(A) Definitions. For the purpose of this section, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ADEQUATE PUBLIC WATER SUPPLY. Any existing water system that is within a reasonably accessible distance as determined by the city. Adequate water lines consist of six-inch or larger diameter piping. A four-inch line may be adequate but only if the local water authority and the Fire Chief determine that minimum fire flow can be met.
BLOCK. Any continuous road frontage in excess of 500 feet, or any continuous road frontage between two perpendicular roads.
DRY HYDRANT. A 1,000 GPM drafting connection tied into a pond, cistern or other suitable body of water. These devices shall be installed according to NRCS and NFPA standards and include a four and one-half inch port with a four and one-half inch to tow and one-half inch adapter and cap.
FIRE HYDRANT. A device with two two and one-half inches outlets and one four and one-half inch outlet, with all threads being right hand NST.
FLUSHING PORT. A device with a two and one-half inch outlet with right hand NST threads.
MINIMUM FIRE FLOW. For residential subdivisions, the minimum flow must be at least 500 gallons per minute (GPM) with a residual pressure of at least 20 pounds per square inch (PSI). For commercial and industrial subdivisions, the minimum flow must be at least 1,000 GPM, additional hydrant flow may be required due to fireloading of the structure. Hydrant spacing for commercial and industrial subdivisions shall be no more than 300 feet between hydrants or as determined by the Fire Chief.
NATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION ASSOCIATION. Herein referred to as “NFPA”.
NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE. Herein referred to as “NRCS”.
(B) Requirements.
(1) Fire hydrants shall be provided by the sub-divider in all subdivisions with adequate water supplies. Dry hydrants and flushing devices shall also be provided by the sub-divider when deemed appropriate by the city.
(2) The make of control valves, lines, connections and the installation procedure shall conform to the requirements of the local water authority. The minimum size of any line serving a fire hydrant shall not be less than six inches in diameter, and should be a looped, circulating line. In the event that a four-inch line has been determined to be adequate in accordance with division (A)(2) above, then the minimum size shall be four inches.
(3) The proposed fire protection plan shall require the written approval of the Fire Chief or person responsible for fire protection in the political subdivision in which the plat is located.
(4) Size and location of water lines shall be approved by the Fire Chief and the City Manager.
(C) Placement of hydrants and specifications.
(1) Fire hydrants should be located between property lines and curbs. The large outlet shall be facing or parallel to the street with the center of the opening not less than 16 inches above grade level.
(2) All hydrants should be no more than six feet from the edge of an improved road surface. In the event that damage from traffic is a serious concern, the sub-divider may be required to erect a barricade to protect the hydrant.
(3) All inhabited residences and all commercial and industrial structures shall be within 500 feet of a hydrant as measured along the roadways or a distance determined by the Fire Chief.
(4) Hydrants shall be placed at the corners of all blocks exceeding 500 feet in length. For blocks that exceed 1,000 feet in length, hydrants shall be spaced so as to maintain the 500-foot coverage area. For blocks less than 500 feet in length, a hydrant shall be placed at the corner most accessible to the nearest fire station. Hydrants shall also be required at the entrance of all cul-de-sacs exceeding 500 feet in length.
(5) A dry hydrant may replace a fire hydrant whenever possible. Dry hydrants must at least meet division (A) above, division (B) above, this division (C) but division (D) below may be slightly varied to accommodate terrain limitations.
(6) Fire hydrants will conform to the following specifications:
(a) One and one-half inch pentagon operating nut;
(b) Turn to the left to open hydrant;
(c) Two two and one-half inch outlets on each side with national standard threads and caps chained to the hydrant;
(d) One four and one-half inch outlet on the front with national standard threads and caps chained to the hydrant;
(e) Five and one-quarter inch piping from the water line to the hydrant;
(f) Six inch mechanical joint base;
(g) Self draining when hydrant is turned off, with drain hole;
(h) Have a working pressure of 200 psi and test pressure of 400 psi; and
(i) Upper barrel can be rotated 360 degrees.
(D) No adequate public water.
(1) When adequate public water is not available, and/or the minimum fire flow cannot be met, then the minimum spacing between inhabited residences and commercial or industrial structures shall not be less than 100 feet.
(2) Within a 500 foot range of a dry hydrant, the minimum spacing may be reduced to 30 feet.
(3) For smaller public water supplies that do not meet minimum fire flows, the installation of flushing devices shall be located as outlined in Placement of Hydrants and Specifications, 1-4.
(4) If a commercial building of more than 3,000 square feet is erected and there is no public water source, the building will have a cistern or pond on the site at a location authorized by the local Fire Department. The cistern or pond will have a capacity of 15,000 gallons of water and a dry hydrant connection will be installed for the Fire Department use. The specifications for the dry hydrant connection will conform to the definition for DRY HYDRANT in division (A) above. The cistern or pond will be constructed so that the local Fire Department can also discharge water into the cistern or pond for use during a fire.
(Prior Code, § 23.06.03) Penalty, see § 151.999