Downey Municipal Code Ch. 6 Water Mains: Fire Hydrants

Any water main installed within the City after the effective date of this section shall be of a kind, type, and design approved by the City Engineer, the Chief of the Fire Department, and the Water Superintendent and shall be at least six-inch mains, unless, in the opinion of said City officers, a four-inch main or line will be sufficient by reason of special or peculiar circumstances, particularly applicable to the area to be serviced by such main and not generally applicable. In the event any fire hydrants are installed as a part of the installation of such main, a shut-off valve shall be installed between any such fire hydrant and the main supplying water thereto.

Necessary details of the proposed construction as required by the City Engineer and the Water Superintendent shall be submitted to the City Engineer and the Water Superintendent prior to any work done on the installation of such main.

(Amended by Ord. 297, 02-23-66; Ord. 1224 § 6, 12-14-07; Ord. 1295, 11-22-11; Ord. 1331, 5-13-14; Ord. 1371, 1-24-17; Ord. 20-1424, 2-11-20; Ord. 22-1490, 11-10-22; Ord. 26-1538, 1/27/2026)

The City of Downey requires that a fire hydrant be placed within 150 feet of a Fire Department Connection (FDC). When there are existing hydrants near the placement of the FDC, the Fire Chief or his or her designated fire code official will have the discretion to approve or deny the proposed configuration.

1. Hydrant spacing will be:

a. 300 feet for industrial, commercial, high density or multi-unit residential areas. 150 feet is the maximum distance from any point on street or frontage to a hydrant.

b. 500 feet for single-family, duplex, triplex residential units. 250 feet is the maximum distance from any point on street or frontage to a hydrant.

2. Hydrants located on the opposite side of streets over 80 feet in width shall not be used to satisfy the requirements for hydrant spacing.

3. Additional public hydrants may be required depending upon required fire flows, street width, tactical considerations as determined by the Fire Chief, center dividers or other physical barriers, existing or anticipated traffic volume.

4. Private fire mains and hydrants shall be reviewed by the Downey Fire Department and shall require a Downey Fire Permit for installation. Private mains and hydrants shall be in accordance with public standards and NFPA 24.

5. Double detector check valve assembly, as required by the City of Downey Public Works Department, shall be placed in an area approved by the Fire Chief and shielded from view by landscaping approved by the Downey Fire Department. It shall be painted a neutral color.

6. Double detector check valve assembly to be protected by a minimum of two four-inch concrete filled steel tubes set in compacted soil four feet deep by 12-inch round rising, 36 inches to 48 inches above finish grade.

(Added by Ord. 1224 § 6, 12-14-07; amended by Ord. 1295, 11-22-11; Ord. 1331, 5-13-14; Ord. 1371, 1-24-17; Ord. 20-1424, 2-11-20; Ord. 22-1490, 11-10-22; Ord. 26-1538, 1/27/2026)