Date: Fri 29-Aug-1997

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDYG

Quick Words:

P&Z-firefighting-water

Full Text:

P&Z Reviews Rules On Firefighting Water Supplies

BY ANDREW GOROSKO

Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) members fine-tuned zoning regulations

August 21 on the placement of firefighting water supplies at development sites

in an effort to make the rules more workable.

The P&Z had approved zoning rules requiring the installation of underground

water storage tanks for firefighting at new industrial, commercial and

residential developments in September 1996. Fire officials had sought the

promulgation of such rules for several years, first from the Legislative

Council and then from the P&Z.

After the regulations were in effect for several months, Fire Marshal George

Lockwood last April made suggestions to the P&Z on how the rules could be made

more workable.

The changes made by the P&Z August 21 eliminate some ambiguities in the

original regulations, more clearly stating the fire protection requirements.

Elizabeth Stocker, the P&Z's planning aide, told P&Z members the revised

regulations require that the stored water be kept only on the development

site. The earlier version of the regulations had allowed water to be stored

off the site, but near to it.

The regulations require non-metallic underground water storage tanks for fire

protection. 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.

Commercial complexes of less than 5,000 square feet may be exempted from the

water supply regulations, if the fire marshal and district fire chief

determine the nature of the business doesn't pose a high fire risk.

New residential subdivisions, resubdivisions and multifamily complexes will be

required to store water for firefighting.

The regulations allow a surface water supply for firefighting, such as a pond,

provided that it is maintained and accessible throughout the year. The fire

pond must be within 1,000 feet of each industrial building, commercial

building, or each feasible home site in a residential subdivision,

resubdivision or multifamily complex.

The revised rules specify the amount of water that must be stored for

firefighting, based on the type of development and its size.

The revised rules allow the fire marshal and district fire chief to review the

site proposed for a surface water supply to ensure that it's practical in

terms of the fire apparatus that's available for firefighting there.

The new rules require that applications for a natural or man-made on-site

surface water supply be accompanied by a drainage analysis prepared by a

licensed professional engineer. Such a report must state the minimum amount of

water available during the dry season and must also indicate the source and

amount of water available during all weather conditions.

The regulations require that developers install firefighting water storage

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

performance bond.

Town fire officials pursued getting water storage regulations in light of

ongoing local development.

Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire and Rescue Company Chief Bill Halstead has said the

availability of stored water tanks will help firefighters prevent losses when

they arrive at the scene of fires. Water storage on a 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.

At a rate of $1.25 per stored gallon of water, the water storage regulations

would add about $50,000 to the cost of an industrial development where there's

the need to store 40,000 gallons of water.