Chapter 13.08
CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS
Sections:
13.08.010 Standards adopted.
13.08.020 Pipe – Size, type and location.
13.08.030 Fire hydrants.
13.08.040 Blow-off valves.
13.08.050 Gate or water control valves.
13.08.060 Tees and crosses.
13.08.070 Pressure-reducing valves.
13.08.080 Water mains – Easement requirements.
13.08.090 Contractor’s license requirements.
13.08.010 Standards adopted.
The 1994 Standard Specifications for Road, Bridge, and Municipal Construction is hereby adopted by this reference. All construction covered by these standards shall conform to its specifications. In the event any other standard has been adopted by the City which conflicts with the 1994 Standard Specifications adopted in this section, the standard which better protects the public health, safety, and welfare as determined by the City shall control. (Ord. 2042 § 1, 1994; Ord. 1908 § 1, 1991; Ord. 1787 § 1, 1988; Ord. 1091 § 1.02, 1971).
13.08.020 Pipe – Size, type and location.
A. Every new water main served by the City Water System shall be at least 6 inches in diameter, except that 4-inch pipe may be installed as a connecting line between 2 larger existing dead-end mains for the sole purposes of improving circulation in the system, and except that 4-inch pipe extending not more than 250 feet beyond a fire hydrant may be installed in a dead-end street; provided, that no fire hydrant is required by code, and provided the dead-end street terminates in a cul-de-sac surrounded by platted lots; and provided, that there is no foreseeable need for extending the water main to connect to mains in adjacent property for mutual improvement of water service. Lines shall be sized so that minimum delivery and residual pressure at any hydrant shall be 500 GPM at 20 psi.
B. In all cases, the City Engineer shall determine the size of supply and transmission mains, guided by the adopted comprehensive plan. If a developer is required to install a portion of a supply or transmission main, the City will reimburse him for the oversizing costs when funds are available and after receiving the bill of sale. For the purpose of determining oversizing, maximum-size main which may be required of the developer at his expense alone shall be 8 inches in single-family residential areas, and 12 inches in commercial and multiple-family residential areas. The developer shall submit the oversizing costs for approval prior to the beginning of construction. Water-main sizing for commercial and multiple residential developments shall be as specified by the City Engineer.
C. All water mains shall be constructed of ductile iron pipe, class 52 for mains sized 8 inches or less, and class 50 or 52 for mains larger than 8 inches in diameter. In general, all water mains shall be located 15 feet north or east of centerline in a 40-foot or 50-foot right-of-way and 20 feet north or east of centerline in a 60-foot right-of-way. (Ord. 1389 § 1, 1979; Ord. 1091 § 2.02, 1971).
13.08.030 Fire hydrants.
A. Definitions.
1. “Approving authority” is the Fire Chief of the Issaquah Fire Department.
2. “Water authority” is the Issaquah City Engineer.
3. “A.W.W.A.” is the American Water Works Association.
4. “U.L.” is the Underwriter’s Laboratories.
5. “U.B.C.” is the Uniform Building Code and Amendments, as adopted by the City.
6. “Public hydrant” is 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.
7. “Private hydrant” is 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.
8. “Flush-type hydrant” is a hydrant installed entirely below grade.
9. “Fire flow” is the measure of the sustained flow of available water for firefighting at a specific building or within a specific area at 20 pounds per square inch residual pressure.
10. “Fire Marshal” is the City of Issaquah Fire Chief or his appointee.
B. Fire 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 section when replaced, shall be replaced with hydrants which do conform to the standards and requirements of this section. All fire hydrants shall be served by a municipal or quasi-municipal water system, or as otherwise approved by the Fire Marshal. All hydrants shall be subject to testing, inspection and approval by the Fire Control Division.
C. Prohibited Installation. The installation of flush-type hydrants is prohibited unless approved by the Fire Marshal.
D. Buildings Open to the Public. Public buildings, buildings available for public use, or buildings open to the public by invitation or otherwise, including, but not limited to, schools, and buildings classified under the U.B.C. within occupancy groups A, B, E, or I shall conform to the requirements and standards contained in this chapter for buildings or structures in commercial, industrial, and apartment use district zones.
E. 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:
1. Three (3) copies of detailed plans or drawings, accurately dimensioned in feet and inches, indicating the location of all mains, valves and hydrants to be installed shall be submitted to the City Engineer 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 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 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 about the hydrant for the clearance of hydrant wrenches on both outlets and on the control valve.
7. 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 Marshal.
8. The lead from the service main to the hydrant shall be no less than 6 inches in diameter. Any hydrant leads over 50 feet in length from water main in hydrant shall be no less than 8 inches in diameter.
9. All hydrants newly installed in single-family residential areas shall be supplied by not less than 8-inch mains and shall be capable of delivering 1,000 g.p.m. fire flow over and above average maximum demands at the farthest point of the installation. Hydrant leads up to 50 feet long may be 6 inches in diameter.
10. All hydrants shall have at least 5-inch minimum valve opening, “O” ring stem seal, two 2-1/2-inch national standard thread hose nozzles, one 4-inch steamer nozzle with City of Seattle standard threads, and 6-inch mechanical joint shoe connection. In addition, all hydrants shall meet A.W.W.A. standards for public hydrants.
11. All pipe shall meet relevant A.W.W.A. standards.
12. The maximum distance between fire hydrants in single-family use district zones shall be 500 feet.
13. The maximum distance between fire hydrants in commercial, industrial, and apartment (including duplex) use district zones shall be 300 feet.
14. Provisions shall be made wherever appropriate in any project for looping all dead-end or temporarily dead-end 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.
15. 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.
16. The Fire Marshal shall be notified when all newly installed hydrants or mains are placed in service.
F. Special Requirements. An approved water supply capable of supplying required fire flow for fire protection shall be provided to all premises upon which buildings or portions of buildings are hereafter constructed. When any portion of the building protected is in excess of 150 feet from a water supply on a public street, there shall be provided, when required by the chief, on-site fire hydrants and mains capable of supplying the required fire flow.
1. Buildings having required fire flows of less than 2,500 g.p.m. may have fire hydrants on 1 side of the building only.
2. When the required fire flow is over 2,500 g.p.m., the fire hydrants shall be served by a main which loops around the building or complex of buildings and reconnects back into a distribution supply main.
3. The number of fire hydrants shall be determined on an average spacing of 300 feet 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 roads capable of supporting such fire apparatus. The Fire Marshal 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 building or structure; deviations may be granted by Fire Department approval of written requests.
G. Hydrant Accessibility. Hydrants shall not be obstructed by any structure or vegetation, or have hydrant visibility impaired within a distance of 150 feet in any direction of vehicular approach to the hydrant. A “blue” reflector will be placed on the centerline of the roadway in line with all hydrants where appropriate.
H. Issuance of Building Permits. 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. When fire hydrants and mains are to be installed as part of a development, such facilities, including all roadways, shall be constructed to grade and made accessible to the City of Issaquah emergency vehicles prior to the issuance of any building permit. Exceptions may be approved by the City Fire Chief or his appointee only.
I. Penalty. A violation of any section or provisions of this section is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than $250.00 for each offense. Each day upon which a violation occurs or continues constitutes a separate offense. (Ord. 2391 § 1, 2004; Ord. 1434 § 1, 1980; Ord. 1091 § 2.03(A), 1971).
13.08.040 Blow-off valves.
Blow-off valves shall be installed at the end of all dead-end lines. Blow-off assemblies shall conform to the Issaquah Standard Detail or be approved by the Superintendent. See Standard Detail in Appendix A attached to the ordinance codified in this chapter. (Ord. 1091 § 2.03(B), 1971).
13.08.050 Gate or water control valves.
Valves shall be placed on all branches from feeder mains, between mains and hydrants, between mains and reservoirs, and between mains and pumps. No length of pipe greater than 600 feet shall be left without valve control. A gate valve shall be located at the end of all dead-end lines when a future extension is anticipated by the City Engineer. (Ord. 1091 § 2.03(C), 1971).
13.08.060 Tees and crosses.
Tees and crosses shall be provided where future extensions are expected by the Engineer. (Ord. 1091 § 2.03(D), 1971).
13.08.070 Pressure-reducing valves.
A. Main line pressure reducing stations, built according to the City Standard Details and approved as to size by the City Engineer, shall be installed where required to maintain a maximum line pressure of 150 psi.
B. Individual pressure-reducing valves are the responsibility of the owner for all services on mains with a pressure of more than 80 psi and should be located according to City Standard Detail. (Ord. 1091 § 2.03(E), 1971).
13.08.080 Water mains – Easement requirements.
All easements necessary for the construction and operation of a proposed main shall be obtained by the owner, but shall run to the City as grantee. Mains shall be located in easements only when it is not possible or feasible to locate them in public right-of-way. (Ord. 1091 § 2.04, 1971).
13.08.090 Contractor’s license requirements.
A. Bond. All work to be done in City streets shall be done by a contractor holding a current Utility Contractor’s License in the City. The license may be obtained from the City Clerk by furnishing a Utility Contractor’s License Bond in the amount of $5,000 together with insurance certificates evidencing coverage as required in this section.
B. Insurance. The amounts of insurance required for insurance of Contractor’s License shall be as follows:
1. Bodily injury, including accidental death, not less than $100,000 per person and $300,000 per accident;
2. Property damage, not less than $50,000 for each accident or occurrence;
3. Special insurance, where crossings under railroads are required, the amounts of insurance shall be as required by the railroad for bodily injury and for property damage.
All required insurance policies shall name the City as an additional insured. (Ord. 1091 § 2.05, 1971).