Tehama Municipal Code Art. VII Water Flow for Fire Protection

This article is adopted for the following purposes:

A. To protect public health, safety and welfare from the danger of fire because of the lack of fire protection facilities and of adequate water flow for fire protection available to buildings located at a distance from public streets, alleys and rights-of-way.

B. To establish uniform standards for the construction and placement of fire protection facilities and the delivery of adequate water flow for fire protection upon private property.

(Ord. No. 174, 10-13-09)

Unless the context requires otherwise, whenever the words or terms defined in this section, or pronouns used in their place, occur in this article, they shall have the following meanings:

"Land" means any lot, parcel, zoning plot, acreage or building site, or any other land or portion thereof, whether improved or unimproved.

"To develop land" means to make any improvements or do any work upon such land as would require the issuance of a building permit.

(Ord. No. 174, 10-13-09)

When any land is to be developed in such a manner that any part of a proposed building or structure to be located thereon will be in excess of three hundred (300) feet from the nearest public fire hydrant located, or to be located prior to the completion of the building or structure in a public street, alley or place, the owner or developer shall provide at the same time in the public street, alley, or place, or on-site, such fire protection facilities and adequate water flow for fire protection as the director shall deem necessary, according to national standards. All facilities required to be installed shall be approved by and meet the specifications of the city as to location, size and type of materials and manner of installation; provided, however, that all water mains, fittings and hydrants shall conform to national standards and to the standard specifications of the city. No main shall be installed that is less than six inches in diameter.

All installations made in a public street, alley or place shall require an encroachment/excavation permit and shall comply with all conditions of the permit and this code. No fire service line shall be installed across any parcel other than the parcel to which the service is being furnished, provided that the fire chief may, in his or her discretion, authorize a fire service line that serves more than one parcel, upon the recording of an agreement, in a form approved by the city, that fully provides for the operation, maintenance and repair of the line, and grants a permanent easement for these purposes, at no cost or liability to the city.

The costs and expenses of installing and maintaining on-site fire protection facilities shall be the sole responsibility of the owner or developer of the land. The costs and expenses of installing off-site fire protection facilities, including main and branch mains, shall also be the sole responsibility of the owner or developer, and shall be paid in full before any water service connection is made, unless otherwise determined by the director.

(Ord. No. 174, 10-13-09)

Whenever any fire protection facilities, public or private fire hydrants, or other appurtenances for use by the fire department are required to be installed pursuant to this chapter, there shall be included in the development plan and delineated thereon adequate provision for access by fire fighting personnel and equipment to and from all such fire protection facilities, including, but not limited to public or private fire hydrants and appurtenances. Such access shall be approved by the fire chief and the owner may be required to dedicate to the city as a condition of approval of the development plan, an easement sufficient for access by fire fighting equipment to such fire protection facilities. All such access easements shall be maintained in such a manner as to provide clear and unobstructed ingress and egress by fire fighting personnel and equipment and/or maintenance personnel and equipment at all times.

(Ord. No. 174, 10-13-09)

No final inspection by the building official as to all or any portion of the development shall be deemed completed and no certificate of occupancy or temporary certificate of occupancy shall be issued unless and until the installation of the prescribed fire protection facilities and access ways has been completed and approved by the building official.

(Ord. No. 174, 10-13-09)

A map showing the size and location of all water pipes and hydrants installed pursuant to this chapter and stating the material of which such pipes are made and the date of their installation and approval shall be filed with the department prior to the issuance of any occupancy permit under the provisions of the building code.

(Ord. No. 174, 10-13-09)