Chapter 13.20
FIRE HYDRANTS*
Sections:
13.20.020 Installation required when.
13.20.050 Flush-type hydrants.
13.20.080 Mains on private property – Inaccessible buildings.
13.20.090 Placement in nonresidential areas.
13.20.100 Placement in residential areas.
13.20.110 Location around buildings.
13.20.130 Installation materials and practices.
13.20.140 Protection by posts.
13.20.150 Contractor or city to install – Approval.
13.20.160 Chlorine treatment after installation.
13.20.170 Nonconforming hydrants.
13.20.180 Obstruction of visibility.
* For other provisions on fire hydrants, see BMC 13.04.170.
13.20.010 Definitions.
The definitions following are a part of this chapter. Whenever the following terms are used in this chapter they shall have the meaning as defined. The definitions given shall not necessarily be limited to the meaning given in this section whenever the term is one of common usage, in which case the definition shall be augmented and enlarged by accepted public use of the term.
A. “Approving authority,” for the several conditions of this chapter, shall be the fire chief.
B. “Fire department” means the fire department of the city and/or any recognized fire department normally responding in the area, to include private fire brigades organized, trained and equipped to protect specified property.
C. “Flush-type hydrant” means a hydrant installed below grade.
D. “Institutional properties” includes, but is not necessarily limited to: places of worship, schools, public and private hospitals, nursing homes, lodges and fraternal orders, unless the structure contains a function of a commercial or industrial nature.
E. “Private hydrant” means a fire hydrant so situated and maintained to provide water for fire fighting purposes with restrictions for its use limited to certain defined property or properties. The location may be such that it is not readily accessible for immediate use of the city fire department for other than private property.
F. “Public hydrant” means a fire hydrant so situated and maintained to provide water for fire fighting purposes without restriction as to use. The location is such that it is accessible for immediate use of the fire department.
G. “Residential properties” are those intended for a purpose of human habitation. Whenever the words “single-family dwelling” are used in this chapter is also includes the structure known as a “duplex,” a two-family dwelling. A residence constructed and equipped for occupancy by more than two families shall be defined as a “multifamily dwelling” or “high-density dwelling,” the terms being identical in meaning. (Ord. 1309 § 1, 1970; prior code § 7-801)
13.20.020 Installation required when.
The installation of fire hydrants on private property, in accordance with this chapter, shall be required of the owner and/or developer of any future business, commercial, institutional or industrial facility, dwelling or dwelling development. (Ord. 1309 § 2, 1970; prior code § 7-802)
13.20.030 Water supply.
All fire hydrants installed as required by this chapter shall be served by the city water department unless conditions warrant a waiver of this provision. (Ord. 1309 § 3, 1970; prior code § 7-803)
13.20.040 Private hydrants.
The installation of private hydrants as defined in this chapter shall be limited to those cases when the number of public hydrants installed under the distance provisions of this chapter is insufficient in number. Private hydrants shall meet city requirements for public hydrants and shall be located as designated by the approving authority. The city shall have the right to go upon the premises and to use the private hydrant for public purposes, including testing, flushing and emergency uses. (Ord. 1309 § 4, 1970; prior code § 7-804)
13.20.050 Flush-type hydrants.
The installation of flush-type hydrants is prohibited. (Ord. 1309 § 5, 1970; prior code § 7-805)
13.20.060 Gate valve and box.
There shall be a gate valve installed between the service main and the hydrant sufficient to permit repair and replacement of the hydrants without disruption of water service. The type and style shall be determined by the approving authority. The location of all such valves installed shall be properly and accurately marked on identifiable plans or drawings, two copies of which shall be furnished the approving authority. This valve shall be furnished with a standard valve box. (Ord. 1309 § 6, 1970; prior code § 7-806)
13.20.070 Diameter of leads.
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 the service main to the hydrant shall be no less than eight inches in diameter. The provisions of this section shall apply without exception and regardless of the size of the service main. (Ord. 1309 § 7, 1970; prior code § 7-807)
13.20.080 Mains on private property – Inaccessible buildings.
A. All mains on private property serving more than one fire hydrant shall be circulatory and not less than eight inches in diameter. The hydrants shall be not more than 300 feet apart, measured around the perimeter 50 feet from the buildings.
B. All buildings, except single-family dwellings, that are located so that a portion is more than 200 feet from the property line, or located at a different elevation than the street, shall have fire hydrants around their perimeter, to be located on the property as directed by the fire chief. (Ord. 1309 § 8, 1970; prior code § 7-808)
13.20.090 Placement in nonresidential areas.
Fire hydrants shall be installed at all intersections in all areas except single-family residential, so that the distance between them does not exceed 330 feet. If the distance between intersections is over 400 feet, then one hydrant shall be placed half-way between. (Ord. 1309 § 9, 1970; prior code § 7-809)
13.20.100 Placement in residential areas.
Fire hydrants shall be so installed in single-family residential areas so that the distance between them does not exceed 600 feet, and shall be installed at street intersections unless otherwise specified by the approving authority. If intersections are over 700 feet apart an additional hydrant will be placed in between them so as not to be more than 600 feet from hydrants on either side. In addition to the spacing requirements set forth above in this section, hydrants located in cul-de-sac and dead-end areas, either by design or by topographic or manmade feature which prohibits straight-line distance measurement, shall be located to serve no more than 120,000 square feet. (Ord. 1309 § 10, 1970; prior code § 7-810)
13.20.110 Location around buildings.
A. Buildings having required fire flow of less than 2,500 gallons per minute (other than buildings of fire-resistive construction) can have fire hydrants on one side of the building only, yet there shall never be less than two fire hydrants available for any building larger than 500 square feet of ground area.
B. Location of hydrants protecting buildings requiring fire flows larger than 2,500 gallons per minute shall be determined by the fire chief. (Ord. 1309 § 11, 1970; prior code § 7-811)
13.20.120 Specifications.
Standard hydrants shall have two two-and-one-half-inch hose outlets and one four-and-one-half-inch pumper port outlet. All outlet ports shall be National Standard thread. The valve opening shall be no less than five inches. The hydrant shall have a positive and automatic barrel drain, shall be Iowa-type or equal, and shall be of the “safety” or “break-away” style; i.e., when accidently broken off, water will not flow. All ports shall be capped. (Ord. 1309 § 12, 1970; prior code § 7-812)
13.20.130 Installation materials and practices.
A. Fire hydrants shall be installed to meet sound engineering practices, to include concrete blocking and strapping in all cases, and to the approval of the city engineer, who shall also approve the selection and use of all pipe, fittings and valves.
B. Hydrants shall stand plumb, be set to the established grade with the lowest outlet of the hydrant no less than 18 inches above the grade and no less than 36 inches of clear area about the hydrant for clearance of the hydrant wrench on both outlets and on the control valve. 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, to be determined by the approving authority. (Ord. 1309 §§ 13, 14, 1970; prior code § 7-813)
13.20.140 Protection by posts.
The fire chief will require, where needed, hydrants to be protected by two or more posts, each eight inches in diameter by five feet, made either of reinforced concrete or steel, their location to meet the provisions of BMC 13.20.130(A). (Ord. 1309 § 15, 1970; prior code § 7-814)
13.20.150 Contractor or city to install – Approval.
The installation of fire hydrants may be accomplished by a recognized contractor, or by payment to the city for work to be accomplished by the city water department, either by contract or by departmental employees. All installations are to be approved by the city engineer. (Ord. 1309 § 19, 1970)
13.20.160 Chlorine treatment after installation.
Following the installation of fire hydrants, all piping, valves and hydrants shall be treated with chlorine as prescribed by law for installation of any other facility on a potable water system. (Ord. 1309 § 20, 1970)
13.20.170 Nonconforming hydrants.
If there exist, as of the adoption of the ordinance codified in this chapter, fire hydrants which do not conform to the requirements of this chapter, such hydrants, when replaced, shall be replaced with hydrants which do conform to the standards defined in this chapter. This does not preclude a requirement by proper authority that a deficient hydrant must be replaced should structural conditions of the area change to require a hydrant or hydrants or larger flow capacity. (Ord. 1309 § 16, 1970; prior code § 7-815)
13.20.180 Obstruction of visibility.
No one shall plant any vegetation, erect any structure or perform any action on city right-of-way which results in obstructing the visibility or accessibility of a fire hydrant for a distance of 20 feet. The owner/occupant of any privately owned area in which a hydrant is located shall be responsible for removing weed and tree growth from around the hydrants for a distance of no less than 10 feet. The purpose of this section is to maintain visual area around the hydrant and is in addition to the requirements of BMC 13.20.130(A). (Ord. 1309 § 17, 1970; prior code § 7-816)
13.20.190 Violation – Penalty.
Repealed by Ord. 2750. (Ord. 1309 § 21, 1970)