Chapter 13A.30
WATER SUPPLY FOR FIRE PROTECTION
Sections:
13A.30.010 Fire flow--Defined and requirements.
13A.30.020 Fire hydrants--Location, installation, serviceability and accessibility.
13A.30.030 Fire hydrants--Special requirements.
13A.30.040 Compliance--Building permits and construction restrictions.
13A.30.010 Fire flow--Defined and requirements.
A. Defined. Fire flow is the measure of the sustained flow of available water for fire suppression purposes at a specific building or within a specific area at not less than twenty pounds per square inch residual pressure.
B. Minimum Fire Flow--New Subdivisions. Minimum fire flow requirements for new subdivisions shall be determined using the town design standards. A plan for meeting the minimum fire flow requirements shall be submitted to the director by the developer of a new subdivision.
C. Minimum Fire Flow--New Buildings and Change of Use.
1. Minimum fire flow requirements will be determined by the fire chief using the criteria established in the International Fire Code as adopted in Section 15.08.010 for:
a. New buildings except detached single-family structures that are to be constructed in a previously developed subdivision;
b. Existing buildings in which there is a change of use;
c. Existing buildings except detached single-family structures in which proposed alterations will increase the total cubic footage or alter fire separations.
2. The minimum fire flow determinations required to be made in accordance with the provisions of subsection (C)(1) of this section shall be made prior to issuing a building permit for the particular building involved. (Ord. 452 §2, 2006; Ord. 242 (part), 1991)
13A.30.020 Fire hydrants--Location, installation, serviceability and accessibility.
A. Required. All buildings constructed within the town shall be served by fire hydrants in accordance with the requirements of this chapter. Existing hydrants which do not conform to the requirements of this chapter shall conform to the requirements of this chapter when replaced. All fire hydrants shall be served by the water system.
B. Location. The fire chief shall determine the location in all new subdivisions and developments of all fire hydrants and shall also determine a design for fire equipment access. These determinations shall be included in the conditions of approval of a new subdivision or development.
C. Installation. Installation of fire hydrants shall be in accordance with adopted town design standards and standard specifications. The following requirements shall also apply to all fire hydrant installations:
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 director prior to commencement of any construction;
2. All fire hydrants, valves, connectors and pipe must be approved by the director.
D. Serviceability. The fire chief shall be notified when a newly installed fire hydrant is placed in service. When a fire hydrant is not in service, it shall be identified as being out of service by a method approved by the fire chief. The fire chief shall be notified when a fire hydrant is placed out of service.
E. Accessibility. A fire hydrant shall not be obstructed by any structure or vegetation, nor have its visibility impaired within a distance of fifty feet in any direction of vehicular approach to the hydrant. (Ord. 242 (part), 1991)
13A.30.030 Fire hydrants--Special requirements.
In all construction projects, except detached single-family dwellings, in which a building is located or is to be located such that any portion of the exterior wall of the first level of the building is more than one hundred fifty feet in vehicular travel distance from the street curb line then:
A. A building having a required fire flow of less than two thousand five hundred gallons per minute is required to have a fire hydrant on at least one side of the building and may be required to have more fire hydrants as determined pursuant to the provisions of Section 13A.30.010;
B. The number of fire hydrants required for new construction shall be based on the amount of fire flow required to protect the new construction. The requirement shall be one fire hydrant per one thousand two hundred fifty gallons per minute of required fire flow. The fire hydrants shall be located no closer than fifty feet from the structure and no further away than one hundred fifty feet. The fire chief shall determine the location of the hydrants based upon a determination of hydrant utility, topography, and the construction and use of the building. Minor deviations from these requirements may be granted by the fire chief when approving a written request for such deviation(s) if the fire chief finds that the deviation(s) will not jeopardize life, property and safety. (Ord. 242 (part), 1991)
13A.30.040 Compliance--Building permits and construction restrictions.
Building permits shall not be issued until plans required under the provisions of this chapter have been submitted and approved in accordance with the provisions contained in this chapter. No construction beyond the foundation shall be allowed until fire hydrants and mains are in place and serviceable, unless compliance with this requirement has been waived by the fire chief following a written request for such a waiver and a finding by the fire chief that granting the waiver will not jeopardize life, property and safety. (Ord. 242 (part), 1991)