Chapter 16.08
FIRE FLOW AND HYDRANTS
Sections:
16.08.040 Fire flow requirements.
16.08.050 Flush-type hydrants prohibited.
16.08.070 Installation of hydrants.
16.08.080 Special requirements for buildings set back from street line.
16.08.090 Hydrant accessibility.
16.08.100 Deadend mains prohibited.
16.08.110 Plan approval required prior to building permit issuance.
16.08.120 Violation – Penalty.
16.08.010 Short title.
This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the Puyallup fire flow and hydrant code. (Ord. 2801 § 2, 2004; Ord. 1918 § 2, 1982).
16.08.020 Definitions.
For the purposes of this chapter, the following words, terms, phrases, and their derivations shall have the meanings 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.
(1) “Approving authority” means the (or a) fire code official of the city of Puyallup.
(2) “AWWA” means the American Water Works Association.
(3) “City of Tacoma steamer thread” means a thread conforming to the following specifications: thread outside diameter finished with 0.020 inches cut off the top shall be 5.09 inches; diameter at the root of the thread with 0.020 inches left in the valley shall be 4.74 inches; there shall be four threads per inch and the thread pattern shall be modified 60 degree “V” thread; the total length of the threaded male nipple shall be one-and-one-eighth inches.
(4) “Fire code” means the International Fire Code.
(5) “Fire department” means the Puyallup fire department.
(6) “Fire flow” means the measure of the sustained flow of available water for fire fighting at a specific building or within a specific area at 20 pounds per square inch residual pressure.
(7) “Fire code official” means the city of Puyallup fire code official or their appointee.
(8) “Flush-type hydrant” means a hydrant installed entirely below grade.
(9) “Private hydrant” means a fire hydrant situated and maintained to provide water for fire fighting 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.
(10) “Public hydrant” means a fire hydrant situated and maintained to provide water for fire fighting purposes without restriction as to use for that purpose. Public hydrants shall be normally placed on public rights-of-way. The location is such that it is accessible for immediate use of the fire authority at all times.
(11) “IBC” means the International Building Code as adopted, including amendments, by the city of Puyallup.
(12) “UL” means Underwriters’ Laboratories, Inc.
(13) “Water authority” means the Puyallup water department or any other entity legally distributing water to fire hydrants within the city of Puyallup. (Ord. 2801 § 2, 2004; Ord. 1918 § 3, 1982).
16.08.030 Hydrants required.
All buildings constructed within the city 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 the Puyallup water department or an entity legally distributing water within the city. All hydrants shall be subject to testing, inspection and approval by the fire department. (Ord. 2801 § 2, 2004; Ord. 1918 § 4, 1982).
16.08.040 Fire flow requirements.
(1) All new water mains installed within the city shall conform to the minimum sizing as established by the current comprehensive water plan of the appropriate water authority.
(2) All hydrants newly installed in single-family residential areas shall be supplied by a water main of a minimum size of either eight inches in diameter for deadend mains and a minimum of six inches for circulating mains and shall be capable of delivering a minimum 1,000 gpm fire flow over and above average maximum demands at the farthest point of the installation.
(3) All buildings shall have hydrants supplied by a water distribution system capable of delivering fire flows determined by the fire code official, based upon criteria set forth in the fire code, Appendix B, over and above average maximum demands at the farthest point of the system. (Ord. 3043 § 3, 2013; Ord. 2801 § 2, 2004; Ord. 1918 § 5, 1982).
16.08.050 Flush-type hydrants prohibited.
The installation of flush-type hydrants is prohibited unless approved by the fire code official. (Ord. 2801 § 2, 2004; Ord. 1918 § 6, 1982).
16.08.060 Standards for public buildings.
Repealed by Ord. 2801. (Ord. 1918 § 7, 1982).
16.08.070 Installation of hydrants.
The installation of all fire hydrants shall be in accordance with standards adopted by the city. In addition, the following requirements shall apply to all building construction projects:
(1) 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 city of Puyallup prior to the commencement of any construction.
(2) All fire hydrants must be approved by the appropriate water authority prior to installation.
(3) 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.
(4) Fire hydrant installations shall be adequately protected against vehicular damage, in accordance with the standards and specifications promulgated by the appropriate water authority.
(5) 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.
(6) 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 around the hydrant for the clearance of hydrant wrenches on both outlets and on the control valve.
(7) The steamer 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 code official.
(8) 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.
(9) All hydrants shall have at least five-and-one-quarter-inch minimum valve opening, “O” ring stem seal, two two-and-one-half-inch national standard thread hose ports, one four-inch mechanical joint show connection. In addition, all hydrants shall meet city of Puyallup standards for public hydrants.
(10) All pipe shall meet city standards.
(11) Public hydrants shall have an average spacing per Appendix C of the fire code. Additional public hydrants may be required by the fire code official based on topographic or unusual conditions.
(12) Public hydrants in commercial, industrial and apartment (including duplex) use district zones shall have an average lateral spacing of 330 feet. Additional public hydrants may be required by the fire chief based on topographic or unusual conditions and requirements from the fire code including Appendix C.
(13) Any public right-of-way which dead ends in a residential zone which is over 500 feet long may be required to have a public hydrant at the end of the street which is served by an eight-inch water main.
(14) Any portion of new single-family dwellings shall be within 600 feet from a public hydrant that is located on a fire apparatus access road. An applicant may request that all or a portion of a new single-family dwelling be located more than 600 feet from a public fire hydrant. The approving authority may grant the request if the following are met: (a) that fire safety service to the dwelling or surrounding area meets the requirements of the International Fire Code alternate methods and materials provisions, (b) the request complies with all applicable laws, rules, and regulations, (c) that the dwelling and surrounding area will not be adversely affected by authorizing a distance of greater than 600 feet, (d) the applicant shall provide confirmation from the servicing water district that the subject property is authorized to receive domestic water service from a private well, (e) the applicant has received approval from the fire district allowing for the dwelling to be located more than 600 feet from a public hydrant, and (f) the applicant has executed an agreement in a form as approved by the city attorney to indemnify and hold harmless the city, which shall be filed with the county auditor for recording prior to issuance of city approval, for any action that may arise from the allowance of a distance greater than 600 feet. The approving authority shall deny a request if any of the above are not met or if the approving authority determines that life, health, or safety may be compromised by a deviation greater than 600 feet.
(15) Lateral spacing of fire hydrants shall be approved by the fire code official, and predicated on hydrants being located at street intersections.
(16) The appropriate water authority and the fire department shall be notified in writing of the date the fire hydrant installation and its attendant water connection system will be available for use.
(17) The fire code official shall be notified when all newly installed hydrants or mains are placed in service. (Ord. 3236 § 2, 2021; Ord. 2801 § 2, 2004; Ord. 2259 § 7, 1991; Ord. 1918 § 8, 1982).
16.08.080 Special requirements for buildings set back from street line.
When the required fireflow is over 2,500 gpm, the fire code official may require the fire hydrants be served by a main which loops and reconnects back into a distribution supply main, and said hydrants shall be located as designated by the fire code official. The location of hydrants shall be based upon a determination of utility, topography and building location. Hydrants shall be a minimum of 50 feet away from the building or structure; minor deviations may be granted by the fire code official upon receipt of written requests therefor. (Ord. 2801 § 2, 2004; Ord. 1918 § 9, 1982).
16.08.090 Hydrant accessibility.
Hydrants shall not be obstructed by any structure or vegetation or have the hydrant visibility impaired in any direction or vehicular approach to the hydrant. (Ord. 2801 § 2, 2004; Ord. 1918 § 10, 1982).
16.08.100 Deadend mains prohibited.
Provisions shall be made wherever appropriate in any project for looping all deadend or temporarily deadend mains. A minimum 10-foot easement shall be required. Construction plans must be approved by the appropriate water authority prior to the commencement of construction. (Ord. 2801 § 2, 2004; Ord. 1918 § 11, 1982).
16.08.110 Plan approval required prior to building permit issuance.
(1) No building permit shall be issued until plans required under this chapter have been submitted and approved in accordance with the provisions contained in this chapter.
(2) No vertical, combustible construction shall occur until required hydrants and mains are installed and approved by the fire code official or his designee.
(3) No building shall be occupied prior to installation and approval of required hydrants and mains set forth in this chapter. (Ord. 2801 § 2, 2004; Ord. 2259 § 8, 1991; Ord. 1918 § 12, 1982).
16.08.120 Violation – Penalty.
(1) The following shall constitute a violation of this chapter or the fire code:
(a) A violation of or failure to comply with any provision of this chapter or the fire code.
(b) A violation of or failure to comply with any order entered or made pursuant to any provision of this chapter or the fire code.
(c) Any building or rebuilding in violation of or contrary to plans submitted and approved or any certificate or permit issued pursuant to this chapter or the fire code.
(2) With the exception of PMC 16.04.015, any violation of this chapter or the fire code shall constitute a Class 1 civil infraction pursuant to PMC 1.02.120; provided, that a third or subsequent violation of the same provision of this chapter or the fire code shall be a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for a maximum term fixed by the court of not more than 90 days, or by a fine in an amount fixed by the court of not more than $1,000, or by both such imprisonment and fine.
(3) Each violation of the provisions of this chapter or the fire code shall constitute a separate infraction or offense.
(4) Each day that a particular violation exists shall constitute a separate infraction or offense.
(5) In addition to any other penalties, the violator shall, as a condition of continued occupation of the property or structure in violation of this chapter or the fire code, immediately abate the violation.
(6) To the extent that the penalties set forth in this section conflict with any penalty provisions of the fire code, this section shall prevail, and the conflicting provisions of the fire code are hereby repealed. (Ord. 2801 § 2, 2004; Ord. 1918 § 13, 1982).