(A) Generally. The city requires that all existing structures (commercial and/or industrial buildings) that presently have a fire sprinkler system, without an approved meter, shall install a city-approved inline meter to measure flow and use of water conveyed through said meter into the sprinkler system in accordance with the provisions of this section.
(B) Installation standards.
(1) The city-approved inline meter shall be the same size as the inflow piping of the fire sprinkler pipe with shut-off valves on both sides of the meter to ensure the ability to change or maintain the meter. The meter shall be installed before any connections to the fire main. All bypass connections in the piping must also have and maintain an inline valve to remain in the off position except in situations that the bypass is necessary for maintenance. The meter shall be purchased through the city at the city’s cost plus 15%, or be exactly the same as those used/purchased by the city to ensure compatibility for billing purposes.
(2) If there is no room in the current vault or building where the fire sprinkler system is constructed for retrofitting of the meter installation, the city-approved inline meter shall be installed in a separate vault before any connections to the fire main. The meter installation must have an inline valve on both sides of the meter to ensure the ability to change or maintain the meter.
(C) Inspections and fees. The Water Distribution Superintendent or his or her representative must have access for inspection of the installation of the meter at all times.
(D) Billing/or water usage and implementation. The meter shall be read on a monthly basis with the normal reading cycle to determine any usage on the meter for billing purposes. If there is water usage as determined by the meter, the building owner shall be charged for the water used at then-current water rates as set forth in the city’s ordinances and amended from time to time. Provided, however, that the billing for the usage as set forth in this section shall not be adjusted for alleged or actual leaks in accordance with other pertinent provisions in the city’s code of ordinances.
(Ord. 610.7-06-2014, passed 6-23-2014; Ord. 2024-016, passed 6-10-2024) Penalty, see § 55.999