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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-FES-002 Tilley Fire Hydrants COUNTY OF NEWELL - POLICY HANDBOOK POLICY NO: 2013-FES-002 TITLE: TILLEY FIRE HYDRANTS ADOPTED: SUPERCEDES NO: n/a December 19, 2013 (C-421/13) TO BE REVIEWED: December 31, 2018 PAGE NO: 1 of 3 Policy Purpose This policy is being brought into effect to ensure a proper understanding and necessary procedures are in place when dealing with the limitations of the Tilley Fire Hydrant System as it now operates. Limitations such as; a)Hydrant spacing does not meet standards in all areas of the Hamlet. b)The system does not have a backup power supply. c)No functioning Fire Pump in place. d)Flow Testing has not been conducted and as such no data is available to determine if the system is capable of supplying sufficient water at industry standards to fight a residential structure, commercial structure or public building fire. e)Uncertainty surrounding how the existing three (3) electric pumps function based on flow demand. f)Uncertainty surrounding the water distribution system due to inactive periods of flushing and valve exercising plus increased (fire flow conditions) pressure on the lines may cause some disruptions. 1.0General Definitions In this policy: 1.1“Fire Hydrants or Fire Hydrant System” means Dry Barrel Fire Hydrants attached to the Municipal Water System. 1.2“Flow Testing” means performing testing procedures to determine or measure the LPM flow rate of the hydrants. COUNTY OF NEWELL - POLICY HANDBOOK POLICY NO: 2013-FES-002 TITLE: TILLEY FIRE HYDRANTS ADOPTED: SUPERCEDES NO: n/a December 19, 2013 (C-421/13) TO BE REVIEWED: December 31, 2018 PAGE NO: 2 of 3 2.0Fire Hydrant Maintenance 2.1The Fire Hydrant System is connected to a Municipal Water System which is run via contract by NRSC. The maintenance is the responsibility of the County and maintained by either NRSC via contract and / or The County of Newell. 2.2The County of Newell Manager of Fire & Emergency Services may from time to time make recommendations concerning maintenance. 2.3Valve maintenance / exercising should be conducted on an annual basis. 2.4Fire Hydrant flushing should be conducted in conformance with NFPA 25 “Standard for the Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems”. This may be done with the flow testing of fire hydrants. 2.5Freeze protection for fire hydrants shall be provided by hydrants that drain properly or via an approved antifreeze solution during times when the temperature would cause the system to freeze off. 2.6Non draining fire hydrants shall be suitably marked. 2.7The County of Newell Manager of Fire & Emergency Services + NRSC & Tilley Fire Department need to be notified of any fire hydrants or supply lines that are taken out of service, even on a temporary basis. 2.8All other fire hydrant maintenance should be conducted in conformance with NFPA 25 “Standard for the Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems. COUNTY OF NEWELL - POLICY HANDBOOK POLICY NO: 2013-FES-002 TITLE: TILLEY FIRE HYDRANTS ADOPTED: SUPERCEDES NO: n/a December 19, 2013 (C-421/13) TO BE REVIEWED: December 31, 2018 PAGE NO: 3 of 3 3.0Flow Testing of Fire Hydrants 3.1Flow testing of fire hydrants should be carried out if possible each year by the Manager of Fire & Emergency Services with assistance from Municipal Services and Tilley Fire Department. 3.2NRSC should be notified of the proposed flow testing dates and times. 3.3Copies of the Flow Testing records are to be kept by the County of Newell and can be shared with NRSC and Tilley Fire Department. 3.4The Flow Testing and any records thereof done by The County of Newell are not to be considered by any part as an Engineered Flow Test with guaranteed accuracy. This test should be considered as information only and is conducted following procedures laid out by the Fire Underwriters Survey. 3.5All possible water pumps need to function during this test to provide the most accurate information possible. 4.0Water Pumps 4.1All system supply pumps should be tested in conformance with NFPA 25 “Standard for the Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems”. 4.2 Once the initial fire hydrant flow tests have been conducted the data generated may be used to determine the need for additional pumps or a dedicated Fire Pump.