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Fire Hydrants, Control Valves and Appurtenances

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Clearance Requirements

Purpose
The purpose of this document is to provide guidance on the requirements and intent of the currently adopted California Fire Code and the published COL Standards Detail – Water document. The City of Pleasanton follows the COL Standards unless otherwise noted. The California Fire Code (CFC) establishes minimum access distances be provided to fire hydrants (both public and private), fire department connections (FDC), fire sprinkler control valves, and other fire protection associated appurtenances. The City of Livermore (COL) Standard Details – Water provides additional installation requirements.

Clearance Requirements

Fire Hydrants

  • Maintain unobstructed access to fire hydrants (CFC 507.5.4)  Hydrant Clearance
  • Maintain a 3-foot minimum clear space around the circumference of fire hydrants. This includes, but is not limited to fences, shrubs and other vegetation, storage, etc. (CFC 507.5.5) See Diagram
  • Bollards shall not obstruct valves per City of
    Livermore Detail W-12
  • Hydrants are not to be obstructed by gates, fences, or other items without approval of both LPFD and hydrant owner. Property owners may be required to purchase an approved LPFD padlock.
  • California Vehicle Code (CVC) 22514 prohibits parking within 15 feet of a fire hydrant.

Hydrant Maintenance Identification

Pleasanton:

  • Yellow: City Owned
  • Red: Privately Owned
  • Earth Tone: Ruby Hill
  • Purple: City Owned, Reclaimed Water

Livermore:

  • Yellow: City Owned
  • Red
    • Cal Water: Adjacent to a public street or sidewalk
    • Privately Owned: After backflow preventor
  • Purple: Reclaimed Water
    • City Owned: Adjacent to a public street or sidewalk
    • Privately Owned: After preventor on private property.

Fire Department Connection (FDC)

Unobstructed access shall be provided to a FDC (CFC 912.4) by providing not less than 36-inches wide, 36-inches deep, and 78-inches tall be maintained in front of and on all sides of the FDC.

City of Livermore Standard Detail W-10A, Note 5 requires the FDC to remain visible and not be screened from view.

Backflow Preventer Assemblies and Other Valves

Access path from Emergency Vehicle Access (EVA) Roads shall be provided and maintained to allow for the safe operation and maintenance of the equipment (CFC 509.2). Not less than 3-feet unobstructed clearance around valves shall be provided in order to maintain safe operation/maintenance. The current California Plumbing code requires at least 12-inches of clear space be maintained from the backflow preventer assembly.

City of Livermore Standard Detail W-10A, Note 5 requires a minimum of 36-inch clear space to be maintained from vegetation, shrubs, and other items from the backflow preventer assembly.

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