(A) Provision of adequate water supply. Prior to any commercial, industrial or multi-family development or prior to the combustible phase of any construction for any new single-family residential subdivision development consisting of three or more structures and two or more lots, an adequate water supply shall be provided for firefighting purposes. Said adequate water supply shall be approved by the Fire Marshal in cooperation with the Fire Chief with the only exception being the construction of one single-family dwelling in each phase of a new subdivision development to be used for display purposes only, on condition that no utilities are connected to the structure before an adequate water supply is provided for firefighting purposes.
(B) Fire hydrant and main specifications.
(1) Definitions. For the purpose of this division (B), the following definitions apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
DRY HYDRANT. A pre-piped water way installed to an approved static water source equipped with one draft outlet with outlet diameter and thread specifications as designated by the Fire Department.
FIRE HYDRANTS or HYDRANTS. Pumper-type hydrants that are equipped with outlet and/or outlets placed for the purpose of and intended for supplying water to Fire Department pumpers. FIRE HYDRANTS installed in urban systems shall be equipped with not less than two four-inch large pumper outlets. FIRE HYDRANTS installed in modified urban systems shall be equipped with not less than one four-inch large pumper outlet.
PRIVATE HYDRANT. All other hydrants not otherwise defined herein.
PUBLIC HYDRANT. Hydrants owned and operated by the local water utility.
YARD HYDRANT. Hydrants that 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 Fire Department. YARD HYDRANTS with larger outlets should be marked as a YARD HYDRANT as designated by the local Fire Department.
(2) Hydrant specifications.
(a) 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 any applicable standards of the National Fire Protection Association and shall be constructed and maintained so as to have the capability of supplying adequate water flow according to the standards of the local water utility and the applicable standards of the National Fire Protection Association.
(b) Within the urban water supply system area, 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 is not to be utilized in the determination of the proper and/or necessary water flow requirements.
(c) Within the modified urban water supply system area, fire hydrants shall be able to deliver 500 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 is not to be utilized in the determination of the proper and/or necessary water flow requirements.
(d) All hydrants that are replaced shall be equipped with the number of outlets, outlet diameter and thread specifications as set forth in divisions (B)(2)(a) and (B)(2)(b) above.
(e) A gate valve must be installed at the hydrant between the hydrant and the street water main.
(f) Hydrants may be tested periodically for proper functioning in accordance with the policy of the Fire Department having jurisdiction. The local water utility supplying water shall be notified prior to testing.
(3) Water main specifications.
(a) New water mains that have hydrants installed on them shall not be 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 Fire Marshal may require the developer install water mains of a larger diameter.
(b) 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 a fire service is installed in conjunction with fire hydrants, said service shall be of the fire protection type and at least six inches in diameter.
(c) 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) Single-family and two-family dwellings.
(a) In single-family residential subdivisions, fire hydrants shall be placed at an average spacing of 1,000 feet, as measured over hard surfaces easily accessible to fire protection apparatus. Any single-family residential property boundary must be within 500 feet of a fire hydrant, as measured over hard surfaces easily accessible to fire protection apparatus.
(b) Closer spacing may be required by the enforcement agencies set out herein where special circumstances require such closer spacing. The enforcement agency requiring the closer spacing shall document the potential safety hazard that would exist without such closer spacing.
(c) Fire hydrants in residential urban water supply systems shall deliver a minimum of 750 gallons per minute projected to 20 pounds per square inch residual pressure.
(d) Fire hydrants in residential modified urban water supply systems shall deliver a minimum of 500 gallons per minute projected to 20 pounds per square inch residual pressure.
(2) Multi-family dwellings.
(a) In multi-family residential areas in which all residential buildings are sprinklered in accordance with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Pamphlet 13, 1991 (Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems) or in accordance with NFPA Pamphlet 13-D, 1991 (Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems in One- and Two-Family Dwellings and Mobile Homes) or in accordance with NFPA Pamphlet 13-R, 1991 (Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems in Residential Occupancies up to Four Stories in Height), fire hydrants shall be placed at an average spacing of 500 feet, and no exterior portion of a building is to be more than 500 feet from a hydrant measured over hard surfaces easily accessible to fire protection apparatus.
(b) Fire hydrants in multi-family residential urban water supply systems shall deliver a minimum of 750 gallons per minute, projected to 20 pounds per square inch residual pressure.
(c) Fire hydrants in multi-family residential modified urban water supply systems shall deliver a minimum of 500 gallons per minute, projected to 20 pounds per square inch residual pressure.
(d) No property containing a non-sprinklered building and non-residential occupancy of more than 2,000 square feet in total area is to be more than 500 feet from a fire hydrant with one additional fire hydrant within 500 feet measured over hard surfaces easily accessible to fire protection apparatus. This provision shall not apply to agricultural structures such as barns, stables and sheds.
(e) Residential buildings that are required to be sprinklered by the Kentucky Building Code shall comply with NFPA Pamphlet 24 as referenced by the current edition of the Kentucky Building Code.
(3) Other uses.
(a) In all other uses, including commercial, industrial, mercantile, educational, institutional, assembly, hotel and motel, fire hydrants shall be located so that there will be at least one fire hydrant within 500 feet of the building and one additional fire hydrant within 1,000 feet of the building. The distances shall be measured over hard surfaces easily accessible to fire protection apparatus.
(b) No commercial building shall be farther than 500 feet from a fire hydrant measured over hard surfaces easily accessible to fire protection apparatus. The Fire Chief may approve fire hydrants to be farther away from the building.
(c) Farther spacing may be approved by the Fire Chief where special circumstances may require farther spacing. The Fire Chief shall document the reason for the farther spacing.
(4) General conditions/requirements.
(a) Any changes in occupancy as defined in the 2002 edition of the Kentucky Building Code will require the owner to comply with the provisions of this subchapter.
(b) Commercial buildings that have sprinkler systems shall comply with National Fire Protection Pamphlet 13 and National Fire Protection Association Pamphlet 24 as referenced by the 2002 edition of the Kentucky Building.
(c) Private hydrant systems in buildings not sprinklered shall be designed to provide the minimum fire flow as computed in division (D) below, by recognized standards, from the point of connection to the public water system.
(d) All hydrants must be located at 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.
(e) 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 unless otherwise specifically exempted herein. 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 25 feet from the road edge. The center of the hydrant nozzle shall be not less than 18 inches or more than 30 inches above ground level (final grade).
(f) Where fire hydrants are installed along a roadway, parking within ten feet of either side of a point at the road edge nearest the hydrant is prohibited. Where fire hydrants are installed in parking areas, parking shall be designated 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.
(g) All hydrants shall be kept clear of weeds, rubbish and all other obstructions by the abutting property owner(s). 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. 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.
(h) Dumpsters or mobile obstructions shall not be located within ten feet of a fire hydrant.
(i) Fire hydrants shall not be painted or changed in any other way by anyone other than the Fire Department or the local water utility.
(j) Fire hydrants shall not be permitted to supply irrigation systems. Any use of a fire hydrant for purpose other than fire protection or authorized periodic inspection must utilize a temporary water meter with appropriate back-flow protection. The temporary meter must be requested from the local water utility.
(k) The main pumper outlet of the hydrant shall be positioned so that it faces the hard surface roadway. When the hydrant at or near intersections, or there are other physical factors that would affect the positioning, the main pumper outlet shall be positioned at the direction of the Fire Department.
(l) No fire hydrants that utilize metered service for their source of water shall be considered in fulfilling the provisions of this subchapter. 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 size of fire service installed.
(m) The owner of any private water system or private fire protection system shall notify the Fire Department when the system is installed.
(n) The owner of any private water system or private 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.
(o) The Fire Hydrant testing methods used to measure flow capacity shall be in accordance with the National Fire Protection Association’s Handbook for Area Flow Test, the Insurance Services Office’s Fire Flow Test Booklet and/or a procedure approved by the local water utility.
(D) Total water supply delivery. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Pamphlet 1142, 2001, Standard on Water Supplies for Suburban and Rural Fire Fighting, is hereby adopted by reference, as modified by the provisions of this division (D) set forth herein.
(1) The total water supply should be achieved within 20 minutes, by flowing all fire hydrants within 1,000 feet of the property.
(2) Fire hydrants in non-residential urban water supply systems should deliver a minimum of 1,000 gallons per minute, projected by 20 pounds per square inch residual pressure regardless of the total water supply.
(3) Fire hydrants in non-residential modified urban water supply systems should deliver a minimum of 500 gallons per minute, projected to 20 pounds per square inch residual pressure regardless of the total water supply.
(Ord. 016-218, passed 6-28-2016) Penalty, see § 152.99