§ 13-23. Fire protection water supply.

(a)

In all developments, as specified in Subsection (c) of this section, the adequacy of the fire protection services, water pressure, hydrant locations, fire lanes and maneuvering areas shall be subject to the approval of the Fire Official with the requirements set forth herein determined as minimum provisions.

(b)

All fire hydrants shall be installed in accordance with the requirements of the American Water Works Association, NFPA 1 and associated standards. Any specific standards/requirements of the County Utilities Department shall also be met for hydrants in the unincorporated area of the County.

(c)

Fire hydrants shall be installed in all new developments that meet the following criteria:

(1)

All developments that require an extension of the water distribution system;

(2)

All developments that require the submission of a development plan as set forth in the County land development regulations set forth in Chapter 20.

(3)

When, in the opinion of the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ), access to or distance from public fire hydrants would hamper or impair firefighting operations;

(4)

All new water distribution systems shall be considered for hydrant locations and spacing by the AHJ according to NFPA 1 and NFPA 1 Annex I.

(d)

Approved fire hydrant. An approved fire hydrant shall mean a fire hydrant connected to a water main of not less than six inches in diameter or larger as required by code and shall meet the performance standards required by the AHJ, or its designee, and shall have one 4½-inch and two 2½-inch NST hose connections as measured at inside diameter. All hydrant installations shall be approved by the jurisdiction in which they are located as pertains to availability of water pressure, volume and reliability of water service.

(e)

Hydrant location with respect to the Fire Department connection shall be as follows: Whenever a proposed development will be required to install one or more fire hydrants as a condition of approval, a fire hydrant shall be located not more than 50 feet from the Fire Department connection as measured by normal access routes. If such hydrant is on the same side of the street as the Fire Department connection, it is preferable that the driveway does not separate the hydrant and the Fire Department connection.

(f)

Existing buildings that are occupied at the time of adoption of the ordinance from which this chapter is derived may be continued in use without additional fire protection water supply, provided that the following conditions are all met and provided further that only those requirements whose application would be clearly impractical in the judgment of the AHJ shall be modified:

(1)

The occupancy classification remains the same; and

(2)

No serious life safety hazard exist that would constitute an imminent threat.

(g)

No person shall place or keep any post, fence, vehicle, growth, vegetation, trash or other materials that would obstruct a fire hydrant or fire protection appliance and hinder or prevent its immediate use by fire department personnel. Such fire hydrant or fire protection appliance shall be maintained readily visible at all times.

(h)

Fire hydrants and fire protection appliances shall be kept accessible to the fire department at all times. The following clearances shall be maintained for all fire hydrants and fire appliances:

(1)

Hydrant clearances of 7½ feet on the street side and to the sides of the fire hydrant, with four-foot clearance to the rear of the hydrant.

(2)

Fire protection appliances (FDC) clearance of 7½ feet from the street side and sides of the appliance.

(3)

All hydrant locations shall be marked by blue reflective road markers on the roadway at a location approved by the AHJ, easily signifying hydrant location to emergency personnel. Approved signs may also be required by the AHJ if deemed so needed.

(i)

All fire hydrants in the County shall be flow tested by the County Fire Rescue or designated personnel on a regular basis to determine their flow rates and basic operation. Maintenance, as prescribed by the Fire Department, of fire hydrants is to be performed in a timely manner by the utility provider in whose jurisdiction the hydrant resides. The Fire Prevention Division will not certify hydrant water flow for proposed developments; instead, the development's engineer shall perform their own tests and certifications. However, County Fire Rescue personnel may elect to be present for all tests, and shall be so contacted.

(j)

Fire department connections shall be identified by a sign that states "NO PARKING FIRE DEPARTMENT CONNECTION" and shall be designed in accordance with State Department of Transportation standards for information signage, as well as NFPA 1-(FFPC). (An exception shall be made for existing numbers or letters approved by the AHJ.)

(Ord. No. 2012-03, § 23, 6-29-2012)