(A) Application required. No person, business or entity shall connect a fire protection system to the water system until application pursuant to § 50.005 of this chapter is made to and accepted by the Director and the Fire Chief.
(B) General requirements. A fire protection system shall be subject to the following regulations:
(1) The Director shall not permit a fire protection system without an approved meter or detector check device with a bypass, both installed at the customer’s sole expense, except for a closed sprinkler system having an automatic water flow fire alarm system approved by the Director.
(2) Unless the Director approves in writing a size-on-size connection, a fire protection service line shall not be larger than one size smaller than the water main service the fire protection system, provided that, in every case, the water system must be capable of providing, at the point of delivery, the delivery rate specified by the customer’s system designed for the fire protection system as approved by the Director.
(3) A fire protection service line shall not be larger than eight inches without the Director’s written approval.
(4) Any fire protection system shall conform to the standards and regulations promulgated by the Texas State Board of Insurance and other applicable provisions of this chapter and by the Director, and other city codes, ordinances, rules and regulations as now existing and as hereafter adopted, enacted or amended.
(C) Installation of service connections. The city may inspect installation and maintenance of the necessary meters and service lines connecting the fire protection system to the water system. All installation and maintenance shall be at the sole expense of the customer.
(D) Grounds for discontinuance. The Director may discontinue treated water service to a fire protection system if:
(1) The Director discovers an unauthorized connection has been made; or
(2) Water has been used from a fire protection system for a purpose other than extinguishing a fire; or
(3) A fire protection system has been installed or used without a meter, where a meter is required; or
(4) A waste of water is permitted from a fire protection system through pipes or fixtures; or
(5) The customer is delinquent in the payment of any charges for service or fees, expenses or other amounts assessed, levied or imposed by this chapter.
(E) Restoration of services. Upon discontinuance under division (D) of this section, the Director shall not restore the service until the customer remedies the problem causing disconnection.
(F) Availability of service. Availability of treated water for fire protection systems shall depend upon water main sizes and normal operating pressures in the area where the applicant’s property is located.
(G) Nonconforming systems. Any person, business or entity which modifies, changes, or adds to any premises or any existing fire protection system shall at that time come into compliance with the requirements of this chapter if such fire protection system did not previously conform to the requirements of this chapter.
(Ord. O-16-821, passed 7-28-2016)