§ 32-09. Hydrant requirements.

(a)

[Hydrants required.] Approved fire hydrants, public or private, shall be provided for new buildings, additions, and alterations covered by minimum fire safety standards in F.S. § 633.025, except when the addition or alteration is less than 50 percent of the existing gross floor area, or cost of construction is less than 50 percent of the estimated value of the building. The fire hydrants must meet the necessary fire flow requirements. Where public water supply is inadequate or not available, an approved alternate water source must be made available, meeting the approval of the fire protection bureau.

(b)

Tests. Fire hydrants shall have sufficient flow rate and pressure to meet the minimum standards required for commercial properties in accordance with approved methodologies. All fire hydrant flow tests shall be performed by the person(s) with the proper knowledge and expertise to produce accurate flow readings. These tests shall be submitted in writing to the fire official before final approval.

(c)

Site plan. A site plan for all new construction indicating the location of installed fire hydrants and/or the proposed location of new fire hydrants to include the size and layout of water main(s) supplying the hydrant(s) shall be submitted for plan review.

(d)

Dead-end main. If installation of a new "dead-end" main cannot be avoided; its dead-end length shall not exceed 1,000 feet. When a fire hydrant is installed on a dead-end main exceeding 300 feet, the fire hydrant shall be supplied by a main of not less than eight inches in diameter. When a fire hydrant is installed on dead-end main exceeding 600 feet, the fire hydrant shall be supplied by a main of not less than ten inches in diameter. Dead-end mains of six inches or larger shall be provided with a fire hydrant at the end of the main. Fire mains and their appurtenances installed on private property shall be installed in accordance with NFPA 24.

(e)

Location. In no case shall the farther point or corner of any new building or any new addition/alteration that requires a hydrant, be located more than 250 feet from the nearest fire hydrant capable of delivering the required fire flow. The hydrant distance is to be measured as the hose is laid.

(f)

Fire hydrant type. All fire hydrants shall be equipped with 2½-inch connections and one pumper designed for 150 psi working pressure. Hydrants shall be breakaway or traffic model, dry barrel type.

(g)

Visibility. Wherever the fire marshal determines a hydrant is not readily visible to arriving fire companies because of curbside parking, features of terrain, construction, plantings, or other obstructions, the pavement shall be marked with a blue reflector to indicate the location. The marking shall consist of the traffic lane nearest the hydrant. On unpaved streets, blue reflector shall be affixed to a post as close as practical to the edge of the roadway, so as to be visible.

(Ord. No. 2005-03, § 8, 2-8-2005)