VI. Fire Protection Standards
1. Design Requirements
The flow standards for public fire protection purposes set forth below are those the Commission considers appropriate on an average statewide basis.
A. Standards of Local Fire Protection Agencies Govern
The Commission recognizes that there are widely varying conditions bearing on fire protection throughout the urban, suburban, and rural areas of California. Therefore, the standards prescribed by the local fire protection agency or other prevailing local governmental agency shall govern.
B. Application of the Utility's Main Extension Rule
Such local flow standards shall be followed whether greater or lesser than those set forth in this chapter. Mains designed for and capable of
providing flows in excess of the fire flow requirements referenced in this General Order, shall be considered mains providing excess flow for the purpose of the application of the utility's main extension rule.
2. Initial Construction, Extension, or Modification
In the initial construction, extension, or modification of a water system required to serve a new applicant or a change in use, the facilities constructed, extended, or modified shall be designed to be capable of providing, for a minimum of two hours, at a minimum of 20 psi, the flows specified in the 2007 California Fire Code, Appendix B, or its successor.
3. Replacement of Mains
The utility shall not be responsible for modifying or replacing at its expense any existing facilities, which are otherwise adequate, in order to provide increased fire flow or duration due to changes in the standards after the initial construction.
B. Replacement for Other Reasons
When a main requires replacement for other reasons, the new main, if used or useful for fire protection purposes, shall be sized to accommodate the governing fire flow standard.
4. Fire Hydrants
Fire hydrants shall be attached to the distribution system at the locations and spacing designated by the agency responsible for their use for fire fighting purposes.
5. Fire Hydrant Service Agreement
A. Charges for furnishing water to entities providing fire protection services to others shall be pursuant to written agreement in accordance with Public Utilities Code Section 2713, or its successor.
B. Each water utility shall make all reasonable efforts to form or renew agreements with entities providing fire protection services that are beneficial to the utility and its customers.
C. When such written agreement is entered into between the utility and the fire protection agency which requires the utility to be responsible for all or any portion of the capital expenditures or maintenance costs associated with providing fire hydrant service, such expenditures and costs may be included by the utility in its general plant accounts and operating expenses for ratemaking purposes.
D. The utility may bill the fire protection agency for fire hydrant service charges only under written agreement with the agency that it will pay such charges. Fire hydrant charges made under written agreement will also be included in revenues for ratemaking purposes.
E. In the absence of any written agreement between the utility and the fire protection agency, the utility will be responsible for maintaining fire hydrant service to the extent of its means. All cost associated with providing this service may be included for ratemaking purposes.
F. Fire hydrant service agreements between the fire protection agency and the utility shall be submitted by advice letter in accordance with General Order 96-B.
