In order to obtain approval to construct or change the size
or location of a fire pipe connecting to a public water main, the
owner shall submit a general service application. The application
shall be supplemented by a building site plan approved by the Superintendent,
by a permit issued pursuant to the City of Chicopee Fire Prevention
Code, and by such other permits, plans, specifications, and information
as the Superintendent may require. Approval of the application shall
be subject to the availability of capacity in the public water main
as determined by the Superintendent. Any general service application
issued shall be void and invalid unless the work authorized by it
shall have been commenced within 30 days after issuance; however for
cause shown and upon written request by the property owner, an extension
may be granted by the Superintendent.
A.
Expenses borne by owner. All costs and expenses incident to the completion
of a general service application and the work authorized pursuant
to such application, including but not limited to design, construction,
connection, and inspection of a fire pipe shall be borne by the owner.
B.
Existing users. In the absence of a signed general service application,
the provision of water service by the Superintendent and its use by
the owner shall nonetheless be deemed subject to all provisions of
this chapter.
The property owner shall own the entire fire pipe, extending
from the property to the public water main, including the control
valve at the main.
A.
Design and construction standards. Fire pipes shall be constructed
in accordance with the City's Design Criteria and the latest versions
of the State Plumbing Code, Chicopee Fire Prevention Code and National
Fire Code.
B.
Location of fire pipe. No fire pipe shall be laid in the same trench
with any other public or private facilities, except a water service
pipe, nor within 10 feet of a sewer. Any connection of a fire pipe
to a public main shall be made in a public way, a City-owned easement,
whether recorded or by prescription, or in a private way open to public
travel. The Superintendent at its sole discretion shall determine
the point of connection of the owner's fire pipe to the City's water
main.
C.
Limitations on tapping mains. Water mains designated as transmission
mains shall not be tapped for a fire pipe, except when approved by
the Superintendent. All new taps shall be a minimum of one pipe size
smaller than the main to be tapped; however, where the Superintendent
deems this impractical, a solid sleeve three-way branch shall be used
to connect to the new main.
D.
Limitations on water use. Where there is more than one public water
main in a street, the Superintendent shall determine which main the
owner may tap for a fire pipe connection. Water supplied through a
fire pipe shall be for fire protection only, except for annual fire
pump tests. Only prior written authorization from the Superintendent
shall permit any other use of water from a fire pipe. No water used
for fire protection/suppression systems shall be taken from a water
service pipe.
E.
Installation of fire pipe. The owner shall be responsible, at its
expense, for installing the fire pipe and appurtenances, tapping and
making connection to the public water main designated by the Superintendent
and the cutting and capping of existing services and appurtenances
to be discontinued. The owner or owner's contractor shall arrange
at least 24 hours in advance for an inspection by the Superintendent
before backfilling the installed fire pipe and appurtenances. The
owner or owner's contractor shall not backfill the installation until
after receipt of a written inspection certificate from the Superintendent.
Only the Superintendent shall let-on water service after inspection
and approval of the fire pipe installation. The owner shall provide
access to the property for the inspection by the Superintendent and
shall not conceal the purpose for which the fire pipe is used or to
be used.
F.
Installation of backflow device. All fire pipe supply lines shall
be equipped with an approved backflow prevention device.
G.
Fire Department permit. An owner, in accordance with the Chicopee
Fire Prevention Code, shall be responsible for obtaining the necessary
permit from the Chicopee Fire Department when the fire pipe is shut
off for maintenance purposes.
H.
Second source. If continuous water service is necessary, the Superintendent
may, at its discretion, require the owner, to install a second service
with backflow protection so that service will not be interrupted during
fire pipe testing and maintenance operations. Such second source shall
be installed in accordance with City specifications and in accordance
with this chapter. All costs and expenses incident to the installation
of a second source shall be borne by the owner.
The Superintendent may require that an owner install a detector meter on a fire pipe for the purpose of monitoring leakage and water use. If metering is required, all expenses for furnishing and installation of the meter shall be borne by the owner. The provisions of § 269-4.2, with respect to meter location, right to enter premises, meter testing, meter tampering, and meter replacement or repair shall apply to fire pipe meters.
The Commission includes within its rates an annual charge related
to the provision of water capacity to serve a fire service pipe. Unless
otherwise stated in the rate documentation, such annual charge shall
not include or be used for maintenance or repair costs to the fire
service pipe. Maintenance costs and repair costs are to be borne by
the owner of the premises.
A.
Repairs and maintenance. The fire pipe shall at all times be kept
by the owner of the premises and at its expense in good repair, free
of leaks and protected from frost and corrosion.
B.
Repair of leaks. The owner shall be responsible for having a leak
in a fire pipe repaired at the owner's expense. Such a leaking fire
pipe may be shut off by the Superintendent in accordance with the
provisions of this chapter.
C.
Thawing. The owner is responsible, at its expense, for thawing a
frozen fire pipe.
A.
Shutoff. No shutoffs of a fire pipe shall occur except in accordance
with Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 148, § 27A, and
with the City of Chicopee Fire Prevention Code. After compliance therewith,
the Superintendent may shut off a fire pipe without notice in order
to prevent the loss of water, to prevent or stop damage to property,
or to perform work on a public water main. At the owner's request,
accompanied or followed by a written request from the City of Chicopee's
Building Department, the Superintendent may shut off water service
to a premises in order for the owner to make repairs.
B.
Discontinuance by the owner. No discontinuance of a fire pipe shall
occur except in accordance with Massachusetts General Law, Chapter
148, § 27A, and with the City of Chicopee Fire Prevention
Code. After compliance therewith, an owner may discontinue the owner's
fire pipe service to specific premises by notifying the Superintendent
in writing at least three working days before the date on which the
fire pipe is to be discontinued. Along with such written notice, the
owner shall provide the Superintendent with a written request from
the City of Chicopee's Building Department as well as a permit in
accordance with the City of Chicopee Fire Prevention Code authorizing
the discontinuance. After compliance therewith, if a fire pipe has
been discontinued for a period of one year or more, the Superintendent
may, at its sole discretion, require the owner to cut and cap, at
the owner's expense, the fire pipe(s) from the public water main.
C.
Let-on. Only the Superintendent shall let on a fire pipe. After inspection
and approval of a newly installed fire pipe, and upon written request
by both the owner and by the City of Chicopee's Building Department,
the Superintendent shall let on water service. If an owner requests
the Superintendent to shut off water service, then the Superintendent
will let on the water service only upon request by the owner and by
the Building Department and, where required, only after the owner
submits a general service application. The Superintendent may let
on water service without notice to the owner after performing work
on a public water main.
D.
Let-on after termination. When water service to the fire pipe of
any premises has been terminated for any reason, it will be let on
by the Superintendent only after the conditions, circumstances or
practices that caused the water service termination are corrected
and after receipt of a written request from the City of Chicopee's
Building Department.
E.
Let-on after discontinuance. If a fire pipe has been discontinued
for one year or longer, the service will be let on by the Superintendent
at the request of the owner only after the owner submits a general
service application, accompanied or followed by a written request
from the City of Chicopee's Building Department. The general service
application shall be supplemented by building site plans approved
by the Superintendent and any other such permits, plans, specifications
and information as the Superintendent may require.
