HomeMy WebLinkAbout085 - 08/16/2016 - AMENDING SECTIONS 26-98 AND 26-128 OF CITY CODE REGARDING FIRE SPRINKLER SYSTEMS FOR SINGLE FAMILY AORDINANCE NO. 085, 2016
OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
AMENDING SECTIONS 26-98 AND 26-128 OF THE CITY CODE REGARDING
FIRE SPRINKLER SYSTEMS FOR SINGLE FAMILY ATTACHED HOMES
WHEREAS, on February 4, 2014, City Council approved Ordinance No. 020, 2014,
whicli, among other things, adopted the 2012 International Residential Code with amendments
IRC''); and
WHEREAS, the IRC requires automatic residential fire sprinkler systems in single family
attached homes, such as townhomes, which are combination potable / fire suppression water
systems that deliver water to both standard plumbing fixtures and the fire sprinklers; and
WHEREAS, the standard water meter and line for water service to single family attached
homes in the Fort Collins Utilities service area is currently three-quarter inch; and
WHEREAS, the IRC provides that a water service line of three-quarter inch or smaller is
not permitted for use in such combination potable / fire suppression water systems due to a loss
of pressure in the water service line that reduces the flow rate available at the fire sprinklers; and .
WHEREAS, water plant investment fees ("PIFs") in City Code are based on the size of
the water service line and assume typical flow rates, which do not adequately consider-the short
term high flow water service needs of residential fire sprinkler systems for single family attached
homes; and
WHEREAS, the installation of residential fire sprinkler systems is not anticipated to
increase the overall use of water in typical single family attached homes, and any increased use
will be captured in existing water rates and surcharges; and
WHEREAS, requiring the installation of a one-inch water service line for single family
attached homes results in a significant increase of the PIT that is not justified based on the rarity
with which the residential fire sprinkler systems are anticipated be used; and
WHEREAS; the rates set forth herein will produce revenues sufficient to pay the cost of
operation and maintenance of the City's water utility in good repair and working order; and
WHEREAS, the use of a one inch water meter and line for water service to single family
attached homes in the Fort Collins Utilities service area requires changes to Code Section 26-98
regarding water meter requirements and installation; and
WHEREAS, the changes to. City Code set forth herein are necessary for the sound
operation and management of the water utility.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF. THE CITY OF
FORT COLLINS as follows:
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Section L That the City Council hereby makes and adopts the determinations and
findings contained in the recitals set forth above.
Section 2. That Section 26-98 of the Code of the City of Fort Collins is hereby
amended to read as follows:
Sec. 26-98. - Water meter requirements and installation.
1) Water Meter Installations shall meet the requirements of the Utilities standard
construction specifications adopted by the Utilities Executive Director. Additionally:
1) Meters shall not be installed in a crawl space.
2) Residential 3/4"meters may be installed interior or exterior to the building.
3) All meter installations for meter sizes of 1" or larger shall be installed in
an exterior location.
4) Modifications to the installation locations required under this Subsection
f) may be approved by the Utilities Executive Director if the Utilities Executive
Director first determines that it is not practicable to meet the requirements of this
Subsection (f) due to the physical configuration of the subject property.
Section 3. That Section 26-128 of the Code of the City of Fort Collins is hereby
amended to read as follows:
Sec. 26-128. - Schedule C,water plant investment fees.
The «eater plant investment fee prescribed in Section 26-120 shall be payable by users both
inside and outside of the City, as follows
1) Single-family residential buildings.
For a single-family residential lot greater than one-half(1/2) acre in size, the lot size
shall be deemed_to be one-half('/2) acre for the purpose of this fee calculation. For
each additional tap or meters larger than one (1) inch, the nonresidential rate shall
apply.
a. For the first three-fourths-inch water tap or meter 720.00
b. For the first one-inch water tap or meter to accommodate residential fire 1,220
suppression systems based upon the criteria established in the International Building
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Code as adopted and amended pursuant to Chapter 5 of this Code.
be. Plus, for each square foot of lot area of a lot served by either a three-.fourths 0.33
3/4) inch or one (1) inch water tap or meter,
2) Residential buildings of two (2) or more dwelling units r
The fee will provide for one (1) tap per residential building and an adequate number
of additional taps to serve common irrigable areas, if any. The number and size of taps
shall be determined by the Utilities Executive Director based upon the criteria
established in the International Building Code as adopted and amended pursuant
to Chapter 5 of this Code.
a. For each residential building unit 540.00
b. Plus, for each square foot of lot area 0.24
3) Mobile home parks
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The size of the tap shall be determined by the Utilities Executive Director based
upon the criteria established in the International Building Code as adopted and
amended pursuant to Chapter 5 of this Code.
Section 4. That the modifications set forth above shall be effective for plant
investment fees due and payable on or after June 1, 2016.
Introduced, considered favorably on first reading, and ordered published this 19th day of
July, A.D. 2016, and to be presented for final passage on the 16th day of August, A.D. 2016.
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ATTEST:
OLORP.
City Clerk
Passed and adopted on final reading on the 16th day of August, A.D. 2016.
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o° Mayor
ATTEST: COLOR
City Clerk
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