Dependable water service for fires to be weighed
By:
Updated: April 17, 2007
An emergency ordinance was approved Monday concerning the use of fire flow tanks and other supplemental measures. The Quorum Court will address the ordinance at its monthly meeting Sept. 14.
With the rapid development in the county, many subdivisions are being built in areas that do not have adequate water flow to fight fires.
In such cases, the County Fire Marshal may allow the use of supplemental measures.
The ordinance will regulate how supplemental - and other water storage facilities - are maintained.
Fire Code 1142 is the only guidance available and allows developers to use certain measures to supplement hydrants. A developer should set back reserves to allow for the inspection and maintenance of the facilities - whether they are tanks, ponds or pumps.
The ordinance requires the facilities to be approved by the County Fire Marshal. There is one storage tank in operation in the county and another being prepared to serve a very large subdivision.
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