Agenda Item 2B - Ordinance 80-14-86CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH
CITY COMMISSION MEETING
STAFF REPORT
AGRNDA ITEM: Detector Checks for Fire Line Metc1ing
Proposed Ord inance No. 80-l4-86
SUBMITTED BY: Donna Kalu zniak , Uti lity Direc tor
DATE: Ma y 19,20 14
STRATEGIC PLAN LINK: None
AGENDA ITEM #2B
J ULY28,20 14
BACKGROUND: In 2005, as part of the C ity's Water Los s Prevention Program , staff
recommended and the Commi ss ion approved an Ordinance requiring full metering of new fire
service lines. Fire service lin es are ind ividual water services that arc used strict ly for tire
sprinkler systems o r for private fire hydrants. Typica ll y, they wou ld on ly be used during a fire.
or while testing or repairing the fire sprink ler system or hyd rants for proper functi on.
Staff was concemed that water loss might be occurring through these lines, which were not
required to be metered. However, since enacting the Ordinan ce, staff has not seen any
unexplained water usage.
In sta ll ation of a fu ll meter on a lire line is very expensive for bu sinesses. These lin es are
typically 6-inch cs or more in diameter. The cost of the meter, and constmction of a meter vau lt,
bypass lines, etc. ca n cost $14,000 to $20,000.
To reduce the burden on businesses, staff would lik e to revise the ordinance to req uire the
in stallation of detector check meters on fire lines instead. These are sma ll meters that are
insta lled on a bypass on the fire serv ice line. T he meter will regi ster that flow has oecuned, but
will not indi cate the full t1ow through the line. The City can monitor whether flow has occUlTed,
and require ve rifi cation that th e flow was for a tire or fire lin e test. If verifi cation is not
provided, the City can then require the owner to install a full fire lin e meter.
BUDGET: The C ity docs not rely on nor anticipate revenue from thi service and therefore
there is no budget imp act.
RECOMMENDATION: Approve Introd uction and First Reading of Ordinance 80-14-86
req uiring detector check meters on fire serv ice lines instead of full met ers.
ATTACHMENTS: 1 .. Ord in ance No. 80-14-86
..
REVIEWED BY CITY MANAGER: 21 t/"a~ ~
ORDINANCE NO. 80-14-86
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 22 UTILITIES,
ARTICLE II, AMENDING SECTION 22-30, PRIVATE FIRE
PROTECTION SERVICE TO PROVIDE METHOD OF
MONITORING FIRE LINE USAGE; TO PROVIDE FOR
SEVERABILITY; TO PROVIDE FOR AN EFFECTIVE
DATE.
AGENDA ITEM# 2B
JULY 28,2014
WHEREAS, the City has encouraged water conservation using several methods to
include public education and implementing restructured inclining block water rates, and;
WHEREAS, loss of water may occur from unmetered fire lines through leaks, improper
connections, or misuse, and;
WHEREAS, it is impmtant to be aware of and measure all uses of water to the extent
possible, and;
WHEREAS, in the current code there is a requirement that fire protection services on
new facilities be metered.
WHEREAS, use of a detector check meter will be less burdensome on businesses while
allowing the City to check for unusual water use through the fire service line.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ENACTED BY THE CITY COMMISSION ON BEHALF
OF THE PEOPLE OF THE CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH, FLORIDA, that;
Section I. Chapter 22 Utilities, of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Atlantic Beach,
Florida is hereby amended to read as follows:
Sec. 22-30. Private fire protection service.
Fire protection service charges shall be billed the monthly water base rate for a %"
meter. Fire protection service, either private hydrants or sprinkler systems, shall be
installed from the connection to_ the main inward at the expense of the consumer. All
such installations shall be made in strict accordance with the rules of the American
Insurance Association in force at the date of installation and with such requirements as
may be prescribed by the city manager. No taps will be allowed which may be used for
other than fire protection purposes, and unless pursuant to special permit from the city
manager, there shall be no connection with any other source of water except in case a
storage tank or fire pump is installed as a secondary supply for such fire protection.
Fire protection services on new facilities shall be metered have a detector check meter
installed on the fire line. Customers with existing fire protection services will be required
to install a detector check meter on the fire line. No water volume charge shall be made
for water used while fighting a fire or testing the fire sprinkler system; however, evidence
with documentation of such fire fighting or equipment testing may be required by the
AGENDA ITEM # 2B
JULY 28,2014
city. Water used for other than fire fighting or testing of the sprinkler system will be
charged the normal volume rate and the base charge appropriate for the size of meter, and
the city may require the customer to install an appropriately sized meter on the fire
service line.
SECTION 2. Severability
If any section, sentence, clause, or phrase of this ordinance is held to be invalid or
unconstitutional by any court of competent jurisdiction, then said holding shall in no way
affect the validity of the remaining pmtions of this ordinance.
SECTION 3. Effective Date
This Ordinance shall take effect upon its final passage and adoption.
Passed by the City Commission on first reading this 9111 day of June 2014.
Passed by the City Commission on this second and final reading this __ Day of
___ 2014.
Carolyn Woods
Mayor I Presiding Officer
Approved as to form and conectness:
Rich Komando, Esquire
City Attorney
ATTEST:
Donna L. Bartle, CMC
City Clerk