Paying for a fire hydrant

[NUTTSGT]

I'm not sure what the cost of a hydrant is as it comes out of our budget directly and goes to the water dept. Same thing for hydrant maint. I do know if they are requiring a hydrant with a Stortz fitting on it, that will add about $4-500 to the cost of the hydrant.

When a city contracts the laying of the water line it does get expensive. Our city bought a used excavator from the county that has wheels instead of tracks to put in new water line. It was cheaper for the city to buy the excavator and have the city crews do it than to pay to have it done. End result, water lines in, city has another piece of equipment and saved money.

 

[zcar751]

I used to work for a water district in Maine about 10 years ago and at that time we would estimate putting in a water main at $1,000,000 a mile. So 10K for a fire hydrant doesn't sound out of line. I would question the code requirement for a hydrant within 250'. I would ask to see that one in writing.
After going back and reading the original post, it's the Water District that is telling you that its your responsibility to put in the hydrant. I would bet that you have a Water District separate of the municipal government. If that is the case I would speculate that the fire department is using you to get the hydrant upgraded for that area because the WD probably has told them no in the past. This type of BS happens a lot between FDs and WDs and the property owners are caught in the middle.
I would check on the Codes that the FD is referencing and see there is an option B. Or you could meet with WDs board and try to negotiate a cost sharing of the installation don't take the WDs employees word as final.
Of course if that 4" hydrant were accidently broken by someone hitting it with a truck and driving off, well you know that stuff just happens.

 

[plow]

Please ask "them" to provide the code ref. they are biasing their statements from. I'm not familiar with Ca. codes, But I may be able to help if it has to do with NFPA standards. these often can be misinterpreted.

My first question is why the need for a hydrant on personal/private property. Second would be if required, How much water do they require at a given spot IE available gpm.

Sounds maybe like a flow test of the hydrants in the area will need to be done.

I'll reread the OP to make sure I have this straight. You also may want to consult a Fire Protection Co. in your area. This shouldn't cost you anything.

 

[Bib Overalls]

I agree CNG. Their requirement is 1000 GPM for 2 hours so can't collect enough water for that kind of a requirement. I'm working with the water dept right now and they are researching the current plumbing to the fire hydrant. Exactly to your point, why wasn't this updated when the house was built or when the developer laid down the lines? Crazy I tell ya!!!!

120,000 gallons is a serious amount of water. Weighs 1,000,000 pounds!

You could satisfy this with a 40' x 80' swimming pool.

Would you be required to store the full amount or only the difference between what your hydrant will deliver and the 120,000 gallon two hour requirement?

A more reasonable 20' x 40' pool will hold 30,000+ gallons.

Pumper trucks carry suction hose and have the ability to pump from pools, lakes, ponds, etc.

I'd rather invest in a pool than a fire hydrant!

 

[trainer]

Could you modify your plans to build two smaller buildings rather than one large one?

 

[Roots]

Zogman, good luck today with this.