Arcata Municipal Code Art. 12 Private Fire Protection Service

A private fire protection service connection, two (2) inch pipe size and larger, will be furnished only if adequate provision is made to prevent the use of water from such services for purposes other than fire extinguishing.

No person shall make, or allow to exist, any connection to any portion of any line used exclusively for un-metered private fire service or for any other purpose.

There shall be installed on all fire line connections, two (2) inch pipe size and larger, used exclusively for un-metered private fire service, a detector check valve of a type approved by the National Board of Fire Underwriters and equipped with a by-pass meter unless the fire line connection is used strictly to provide a water supply to automatic sprinkler system. In this case, the check valves and alarms for the sprinkler system shall meet this requirement. When a check valve is required, the installation shall be located within the public streets, alleys or right-of-ways or as approved by the Director of Environmental Services. (Ord. 929, eff. 12/1/1979; Ord. 1516, eff. 8/16/2019)

The applicant for private fire protection service shall pay in advance the estimated cost for installing the service connection complete with a detector check valve and bypass meter as may be required by Section 7862. The charge for such installation for two (2) inch pipe size and larger, will be based on the Environmental Services Department’s estimate of the total cost of all labor, materials, equipment, and other costs incidental to the installation, including the cost of the detector check valve and bypass meter, except that, in the case of private fire service connections with detector check valve and bypass meters installed without the corporate limits of the City, an additional charge of a fee, as set forth in the Schedule of Fees adopted by resolution of the City Council will be made. (Ord. 1193, eff. 7/31/1992; Ord. 1516, eff. 8/16/2019)

The service connection and all equipment appurtenant thereto, including the detector check valve and by-pass meter assembly, shall be the sole property of the City, and no part of the cost will be refunded to the applicant.

The un-metered private fire service line shall be used only for fighting accidental fires and for testing the fire prevention system. No charge will be made for water used for these two purposes only.

Water lost through leakage, or used in violation of these regulations, shall be paid for by the applicant at double the rate charged for general use.

The Environmental Services Department shall read such by-pass meters for purposes of detecting any unauthorized use of water through the system. If water is used in violation of these regulations, the Environmental Services Department may, at its option, discontinue and remove the service. (Ord. 1516, eff. 8/16/2019)

The rates for fire service and water consumed by private un-metered fire lines used exclusively for fire protection, whether such lines be connected with automatic sprinkler systems, fire hydrants or to other types of hose attachments, shall be established by resolution of the Council from time to time.

The Environmental Services Department does not guarantee pressure or continuous supply, nor will it accept responsibility at any time for the maintenance of pressure in its lines, nor for increases or decreases in pressure. All persons applying for, or receiving water service, shall be deemed to have consented to such conditions of pressure and service as are provided by the distribution system at the location served, and to hold the City harmless from any damages arising out of low pressure or high pressure conditions or interruptions of service.

The Environmental Services Department reserves the right at any and all times, without notice, to shut off water for the purpose of making repairs, extensions, alterations or improvements, and to increase or reduce pressures as a part of its operations. Neither the City nor the Environmental Services Department nor its officers, employees or agents shall incur any liability of any kind whatsoever for any damage to persons or property caused in any manner by the use of water beyond its meters.

Customers depending upon a continuous and uninterrupted supply shall provide emergency storage, oversize piping, pumps, tanks, pressure regulators, check valves, or other means for a continuous supply or to safeguard their facilities. (Ord. 1516, eff. 8/16/2019)