(A) The entire private fire protection service on a customer's premises shall be subject to inspection and tests by the Utility at such times, as it deems necessary.
(B) Before any modifications are made to any private fire service protection system or before service is furnished to any new private fire protection system connected to or proposed to be connected to and supplied with water from the Utility's distribution mains, final plans of that fire protection system shall be filed with and approved by the Utility Engineering Department. The following shall be shown on the final plans:
(1) The number of sprinkler heads to be served;
(2) The sizes and location of the system piping;
(3) The sizes and locations of all connections to the Utility's distribution mains;
(4) The sizes and locations of all valves;
(5) The sizes and locations of all hose connections, reels or cabinets;
(6) The sizes and locations of storage tanks connected to the fire system; and
(7) The outlet sizes and locations of all fire hydrants.
(C) All fire protection lines within buildings shall be installed so that all pipes shall be easily accessible for inspection at any time. Underground pipes outside of buildings shall be placed and maintained at a minimum depth of four and one-half feet. All private fire protection lines, hydrants and metering facilities shall be maintained by and at the expense of the customer.
(D) No connection with a fire protection system shall be permitted to supply water for general purposes unless the connection has been approved by the customer's fire underwriter and unless the general-purpose water is metered. If such a connection is approved, it shall be made outside the building to be served. Both the fire protection line and the general purpose line shall be separately valved in accordance with the Utility's specifications to permit either to be turned on or off without affecting the other.
(E) A private fire protection system without a tank shall be equipped with an alarm valve and a check valve. A system with a tank shall have one alarm valve and two check valves.
(F) An un-metered private fire service is furnished for the sole purpose of supplying water for the extinguishments of accidental fires and the use of water from such a service connection for any other purpose shall be deemed an ordinance violation.
(G) Hydrants and other fixtures connected to a private fire service connection may be sealed by the Utility. That seal shall be broken only in case of fire or as specially permitted by the Utility. The customer shall immediately notify the Utility when any such seal is broken.
(H) Where a service tap on a Utility distribution main provides water for both fire and general purposes to a customer or customers, separate charges will be made for each purpose to each customer by the Utility in accordance with the established rules and schedule of rates.
(I) A private fire service, at the option of the customer and after the approval of his or her fire underwriter, may be connected to his or her metered water service. The minimum monthly charge for those combined fire and general-purpose uses shall be as set out in this chapter.
(J) Any additional investment cost incurred by the Utility in that metering shall be paid by the customer. Maintenance of the general water service meter will be at the expense of the Utility.
(K) If a private fire system is to be tested under the regulations of the fire service underwriters, the customer shall notify the Utility of that proposed test, stating the day and the hour when it is to be made, so the Utility may have a representative present for the test.
(1985 Code, § 36-9-2-14(w)) (Ord. 4-1980, passed 3-18-1980; Am. Ord. 32-2006, passed 9-19-2006)