Chapter 13.20
WATER – FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS
Sections:
13.20.010 Installation – Liability for costs.
13.20.020 Application for service – Filing of plans – Requirements.
13.20.030 Installation – Determination of charge – Payment required when.
13.20.040 Combining fire protection and commercial service connections prohibited.
13.20.050 Monthly charge – Inside city limits.
13.20.060 Monthly charge – Outside city limits.
13.20.070 Applicability of charges.
13.20.080 Monthly charge – Billing and payment.
13.20.090 Improper use of nonmetered water – Notice – Procedure.
13.20.100 City not responsible for damage.
13.20.010 Installation – Liability for costs.
All fire service connections between water mains and property lines shall be installed and maintained by the water department at the expense of the owner or occupant of the premises served, and shall be the property of the city. (Ord. A-611 § 1, 1967).
13.20.020 Application for service – Filing of plans – Requirements.
At the time of making application for such service, the applicant shall file with the water department detailed plans showing all piping installed or to be installed for fire protection, all fire gates, automatic sprinklers, and all other outlets, gates or appurtenances. Each fire service connection shall have a gate valve with an adequate valve box installed between the main and the property line of the premises served. No fire service connection larger than six inches in diameter shall be installed without special permission from the city council. (Ord. A-611 § 2(a), 1967).
13.20.030 Installation – Determination of charge – Payment required when.
Upon receipt of such application the director of the water department shall fix the charge to be made for the installation of such service, taking into consideration length and size of pipe, condition of street and sidewalk, labor required and other factors relative to the character of the service to be installed, and such charge shall be paid by the applicant before such installation shall be made. (Ord. 88-15 § 14, 1988; Ord. A-611 § 2(b), 1967).
13.20.040 Combining fire protection and commercial service connections prohibited.
Fire service connections shall not be used for combined fire protection and commercial purposes. In no case shall any tap be made upon, or any tank connected with, any pipe used for fire protection service unless a meter shall be installed thereon. The use of water through a fire service connection for any purpose other than the extinguishing of fire on the premises is prohibited unless a meter is installed to measure all water so used. The city council may require that a suitable detector check or meter be installed in standby fire protection service connections. (Ord. A-611 § 3, 1969).
13.20.050 Monthly charge – Inside city limits.
The monthly charge for fire sprinkler suppression connections inside the city limits shall be established by resolution of the city council, as amended from time to time, for one-and-one-half-inch service, two-inch service, three-inch service, four-inch service, six-inch service and eight-inch service. (Ord. 2017-01 § 1, 2017; Ord. A-611 § 4(a), 1967).
13.20.060 Monthly charge – Outside city limits.
A. The monthly charge for fire sprinkler suppression outside the city limits shall be established by resolution of the city council, as amended from time to time, for one-and-one-half-inch service, two-inch service, three-inch service, four-inch service, six-inch service and eight-inch service.
B. If any fire protection service is installed outside the city limits the same may, in the absence of specific contractual agreements to the contrary, be discontinued at the will of the city council, and the connection with the main removed at the expense of the owner or occupant of the property served. (Ord. 2017-01 § 1, 2017; Ord. A-611 § 4(b), 1967).
13.20.070 Applicability of charges.
The charges set forth in TMC 13.20.050 and 13.20.060 shall apply in all cases where automatic sprinklers are installed and where fire gates or other outlets are sealed. No charge shall be made for water used in extinguishing fire. (Ord. A-611 § 4(c), 1967).
13.20.080 Monthly charge – Billing and payment.
The monthly charge for fire sprinkler suppression connections shall be billed and shall be payable as other water service charges are billed and payable. The provisions of TMC 13.16.050 and 13.16.060 shall pertain to such monthly charge, and the remedies therein provided shall be in addition to those provided by TMC 13.20.090. (Ord. 2017-01 § 1, 2017; Ord. A-611 § 4(d), 1967).
13.20.090 Improper use of nonmetered water – Notice – Procedure.
Should the water department find that water not metered is used through a fire connection for any purpose other than the extinguishing of fire upon the premises for which such service is provided, an estimate of the amount used shall be computed by the water department, and the owner and occupant shall be required to pay for the water used as so computed at the regular rates charged by the city for water service other than for standby fire protection service, including the minimum charge based on the size of the service connection. Further, the owner and occupant shall be notified by mail of such charge and of such improper use, and if the charge so made for the water used as so computed is not paid, and in addition thereto such improper use is not corrected within 10 days after the date of mailing such notice, the water will be shut off and will not be turned on until such charge has been paid and such improper use remedied. (Ord. A-611 § 5, 1967).
13.20.100 City not responsible for damage.
In providing standby fire protection service, the city assumes no responsibility for loss or damage because of lack of water or pressure, but merely agrees to furnish such quantities and pressures as are available at the time of use in its general distribution system, and the provision of such service is subject to shutdowns and variations required by the operation of the municipal water system of the city. (Ord. A-611 § 6, 1967).