5.3 ERMUSR AGENDA 07-02-2013
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UTILITIES COMMISSION MEETING
TO:
Elk River Municipal Utilities Commission
John Dietz – Chair
Al Nadeau – Vice Chair
Daryl Thompson – Trustee
FROM:
Eric Volk – Lead Water Operator, on behalf of:
David Berg – Water Superintendent
MEETING DATE:
July 2, 2013
AGENDA ITEM NUMBER:
5.3
SUBJECT:
Fire Hydrant Use and Maintenance Program
BACKGROUND:
The Elk River Municipal Utilities Water Department has always maintained and exercised all of
the water hydrants within the City of Elk River whether they are private or owned by ERMU.
The potential cost of repairing a hydrant while being exercised would fall on the utilities, which
includes parts, road repair, landscape repair, etc. For cost and liability reasons, staff recommends
defining the difference between private and public hydrants.
DISCUSSION:
The Water Department generated a Fire Hydrant Use and Maintenance program to outline the
responsibilities of ERMU and the owners of the private hydrants. The proposed program would
allow ERMU to maintain the private hydrants for an annual fee. Per section 508 of the State Fire
Code, hydrants are required to be inspected, tested and maintained annually.
With this program in place, ERMU would reduce the liability for costly repairs and would be
reimbursed for labor and all of the materials used during annual maintenance. If any repairs were
required, ERMU would be reimbursed for labor and materials used during the repair.
The annual fee for private hydrant maintenance is proposed at $60.
ACTION REQUESTED:
For implementation on January 1, 2014, staff recommends the Commission approve the Fire
Hydrant Use and Maintenance Program and the private hydrant maintenance fee of $60 per year.
ATTACHMENTS:
Fire Hydrant Use and Maintenance Program
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8.33 Fire Hydrant Use and
Maintenance
Page 1 of 4 Proposed July 2, 2013
8.33 FIRE HYDRANT USE AND MAINTENANCE
1.0 Authority
Section 508 of the state fire code requires inspection, testing and maintenance of fire protection
water supplies which include water lines and fire hydrant systems. Fire hydrant systems shall be
subject to periodic tests, maintained in an operative condition at all times and shall be repaired
where defective. Additions, repairs, alterations and servicing shall comply with approved
standards. Section 101 of the state fire code authorizes the city to adopt rules to implement the
fire code.
2.0 Purpose
Elk River Municipal Utilities (ERMU) finds that it is in the best interest of ERMU and the City
of Elk River to outline the policy and procedures for the maintenance and use of public and
private fire hydrants. It is in the public interest that both public and private hydrants are
inspected and maintained by qualified personnel and are repaired and maintained in good
working order to protect life and property.
3.0 Objective
Define standard responsibilities, maintenance, inspection procedures and restrictions on the use
of public and private fire hydrants within the City of Elk River.
4.0 General
Fire hydrants within the City of Elk River are for the exclusive use of ERMU and the City.
Hydrants shall only be used for emergencies and any activities approved by ERMU. This policy
applies to:
A. Public and privately owned hydrants within the City of Elk River;
B. Individuals, groups, or companies that use municipal water within the city; and
C. ERMU and the City of Elk River.
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8.33 Fire Hydrant Use and
Maintenance
Page 2 of 4 Proposed July 2, 2013
5.0 Responsibilities
The ERMU Water Department shall:
A. Direct and schedule all public and private hydrant maintenance and inspection
activities.
B. Contract as necessary for maintenance and repair services.
C. Ensure all new hydrants installed in the City meet specifications.
D. Inspect and exercise all hydrants in the City.
E. Document hydrants needing repairs and make repairs as necessary.
6.0 Procedures
A. Companies and/or individuals wishing to use fire hydrants must gain approval
from ERMU before using fire hydrants and pay the fees published in the ERMU
Fee Schedule.
B. Companies and/or individuals needing city water for projects will be required to
complete ERMU application for service prior to obtaining access to water.
C. All water obtained directly from fire hydrants will be billed at the rate specified in
the ERMU Fee Schedule.
D. Isolation valves for well hydrants will be left in the off position. A section of
PVC pipe will be placed inside the valve box as a reminder that the valve is off.
Any inspection, maintenance, or repair of these hydrants is only at the direction of
the Water Superintendent.
7.0 Procedures
Annually, all public and private fire hydrants directly or indirectly connected to the municipal
water system shall be inspected either by ERMU personnel or a qualified contractor engaged by
ERMU to do inspections, unless ERMU has granted the owner of a private hydrant(s) permission
to use a different approved licensed plumber. This inspection shall include testing of the
operation and flow of the hydrants. Should a private hydrant owner be granted permission to use
a different contractor, the owner shall provide ERMU with written verification in advance of the
inspection. Contact information for the contractor performing the inspection and date of the
scheduled inspection are required.
A. ERMU staff will document any problems found during the annual inspection.
Any hydrants taken out of service will be marked at the hydrant and its location
provided to the Fire Department.
B. Repairs to the hydrant will be prioritized based on ERMU and/or City needs.
Every attempt will be made to return non-working hydrants to service within one
business day.
C. Hydrants that do not drain will be pumped dry each fall to prevent freezing and
possible damage to the hydrant.
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8.33 Fire Hydrant Use and
Maintenance
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D. Fire hydrants will be painted periodically to maintain their appearance and
visibility to the fire department.
8.0 Fire Hydrant Maintenance
The following items will be accomplished during annual fire hydrant maintenance:
A. An inventory of the hydrant will be accomplished to ensure that the hydrant is not
missing any parts (flag, caps, chains, etc.) on an annual basis.
B. The hydrant will be exercised and flushed on an annual basis.
C. The hydrant isolation valve will be exercised periodically.
D. All nozzles will be lubricated with food grade anti-seize to prevent rusting
periodically.
E. The oil reservoir will be topped off with hydrant oil periodically.
F. The hydrant will be painted periodically.
G. All fire hydrants will be painted fire hydrant red.
H. Hydrants that are plugged and do not drain will have the pumper nozzle painted
black.
I. Well hydrants will have the pumper nozzle painted blue.
J. Private hydrants will have the pumper nozzle painted yellow.
9.0 Private Fire Hydrants
Private fire hydrants are defined as hydrants that are located on privately owned property. These
properties are generally commercial, industrial, apartment, townhome, and condominium
properties.
10.0 Inspection of Private Fire Hydrants
A. All private hydrants will be inspected by ERMU personnel or contractors as
provided in Section 7.0 of this Policy.
B. ERMU will charge an annual inspection fee per the ERMU Fee Schedule for each
privately owned fire hydrant. The cost of the inspection will be spread out evenly
over a 12 month period.
11.0 Required Repairs of Private Hydrants
In the event that an ERMU inspection of a private hydrant indicates that repairs are required,
ERMU will notify the owner of the hydrant in writing of the repairs that are needed. The repairs
are the responsibility of the owner.
A. The owner may choose to have the repairs completed by a qualified contractor or
by ERMU. If a contractor is selected the owner must notify ERMU as soon as the
repairs are completed.
B. If the owner chooses ERMU to complete the repairs OR if repairs are not made
within (30) days of initial notification, the necessary repairs will be made by
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8.33 Fire Hydrant Use and
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ERMU of its contractor. The cost of any materials, equipment, and labor will be
billed directly to the property owner. Fees for equipment and labor are set forth in
the ERMU Fee Schedule.
12.0 Hydrant Access
A. There shall be no less than 36” of horizontal clearance on all sides of the hydrant.
B. All hydrants are to be free of obstacles so that the hydrant may be seen by
approaching fire trucks at a minimum distance of 200 feet.
C. Posts, fences, vehicles, brush, trash, flowers, or any other items may not be placed
or kept near fire hydrants.
D. ERMU will not be responsible for items or landscaping within 36” of any fire
hydrant.
E. In the event an excavation needs to be accomplished in order to repair the
hydrant, ERMU will fill in the excavation and level out the soil. ERMU will
restore any turf with either seed or sod, but will not be responsible for restoring
any type of decorative landscaping (flowers beds, rocks, shrubs, etc.) to its
previous condition.
F. The fire department shall not be hindered from gaining immediate access to a
hydrant.
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