[Adopted 7-14-2003 by Ch. No. 1456]
A.
This article shall apply to all new plats, subdivisions,
complexes, buildings and structures, for which a building permit is
issued on or after July 14, 2003, excluding one- and two-family houses
within lots existing as of July 14, 2003, or within subdivisions for
which at least preliminary approval has been granted by the Planning
Board, or proposed minor residential subdivisions as defined by the
Planning Board.
B.
Nothing in this article shall usurp the authority
of the respective Fire Districts including but not limited to the
taxing authority.
A.
Every building to which this article applies shall
be provided with an adequate water supply defined as needed fire flow
in gallons per minute (gpm) for fire fighting where public water supply
is available or required. Needed fire flow is generally defined as:
(1)
The needed fire flow for all buildings to which this
article applies, which is equal to the flow computed using the procedure
outlined in the Insurance Services Office (ISO), Fire Suppression
Rating Schedule (1980) Needed Fire Flow Formula.
(2)
For water supply systems not publicly owned, the needed
fire flow shall meet the minimum requirements of the National Fire
Protection Association (NFPA) 24, Standard on the Installation of
Private Fire Service Mains and Their Appurtenances (latest edition)
or NFPA 1231, Standard on Water Supplies for Suburban and Rural Fire-Fighting
(latest edition), where no recognized water distribution exists.
(3)
Any plat, subdivision or complex to which this article
applies using wells for domestic water with no plans for a water system
that includes fire hydrants for fire protection shall meet the minimum
water supply provisions of NFPA Standard 1231.
B.
The proposed water supply for fire protection for
any construction governed by this article shall be approved by the
applicable Town department and review boards before a building permit
is issued for any building or structure, including the placing of
combustible or flammable supplies or materials on site. Prior to the
issuance of a certificate of occupancy, the Building Official shall
require signed confirmation from the Director of Public Works that
the new water system has been installed in accordance with this article.
C.
All references to fire hydrants shall include all
public and private fire hydrants and their systems.
D.
When a water main is installed for fire protection
and domestic use, the main size shall be adequate to meet combined
domestic and fire flow requirements.
E.
The calculated needed fire flow shall be available
at all times in design analysis, and shall be available a minimum
of one hour for flows of 1,500 gpm or less at a minimum of 20 psi
residual, or for two hours for flows of greater than 1,500 gpm at
a minimum of 20 psi residual (NFPA) 1141, Standard for Fire Protection
in Planned Building Groups (latest edition).
A.
The needed fire flow for one- and two-family dwellings
at 20 psi not exceeding two stories in height is determined as follows:
|
Distance Between Buildings
(in feet)
|
Needed Fire Flow
(gallons per minute)
|
|---|---|
|
Over 100
|
500
|
|
31 to 100
|
750
|
|
11 to 30
|
1,000
|
|
10 or less
|
1,500
|
B.
The needed fire flow for all other buildings shall
be determined on an individual building basis by the applicant subject
to the approval of the Director of Public Works. The needed fire flow
for an individual building shall be computed from the ISO formula:
NFF=(C) (O) [1 + (x + P)]
| ||
|
NFF
|
=
|
Needed fire flow
|
|
C
|
=
|
Construction factor:
|
|
Considers the area of the subject building
| ||
|
Considers the construction class (wood, masonry,
fire resistant, etc.)
| ||
|
O
|
=
|
Occupancy factor:
|
|
Considers the combustibility of the materials
in the subject building.
| ||
|
X
|
=
|
Exposure factor:
|
|
Considers the fire spread between the subject
building and the adjacent buildings (length and height of building,
and openings in exposed walls)
| ||
|
P
|
=
|
Communications factor:
|
|
Considers the protection provided in the communicating
walls, the construction of the walls, and the length of the walls.
| ||
C.
One- and two-family dwellings and all other buildings
completely protected by an approved fixed suppression system may reduce
the required needed fire flow by up to 50%.
[Amended 5-16-2016 by Ch. No. 1859]
A.
All water
main extensions approved after the effective date shall be a minimum
of eight-inch ID.
B.
Any installation
or extension of a water main that is proposed to service the water
use needs, in gallons per minute equivalence while meeting the minimum
psi, to five or more house lots or the equivalent demand shall be
analyzed using a hydraulic computer model to assess the ability of
the system to serve the proposed development. The computer model shall
assess the demand for maximum day domestic flow plus needed fire flow.
The minimum residual water main pressure shall be 20 psi under maximum
day plus fire flow design conditions. The analysis shall be run by
a qualified professional engineer approved by the Town Manager or
his or her designee and shall be paid for by the applicant.
No unauthorized person shall remove, tamper
with, or otherwise disturb, use, or operate any fire hydrant or fire
appliance required to be installed or maintained under the provisions
of this article except for the purpose of extinguishing fires, training
purposes, recharging, or making necessary repairs, or when permitted
by the hydrant owner. When a fire appliance is removed as herein permitted,
it shall be replaced or reinstalled as the purpose for which it was
removed has been accomplished under the direction of the Department
of Public Works.
A.
Location and spacing of all public fire hydrants and
yard hydrants shall be determined by the ISO needed fire flow demand
based on the type, size, occupancy, and exposure of structures. Installation
shall only occur after approval of all applicable authorities and
under the conditions of this article.
B.
The design allowance for each fire hydrant at 20 psi
residual used to deliver the calculated needed fire flow as determined
by NFPA 1231 is as follows:
(1)
Allow up to 1,000 gpm for each hydrant within 300
feet of the building.
(2)
Allow up to 670 gpm for each hydrant within 301 feet
to 600 feet of the building.
(3)
Allow up to 250 gpm for each hydrant within 601 to
1,000 feet of the building.
(4)
Allow no needed fire flow (0 gpm) for each hydrant
more than 1,000 feet from the building.
C.
All fire hydrants shall be clear of all permanent
obstructions eight feet from the hydrant in all directions.
D.
Hydrant placement and spacing are subject to the approval
of the respective Fire Chief.
A.
Prior to the installation or extension of water mains
in any public street or way within the water district of Westerly
and Pawcatuck, CT, or in any duly approved private street or way within
the water district of Westerly and Pawcatuck, CT, authorization and
approval of the design and analysis shall be received from the Westerly
Town Council and in accordance with this article and subject to such
conditions and requirements as the Town Council may prescribe.
B.
Prior to acceptance by the Town of Westerly Water
Department, the applicant shall provide to the Water Department at
his expense a survey as-built plan of the constructed water system.
Approval of said plan shall be obtained from the Director of Public
Works prior to acceptance of the water system.
C.
Prior to acceptance by the Town of Westerly Water
Department, new hydrants shall be fire flow tested by the Water Department
in accordance with NFPA 291, Standard on Fire Flow Testing and Marking
of Hydrants (latest edition) and AWWA M17 prior to being placed in
service for Fire Department use. Documentation of the results of the
flow testing shall be copied to the applicable Fire Department.
