smoke and heat detection system in accordance with city fire department administrative guidelines. The department may reference nationally recognized codes as may be necessary to carry out the directions and intent of this legislation;
5. No dwelling authorized under this exception shall be within 50 feet of another dwelling unit.
B. Accessory buildings: Accessory buildings to a single-family dwelling shall be exempt if one of the following conditions is present:
1. The accessory building is more than 50 feet from any dwelling; or
2. The accessory building is less than 1,000 square feet in size.
However, the fire chief may apply additional requirements or deny approval if he finds that unacceptable hazards may exist from the siting or construction of any such accessory building.
C. Existing buildings:
1. Additions, alterations or repairs: Additions, alterations or repairs may be made to any detached single-family dwelling regulated by this section which existed prior to the effective date of the ordinance codified in this section without requiring the dwelling to comply with the fire hydrant or sprinkler system provisions of this section, provided:
a. The cumulative addition, alteration or repair does not constitute more than a 50 percent increase in the building gross square foot area that existed prior to the effective date of the ordinance codified in this section.
2. Moved and replaced buildings:
a. Detached single-family dwellings moved onto locations regulated by this section, shall comply with the provisions of this section.
b. Detached single-family dwellings replaced as a result of damage or deterioration which affects more than 50 percent of the gross square foot of existing building area, as determined by the building and fire official, shall comply with the provisions of this section.
c. The chief may modify the zoning and acreage requirements as noted in subdivisions 1 and 2 of subsection A of this section, upon application in writing by the owner or his duly authorized representative if the proposed detached single-family dwelling to be constructed is to replace an existing more hazardous single-family dwelling.
D. Temporary buildings: Temporary buildings such as construction sheds and on-site living accommodations such as trailers, mobile homes, and campers intended for exclusive temporary use during periods of construction of permanent buildings may be located or erected on locations regulated by this section without complying with the fire hydrant and sprinkler system requirements if:
1. A temporary on-site permit is granted by the building and fire officials in accordance with the Auburn Municipal Code, Title 18, Zoning or ACC 15.14.020, Uniform Administration Code.
2. Temporary buildings are removed, vacated or modified to comply with the provisions of this section on or before the expiration of the temporary on-site permit. (Ord. 4226 § 1, 1987; Ord. 4057 § 2, 1985.)
13.16.050 Flush-type hydrants prohibited.
The installation of flush-type hydrants is prohibited unless approved by the fire chief. (Ord. 3064 § 1, 1976.)
13.16.060 Installation requirements.
The installation of all fire hydrants shall be in accordance with sound engineering practices. In addition, the following requirements shall apply to all building construction projects:
A. Two copies of detailed plans or drawings accurately indicating the location of all valves and fire hydrants to be installed shall be submitted to the fire chief prior to the commencement of any construction.
B. All fire hydrants must be approved by the appropriate water authority prior to the installation.
C. All construction of the fire hydrant installation and its attendant water system connection shall conform to the design standards and specifications promulgated by the appropriate water authority.
D. Fire hydrant installations shall be adequately protected against vehicular damage, in accordance with standards and specifications promulgated by the appropriate water authority.
E. An auxiliary gate valve shall be installed at the main line tee to permit the repair and replacement of the hydrant without disruption of water service.
F. All hydrants shall stand plumb, be set to the finished grade with the lowest outlet of the hydrant no less than 18 inches above the grade, and have no less than 36 inches in diameter of clear area about the hydrant for the clearance of hydrant wrenches on both outlets and the control valve.
G. The pumper port shall face the street. Where the street cannot be clearly defined or recognized, the port shall face the most likely route of approach and location of the fire truck while pumping, all as determined by the fire chief.
H. The lead from the service main to the hydrant shall be no less than six inches in diameter. Any hydrant leads over 50 feet in length from water main to hydrant shall be no less than eight inches in diameter.
I. All hydrants newly installed in single-family residential areas shall be supplied by not less than eight-inch mains and shall be capable of delivering 1,000 gallons per minute fire flow over and above average maximum demands at the furthest point of installation. Dead-end mains over 50 feet in length which supply hydrants shall be at least eight inches in size.
J. All hydrants newly installed in commercial, industrial, multifamily residential areas and other similar areas shall be supplied by not less than eight-inch mains.
K. All hydrants shall have at least a five-inch minimum valve opening, “O” ring stem seal, two two-and-one-half-inch national standard thread hose nozzles, one steamer port per city fire department specifications and a six-inch mechanical joint shoe connection. In addition, all hydrants shall meet AWWA standards for public hydrants and shall be installed according to the specifications of the city fire department.
L. All pipe shall meet relevant AWWA standards.
M. The maximum distance between fire hydrants in single-family use district zones shall be 600 feet, measured as the fire vehicle lays its hose.
N. The maximum distance between fire hydrants in commercial, industrial, and apartment (including duplex) use district zones shall be 300 feet, measured as the fire vehicle lays its hose.
O. Lateral spacing of fire hydrants shall be approved by the fire chief and predicated on hydrants being located at street intersections.
P. The owner shall be responsible for notifying the appropriate water authority and the fire department in writing of the date the fire hydrant installation and its attendant water connection system will be available for use.
Q. All hydrants on private property shall be installed the same and meet all of the requirements as established for public hydrants. (Ord. 3064 § 1, 1976.)
13.16.070 Special requirements.
The requirements of this section apply to all building construction projects in which buildings are located or are to be located such that any portion is more than 150 feet in vehicular travel from a street property line, except detached single-family dwellings:
A. Buildings having required fire flows of less than 2,500 gallons per minute may have fire hydrants on one side of the building only.
B. When the required fire flow is over 2,500 gallons per minute, the fire hydrants shall be served by a main which loops around the building or complex of buildings and reconnects back to a distribution supply main.
C. The number of fire hydrants shall be determined on an average spacing of 300 feet in commercial or industrial areas, schools, and institutions, computed on an imaginary line parallel to and not less than 50 feet from the structure. All hydrants are to be accessible to fire department pumpers over paved or gravel roads capable of supporting such fire apparatus. The fire department shall determine the location of the hydrants based upon a determination of utility, topography, and building location. Hydrants shall be a minimum of 50 feet away from the buildings or structure; minor deviations may be granted by fire department approval of written requests.
D. Approved foam-type fire-extinguishing systems, or equivalent, shall be required in addition to fire hydrants in special hazardous installations such as oil refineries, chemical plants, and similar operations. Systems installed shall comply with NFPA No. 16 or the appropriate standard for the type of system. (Ord. 3064 § 1, 1976.)
13.16.080 Accessibility.
Hydrants shall not be obstructed by any structure or vegetation, or have visibility impaired within a distance of 150 feet in any direction of vehicular approach to the hydrant. (Ord. 3064 § 1, 1976.)
13.16.090 Dead-end mains prohibited.
Provisions shall be made wherever appropriate in any project for looping all dead-end or temporarily dead-end mains. Construction plans must be approved by the appropriate water authority prior to the commencement of construction. Where it is not feasible at the time of approval and installation to loop a water system, in the opinion of the fire department, the loop requirement may be relaxed if the intent of the code is met and a stub is provided on the main for future expansion. (Ord. 3064 § 1, 1976.)
13.16.100 Fire flow requirements.
The fire flow requirements of a building, structure, storage pile or area shall be based on criteria established in Appendix III-A of the Uniform Fire Code, 1991 Edition, as amended and adopted in Chapter 15.36 ACC which is adopted by reference. (Ord. 4567 § 3 (Exh. B), 1992; Ord. 4377 § 3, 1990; Ord. 3064 § 1, 1976.)
13.16.122 Spacing between hydrants – Buildings more than 150 feet from right-of-way.
Spacing between hydrants serving portions of buildings more than 150 feet from the public right-of-way may be modified in accordance with the provisions below provided that the buildings which are required by the Uniform Building Code to be sprinkled shall not be allowed hydrant spacing increases; except, when that portion of a building is required to be sprinkled and that portion is minor and incidental to the primary occupancy which does not otherwise require sprinklers, hydrant spacing may be increased from 150 feet to 300 feet if the total building is sprinkled. (Ord. 3174 § 1(A), 1977.)
13.16.124 Spacing between hydrants – Commercial or industrial buildings.
Hydrants required to serve any commercial or industrial building or portion thereof which is more than 150 feet from a public right-of-way shall be increased to 300 feet; provided, that the building is fully sprinkled with an approved sprinkler system as specified in National Fire Protection Association Pamphlet No. 13. (Ord. 3174 § 1(B), 1977.)
13.16.126 Spacing between hydrants – Apartment buildings.
Hydrants required to serve any apartment buildings or portions thereof which are more than 150 feet from a public right-of-way shall be increased to 300 feet; provided, that the building is fully sprinkled with an approved sprinkling system as specified in National Fire Protection Association Pamphlet No. 13 and equipped with an approved automatic fire detection system as specified in National Fire Protection Association Pamphlet No. 72. (Ord. 3174 § 1(C), 1977.)
13.16.130 Penalty.
Any violation of this chapter shall be enforced pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 1.25 ACC. (Ord. 4502 § 10, 1991; Ord. 3064 § 1, 1976.)
Prior legislation: Ords. 2862 and 2882.