A. Control: All fire hydrants within the limits of the town, and those installed outside, shall be under the control of and shall be kept in repair by the superintendent of the public works department in conjunction with the fire marshal. (1980 Code § 14-116)
B. Purchase Of Water From Hydrants Authorized: The chief administrative officer of the town, or his/her agent, may allow public or private contractors, subcontractors or other legitimate users to purchase water from fire hydrants. Any entity requesting to purchase water from a hydrant must demonstrate to the town that it has employees with the skills necessary to operate the equipment set forth in subsection D of this section without damage to the hydrant and without causing contamination to the town water system. A fee shall be charged for said application; said fee to be established by resolution.
C. Applications In Writing Required: Applications for the purchase of water from fire hydrants shall be completed and approved at least forty eight (48) hours prior to the water being purchased. A properly issued application shall constitute a permit for the purchase and taking of water and must be present at the site where water is being taken. Said application and permit shall only be used at the hydrant specified in the application. Purchase price for the water shall be established by resolution.
D. Town To Require Specified Equipment: No water shall be taken from any fire hydrant within the town unless a flow meter with a shutoff valve and backflow preventer is used. Said flow meter shall either be furnished by the town or shall be one acceptable to the town. The flow meter shall be returned to the town in good working condition immediately upon completion of use. If the town flow meter is used, a deposit in an amount which is at least the replacement cost of said flow meter shall be charged, which amount shall be established by resolution.
E. Charges And Regulations For Use Of Hydrants: Under the direction of the chief administrative officer of the town, regulations for the use and purchase of water from fire hydrants may be issued administratively. Fees for the usage of equipment shall be charged and shall be set by resolution.
F. Proper Use And Indemnification: Any entity taking water from a fire hydrant shall disconnect the flow meter and shutoff valve when water is not being taken from the hydrant. All applicants shall agree to hold the town and its officials and employees harmless from any and all claims, losses, damages, costs and liability of any type which may arise as a result of the permittee's use of the hydrant and water as authorized, and indemnify the town for any costs it may incur thereby.
G. Responsibility For Damage: Any damage done to any equipment owned by the town shall be the responsibility of and shall be paid for promptly by any entity taking water from a fire hydrant. The town shall have the authority to immediately revoke any permit on a showing that any damage has been done or that any laws or regulations have been broken. (Ord. 2000-O-3, 6-15-2000)
H. Penalties For Unlawful Use: It shall be unlawful for any person, business or any entity to take water from a fire hydrant without first complying with the above laws. Violation of this section shall be a class B misdemeanor, subject to penalty as provided in section 1-4-1 of this code. (Ord. 2000-O-3, 6-15-2000; amd. 2010 Code)
I. Fire Hydrants On Private Property:
1. Permit Required: No person, firm or corporation shall install a fire hydrant or fire hydrant water supply piping on private property or cause the same to be done, without first obtaining a permit for each structure from the town building inspector.
2. Expense Of Owner; Maintenance: Any installation of a fire hydrant or fire hydrant supply piping under this section shall be made at the expense of the owner of the property upon which such installation is made and said hydrant shall be installed and perpetually maintained by said person, or his successor in interest, in compliance with the applicable fire hydrant specifications, regulations and agreements of the department of public works.
3. Building Construction, Distance Requirements: It shall be unlawful for any person to complete more than thirty percent (30%) of the construction of any new building or building addition, other than buildings designed for use as three (3) or less individual family dwelling units, when said building is located on private property more than two hundred feet (200') from a fire hydrant, measured from said fire hydrant. Whenever the building inspector determines that any work is being done to the contrary to the provisions of this subsection, he may order the work stopped by notice in writing served on any person engaged in doing or causing such work to be done, and any such person shall stop such work until authorized by the building inspector to proceed with the work. (1980 Code § 14-174)
4. Specifications: All water outlets on fire hydrants installed hereunder must meet the specifications of the department of public works. (1980 Code § 14-175)
5. Water Main Size Requirements: No new water main installation used to service a fire hydrant shall be smaller than six inches (6") in diameter. (1980 Code § 14-176)
6. Number Of Hydrants Required For A Building: The following table shall be used in determining the number of hydrants to be used for fire protection in connection with the construction of any building not excluding hereunder, with the location of each such hydrant to be determined and designated by the fire marshal:
Building Area Square Feet | Number Of Hydrants Required | |
1 Story (Without Basement) | 2 Stories Or More (1 Story And Basement) | |
Building Area Square Feet | Number Of Hydrants Required | |
1 Story (Without Basement) | 2 Stories Or More (1 Story And Basement) | |
Up to 5,000 | 1 | 1 |
5,000 to 15,000 | 2 | 2 |
15,000 to 40,000 | 2 | 3 |
40,000 to 100,000 | 3 | 4 |
100,000 to 200,000 | 4 | 5 |
200,000 to 300,000 | 5 | 6 |
300,000 to 400,000 | 6 | 8 |
Over 400,000 | Discretion of fire marshal | |
(1980 Code § 14-177)
7. Bond: A performance bond in the amount adequate to cover the cost of construction must be posted before any installation of fire hydrants can begin hereunder in order to assure compliance with the foregoing. Said bond will not be released until the requirements hereof are met and all water mains and fire hydrants connected thereto are certified in writing to be in good operating condition by the superintendent of the public works office. (1980 Code § 14-178)