[Adopted 9-19-1977 by Ord. No. 65-77]
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
ADEQUATE WATER SUPPLY
The available flow of water which the Fire Chief and/or the Fire Marshal determines is or reasonably may be necessary to protect any building or structure on the land being developed against fire.
DEVELOPER
The owner or other person responsible for the development of land involved.
FACILITIES
Such water mains, fire hydrants and appurtenances thereto which are necessary for fire protection.
FIRE CHIEF
The duly appointed Fire Chief of the Town of Rocky Hill.
FIRE MARSHAL
The Fire Marshal of the Town of Rocky Hill or any other official in the Fire Division duly appointed by him to administer the provisions of this article.
JUDGMENT
The judgment of the Fire Chief and/or the Fire Marshal, based upon sound fire protection principles, which judgment shall be conclusive.
LAND
Any lot, parcel, acreage or building site, or any other land or portion thereof embraced within a common plan of development, whether improved or unimproved.
REASONABLE WORKING DISTANCE
The distance from the adequate water supply and shall be deemed not to exceed 500 feet except where, in the judgment of the Fire Chief and/or the Fire Marshal, the application of such rule under the circumstances would be harsh or impracticable.
TO DEVELOP LAND
To make any improvements or do any work upon such land which would require the issuance of a building permit under the State Basic Building Code[1] and require approval by the Town Planning and Zoning Commission.
[Amended 1-6-1992 by Ord. No. 171-92]
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 100, Building Construction, Art. I.
The Fire Chief and/or the Fire Marshal may prescribe that the development include the installation of such on-site fire protection facilities as are necessary to provide an adequate water supply on the land being developed. The installation shall be at the expense of the owner or developer. All facilities required shall be approved by and meet the specifications of the Fire Division as to location, size and type of materials and manner of installation. Construction shall be carried out under the inspection of the Building Department.
Except as otherwise determined by the Fire Chief and/or the Fire Marshal, the plans submitted in support of an application for a building permit and/or approval by the Town Planning and Zoning Commission to construct all buildings, except residential buildings of three units or less, shall be submitted to the Fire Division. When plans are submitted, they shall be reviewed to determine if any building or structure is or will by virtue of said development become in excess of the reasonable working distance from an adequate water supply. Metropolitan District hydrants shall be taken into account in determining whether an adequate water supply exists.
[Amended 5-21-1979 by Ord. No. 78-79; 7-22-2002 by Ord. No. 210-02; 3-20-2006 by Ord. No. 230-06]
There shall be included in development plans and shown thereon adequate provisions for access for fire-fighting and emergency equipment. Access shall be in the form of a minimum two-inch bituminous concrete pavement which shall be built to Town specifications prior to the issuance of any building permit. Structures which protrude from the paved surface shall be "winterized" (ramped) per Town specifications, and maintained so there shall be a clear and unobstructed accessway at such grades and with sufficient width and height clearance to permit ingress and egress by fire-fighting and emergency equipment.
[Amended 8-12-1985 by Ord. No. 129-85]
Fire hydrants shall be installed where designated by the Fire Chief and/or the Fire Marshal. Hydrants shall meet Metropolitan District Commission specifications. Installation shall be not less than three feet nor more than five feet from the outside of the curb or the edge of the pavement. Steamer or four-and-one-half-inch connection shall be not less than 18 inches above the finished grade. No obstructions such as walls, fences, hedges, bushes or screen planting shall be placed within three feet of any hydrant or Fire Division connection on any public or private property. When the installation of on-site fire-fighting facilities is required of the developer, these facilities shall be installed and made serviceable prior to any combustible construction on the land. The distance between hydrants shall be not more than 500 feet.
[Amended 1-6-1992 by Ord. No. 171-92]
Any person violating any of the provisions of this article shall be fined $25 per day, each day's continued violation constituting a separate offense.