Chapter 15.28
FIRE FLOW AND HYDRANTS
Sections:
15.28.030 Fire flow requirements.
15.28.040 Engineering and materials.
15.28.050 Location and spacing.
15.28.060 Buildings set back from street.
15.28.070 Hydrant accessibility.
15.28.080 Dead-end mains prohibited.
15.28.090 Plan approval required for building permit.
15.28.110 Application of chapter 15.06 SMC.
15.28.120 Violation – Penalty.
15.28.010 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.
A. “AWWA” means the American Water Works Association.
B. “Board of appeals” means the city council.
C. “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 degrees “V” thread; the total length of the threaded male nipple shall be one and one-eighth inches.
D. “Fire flow” means 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.
E. “Fire code official” shall have the same meaning as defined in SMC 15.24.030(C).
F. “IBC” means the International Building Code as adopted, including amendments, by the city of Sumner.
G. “Private hydrant” means 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 providing firefighting services for other than certain private property.
H. “Public hydrant” means a fire hydrant situated and maintained to provide water for firefighting purposes without restriction as to use for that purpose. Public fire 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 providing firefighting services at all times.
I. “UL” means Underwriters’ Laboratories, Inc.
J. “Water authority” means the city public works department or any other entity legally distributing water to fire hydrants within the city. (Ord. 2778 § 1 (Exh. A), 2021; Ord. 2357 § 1 (part), 2011: Ord. 2200 § 14, 2007; Ord. 1155 § 1, 1981)
15.28.020 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, currently existing fire hydrants which do not conform with the requirements and standards of this chapter, when replaced, shall be replaced with fire hydrants which do conform to the standards and requirements of this chapter. All fire hydrants shall be served by the water department or an entity legally distributing water within the city. All fire hydrants shall be subject to testing, inspection and approval by the fire code official. (Ord. 2778 § 1 (Exh. A), 2021; Ord. 2357 § 1 (part), 2011: Ord. 1155 § 2, 1981)
15.28.030 Fire flow requirements.
A. 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.
B. All costs for extension and/or upgrading of mains and all valves and fire hydrants required by this chapter shall be borne by the developer. Such costs may be subject to latecomer charges as provided for in chapter 13.40 SMC.
C. All buildings shall have fire 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 IFC as adopted by chapter 15.24 SMC, over and above average maximum demands at the farthest point of the system. (Ord. 2778 § 1 (Exh. A), 2021; Ord. 2357 § 1 (part), 2011: Ord. 1155 § 3, 1981)
15.28.040 Engineering and materials.
Hydrant engineering and materials shall conform to the Sumner Development Specifications and Standard Details and the direction of the fire code official. The installation of all fire hydrants shall be in accordance with sound engineering practices. (Ord. 2778 § 1 (Exh. A), 2021; Ord. 2357 § 1 (part), 2011: Ord. 1155 § 5 (part), (1 – 10), 1981. Formerly 15.28.050)
15.28.050 Location and spacing.
Fire hydrants shall be located and spaced as specified in the Sumner Development Specifications and Standard Details and as directed by the fire code official. (Ord. 2778 § 1 (Exh. A), 2021; Ord. 2357 § 1 (part), 2011: Ord. 1155 § 5 (part), (11 – 16), 1981. Formerly 15.28.060)
15.28.060 Buildings set back from street.
All buildings constructed after the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter, other than single-family dwellings, which are located such that any portion is more than 150 feet in vehicular travel from a street property line shall provide fire hydrants connected to a water system capable of supplying the fire flow required by the fire code official and all other requirements of this section.
A. The fire code official may allow all required fire hydrants to be installed on one side of a building where the required fire flow is less than 2,500 gallons per minute.
B. When the required fire flow is over 2,500 gallons per minute, 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, and the fire hydrants shall be located as designated by the fire code official.
C. The number of fire hydrants shall be determined on an average spacing of 330 feet computed on an imaginary line parallel to and not less than 50 feet from the structure. All fire hydrants are to be accessible to fire authority pumpers over paved roads capable of supporting such fire apparatus. The fire code official shall determine the location of the fire hydrants based upon a determination of utility, topography and building location. Fire hydrants shall be a minimum of 50 feet away from the building or structure. On written request minor deviations may be granted by the fire code official. (Ord. 2778 § 1 (Exh. A), 2021; Ord. 2357 § 1 (part), 2011: Ord. 1155 § 6, 1981. Formerly 15.28.080)
15.28.070 Hydrant accessibility.
Fire hydrants shall not be obstructed by any structure, vegetation, or have the visibility impaired within a distance of 150 feet in any direction of vehicular approach to the fire hydrant. (Ord. 2357 § 1 (part), 2011: Ord. 1155 § 7, 1981. Formerly 15.28.090)
15.28.080 Dead-end mains prohibited.
Provisions shall be made in any project for looping all dead-end or temporarily dead-end water mains. A minimum easement of 15 feet shall be required. Construction plans must be approved by the appropriate public works department and the fire marshal prior to the commencement of construction. (Ord. 2357 § 1 (part), 2011: Ord. 1155 § 8, 1981. Formerly 15.28.100)
15.28.090 Plan approval required for building permit.
A. 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.
B. No building shall be constructed until required fire hydrants and mains are installed and approved by the fire marshal.
C. No building shall be occupied prior to installation and approval of required fire hydrants and water mains as set forth in this chapter. (Ord. 2357 § 1 (part), 2011: Ord. 1155 § 9, 1981. Formerly 15.28.110)
15.28.100 Appeals.
A. Decisions or orders of the fire code official made pursuant to the authority in this chapter may be appealed to the board of appeals by an aggrieved party. A written notice of appeal shall be filed with the clerk-treasurer within 15 days of the date of the decision. Such notice shall clearly state the date of the decision from which the appeal is taken; the nature of the decision; and the manner in which the appellant is aggrieved. The notice shall be subscribed and sworn to by the appellant.
B. Upon receipt of such appeal, the board of appeals shall consider the same and within 60 days of the date of filing shall issue an order either affirming the decision, reversing the decision or remanding the decision for further consideration in light of specific facts found by the board of appeals, which facts were previously unknown to the fire code official.
C. All issues which are on appeal shall be stayed until a final decision has been made by the board of appeals. No plat shall be approved, no building permit shall be issued and development and construction shall cease during the appeal period, unless such is authorized by the board of appeals. (Ord. 2778 § 1 (Exh. A), 2021; Ord. 2357 § 1 (part), 2011: Ord. 1155 § 9, 1981. Formerly 15.28.120)
15.28.110 Application of chapter 15.06 SMC.
The provisions of chapter 15.06 SMC shall apply to this chapter. (Ord. 2357 § 1 (part), 2011: Ord. 1782 § 17, 1996. Formerly 15.28.125)
15.28.120 Violation – Penalty.
Any person, firm or corporation who violates any of the provisions of this chapter shall be subject to the penalty provisions of SMC 15.06.070 and 15.06.110. (Ord. 2357 § 1 (part), 2011: Ord. 1782 § 18, 1996: Ord. 1298 § 1, 1985; Ord. 1155 § 10, 1981. Formerly 15.28.130)