(A) Classes for private fire protection for commercial and industrial use. There shall be recognized three classes of private fire protection for commercial and industrial use. First, those services with sprinkler heads or fire hydrants with no meter. Second, fire protection services through a detector check meter, so arranged that there is to be no consumption from the fire lines except in cases of fire and/or for necessary testing and inspection. Third, fire protection services through an approved fire service assembly meter, so arranged that the regular water consumption is taken from the fire lines.
(B) Services of the first class. These services may be continued on the present basis only at the option of the Utilities Department. Abuse of the private fire protection privileges through appropriation of water for other purposes or failure to maintain services in a water-tight condition shall be deemed ample grounds for conversion to one of the other classes.
(C) Services of the second class. The customer shall construct a single water service line between the public water main and the building to provide water for all uses. The water service line shall be brought above the floor surface immediately after passing through the building foundation wall and no portion of the water service line may be installed buried beneath the building. The customer is required to pay a service connection fee based upon the water service line size as well as for all costs associated with the construction of the water service line. The Department will furnish the customer with a 5/8-inch detector check meter and the domestic water meter of appropriate size. The detector check meter and domestic water meter would be picked up at the Utilities Department by the customer for installation by a licensed plumber. The customer will also be responsible for the maintenance, protection and upkeep of the service, valves and fittings, whether constructed by the Utilities Department or a private contractor. Any materials used in this maintenance must conform to Utilities Department specifications.
(D) Services of the third class. The customer is required to pay a service connection fee based upon the water service line size as well as all costs associated with the construction of the water service line including the meter well. The Utilities Department will furnish the customer with a fire service assembly meter which would be picked up at the Utilities Department by the customer for installation by a licensed plumber. The customer will also be responsible for the maintenance, protection and upkeep of the meter well, valves and fitting whether constructed by the Utilities Department or a private contractor. Any materials used in this maintenance must conform to Utilities Department specifications.
(E) Private fire services. The granting of a permit for private fire service is under the express condition that the city and/or its Utilities Department shall not be considered or deemed in any manner to have undertaken to extinguish fire or to protect any person or property against loss or damage, not being insurers of persons or property, therefore, the city and its departments shall be free and exempt from any and all claims for damages on account of any injury to persons or property by reason of fire, water, failure to supply water or pressure or for any other cause whatsoever.
(1980 Code, § 25.205) (Ord. 9377, passed 4-22-2019)
Penalty, see § 52.999