Date: Fri 19-Jul-1996

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDYG

Quick Words:

P&Z-water-storage-tank

Full Text:

Fire Prevention Water Storage Plan Gets Support And Criticism

B Y A NDREW G OROSKO

A proposal to require new commercial and industrial buildings, condominium

complexes and residential subdivisions to install water storage tanks for

firefighting drew a range of opinion at a July 11 public hearing conducted by

the Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z).

Fire officials want the P&Z to require the construction of underground water

tanks for firefighting at new commercial, industrial and residential projects

so that firefighters would have a dependable water source immediately

available for firefighting.

Under the proposed regulations, all new commercial and industrial buildings of

5,000 square feet or more, and/or building renovations and additions of 2,500

square feet or more would have a water storage tank for firefighting. The

regulation would require a 30,000-gallon non-metallic buried tank equipped

with piping, a sump, and drainage overflow. Larger tanks or multiple tanks

would be required for complexes exceeding 20,000 square feet.

In a letter to the P&Z, Economic Development Commission (EDC) Chairman Walter

Motyka wrote that EDC members support the proposed water tank rules, with some

exceptions. The costs to install water tanks could financially hurt some

smaller businesses, according to the EDC chairman.

James Osborne of Zoar Road voiced support for the proposed firefighting water

storage requirement.

Attorney Robert Hall, owner of the building that houses the Newtown General

Store on Main Street, said the proposed water storage regulations "seem very

burdensome" for residential subdivisions and the owners of commercial and

industrial properties.

Mr Hall said requirements for water storage facilities could prove to be very

expensive for property owners.

The lawyer, though, said that fire safety is a worthy goal.

Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire and Rescue Company Chief William Halstead said fire

officials have been developing the proposed water storage regulations for the

past five years. Fire officials have "been bounced around" among various town

agencies in their pursuit of water storage regulations, he said.

"This is a plan that would give us water throughout the town," he said. The

proposed rules are intended to provide firefighters with an initial supply of

water before fire tanker trucks arrive at the scene of a fire, he said.

"We have to have water to put out fires," he stressed. "We're trying to

prevent losses."

The cost to provide water storage facilities runs between $1 and $1.50 per

gallon of water stored, Chief Halstead said.

A 30,000-gallon tank would cost somewhere between $30,000 and $45,000. The

cost for such facilities could be included in real estate prices by

developers, he said. For example, if water storage facilities costs $30,000 to

install in a new residential subdivision with 15 houses, each new property

owner could be charged $2,000 by the developer to cover water storage tank

costs.

Having water storage tanks in place would result in reduced fire insurance

rates, Chief Halstead said.

Areas that are served by fire ponds and which have access to United Water's

fire hydrant system wouldn't be affected by the proposed water tank

regulations, he said. In fashioning the proposed regulations, fire officials

studied similar existing regulations in other area towns, he said.

Ernest Morgan of Pocono Road said installing water storage tanks would be a

costly proposal. Mr Morgan asked whether it would be fair for a business which

didn't install a storage tank to benefit from the presence of a storage tank

installed by another nearby business.

Mr Morgan suggested that the town's volunteer fire departments buy more water

tanker trucks for firefighting.

Developer Charles Spath told P&Z members he doesn't oppose the proposed water

tank regulations, but the wording of the proposal is somewhat vague and needs

improvement.

Coordination And Planning

Coordination and planning for water storage facilities is necessary, he said,

adding that the "total town" should be kept in mind when deciding where to

place storage tanks.

Mr Spath asked that P&Z members consider tank placements based on some

distance system. More thought should be given to where fire water tanks are

sited and how they would be maintained, he said.

Developer Larry Edwards said that in his home town of Easton water tank

placements are based on a distance system. The proposed regulations must be

refined, he said.

Norman Nagy of Cold Spring Road also favored creating a distance system.

Newtown Hook and Ladder Volunteer Fire Company Chief Steve Murphy said United

Water's fire hydrant system in the center of town has 105 fire hydrants. But,

he noted, not all hydrants perform equally well. Some hydrants provide much

water while others don't, he noted.

Kevin Cragin, chairman of the Board of Fire Commissioners, said the town's

five fire chiefs decided six years ago to develop water storage regulations

for the town. Many residential subdivisions have been built her during the

past six years, he added.

P&Z Chairman Stephen Adams said he wants to see new zoning regulations on

water tanks for firefighting approved as soon as possible.

P&Z members are expected to consider the comments made at the July 11 public

hearing in refining the proposed regulations in the coming weeks.