Ceres Municipal Code Ch. 12 Automatic Fire Services and Hydrants

A. Automatic fire service connections shall be furnished with adequate provision to prevent the use of water from such services for purposes other than fire extinguishing.

B. The applicant shall be required to obtain a building permit.

C. Pipes for automatic fire service shall be installed by the applicant after the plans have been approved by the City Engineer and Fire Chief or their designees.

D. Quantitative charges:

1. No charge shall be made for water used to extinguish accidental fires.

2. Occasionally water may be obtained for a private fire service for filling a tank connected with the fire service, but only if written permission is secured from the City in advance and an approved means of measurement is available. The rates for general use shall be applied.

E. A monthly fire service standby charge collected for private fire protection services shall be set by resolution.

F. If water is used through a fire service connection for purposes other than extinguishing fires, the City shall have the right to install a meter on the fire service line at the owner's expense.

G. The City shall assume no responsibility for loss or damage because of lack of water or pressure and shall merely agree to furnish such quantities and pressure as are available in its general distribution system. The service shall be subject to shutdowns and variations required by the operation of the system.

H. Automatic fire services shall be disconnected from the water system only for the following reasons:

1. For repair on the fire service. The Fire Marshal shall be notified of all such disconnections;

2. Upon receipt of a written request from the Fire Marshal;

3. If it is found that contamination is entering the City water system from the automatic fire service connection. The Fire Marshal shall be notified in writing of the disconnection.

(Ord. No. 2019-1054, § 2, 12-9-2019)

A. No persons other than those designated and authorized by the Fire Department or Public Works Department shall open any fire hydrant, attempt to draw water from it, or in any manner damage or tamper with it.

B. If a property owner or other party desires a change in the size, type, or location of an hydrant, he shall bear all costs involved in such changes. Any change in the size, type, or location of a fire hydrant must be approved by the Fire Department.

C. Tampering with any fire hydrant for the unauthorized use of water therefrom, or for any other purpose, is declared to be a misdemeanor punishable as provided in title 19.

(Ord. No. 2019-1054, § 2, 12-9-2019)