(a) Purpose. The purpose of this section is to regulate the installation of fire hydrants on both public and private property so as to achieve the maximum fire protection for structures located within the City. It is also the purpose of this section to establish standards for the placement, design, installation and maintenance of fire hydrants.
(b) Public Hydrants.
(1) An adequate water supply for fire-fighting purposes, as determined by the Fire Chief, shall be available for all buildings, structures and parts thereof. Such water shall be supplied from City water or private water supply mains.
(2) All buildings and structures shall be so located that all parts thereof are not more than 300 feet from at least two readily accessible public or private Fire Department hydrants. Such distance shall be measured along streets, roadways or driveways complying with paragraph (d) and hydrants around buildings shall be spaced not more than 300 feet apart.
(3) All dwellings, houses and other minor buildings or structures shall be so located that all parts thereof are not more than 300 feet from at least one readily accessible public or private fire hydrant. Such distance shall be measured along streets, roadways or driveways complying with paragraph (d).
(c) Private Hydrants. Private fire hydrants shall be located, installed and maintained in accordance with the following:
(1) Private fire hydrants shall be installed in accordance with the applicable rules and regulations of paragraph (b) with the exception that the Fire Chief may approve a distance greater than 300 feet in paragraph (b)(2) when in his opinion the safety of occupants and fire-fighting personnel are not thereby endangered, and in accordance with nationally recognized good practice.
(2) All private fire hydrants shall have an approved shut-off valve installed in the fire hydrant head not more than 100 feet from the fire hydrant. Such shut-off valve shall be accessible at all times.
(3) No private fire hydrant shall be installed closer than two feet or more than five feet from a street roadway or driveway conforming with paragraph (d).
(4) All private fire hydrants shall be maintained in proper working order by the owner.
(5) An inspection and flow test shall be conducted by the owner, as prescribed by the Fire Chief, and reports of such testing shall be forwarded to the Fire Division.
(6) All private fire hydrants shall be accessible at all times for fire-fighting purposes. No obstruction shall be placed within seven feet of any fire hydrant.
(7) For average conditions, hydrants shall be placed fifty feet from the building protected as specified by the authority having jurisdiction.
(d) Private Fire Service Water Mains. All private fire service water mains must meet the following requirements:
(1) All mains to be eight inch (8") minimum ductile iron.
(2) Kennedy or Mueller type hydrants, six inch (6") minimum barrel must be installed on all mains.
(3) Hydrant outlets: One five-inch (5") Storz outlet. Two, two and one-half inch (2-1/2") outlets, thread size - 3.066" minimum, eight threads per inch; 3.078 maximum, eight threads per inch.
(4) Water main and hydrant installations shall conform to all requirements of the current edition of N.F.P.A. #24, Standards for the Installation of Private Fire Service Mains and their Appurtenances and Cleveland Water Department.
(e) Access Streets, Roadways and Driveways. Access streets, roadways and driveways where required by paragraph (b) and paragraph (c), shall conform to the following:
(1) The width shall be sufficient to permit easy passage of any Fire Division apparatus and in no case shall the width be less than twenty feet.
(2) The surface shall be reinforced so that it can adequately support any Fire Division apparatus under any weather conditions.
(3) The curve radii and grade elevation shall be such as to permit any Fire Division apparatus to negotiate curves and grades under any weather conditions.
(f) Building Permit; Available Water Supply. No permit for the construction of any building shall be issued by the Building Commissioner unless adequate water supply and facilities for fire fighting purposes are available as determined by the Fire Chief. If the Fire Chief finds, upon inspection of any building under construction, that adequate water supply or facilities for fire fighting purposes, as determined by the Chief, are not being furnished as required, then the Building Commissioner shall stop such construction and revoke the permit previously issued therefor until such time as adequate water supply or facilities for fire fighting purposes, as determined by the Chief are furnished.
(Ord. 2015-32. Passed 4-21-15.)