1501.17 PUBLIC AND PRIVATE HYDRANTS; WHERE REQUIRED; USE AND OBSTRUCTION OF.

   1501.171 Yard Hydrants Required.

   (a)   Specifications and Permits: Plans showing the location, size and connections of the yard system shall be furnished to the Fire Prevention Bureau. The plans shall be drawn to scale and shall include the details necessary to indicate clearly all apparatus and its arrangements. The plans shall be accompanied by specifications covering the character of the material and features relating to the installation in detail. Upon approval of the Bureau, a permit for the installation shall be issued.

   (b)   Hydrant System. Where Required: Whenever the ground area of the premises of an industrial plant, tank farm, lumber yard, storage area, shopping center or other occupancy involving the use of large ground area exceeds 15,000 square feet, and whenever the area of a lumber shed or sheds on any premises exceeds 5,000 square feet aggregate area, and such premises are so located or arranged that efficient fire-fighting cannot be carried on from existing public hydrants, the Fire Prevention Bureau may require that installation of private yard hydrants by the owner of the premises in conformity with the provisions of this section. The number of yard hydrants shall be determined as follows:

      (1)   On premises of large ground area, one yard hydrant shall be provided for each 20,000 square feet of ground area, and such hydrants shall be spaced not more than 300 feet apart.

      (2)   Yard hydrants in lumber yards shall be spaced not more than 250 feet apart and shall be in such number and so located that streams therefrom, when used in first aid or Fire Department fire-fighting, shall reach all areas on the premises, including those within lumber sheds.

      (3)   Every required yard hydrant within a lumber yard shall be equipped with attached hose kept within an approved hose house.

      (4)   When yard hydrants are required, the first such hydrant shall be located not more than 300 feet, as measured along truck travel path, from the nearest public hydrant. Each additional required hydrant shall be assessed in the same way by using truck travel routes.

   (c)   Types of Hydrants, Fittings, Etc.: All hydrants, hose, hose connections and nozzles shall conform to the Fire Department standard. These hydrants shall be supplied by a water main of not less than eight inches. For average conditions, hydrants shall be placed about fifty feet from the building protected. Where it is impossible to place them at this distance, they may be placed closer to the building, provided that they are set in locations where the chance of injury by falling walls is minimal and from which men are not likely to be driven by smoke or heat. No smaller than eight inch pipe shall be installed underground in a yard system and no smaller than six inch hydrants shall be allowed. In moderately large structures, a loop system may be required to provide increased water flow. The size of the pipe supplying the yard system shall be determined by the Bureau, due consideration being given to the construction and occupancy serviced by the yard system and to the volume and pressure of water. All yard hydrants shall have a six inch riser with two two and one-half inch and one four inch outlet.

   (d)   All private hydrants shall be painted white with a red top.

   1501.172 Hydrant Use: Permit Required.

   No person, firm or corporation shall open or use a fire hydrant in the City without first obtaining a permit therefor from the Fire Chief.

   1501.173 Conditions Precedent to Permit Issuance; Permit Fee.

   (a)   An applicant for a permit to open a fire hydrant shall be granted a permit after complying with the following conditions:

      (1)   Make application specifying the name and address of the applicant, location of the fire hydrant to be used, reason for the use and the duration of the use;

      (2)   Pay a permit or use fee of twenty-five dollars ($25.00);

      (3)   The Chief of the Fire Department shall furnish the applicant a letter addressed to the City of Cleveland, Water Department;

      (4)   The applicant shall present the letter furnished by the Chief of the Fire Department to the City of Cleveland, Water Department, for proper payment for water usage.

   (b)   An applicant for a permit to open a fire hydrant for the purpose of filling a swimming pool shall be granted a permit after complying with the following conditions:

      (1)   All of the conditions set forth in subsections (a)(1) to (4) hereof;

      (2)   If the City of Cleveland Water Department issues a permit then the Fire Chief shall determine, to his satisfaction, that the applicant has in his possession the appropriate hydrant adapter, hydrant wrench and hose to tap the hydrant.

      (3)   The Fire Chief shall also determine that the hydrant to be tapped is located on the same side of the street as the premises where the applicant intends to use the water from the hydrant.

      (4)   The applicant shall execute a release, approved by the Director of Law, releasing and holding harmless the Fire Department and the City and its officials, officers, employees and agents from any and all injuries or damage to persons or property arising from or in any way connected with the tapping of the hydrant.

   (c)   If the applicant for a permit to fill a swimming pool meets all of the requirements set forth hereinabove except for subsection (b)(2) hereof, the applicant may rent the appropriate equipment for tapping the hydrant from the Fire Department for a period not to exceed three days for the sum of one hundred dollars ($100.00), exclusive of the hydrant permit fee.

   (d)   If the applicant for a permit to fill a swimming pool does not meet all of the requirements set forth hereinabove then the applicant may request the Fire Department to perform the hydrant tapping for a fee of two hundred dollars ($200.00), exclusive of the hydrant permit fee. Scheduling of Fire Department personnel for this service shall be subject to the approval of the Fire Chief. The release required by subsection (b)(4) hereof shall be executed by the applicant prior to the Fire Department tapping the hydrant.

   1501.174 Permit Duration.

   All fire hydrant use permits shall expire thirty (30) days after issuance.

   1501.175 Use of Proper Wrench; Closing after Use.

   No instrument other than a wrench properly designed therefor shall be used to open or close the valve or any other fitting in a fire hydrant. All valves and fittings on a fire hydrant shall be securely closed and replaced after use. No valve or fitting shall be left unattended or open or unsecured overnight.

   1501.176 Obstructing Fire Hydrants.

   (a)   No person shall in any manner injure or obstruct the use of any fire hydrant or part thereof within the City.

   (b)   No person shall place or cause to be placed any material in front thereof, from the curb line to the center of the street, nor within five feet any side thereof. Any and all material found as an obstruction, as aforesaid, may be forthwith removed by the officer or members of the Fire Department and at the risk of the owner or claimant.

   (c)   No driveway, lightpost, sign or other obstruction shall be placed or allowed to be placed within five feet of a public hydrant.

   (d)   No shut-off for a public hydrant shall be placed, or allowed to be placed, in a private driveway or apron.

   1501.177 Public Water Mains.

   All public water mains installed within the City shall be looped.

(Ord. 30-1996. Passed 9-10-96.)