(A) Generally. No building permit for the combustible phase of any construction shall be issued, unless an adequate water supply is provided for firefighting purposes and approved by the Fire Chief or his or her designated representative, with the only exception being the construction of one single-family dwelling to be used for display purposes only in each phase of a new subdivision development on condition that no utilities are connected to the structure before an adequate water supply is provided for firefighting purposes.
(B) Fire hydrant and water main specifications.
(1) For the purpose of this section, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
DRY HYDRANTS. A pre-piped water way installed to an approved static water source equipped with one draft outlet with outlet diameter and thread specifications designated by the local Fire Department.
FIRE HYDRANTS or HYDRANTS. Pumper-type hydrants which are equipped with outlets placed for the purpose of and intended for supplying water to Fire Department pumpers. The number of outlets, outlet diameter(s) and thread specifications shall be designated by the local Fire Department.
YARD HYDRANTS. Hydrants which are equipped with not less than two two and one-half inch outlets and are supplied with water from a Siamese connection. YARD HYDRANTS may have larger outlets as designated by the local Fire Department. Yard hydrants with larger outlets should be marked as a yard hydrant as designated by the local Fire Department.
(2) All fire hydrants shall meet the minimum specifications and be installed in conformity with the standards and requirements of the local water utility for hydrant type and thread specifications, and with the standards of the National Fire Protection Association and shall be constructed and maintained so as to have adequate water flow according to the standards of the local water utility and the standards of the National Fire Protection Association.
(3) Fire hydrants shall be able to deliver 750 gallons per minute with a friction loss of not more than five pounds per square inch between the street main and the outlet. This provision is applicable to the design of the hydrants only and not to be utilized in determining proper and/or necessary water flow requirements.
(4) All hydrants that are replaced shall be equipped with the number of outlets, outlet diameter(s) and thread specifications as designated by the local Fire Department.
(5) A gate valve must be installed at the hydrant between the hydrant and the street water main.
(6) Hydrants may be tested periodically for proper functioning in accordance with the policy of the local Fire Department. The local water utility supplying water shall be contacted prior to testing.
(7) New water mains which have hydrants installed on them shall be not less than six inches in diameter, including fire hydrant branch connections installed in conformity with the minimum requirements of the local water utility. Where size and physical characteristics indicate, the developer may be required to install water mains of a larger diameter.
(8) The distribution system shall be equipped with a sufficient number of valves so located that breakage or other interruption will not cause the shutdown of any substantial portion of a main. Whenever service is installed in conjunction with fire hydrants, the service shall be of the fire protection type and at least six inches in size.
(9) All piping and materials installed as a fire protection service shall have UL or FM listing with a minimum rating of 150 pounds per square inch in order to comply with the provisions herein.
(C) Location of hydrants and water supply requirements.
(1) (a) In single-family residential subdivisions, fire hydrants shall be spaced not farther than 800 feet apart, measured over hard surfaces, easily accessible to fire protection apparatus. Any single- family residential property must be within 400 feet of a hydrant, measured over hard surfaces, easily accessible to fire protection apparatus. Closer spacing may be required by the enforcement agencies set out hereinafter where special circumstances require closer spacing.
(b) 1. In multi-family residential areas in which all residential buildings are sprinklered according to National Fire Protection Association Pamphlet 13, 1991 (Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems), or National Fire Protection Association Pamphlet 13-D, 1991 (Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems in One- and Two-Family Dwellings and Mobile Homes), or National Fire Protection Association Pamphlet 13-R, 1991 (Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems in Residential Occupancies up to Four Stories in Height), fire hydrants shall be spaced not further than 800 feet apart and no building is to be more than 400 feet from a hydrant measured over hard surfaces easily accessible to fire protection apparatus.
2. In addition, no portion of any non-sprinklered building and/or nonresidential occupancy of more than 2,000 square feet in total area is to be more than 400 feet from a single fire hydrant with one additional fire hydrant within 800 feet, measured over hard surfaces, easily accessible to fire protection apparatus.
3. Residential buildings that are required to be sprinklered by the State Building Code shall comply with National Fire Protection Association Pamphlet 24 as referenced by the current edition of the State Building Code.
(2) (a) In all other areas outside of multi-family dwellings, which other areas include commercial, industrial, mercantile, educational, institutional, assembly, hotel, motel and multi-family areas, fire hydrants shall be located so that there will be a least one fire hydrant within 400 feet of the building, and one additional fire hydrant within 800 feet of the building, the distances measured over hard surfaces, easily accessible to fire protection apparatus. No exterior portion of a building shall be farther than 400 feet from a fire hydrant, measured over hard surfaces, easily accessible to fire protection apparatus. Closer spacing may be required by the enforcing agencies set out hereinafter where special circumstances require closer spacing.
(b) The National Fire Protection Association Pamphlet 1231, 1989 (Standard on Water Supplies for Suburban and Rural Firefighting), is adopted by reference, as modified below.
1. The total water supply should be achieved within 20 minutes, by flowing all fire hydrants within 1,000 feet of the building.
2. Fire hydrants in nonresidential areas should deliver a minimum of 1,000 gallons per minute, regardless of the total water supply.
(3) Where there are no water mains within reasonable proximity, provisions for other water supply sources may be permitted by the enforcing authorities, using National Fire Protection Association Pamphlet 1231, 1989, as a reference.
(4) Changes in occupancy as defined in the State Building Code in effect at the time of the change will require the owner to comply with the provisions of this chapter.
(5) Commercial buildings which have a sprinkler system shall comply with National Fire Protection Association Pamphlet 13 and National Fire Protection Association Pamphlet 24 as referenced by the current edition of the State Building Code.
(6) Private hydrant systems in buildings not sprinklered shall be designed to provide the minimum fire flow as computed in division (C)(2)(a) above, by recognized standards, from the point of connection to the public water system.
(7) All hydrants must be located as least 25 feet from any exterior wall of a masonry building and at least 50 feet from any exterior wall of a frame building or a building of equivalent construction, including brick or stone veneer.
(8) All hydrants shall be located so as to be easily accessible to fire protection apparatus from an approved hard surface. Hydrants shall be located not more than 15 feet from the edge of an approved hard surface easily accessible to fire protection apparatus, or in locations where the hydrant must remain within the water easement, the hydrant shall be placed within one foot of the line between the easement and the road right-of-way and be no more than 22 from the road edge. The center of the hydrant nozzle shall be not less than 18 inches nor more than 30 inches above ground level (final grade).
(9) All hydrants shall be kept clear of weeds, rubbish and any and all other obstructions by the abutting property owner. Landscaping or decorations shall not be used to obstruct or hide the fire hydrant from clear view, nor prohibit access to the hydrant for use or maintenance. Fire hydrants shall not be painted nor changed in any other way by anyone other than the Fire Department having jurisdiction or the local water utility. Damage caused to landscaping within a 15-foot radius of the hydrant due to periodic maintenance, use or testing of a fire hydrant shall be the responsibility of the owner of the landscaping.
(10) Where fire hydrants are installed along a roadway, parking within ten feet either side of a point at the road edge nearest the fire hydrant is prohibited. When fire hydrants are installed in parking areas, parking shall be designed and maintained to allow ten feet clear access to the hose connection side of the hydrant, and a four-foot minimum clear radius around the hydrant.
(11) The main pumper outlet of the hydrant shall be positioned so that it faces the hard surfaced roadway. When the hydrant is located at or near intersections or there are other physical factors which would effect the fire service, the main pumper outlet shall be positioned at the discretion of the local Fire Department.
(12) No fire hydrants which utilize metered service for their source of water shall be considered in fulfilling the provisions of this chapter. This does not include water delivered to one water district from another water district through a master meter. Fire hydrants installed on a fire service tap from the local water utility may use a fire service meter or leak detector meter of the size and type specified by the local water utility. Fire service meters shall be capable of delivering the full capacity of the water main installed.
(13) The owner of any private water system or fire protection system shall notify the Fire Department when the system is installed.
(14) The owner of any private water system or fire protection system shall notify the Fire Department when the system is out of service, and when service has been restored. The owner of the system is responsible for prompt repair of the water supply system.
(D) Maintenance of fire hydrants.
(1) In Water Districts that are regulated by the Public Service Commission, all hydrants currently installed and installed in the future shall become the property of the Fire Protection District in which the hydrant is located. The Fire Protection District shall operate and maintain the hydrant and water line from the gate valve. Maintenance of the gate valve shall be the responsibility of the Water District in which the gate valve is located.
(2) In Water Districts that are regulated by the Public Service Commission, each Fire Protection District shall report water used in firefighting and training each month to the Water District and pay to the Water District the current wholesale rate for water as approved by the State Public Service Commission pursuant to KRS 75.080.
(Ord. KOC 96-300-15, passed 11-19-1996; Ord. 98-300-126, passed 9-1-1998)