ORD 85-03 REGULATION OF FIRE HYDRANTS AND WATER MAINSLCI :jt
1/28/85
ORDINANCE NO. 85-3
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF WINSLOW, WASHINGTON,
ENACTING A NEW CHAPTER 13.10 OF THE WINSLOW MUNI-
CIPAL CODE, REGULATION OF FIRE HYDRANTS AND WATER
MAINS; REQUIRING AND REGULATING THE INSTALLATION
OF PUBLIC AND PRIVATE FIRE HYDRANTS AND WATER
MAINS IN THE CITY OF WINSLOW; PROVIDING THE TECH-
NICAL REQUIREMENTS AND STANDARDS THEREOF AND
PROVIDING PENALTIES.
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WINSLOW, WASHINGTON DO
ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. A new chapter 13.10 is hereby added to the
Winslow Municipal Code to read as follows:
13.10.010 DEFINITIONS. For the purpose of this chapter
certain words and terms used herein are defined as set
forth below. Unless the natural construction of the
word indicates otherwise, all words used in the present
tense include the future tense; all words in the plural
incude the singular number; and all words in the
singular number include the plural number.
FIRE CHIEF - shall be the Fire Chief of the
Bainbridge Island Fire Department or his authorized
agent.
FIRE DEPARTMENT - shall mean the Bainbridge Island
Fire Department.
C. CITY ENGINEER - shall mean the City Engineer of the
City of Winslow.
D. PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT - shall mean the Public
Works Department of the City of Winslow.
PUBLIC HYDRANT - shall mean a fire hydrant so
situated and maintained on public right of way or
public easements to provide water without restric-
tion as to use by the Fire and Public Works
Departments.
PRIVATE HYDRANT - shall mean a fire hydrant so
situated and maintained on private property to
provide water with limitations as to use by the Fire
and Public Works Department as set forth in Section
13.10.080.
SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL AREA - shall be as set
forth in the Winslow Municipal Code, Title 18.
FLUSH TYPE HYDRANT - shall mean a hydrant installed
entirely below grade.
FIRE FLOW - shall mean water flow required for fire
protection purposes.
13.10.020 APPLICABILITY. All water mains and fire
hydrants hereinafter installed shall meet the provisions
of this Chapter as well as all other applicable plans,
standards and ordinances adopted by the City of Winslow.
In addition, existing hydrants not conforming with the
requirements of this chapter shall, when replaced, be
brought into conformance.
13.10.030 BUILDING PERMITS AND PLATS.
Fire hydrants, water mains and appurtenances shall
be installed as required by this chapter as a condi-
tion of approval of short plats, subdivisions,
planned unit developments, and mobile home parks.
No building permits shall be issued for erection of
any building or structure until adequate provision
is made to assure that the provisions of this chap-
ter will be met, including financial responsibility,
provided, this section shall not apply to the recon-
struction, repair, rebuilding or remodeling of a
single family dwelling.
13.10,040 VARIANCE. In specific cases, a variance from
the terms but within the spirit of this chapter as will
not be contrary to the public interest may be granted by
the Hearing Examiner upon written application of the
property owner or developer, or their agent as set out
in WMC 2.16.090, within 30 days of the notification to
comply with this chapter. In determining to grant a
variance from the terms of this chapter, including
consideration of reasonable alternatives, the Hearing
Examiner shall be guided by the following standards and
criteria:
Special conditions and circumstances exist which are
peculiar to the property or structure such as size,
shape, topography or location and that strict
enforcement of the provisions of this chapter would
deprive the property owner of rights commonly
enjoyed by other properties similarly situated.
The special conditions and circumstances are not
primarily the result of the actions of the applicant
such as structure design necessitating greater fire
protection especially, as it may relate to commer-
cial and multiple residential property development.
Unnecessary hardships and practical difficulties
which make it difficult to carry out the provisions
of this chapter.
Granting of the application, or providing alterna-
tives to this chapter, will not be materially detri-
mental to the public health, safety, morals or
welfare, or injurious to the property or improvement
in the vicinity of the applicant's property with
particular emphasis on fire protection.
The variance is necessary to make possible the
reasonable development of the property.
13.10.045 NEW INSTALLATION PROCEDURES. All hydrants
and water mains newly installed or replaced shall meet
the following requirements:
In areas already platted operational hydrants and
water mains may be required to be installed in
accordance with this chapter prior to the beginning
of building construction.
Five copies of engineered plans or drawings, accu-
rately indicating main size, the location of all
valves, hydrants and thrust blocks to be installed,
shall be submitted to the Engineering Department
with utility drawings at least fifteen (15) working
days prior to the beginning of any construction.
C. All construction shall conform to the City of
Winslow Street and Utility Standards in effect at
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the time of construction. A public works construc-
tion permit shall be obtained prior to commencement
of construction.
The City Engineer and the Fire Department shall be
notified in writing by the permit holder when the
hydrant(s) and water mains will be available for use
and when they are placed in service.
Building construction shall not commence until plans
required under this chapter have been submitted and
approved in accordance with the provisions of this
chapter. When water mains and hydrants are to be
installed by the developer, such facilities and
access roadways serving same shall be installed and
made serviceable prior to and during the time of
construction. No building shall be occupied until
hydrants and mains for its protection are placed in
service and accepted.
13.10.050 FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR WATER MAINS
The installation of water mains to properties not
previously served shall be at the benefited property
owner's or developer's expense.
Oversized water mains required for special use
demands shall be installed at the developer's or
property owner's expense.
If the water mains installed pursuant to subpara-
graphs "A" and "B" above provide service or benefits
to properties other than owned by the water main
installer, latecomer agreements may be arranged
between the City and the installer for the construc-
tion and subsequent dedication of the water facili-
ties, pursuant to the procedure established in WMC
13.16,020.
Should the subdivider be required to install water
mains larger than eight inches (8") in diameter to
implement the development of the comprehensive plan
for trunk mains to serve areas other than the subdi-
vision, the City will negotiate the installation of
the required water main and reimburse the subdivider
for the additional cost for the larger water main.
If bids are required, a percentage of cost will be
determined prior to bid award.
When a subdivider is required to install a water
main through or adjacent to property other than his
proposed subdivision, he shall not be required to
install fire hydrants other than those required
within his proposed subdivision. However, he shall
be required to install tees in the required water
main at appropriate intervals to facilitate the
future installation of fire hydrants when the pro-
perty adjoining this portion of the water main is
subdivided or developed.
13.10,060 LOCATION.
All public fire hydrants shall be installed at
street intersections where possible. Public hydrant
spacing shall be measured along vehicular access
routes.
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In single family residential areas public hydrants
shall be spaced so that the average distance between
them is 600 feet. Where street intersections are
over 700 feet apart, additional public hydrants
shall be placed between them so as not to be more
than 600 feet from public hydrants on either side.
If cul-de-sacs or dead end streets, road or drive-
ways, or combinations thereof, are over 300 feet
long, additional public hydrants shall be installed
so that any portion of the street is not over 600
feet from a public hydrant.
In areas zoned other than single family residential,
public fire hydrants shall be installed so that the
distance between them averages 300 feet. If street
intersections are over 400 feet apart, additional
public fire hydrants shall be placed between them so
as not to be more than 300 feet apart. If cul-de-
sacs or dead end streets, roads or driveways, or
combinations thereof, are over 150 feet long, addi-
tional public hydrants shall be installed so that
any portion of the street is not over 300 feet from
a public hydrant.
Except single family dwellings, all buildings
constructed hereafter that are located so that any
portion is more than 150 feet from a street, as
measured along the right of way line of vehicular
access routes, shall have private fire hydrants
satisfying the requirements of this chapter located
at the building.
The City Engineer may allow buildings having
required fire flows of less than 2500 GPM's to have
fire hydrants on one side of the building only,
provided there shall never be less than two fire
hydrants for any building larger than 5,000 square
feet in first floor area including covered parking
and storage. When the required fire flow is over
2500 GPM, the fire hydrants shall be served by a
main which loops around the building or complex of
buildings and reconnects back into a distribution
supply main, and said hydrants shall be located as
designated by the City Engineer.
The number of fire hydrants shall be determined on
an average spacing of 330 feet computed on an
imaginary line parallel to and not less than 50 feet
from the structure. All hydrants are to be accessi-
ble to Fire Department pumpers over paved roads
capable of supporting such fire apparatus. The Fire
Chief shall determine the location of the hydrants
based upon a determination of utility, topography
and building location. Minor deviations of the
hydrant distance from the building may be granted by
City Engineer approval of written requests.
Fire hydrant installations shall be adequately pro-
tected against vehicular damage, in accordance with
the standards and specifications promulgated herein.
An auxiliary gate valve shall be installed at the
main line tee to permit the repair and replacement
of the hydrant without disruption of water service.
13.10,065 FIRE FLOW.
The required fire flow shall be available at a resi-
dual pressure in the mains figured for ground eleva-
tion of not less than 20 PSI, except where the
building is equipped with fire protection systems
dependent upon the distribution mains for supply, in
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which case the required fire flow shall be available
at a residual pressure which will satisfactorily
operate the aforementioned system, as determined by
the City Engineer.
Fire Flow Criteria. Required fire flows determined
by the City Engineer shall be based on the criteria
set forth in the Guide for Determination of Required
Fire Flow, most recent edition published by the
Insurance Services Office.
Building Construction Classification. The following
guides, published by the Insurance Services Office
and the Uniform Building Code (as adopted by the
City of Winslow), shall be used in calculating fire
flow:
INSURANCE SERVICES GUIDE
UNIFORM BUILDING CODE
Fire resistive
Ordinary
Heavy Timber
Noncombustible
Wood Frame
I-II FR
III 1 HR &III N
IV HT
II 1HR & II N
V 1HR & V N
13.10.070 MAINS AND SERVICE LINES.
All public hydrants in single family residential
zoned areas shall be supplied by not less than six
inch circulating water mains. All hydrants in areas
other than single family residential shall be
supplied by not less than eight inches circulating
water mains. Dead end water mains supplying fire
hydrants must be at least eight inches in diameter,
with the exception of mains up to 50 feet long which
may be no less than six inches in diameter.
The service line from the water main to the hydrant
shall be no less than six inches in diameter. Any
service lines over 50 feet in length from water main
to hydrant shall be no less than eight inches in
diameter. The provisions of this section shall
apply without exception and regardless of the size
of the service main.
All water mains serving or intended to serve fire
protection systems, installed or replaced in the
City of Winslow hereinafter shall have a minimum
diameter of six inches.
Provisions shall be made wherever appropriate in any
project for looping all dead end or temporarily dead
end mains. A minimum 15-foot easement shall be
required, in addition to a temporary 10-foot con-
struction easement on each side of the permanent
easement. Construction plans must be approved by
the City Engineer prior to the commencement of
construction.
The minimum water main easement width shall be
fifteen (15) feet in width and shall be exclusive
for the water main and appurtenances.
A minimum of ten (10) feet of horizontal clearance
must be maintained between a water main and any
parallel sewer main.
Water main extensions will be required when the
property does not front on a water main or when the
existing water main is not adequate for the
increased use proposed. The minimum extension shall
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be to a point at least five (5) feet inside the
prolongation of the property line.
Due to the complexities of many water mains and
their interface with other underground structures,
all water main construction shall be staked to
insure placement within designated easements. Any
deviation from this requirement shall be approved by
the City Engineer.
Every effort shall be made to incorporate "looped"
water mains into a project. In cases where it is
not possible to "loop" a new main installation, a
minimum of a 2 inch blow off shall be required at
all line ends.
All hook-ups to fire hydrants for temporary water
for whatever purpose shall be approved by the water
department and will require a "temporary hydrant
valve". In addition, double check valves may alo be
required if a potential for contamination exists.
13.10.080 PRIVATE HYDRANTS.
The installation of private hydrants as defined herein
shall meet the requirements for public hydrants and
shall be located as designated by the City Engineer to
provide adequate fire protection. The Fire and Public
Works Departments shall have the right to go upon the
premises and to use the private hydrant for testing,
flushing and public emergency uses.
13.10,090 FLUSH TYPE HYDRANTS. The installation of
flush type hydrants is prohibited unless determined by
the City Engineer that undue practical hardship would
otherwise be created without relative increase in fire
protection.
13.10,100 CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS. All water mains and
fire hydrants hereinafter constructed in the City shall
be subject to the following standards.
Fire hydrants shall be the "Traffic Model" with
approved breakaway features. All hydrants shall be
brass to brass subseat, minimum valve opening of 5-
1/4" "o"-ring stem seal, 6" mechanical or flange
shoe connection, 1-1/4 pentagonal operating nut,
with two 2-1/2 inch N.S.T. hose nozzle connections
and 4-1/2" pumper connection with N.S.T threads.
Installation, fittings and valves. Fire hydrants
shall be installed to meet sound engineering prac-
tices and to the approval of the City Engineer who
shall also approve the selection and use of all pipe
fittings and valves. There shall be a foot valve
installed between the service main and the hydrant
sufficient to permit the repair and replacement of
the hydrant without disruption of water service.
The foot valve shall be installed to City of Winslow
standards. Valves shall be furnished with a stan-
dard valve box. The location of all such valves
installed shall be properly and accurately marked on
the as-built plans or drawings with acceptable engi-
neered detail, two copies of which shall be fur-
nished to the City Engineer before approval can be
given by the City Council.
Pipe. All water main piping shall be ductile iron
pipe, cement line standard thickness class 52 unless
otherwise specified, and shall conform to the
standard of USA Standard A-21-51 (AWWA C151).
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Fittings. Fittings shall be short body for pressure
rating of 150 PSI, unless otherwise noted. All
fittings shall be cement lined per USA Standard
A21.4 (AWWA G104)·
Valves.
Gate valves. Unless otherwise specified, all
valves shall be gate valves conforming to the
latest revisions to AWWA standard specifications
for gate valves for Ordinary Water Works Service
No. C-500. They shall be iron body, bronze
mounted, double disc valves with bronze wedging
device and or an o-ring stuffing box. All
valves shall open counter-clockwise, and unless
otherwise specified, shall be a non-rising stem
type equipped with standard square stem nuts.
Stem nuts shall be identical with the City's
existing equipment, and all valves shall be
furnished with a box, cover, and marker post.
Butterfly valves. Butterly valves shall be used
for all lines over 8 inches in diameter.
Butterfly valves shall conform to AWWA C504,
Class 150, with cast iron short body and o-ring
stem seal.
Valve Boxes. Valve boxes and covers shall be cast
iron of a type approved by the Engineer prior to
their installation. The lengths shall be suitable
for the particular depth of water line.
Valve Marker Posts. A concrete valve marker post
shall be furnished and installed as directed, with
each gate valve. The concrete marker post shall
have a 4" minimum square section and a minimum
length of 42", with beveled edges and containing at
least one (1) 3/8" diameter bar of reinforcing
steel. Markers shall be placed as directed by the
Engineer and set so as to leave 18" exposed above
grade. The exposed portion of the marker posts
shall be painted with two (2) coats of white
concrete paint, and then the size of the valve (for
example, 6" G.V.) and the distance in feet and
inches to the valve shall be stenciled with black
paint on the face of the post, using a stencil which
will produce letters two (2) inches high.
Auxiliary Valves. Auxiliary gate valves shall be
flanged or as required by the type of pipe being
used, and be as specified in Paragraph E.
Fire Hydrant Guard Posts. Concrete fire hydrant
guard posts shall be furnished and installed with
fire hydrants as directed by the Engineer. The
guard posts shall be made of reinforced concrete,
eight (8) inches in diameter, six (6) feet long, and
buried to a minimum depth of three (3) feet. Guard
posts shall not be set higher than the top of the
fire hydrants, they shall be plumb, and where two
posts are used at a hydrant, they shall be set with
their tops at the same elevation. The exposed
portion of the guard posts shall be painted with two
(2) coats of white concrete paint, approved by the
Engineer.
Cover Over Pipelines. In no case shall less than
thirty-six (36) inches of cover be maintained over
the pipe. Local variations in ground surface shall
not control, but the average depth shall be the
determining factor. The maximum depth shall not be
greater than 60" to the top of the pipe.
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Hydrostatic Test. All new water main installations
shall be subjected to a hydrostatic pressure test of
180 PSI for 30 minutes in duration at the high point
in the line. For approval, the pressure shall not
drop more than 10 PSI or to 170 PSI within the test
period. All air shall have been cleared from the
line prior to starting the test. After testing the
total installation, each section of the main between
valves shall also be tested to insure valve inte-
grity. Insofar as is practical, the test shall be
made with all pipe joints, fitting, and valves
exposed. Also, all pipe joints and angles except
for final coupling shall also be installed and
subjected to the test pressure. If services are
altered or relocated after completion of hydrostatic
testing, the test must be repeated to insure the
integrity of the system.
Prior to calling out the Engineer to witness the
pressure test, the Developer shall have all equip-
ment completely ready for operation and shall have
successfully performed the test to assure himself
that the pipe is in a satisfactory condition.
Sterilization. Before placing the lines in service,
the Developer shall sterilize them and have a satis-
factory report and approval of sterilization from
the local or state health department on samples
collected from representative points in the new
system. Sterilized sample bottles and/or instruc-
tions shall be obtained by the Developer from the
laboratory where the samples will be tested. The
Developer shall collect all samples for the bac-
teriological tests under the direct supervision of
the Public Works Department.
Fire hydrants installed in unpaved areas shall have
a 4 inch thick, 3 foot square concrete pad poured
around them.
13.10,110 STREET GRADE AND HYDRANT CLEARANCE. Hydrants
shall stand plumb, be set to established street grade
with the lowest outlet of the hydrant no less than
eighteen inches (18") above the street grade nor more
than twenty-eight inches (28") above grade and no less
than thirty-six inches (36") of clear area about the
hydrant for clearance of hydrant wrench on both outlets
and on the control valve. The pumper port shall face
the street. Where the street cannot be clearly defined
or recognized the port shall face the most likely route
of approach and location of the fire truck while pumping
as determined by the City Engineer.
13.10.120 SURROUNDING VEGETATION PROHIBITED. No person
shall plant any vegetation, erect any structure or
perform any action which results in the obstruction of a
fire hydrant for a distance of 50 feet along the imme-
diate route of approach. The owner-occupant of any area
in which a hydrant is located shall be responsible for
removing weed and tree growth from around the hydrant
for a distance of not less than five feet. The purpose
of this section is to maintain clear approach and visual
area around the hydrant.
13.10.130 OCCUPANCY OF BUILDING. No building or struc-
ture shall be occupied or used prior to installation and
approval of required hydrants and mains as set forth in
this chapter.
13.10.140 UNLAWFUL CONDUCT. It is unlawful for any
person, firm or corporation to occupy or use any build-
ing used for a school, church, rest home, hospital,
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residential apartments or place of assembly, in whatever
use district located, unless such building is within one
hundred fifty feet (150') of a fire hydrant.
13.10,150 INSPECTION REQUIRED. All improvements shall
be subject to inspection by a duly authorized represen-
tative of the City, both during the course of construc-
tion and after construction is complete. The inspector
shall have the authority to determine whether or not
materials of construction, methods of construction and
workmanship comply with working drawings and specifica-
tions. The contractor shall provide for reasonable
tests and proof of quality of materials as requested by
the inspector. The inspector may require that work be
suspended for due cause. For purposes of this section,
"due cause" includes adverse weather conditions, poor
workmanship, the use of questionable materials or
methods of construction, and nonadherence to specifica-
tions and drawings.
13.10,160 APPROVAL NOT DEEMED ACCEPTANCE. Approval by
the inspector shall not be deemed acceptance of the
improvement by the City. Acceptance shall be only by
action of the Winslow City Council.
13.10.170 PENALTIES. Any person violating any provi-
sion or term of this chapter shall, upon conviction
thereof, be punished by a fine of not more than $500.00
or by imprisonment for not more than ninety (90) days,
or be both such fine and imprisonment.
Section 2. If any section, sentence, clause or phrase of
this ordinance should be held to be invalid or unconstitutional
by a court of competent jurisdiction, such invalidity or uncon-
stitutionality shall not affect the validity or constitutionality
of any other section, sentence, clause or phrase of this
ordinance.
Section 3. This ordinance shall be in full force and
effect five (5) days after passage and publication by posting as
provided by law.
ATTEST/AUTHENTICATED:
APPROVED:
CITY CLERK N~
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
OFFICE OF THE CITY ATTORNEY:
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FILED WITH THE CITY CLERK:
PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL:
POSTED: 1/31/85
EFFECTIVE DATE: 2/5/85
ORDINANCE NO. 85-3
12/20/84
1/17/85
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APPENDIX "A"
The following table sets forth the criteria referred to in
section 13.10.060D and by this reference is incorporated therein
as if set forth in full.
FIRE FLOW (GPM)
Item Affecting Flow
Requirement
Not to Required
Formula Exceed Flow
Item 1: Ground area of
building in sq.
feet (A)
Item 2: Height in stories
(H)
Item 3: Exposure to and
from the building
TOTAL
1000 + A/10 5000 +
500 (H-i) 3000 +
Judgment 2000 +
Item 4: Deduct for fireproof
semi-fireproof
construction
Item 5: Add for frame
construction
BALANCE
1/3 (1+2+3)
1/3 (1+2+3) +
Item 6: Credit for small
fuel load
Item 7: Credit for auto-
matic
1/3 (1+2+3)
Judgment 1000
TOTAL FIRE FLOW REQUIRED
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