Chapter 9.16
HYDRANTS
Sections:
9.16.005 Appendix B of the IFC amended.
9.16.010 Definitions.
9.16.020 Responsibility.
9.16.030 Service by water department.
9.16.040 Private hydrant installation.
9.16.050 Flush type prohibited.
9.16.060 Foot valve required.
9.16.070 Leads from service main.
9.16.080 Location near buildings generally.
9.16.090 Intersection installations.
9.16.100 Location in single-family residential areas.
9.16.110 Location according to fire flow requirements.
9.16.120 Port outlets – Valve openings – Barrel drains.
9.16.130 Approval of piping, installation required.
9.16.140 Pumper port direction.
9.16.150 Protection.
9.16.160 Replacement.
9.16.170 Obstruction prohibited.
9.16.180 Compliance required.
9.16.190 Installation work performance.
9.16.200 Chlorine treatment required.
9.16.210 Penalty for violation.
9.16.005 Appendix B of the IFC amended.
Appendix B of the IFC is amended by adding the requirements set forth in this chapter. (Ord. 2840 § 1, 2010; Ord. 2683 § 10, 2007; Ord. 2506 § 1, 2004)
9.16.010 Definitions.
The definitions following are a part of this chapter. Whenever the following terms are used in this chapter they shall have the meaning as defined. The definitions given shall not necessarily be limited to the meaning given herein whenever the term is one of common usage, in which case the definition shall be augmented and enlarged by accepted public use of the term.
A. “Approving authority,” for the several conditions of this chapter, means the fire chief.
B. “Public hydrant” means a fire hydrant so situated and maintained to provide water for fire fighting purposes without restriction as to use. The location is such that it is accessible for immediate use of the fire department.
C. “Private hydrant” means a fire hydrant so situated and maintained to provide water for fire fighting purposes with restrictions for its use limited to certain defined property or properties. The location may be such that it is not readily accessible for immediate use of the city fire department for other than private property.
D. “Fire department” means the fire department of the city of Lynnwood and/or any recognized fire department normally responding in the area, to include private fire brigades organized, trained and equipped to protect specified property.
E. “Commercial and industrial properties” include, but are not necessarily limited to, such risks as: stores, retail and wholesale, warehouses, service stations, manufacturing facilities, garages, theaters, hotels, motels, restaurants, bars and taverns, banks, show rooms, barber and beauty shops.
F. “Institutional properties” include, but are not necessarily limited to: places of worship, schools, public and private hospitals, nursing homes, lodges and fraternal orders, unless the structure contains a function of a commercial or industrial nature.
G. “Residential properties” means those intended for a purpose of human habitation. Whenever “single-family dwelling” is used herein it also includes the structure known as “duplex,” a two-family dwelling. A residence constructed and equipped for occupancy by more than two families shall be defined as “a multifamily dwelling” or “high-density dwelling,” the terms being identical in meaning.
H. “Flush type hydrant” means a hydrant installed entirely below grade.
I. “Fire flow” means the amount of water required to extinguish a fire. For the purpose of this chapter, the requirement shall be applied by the fire chief whose judgment will be based upon Appendix B, Table B 105.1 IFC. (Ord. 2840 § 1, 2010; Ord. 2683 § 10, 2007; Ord. 2506 § 1, 2004; Ord. 453 § 1, 1969)
9.16.020 Responsibility.
The installation of fire hydrants in accordance with this chapter shall be required of the owner and/or developer of any future business, commercial, institutional or industrial facility, dwelling or dwelling development. (Ord. 2840 § 1, 2010; Ord. 2683 § 10, 2007; Ord. 2506 § 1, 2004; Ord. 453 § 2, 1969)
9.16.030 Service by water department.
All fire hydrants installed as required by this chapter shall be served by the city water department unless conditions warrant a waiver of this provision. (Ord. 2840 § 1, 2010; Ord. 2683 § 10, 2007; Ord. 2506 § 1, 2004; Ord. 453 § 3, 1969)
9.16.040 Private hydrant installation.
The installation of private hydrants as defined herein shall be limited to those cases when the number of public hydrants installed under the distance provisions of this chapter shall be insufficient in number. Private hydrants shall meet city requirements for public hydrants and shall be located as designated by the approving authority. The city shall have the right to go upon the premises and to use the private hydrant for public purposes, including testing, flushing and emergency uses. (Ord. 2840 § 1, 2010; Ord. 2683 § 10, 2007; Ord. 2506 § 1, 2004; Ord. 453 § 4, 1969)
9.16.050 Flush type prohibited.
The installation of flush type hydrants is prohibited. (Ord. 2840 § 1, 2010; Ord. 2683 § 10, 2007; Ord. 2506 § 1, 2004; Ord. 453 § 5, 1969)
9.16.060 Foot valve required.
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 type and style shall be determined by the approving authority. The location of all such valves installed shall be properly and accurately marked on identifiable plans or drawings, two copies of which shall be furnished to the approving authority. This valve shall be furnished with a standard valve box. (Ord. 2840 § 1, 2010; Ord. 2683 § 10, 2007; Ord. 2506 § 1, 2004; Ord. 453 § 6, 1969)
9.16.070 Leads from service main.
The lead from the service main to the hydrant shall be no less than six inches in diameter. Any hydrant leads over 50 feet in length from the service main to the 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. (Ord. 2840 § 1, 2010; Ord. 2683 § 10, 2007; Ord. 2506 § 1, 2004; Ord. 453 § 7, 1969)
9.16.080 Location near buildings generally.
All mains on private property serving more than one fire hydrant shall be circulatory and not less than eight inches in diameter. All buildings, except single-family dwellings, that are located so that a portion is more than 200 feet from a street property line, or located at a different elevation than the street shall have fire hydrants located on the property as directed by the fire chief. (Ord. 2840 § 1, 2010; Ord. 2683 § 10, 2007; Ord. 2506 § 1, 2004; Ord. 453 § 8, 1969)
9.16.090 Intersection installations.
Fire hydrants shall be installed at all intersections in all areas except single-family residential, so that the distance between them shall not exceed 330 feet and, if the distance between intersections is over 400 feet, then one hydrant shall be placed halfway between. (Ord. 2840 § 1, 2010; Ord. 2683 § 10, 2007; Ord. 2506 § 1, 2004; Ord. 453 § 9, 1969)
9.16.100 Location in single-family residential areas.
Fire hydrants shall be so installed in single-family residential areas so that the distance between them shall not exceed 600 feet and shall be installed at street intersections unless otherwise specified by the approving authority. If intersections are over 700 feet apart, an additional hydrant will be placed in between them so as not to be more than 600 feet from hydrants on either side. In addition to the spacing requirements set forth above, hydrants located in cul-de-sac and dead-end areas either by design or by topographic or manmade feature which prohibits straight-line distance measurement shall be located to serve no more than 120,000 square feet. The maximum distance from any front property line to a fire hydrant shall not exceed 300 feet. (Ord. 2840 § 1, 2010; Ord. 2683 § 10, 2007; Ord. 2506 § 1, 2004; Ord. 453 § 10, 1969)
9.16.110 Location according to fire flow requirements.
Buildings having required fire flow of less than 2,500 gpm (other than buildings of fire-resistive construction) can have fire hydrants on one side of the building only, yet there shall never be less than two fire hydrants available for any building larger than 1,000 square feet of ground area. Location of hydrants protecting buildings requiring fire flows larger than 2,500 gpm shall be determined by the fire chief. (Ord. 2840 § 1, 2010; Ord. 2683 § 10, 2007; Ord. 2506 § 1, 2004; Ord. 453 § 11, 1969)
9.16.120 Port outlets – Valve openings – Barrel drains.
Standard hydrants shall have two two-and-one-half-inch hose outlets and one four-and-one-half-inch pumper port outlet. The two two-and-one-half inch hose outlets shall be national standard thread and the four-and-one-half inch pumper port outlet shall be a four-and-one-half inch quick-connect Storz outlet. The valve opening shall be no less than five inches. The hydrant shall have a positive and automatic barrel drain, shall be Iowa type or equal and shall be of the safety or break away style, i.e., when accidentally broken off, water will not flow. All ports shall be capped. (Ord. 2840 § 1, 2010; Ord. 2683 § 10, 2007; Ord. 2506 § 1, 2004; Ord. 453 § 12, 1969)
9.16.130 Approval of piping, installation required.
Fire hydrants shall be installed to meet sound engineering practices to include concrete blocking and strapping in all cases, and be subject to the approval of the city engineer who shall also approve the selection and use of all pipe, fittings and valves. (Ord. 2840 § 1, 2010; Ord. 2683 § 10, 2007; Ord. 2506 § 1, 2004; Ord. 453 § 13, 1969)
9.16.140 Pumper port direction.
Hydrants shall stand plumb, be set to the established grade with the lowest outlet of the hydrant no less than 18 inches above the grade and no less than 36 inches of clear area about the hydrant for clearance of the 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, to be determined by the approving authority. (Ord. 2840 § 1, 2010; Ord. 2683 § 10, 2007; Ord. 2506 § 1, 2004; Ord. 453 § 14, 1969)
9.16.150 Protection.
Where needed, the fire chief will require hydrants to be protected by two or more posts, each six inches in diameter by six feet, made either of reinforced concrete or steel, their location to meet the provisions of LMC 9.16.140. (Ord. 2840 § 1, 2010; Ord. 2683 § 10, 2007; Ord. 2506 § 1, 2004; Ord. 453 § 15, 1969)
9.16.160 Replacement.
If there presently exist fire hydrants which do not conform to the requirements of this chapter, such hydrants when replaced shall be replaced with hydrants which do conform to the standards defined herein. This does not preclude a requirement by proper authority that a deficient hydrant must be replaced should structural conditions of the area change to require a hydrant or hydrants of larger flow capacity. (Ord. 2840 § 1, 2010; Ord. 2683 § 10, 2007; Ord. 2506 § 1, 2004; Ord. 453 § 16, 1969)
9.16.170 Obstruction prohibited.
No one shall plant any vegetation, erect any structure or perform any action which results in obstructing the view of a fire hydrant for a distance of 50 feet. 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 no less than 10 feet. The purpose of this section is to maintain visual area around the hydrant and is in addition to the requirements of LMC 9.16.140. (Ord. 2840 § 1, 2010; Ord. 2683 § 10, 2007; Ord. 2506 § 1, 2004; Ord. 453 § 17, 1969)
9.16.180 Compliance required.
The passage of this chapter is necessary for the protection of health, safety and welfare of the citizens of the city and to avoid or abate public nuisances. No building permits shall be issued for erection of any building or structure until reasonable proof of intent to comply with this chapter is indicated and the approving authority is satisfied that hydrants are to be and/or can be installed to comply with this chapter. (Ord. 2840 § 1, 2010; Ord. 2683 § 10, 2007; Ord. 2506 § 1, 2004; Ord. 2045 § 2, 1995; Ord. 453 § 18, 1969)
9.16.190 Installation work performance.
The installation of fire hydrants may be accomplished by a recognized contractor, or by payment to the city, work to be accomplished by the water department, either by contract or departmental employees. All installations to be approved by the city engineer. (Ord. 2840 § 1, 2010; Ord. 2683 § 10, 2007; Ord. 2506 § 1, 2004; Ord. 453 § 19, 1969)
9.16.200 Chlorine treatment required.
Following the installation of fire hydrants, all piping, valves and hydrants shall be treated with chlorine as prescribed by law for installation of any other facility on a potable water system. (Ord. 2840 § 1, 2010; Ord. 2683 § 10, 2007; Ord. 2506 § 1, 2004; Ord. 453 § 20, 1969)
9.16.210 Penalty for violation.
Any person who violates this chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and may be punished by a fine of $500.00 or by imprisonment in the city jail for a period not to exceed 90 days or by both such fine and imprisonment. (Ord. 2840 § 1, 2010; Ord. 2683 § 10, 2007; Ord. 2506 § 1, 2004; Ord. 453 § 21, 1969)