[Adopted 10-1-2007 by
the Board of Selectmen, effective 11-2-2007]
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
Any public/private roadway/driveway established for the purpose
of entry to the development or residences.
A precast concrete, fiberglass or other acceptable material
tank with minimum capacity of 10,000 gallons.
Distance between the average surface level of the water supply
and the surface in which the engine will park plus 32 inches.
Pond with a minimum usable capacity of 15,000 gallons 10
months out of the year.
Three or more new residences on an existing or new access
point.
Ten-foot-wide by forty-five-foot-long paved or compacted
gravel area accessible year-round adjacent to hydrant drafting head.
A grass and concrete modular laid surface on compacted gravel is also
acceptable.
Municipal water supply system supplied by Connecticut Water
Company Hazardville Water Company, Ellington Acres or any other DPUC-approved
public water supply.
A.
In all new developments the developer shall provide one of the following
types of water supply:
(1)
Public water supply: hydrants connected to municipal water supply
system.
(2)
Natural (alternative): water source capable of meeting the minimum
requirements of dry hydrant installation as described below.
(3)
Cistern (alternative): Total quantity of gallons stored for each
development shall be determined by the Fire Chief, but the minimum
amount is 10,000 gallons.
B.
Public water supply.
(1)
All new developments shall extend public water supply for fire protection
if any part of which is within the required distance of an existing
water service as determined by the following formula: number of lots
times 150 feet. The distance shall be measured from the end of the
existing service line along the proposed service line within the existing
or proposed streets or rights-of-way in the new development.
(2)
The new development shall be provided with fire protection water
mains. The Fire Chief shall determine the size and location of water
mains. The minimum size of a fire protection water main shall be no
less than eight inches.
(3)
The Fire Chief or his designee shall be responsible for placement
of the hydrants within the development.
(4)
All hydrants shall be a Mueller Super Centurion with a minimum barrel
size of 5.25 inches with a left hand opening operating nut and with
concrete thrust block, or its equivalent as may be approved by the
Fire Chief, all supplied and installed by the developer.
(5)
All new water mains shall be designed to create a looped system in
the municipal water supply grid.
(6)
All design shall be performed by a licensed engineer or the Water
Company.
C.
Dry hydrant installation.
(1)
All dry hydrants must be designed such that the total lift is not
more than 10 feet.
(2)
The horizontal pipe length shall be limited to no more than 40 feet
from hydrant head.
(3)
The hydrant head shall be a minimum of 24 inches above finish grade
and no more than 48 inches. The hydrant head shall be parallel with
the finish grade. The hydrant head must be within 10 feet of parking
area. Installation shall be such that a firefighter can easily attach
suction hoses to the hydrant head.
(4)
All underground and under water piping shall be PVC Schedule 40 with
a minimum diameter of six inches.
(5)
All joints shall be cleaned and securely glued before being placed
in the water. All joints underground or under water will be secured
with stainless steel screws on every joint in at least three places.
Gluing of joints above ground or above water is acceptable.
(6)
All piping extending into the water supply shall be supported on
and secured to concrete or stone blocks at least every 10 feet such
that the strainer portion is a minimum of 24 inches above the bottom
of the water supply. There shall be a minimum of 24 inches of water
at the bottom, left and right side and 48 inches at the top to allow
for 24 inches of winter ice. The Somers Fire Department Chief or his
designee, prior to installation shall approve the strainer and hydrant
head designs and models.
(7)
The hydrant riser shall be protected by two galvanized steel concrete
filled posts six inches in diameter, placed 24 inches from either
side of the riser and extending 48 inches above finished grade and
48 inches below finished grade. These posts shall be embedded in concrete
after the hydrant is accepted by the Fire Department. Posts shall
be painted safety yellow with a six-inch red band at the top. One
dry hydrant sign, to be consistent with others approved by the Fire
Chief, shall be installed at a location determined by the Fire Chief
indicating water supplies for Fire Department use within the Town
of Somers.
(8)
Installation of all piping must be scheduled at least three business
days ahead of time with the Somers Fire Department and the Somers
Public Works Department. An officer or department representative shall
be on site before any piping is buried or submerged.
(9)
Upon the testing and acceptance of the hydrant, the Somers Fire Department
will assume responsibility for future testing and maintenance.
D.
Underground cistern/tank.
(1)
All tanks shall be constructed of precast concrete, fiberglass or
other acceptable material with a minimum capacity of 10,000 gallons
of water.
(2)
The tank shall have a six-inch dry hydrant drafting pipe, 2 1/2
inch returns, 4 1/2 inch vent and a visible water gauge. Prior
to installation the Somers Fire Department shall approve hydrant head
designs and models.
(3)
The tank shall be installed below the frost line and the only visible
plumbing shall be the hydrant head, fill pipe, vent pipe and water
gauge. The hydrant head and associated plumbing shall be protected
by six-inch galvanized steel concrete filled posts located no more
than 24 inches from either side and extending 48 inches above finished
grade and 48 inches below finished grade. Posts shall be painted safety
yellow, with a six-inch red band at the top. Posts shall be set in
concrete. The hydrant head shall be located no more than 10 feet from
the parking area. One dry hydrant sign, to be consistent with others
approved by the Fire Chief, shall be installed at a location determined
by the Fire Chief indicating water supplies for Fire Department use
within the Town of Somers.
(4)
The tank shall be located within 200 feet from any new access point
intersection and spaced a maximum of 2000 feet apart if multiple tanks
are required. The number of tanks shall be determined by the Fire
Chief.
(5)
The developer will provide a deeded easement to the Town of Somers
for filling, use and maintenance of the tanks and associated plumbing.
(6)
The owner/developer will be responsible for the initial filling of
the tank and the Somers Fire Department will conduct a flow test prior
to acceptance of the tank/plumbing.
(7)
Upon testing and acceptance of the system, the Somers Fire Department
will assume responsibility for future inspection, maintenance and
filling.
(8)
The cistern/tank shall be installed in accordance with National Fire
Protection Association (NFPA) 1142 (2007) App. B., as amended.
