[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:
ACCESS POINT
Any public/private roadway/driveway established for the purpose of entry to the development or residences.
CISTERN
A precast concrete, fiberglass or other acceptable material tank with minimum capacity of 10,000 gallons.
LIFT
Distance between the average surface level of the water supply and the surface in which the engine will park plus 32 inches.
NATURAL
Pond with a minimum usable capacity of 15,000 gallons 10 months out of the year.
NEW DEVELOPMENT
Three or more new residences on an existing or new access point.
PARKING AREA
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.
PUBLIC WATER SUPPLY
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.
(10) 
The Fire Chief shall determine number of dry hydrants for the development. All dry hydrant designs and installation shall be in accordance with NFPA 1142 Standard on Water Supplies for Suburban and Rural Fire Fighting 2007 Edition, Chapter 8, as amended.
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.
E. 
Exceptions to Subsections C and D.
(1) 
All occupied structures in the development are provided with an approved NFPA 13D automatic sprinkler system acceptable to Somers Code Officials.