Fire Hydrant and Detector Check Valve Assemblies

Article 180 Fire Hydrant and Detector Check Valve Assemblies - Rules and Regulations

Sec. 180.1 Purpose. One of the basic functions of a Municipal Water District is to provide fire protection for its customers. For this reason, the District attempts to provide adequate fire flow capacity at all locations in the distribution system. However, from time to time, customers may wish to have fire hydrants located at or near their premises or to install detector check valve assemblies and residential fire sprinkler systems per requirements of their local fire department or fire insurance agencies. Therefore, the following rules and regulations have been established to provide for the installation of fire hydrants and detector check valve assemblies, and residential fire sprinkler systems.

Sec. 180.2 Application - Fire Hydrant. Each applicant shall provide a copy of the tentative parcel map and final notice of approval showing the location of the fire hydrant and the property for which it is to serve.

Sec. 180.3 Installation - Fire Hydrant. Fire hydrants shall be installed by the applicant's contractor in accordance with Article 190 of this Code (Developer Project Requirements), with the following exceptions:

1. An application and inspection deposit of $500 to the District is required in lieu of the deposits shown in Section 190.12. Extra costs incurred by the District as a result of unusual actions by the applicant or contractor will be assessed to the applicant prior to activation or certification of the hydrant.

2. A $3,000 performance bond or equivalent security is required to be posted with the District for a one year warranty period following completion of the work.

3. The District will provide the applicant's contractor with a permit to excavate to the water line; the applicant will be responsible to obtain any required county permits.

Sec. 180.4 Charges - Fire Hydrant. It is the intent of the District to provide water for fire protection at no cost to the customers in the District. However, when water is, or if water should be used for other purposes other than fire protection, the hydrant will be removed from the premises and no refund will be made available. Unauthorized water used through a fire hydrant will be billed at three (3) times the then domestic/commercial water commodity rate as set forth in Section 160.3 of the District’s Administrative Code. Repeated unauthorized use may result in prosecution by the District under Section 498 of the California Penal Code.

Sec. 180.5 Application - Detector Check Valve Assembly. Each applicant for a detector check valve assembly shall sign an application showing the location of the assemblies and the property for which it is to serve. The applicant will also submit a set of plans showing a proposed location of the assembly, the valving and the required fittings and vaults. The plans shall be approved by the District before ordering of material or installation of the facility.

Per Ordinance No. 98-07 Adopted 7/20/98 [Sec. 180.3]

Per Ordinance No. 2003-01 Adopted 1/6/03 [Sec. 180.1]

Per Ordinance No. 2004-12 Adopted 7/6/04 [Sec. 180.4]

Sec. 180.6 Installation - Detector Check Valve Assembly. Installation of the assembly shall be by and at the expense of the property owner. Installation of the facility to the detector check meter shall be inspected by the District and the District shall be notified as outlined in other areas under inspection.

Sec. 180.7 Charges - Detector Check Valve Assembly. It is the intent of the District to provide water for fire protection at no cost to the customers in the District. However, a detector check meter shall be installed for the purpose of detecting any usage of water other than for fire protection. For the installation of the detector check meter the applicant shall pay a fee the same as that for the installation of a standard 3/4" meter.

Sec 180.8 Application - Water Meter For Residential Fire Sprinkler System. Each applicant for a meter for residential fire sprinkler system shall make application in accordance with Article 160, Water Service - Rules and Regulations. It is the District’s requirement for a separate dedicated water meter for residential fire sprinkler systems to reduce the risk of service interruption in the event of non payment for domestic water. District staff will provide the applicant or his representative estimated pressure and flow data about the water distribution system at the point of service, and information about a typical water meter installation. It shall be the responsibility of the applicant and/or representative to determine the size of the meter and service lateral that is required for this service.

Sec 180.9 Installation - Water Meter for Residential Fire Sprinkler System. A meter for a residential fire sprinkler system shall be installed, together with the adequate backflow device, for the purpose of detecting any usage of water other than for fire protection. Installation of the meter and backflow shall be made by the District with the backflow inspected annually by the District.

Per Ordinance No. 2003-01 Adopted 1/6/2003 [Sec. 180.8 & 180.9]

Sec. 180.10 Charges - Water Meter for Residential Fire Sprinkler System. It is the intention of the District to provide water for fire protection at no cost to the customers of the District. However, installation of the meter and backflow shall be at the expense of the property owner. For the installation of these facilities, the applicant shall pay fees equal to those charged for the same size meter and backflow assembly as described in Section 160.4 and 160.12. The District’s and San Diego County Water Authority’s (SDCWA) Meter Capacity Charges are waived for residential fire sprinkler meters.

The monthly service fee for the residential fire sprinkler meter shall be established at 55% of the meter service fee of the equivalent standard meter service as described in Sec. 160.3, omitting the SDCWA Monthly Infrastructure Access Charge. Residential fire sprinkler systems shall be subject to charges for annual testing, necessary repairs and replacement of required backflow prevention devices.

Sec. 180.11 Unauthorized Use of Residential Fire Sprinkler System. Unauthorized water used through this meter will be billed to this customer at three (3) times the then Domestic/Commercial water commodity rate as set forth in Sec. 160.3 of the District’s Administrative Code. Repeated unauthorized use may result in prosecution by the District under Section 498 of the California Penal Code.

Authorized use of the residential fire sprinkler system shall include water for fire suppression and up to two hundred-cubic-foot units annually (1,496 gallons) for system testing and maintenance.

Per Ordinance No. 2003-01 Adopted 1/6/2003 [Sec. 180.10 & 180.11]