Date: Fri 27-Sep-1996

Publication: Bee

Author: SUPERE

Quick Words:

P&Z-water-tanks-firefighting

Full Text:

New Regulations Will Require Water Tanks For Fighting Fires

B Y A NDREW G OROSKO

The Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) has approved zoning rules requiring

the installation of underground water storage tanks for firefighting at new

industrial, commercial and residential developments.

Fire officials have wanted town regulations on firefighting water tanks for

the past several years. The P&Z conducted a public hearing last summer at

which numerous fire officials called for water tank regulations.

The fire tank rules come amid a flurry of residential subdivision applications

and approvals. The new regulations approved by the P&Z on September 19 will

take effect September 30.

The regulations are intended to ensure there will be an on-site or near-site

supply of water for fighting fires at new residential, commercial and

industrial sites. All commercial and industrial buildings of 5,000 square feet

or more, and commercial building renovations of 2,500 square feet or more must

have a water storage tank for fire suppression.

A 30,000-gallon tank will be required. Larger tanks or multiple tanks will be

required for complexes exceeding 20,000 square feet in area. The water tanks

may be fed from a stream or river, roof drains, parking lot drains or any

other reliable water source. Tanks must be kept at least 80 percent full.

Water tank requirements may be waived under certain conditions. These include

the presence of an approved fire sprinkler system, or an on-site or near-site

surface water supply for firefighting, or a public fire hydrant system.

New commercial complexes of less than 5,000 square feet won't be required to

have fire suppression water systems unless the nature of the business is

determined by fire officials to pose a high fire risk.

Residential Rules

New residential subdivisions, re-subdivisions, or multifamily complexes, such

as condominiums, holding three to ten dwelling units must provide a

20,000-gallon fire suppression system.

Residential complexes of more than 10 dwelling units must provide additional

water storage capacity, with the amount of the water storage and its placement

to be determined by fire officials.

Like industrial and commercial water storage systems, the storage requirements

for residential systems may be waived if adequate on-site surface water

storage is available.

The new regulations require that developers install firefighting water storage

supplies within two years as guaranteed by the terms of a construction

performance bond.

Outgoing P&Z Chairman Stephen Adams developed the fire tank zoning regulations

with the assistance of other P&Z members and fire officials.

The rules approved by the P&Z September 19 grew out of comments made July 11

at a P&Z public hearing.

The P&Z should get some fire tank rules in place soon in light of continuing

local development, Mr Adams said September 19, noting that local fire

officials have long wanted such rules in place.

At the July 11 public hearing, P&Z members heard a range of opinion on the

fire tank regulations.

Economic Development Commission (EDC) members supported the water tank rules,

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

some smaller businesses, according to the EDC.

Attorney Robert Hall, the owner of the Main Street building which houses

Newtown General Store, said July 11 the proposed water storage regulations

appear very burdensome and expensive for the owners of industrial and

commercial properties, as well as the owners of residential subdivisions. The

attorney said, however, that fire safety is a worthy goal.

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

water tank setup will help firefighters prevent losses when they arrive at the

scene of fires. Water storage on-site is expected to cost roughly $1 to $1.50

per gallon of water stored, he said. The costs of such water storage could be

spread by developers among the owners of houses in new subdivisions, he said,

noting that the presence of water storage tanks will decrease fire insurance

rates.