Chapter 15.28
FIRE HYDRANTS AND WATER MAINS*
Sections:
15.28.050 New development and construction in areas with inadequate water flow.
15.28.060 Water main installation.
15.28.100 Water purveyor authority.
15.28.110 Modifications and appeals.
* Prior history: Prior code Sections 14.22.010—14.22.110 as amended by Ord. dated 1/23/84.
15.28.010 Purpose.
The purpose of this chapter is to regulate the installation of fire hydrants and water mains in the county, establish fire flow requirements, clarify installation standards, define the role of water authorities, and provide fire protection and safety to county residents. (Res. TLS 04-41 Exh. A (part): Ord. TLS 01-02-06B Exh. A (part))
15.28.020 Definitions.
As used in this chapter:
A. “Agricultural building” means a structure which has as its sole use the storage or sheltering of farm implements, horticultural products, livestock, poultry, hay or grain. This definition shall not apply to buildings where agricultural products are processed, packaged, treated, or where workers are housed.
B. “Approved method” means fire flow consistent with IFC 507.3 in accordance with, first, Appendix B 105.1 and 105.2; and then, second, Appendix B 103.3 if one thousand gallons per minute for a two-hour duration is not available from the water system or no system exists.
C. “Commercial building” means any building having an International Building Code occupancy classification of group A, B, E, F, H, I, M, R-1, R-2, or S.
D. “Dead-end main” means a water main over fifty feet long and not being fed from both ends at the time of installation.
E. “Fire department” means the fire authority responsible for fire protection in the area in which a proposed building is to be built.
F. “Fire flow” means the amount of water required for fire fighting at a specific building or within a specific area.
G. “Fire marshal” means the duly appointed county fire marshal.
H. “Flush-type hydrant” means a hydrant installed entirely below grade.
I. “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 department for other than certain private property.
J. “Public hydrant” means a fire hydrant so situated and maintained as to provide water for fire fighting purposes without restrictions as to use for the purpose. The location is such that it is accessible for immediate use by the fire department at all times.
K. “Residential building lot” means any lot used exclusively for single-family residences or duplexes.
L. “IBC” means the International Building Code adopted pursuant to DCC Chapter 15.08.
M. “IFC” means the International Fire Code adopted pursuant to DCC Chapter 15.08.
N. “UL” means Underwriters’ Laboratories, Inc.
O. “Water authority” means the water department, water district or other entity legally supplying pressurized water used for fire suppression purposes. (Ord. TLS 11-03-25B Exh. A (part); Res. TLS 04-41 Exh. A (part): Ord. TLS 01-02-06B Exh. A (part))
15.28.030 Applicability.
A. All subdivisions and short subdivisions shall have water mains and fire hydrants consistent with this chapter, as a condition of final county approval, unless exempt pursuant to DCC Section 15.28.040.
B. All structures or additions thereto erected or installed pursuant to a building or manufactured home permit on a lot subject to the requirements of this chapter shall be served by operational water mains and fire hydrants consistent with these standards prior to the commencement or installation of combustible construction.
C. Manufactured home parks and recreational vehicle parks shall be required to provide water mains and fire hydrants consistent with this chapter and other applicable provisions of the DCC as a condition of final county approval of such park.
D. All new water mains and all additions and extensions to existing water mains shall meet the requirements of this chapter, provided that the water mains, which serve only the uses exempt pursuant to DCC Section 15.28.040, are also exempt from the requirements of this chapter. (Res. TLS 04-41 Exh. A (part): Ord. TLS 01-02-06B Exh. A (part))
15.28.040 Exemptions.
The following permits, uses and approvals are exempt from the water flow and fire hydrant requirements of this chapter:
A. Single-family detached dwellings and accessory dwellings and manufactured home permits for manufactured homes not in manufactured home parks, provided the lot is at least one acre (forty-three thousand five hundred sixty square feet, not including any submerged area below the ordinary high water mark) in size and where adjacent property dwellings are separated by at least fifty feet as measured in the most direct manner, or provided the lot, tract, or parcel is exempt from the provisions of this chapter.
B. Buildings classified as occupancy group U in the IBC and not located within one thousand feet, as measured in the most direct manner, of an approved accessible water supply capable of providing fire flow otherwise required by this chapter. Any building subject to this exemption shall not be used for storing combustible materials.
C. Structures not exceeding three thousand square feet, footprint, in floor area, and not located within a water district or within an area served by a state-approved private water system capable of delivering the fire flow required by this chapter.
D. Structures classified as group U occupancies pursuant to the IBC, which conform to the scope of an agricultural building in Appendix C of the IBC. Stables and riding arenas intended for public use or assembly or for boarding of animals other than those of the owner of the building are not exempt.
E. Residential subdivisions and residential short subdivisions containing lots at least one acre (forty-three thousand five hundred sixty square feet, not including any submerged area below the ordinary high water mark) in size; provided, that dwellings are separated by at least fifty feet from adjacent property dwellings as measured in the most direct manner. (Ord. TLS 21-20-55B §§ 1—3, 2021; Ord. TLS 11-03-25B Exh. A (part): Ord. TLS 10-09-41B Exh. A (part): Res. TLS 04-41 Exh. A (part): Ord. TLS 01-02-06B Exh. A (part))
15.28.050 New development and construction in areas with inadequate water flow.
A. New development and construction in unincorporated areas and served with water flows less than what is currently required pursuant to this chapter, and that are not otherwise exempt pursuant to DCC Section 15.28.040, may be approved by the fire marshal in accordance with the standards of IFC Appendix B, including NFPA 1142.
B. Water mains and fire hydrants shall be installed to be consistent with the requirements of this chapter. (Ord. TLS 11-03-25B Exh. A (part): Ord. TLS 10-09-41B Exh. A (part): Res. TLS 04-41 Exh. A (part): Ord. TLS 01-02-06B Exh. A (part))
15.28.060 Water main installation.
A. All water mains subject to this chapter which serve fire hydrants shall be a minimum of eight inches inside diameter for dead-end mains and six inches inside diameter for circulating mains. Hydrant leads less than fifty feet in length may be six inches in diameter.
B. All new water mains subject to this chapter shall have fire hydrants installed to conform to the requirements of this chapter.
C. All water mains subject to this chapter shall meet applicable engineering and health standards adopted by the state and/or the water purveyor.
D. All water mains installed for the sole purpose of supplying an automatic fire sprinkler or fire fighting standpipe system shall be installed in compliance with Chapter 18.160 RCW. An installing contractor shall be currently licensed by the Washington State Fire Marshal’s Office for such work. No work shall commence prior to approval by the county fire marshal. (Res. TLS 04-41 Exh. A (part): Ord. TLS 01-02-06B Exh. A (part))
15.28.090 Fire flow.
Required fire flows shall be based on the IFC Appendix B. Such fire flow shall be for a minimum duration of two hours. (Res. TLS 04-41 Exh. A (part): Ord. TLS 01-02-06B Exh. A (part))
15.28.100 Water purveyor authority.
This chapter establishes minimum standards. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prohibit water purveyors from imposing more stringent requirements for the construction of water mains and installation of fire hydrants. (Res. TLS 04-41 Exh. A (part): Ord. TLS 01-02-06B Exh. A (part))
15.28.110 Modifications and appeals.
A. The fire marshal may grant modifications of this chapter on a case-by-case basis if strict compliance with this chapter is impracticable, the modification is in conformity with the intent and purpose of this chapter, and the modification maintains the level of fire protection required by this chapter. The material, method and/or design of a modification must serve the intended purpose and be, at least, equivalent to the suitability, effectiveness and fire safety protection provided in this chapter. The fire marshal shall require sufficient qualified written evidence substantiating a proposed modification prior to approval. The details of any action granting a modification shall be retained in the records of the permitting authority.
B. Proponents of modifications have the right to appeal the decision of the fire marshal pursuant to DCC Chapter 15.98. (Res. TLS 04-41 Exh. A (part): Ord. TLS 01-02-06B Exh. A (part))